Daily Readings for August 2, 2017

1ST READING

The face of Moses became radiant when he came before the Lord. This means that we will be changed when we come into God’s presence. His presence is great and unites us with Him. Let us anticipate the day when we will come into His presence and remain with Him always.

Exodus 34:29-35

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 children of Israel 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

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

What is your most important goal in life? What are the most important things for you? Answers to these questions reveal where your heart is. Where your heart is will tell you where you are investing your time and resources. If God is not a part of this, then perhaps it is time to reconsider your goals as it is our relationship with Him that is the most important aspect of our lives. Without God as part of our life, we will not enter into the fullness of eternal life.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 13:44-46

44 Jesus said to his disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. 46 When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”