Daily Readings for July 29, 2015

Memorial of St. Martha, disciple of the Lord

1ST READING

The Israelites worshipped a false god. Moses was enraged at their actions, as God was. Let us reflect for a moment before becoming too indignant of their actions. We live in a society that worships many false gods, and some of these practices have found a home in our lives. Let us first get rid of the idols of materialism and hedonism in our lives before we start vilifying others for the same thing.

Exodus 34:29-35 (or 1 John 4:7-16)

29 As Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the commandments in his hands, he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while he conversed with the Lord. 30 When Aaron, then, and the other Israelites saw Moses and noticed how radiant the skin of his face had become, they were afraid to come near him. 31 Only after Moses called to them did Aaron and all the rulers of the community come back to him. Moses then spoke to them. 32 Later on, all the children of Israel came up to him, and he enjoined on them all that the Lord had told him on Mount Sinai. 33 When he finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. 34 Whenever Moses entered the presence of the Lord to converse with him, he removed the veil until he came out again. On coming out, he would tell the children of Israel all that had been commanded. 35 Then the children of Israel would see that the skin of Moses’ face was radiant; so he would again put the veil over his face until he went in to converse with the Lord.

P S A L M

Psalm 99:5, 6, 7, 9 (or Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11)

R: Holy is the Lord our God.

5 Extol the Lord, our God, and worship at his footstool; holy is he! (R) 6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, and Samuel, among those who called upon his name; they called upon the Lord, and he answered them. (R) 7 From the pillar of cloud he spoke to them; they heard his decrees and the law he gave them. (R) 9 Extol the Lord, our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for holy is the Lord, our God. (R)

GOSPEL

Martha is a great servant and is to be commended for her desire to serve. But there are times when we have to put aside the need to serve and simply relax in the presence of our friends and family. God wants us to relax in His presence and listen to what He has to say to us. The balance between “being” and “doing” is not always easy to find.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I call you my friends, says the Lord, for I have made know to you all that the Father has told me.

John 11:19-27 (or Luke 10:38-42 or Matthew 13:44-46)

19 Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died]. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, 26 and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”

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