Daily Readings for July 31, 2018

Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola, priest

1st READING

God is faithful to keep His covenant with us, no matter what we do or fail to do. As we thank God for His faithfulness, let us do better and prioritize our times of prayer and Scripture reading. Let us commit to make time to be with the Lord in the midst of our busy schedules.

Jeremiah 14:17-22

17 Let my eyes stream with tears day and night, without rest, over the great destruction which overwhelms the virgin daughter of my people, over her incurable wound. 18 If I walk out into the field, look! those slain by the sword, if I enter the city, look! those consumed by hunger. Even the prophet and the priest forage in a land they know not. 19 Have you cast Judah off completely? Is Zion loathsome to you? Why have you struck us a blow that cannot be healed? We wait for peace, to no avail; for a time of healing, but terror comes instead. 20 We recognize, O Lord, our wickedness, the guilt of our fathers; that we have sinned against you. 21 For your name’s sake spurn us not, disgrace not the throne of your glory; remember your covenant with us, and break it not. 22 Among the nations’ idols is there any that gives rain? Or can the mere heavens send showers? Is it not you alone, O Lord, our God, to whom we look? You alone have done all these things.

P S A L M 

Psalm 79:8, 9, 11, 13

R: For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.

8 Remember not against us the iniquities of the past; may your compassion quickly come to us, for we are brought very low. (R) 9 Help us, O God our savior, because of the glory of your name; deliver us and pardon our sins for your name’s sake. (R) 11 Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you; with your great power free those doomed to death. (R) 13 Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; through all generations we will declare your praise. (R) 

GOSPEL

Ignatius of Loyola, whose feast we celebrate today, left us a great legacy of prayer and discernment. His 30-day retreat is still in use today. Most priests and religious undergo the retreat at least once during their lifetime. The flow of reflections follows a basic conversion and discipleship theme. The help of a spiritual director will make it a fruitful time spent with Jesus.

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

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.”