Daily Readings for July 20, 2016

1ST READING

If we follow God’s will, then we should never doubt it. It does not matter how impossible a task may seem at first. If God has asked us to do it, we can be 100 percent sure that He will give us the grace to do so. This is the promise of God. Let us trust in the goodness and justice of God and so always have the grace we need to do the work of His Kingdom.

Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10

1 The words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, of a priestly family in Anathoth, in the land of Benjamin. 4 The word of the Lord came to me thus: 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.” 6 “Ah, Lord God!” I said, “I know not how to speak; I am too young.” 7 But the Lord answered me, “Say not ‘I am too young.’ To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. 9 Then the Lord extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying, “See, I place my words in your mouth! 10 This day I set you over nations and over kingdoms, to root up and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant.”

P S A L M

Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15, 17

R: I will sing of your salvation.

1 In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. 2 In your justice rescue me, and deliver me; incline your ear to me, and save me. (R) 3 Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety, for you are my rock and my fortress. 4 O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked. (R) 5 For you are my hope, O Lord; my trust, O God, from my youth. 6 On you I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength. (R) 15 My mouth shall declare your justice, day by day your salvation. 17 O God, you have taught me from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds. (R)

GOSPEL

A good disciple is fertile soil for the Word of God to grow in his life. You know a good disciple by the fruits of the Spirit in his life. If we grow in our faith, then the fruits of the Spirit also grow in our lives (refer to Galatians 5). Ask  yourself, “Am I growing in these or not?”

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live forever.

Matthew 13:1-9

1 On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. 3 And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, 6 and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. 7 Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. 8 But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. 9 Whoever has ears ought to hear.”