Daily Readings for July 26, 2016

Memorial of Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of the Virgin Mary

1ST READING

We remember people by their legacies. Joachim and Anne left us their daughter, Mary, and never has there been such a great gift given to the world aside from Jesus. May we be judged by how we serve those around us. What legacy do you want to leave behind?

Sirach 44:1, 10-15 (or Jeremiah 14:17-22)

1 Now will I praise those godly men, our ancestors, each in his own time: 10 These were godly men whose virtues have not been forgotten; 11 Their wealth remains in their families, their heritage with their descendants; 12 Through God’s covenant with them their family endures, their posterity, for their sake. 13 And for all time their progeny will endure, their glory will never be blotted out; 14 Their bodies are peacefully laid away, but their name lives on and on. 15 At gatherings their wisdom is retold, and the assembly proclaims their praise.

P S A L M

Psalm 132: 11, 13-14, 17-18 (or Psalm 79:8, 9, 11, 13)

R: God will give him the throne of David, his father.

11 The Lord swore to David a firm promise from which he will not withdraw: “Your own offspring I will set upon your throne.” (R) 13 For the Lord has chosen Zion; he prefers her for his dwelling. 14 “Zion is my resting place forever; in her will I dwell, for I prefer her.” (R) 17 “In her will I make a horn to sprout forth for David; I will place a lamp for my anointed. 18 His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon him my crown shall shine.” (R)

GOSPEL

There is no excuse for not listening to the voice of the Spirit. We should be attentive to His leading because we need it every day. Let us open our hearts to the Word of God and learn from His truth. This will free us to become the disciples God intended us to be.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 13:36-43 (or Matthew 13:16-17)

36 Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37 He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, 38 the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the Evil One, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. 42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”