Daily Readings for July 26, 2017

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

1ST READING

We remember significant figures in history. Sometimes we also remember their parents like Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As parents, they had a formative role in Mary’s life. There is nothing written about them but what we know about their character through the witness of their daughter’s life.

Sirach 44:1, 10-15 (or Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15)

1 Now will I praise those godly men, our ancestors, each in his own time: 10 Yet these also 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 78:18-19, 23-24, 25-26, 27-28)

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

The truly wise person can easily discern between the voices to listen to or reject. In today’s Gospel, Jesus spoke about the people who had the opportunity to hear the greatest wisdom of all. May we always listen to the wisdom of salvation and follow wherever it may lead.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

They yearned for the comforting of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested upon them.

Matthew 13:16-17 (or Matthew 13:1-9)

16 Jesus said to his disciples: “Blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. 17 Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”