Daily Readings for August 3, 2018

1st READING 

We should not question God’s will as it does not do us any good. We also should not prejudge the response of a certain group as we proclaim the Gospel. The response of those who hear the Gospel is in the hands of the Lord and the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Jeremiah 26:1-9

1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, king of Judah, this message came from the Lord. 2 Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the house of the Lord and speak to the people of all the cities of Judah who come to worship in the house of the Lord; whatever I command you, tell them, and omit nothing. 3 Perhaps they will listen and turn back, each from his evil way, so that I may repent of the evil I have planned to inflict upon them for their evil deeds. 4 Say to them: Thus says the Lord: If you disobey me, not living according to the law I placed before you 5 and not listening to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I send you constantly though you do not obey them, 6 I will treat this house like Shiloh, and make this the city which all the nations of the earth shall refer to when cursing another. 7 Now the priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the Lord. 8 When Jeremiah finished speaking all that the Lord bade him speak to all the people, the priests and prophets laid hold of him, crying, “You must be put to death! 9 Why do you prophesy in the name of the Lord: ‘This house shall be like Shiloh,’ and ‘This city shall be desolate and deserted’?” And all the people gathered about Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.

P S A L M 

Psalm 69:5, 8-10, 14

R: Lord, in your great love, answer me.

4 [5] Those outnumber the hairs of my head who hate me without cause. Too many for my strength are they who wrongfully are my enemies. Must I restore what I did not steal? (R) 7 [8] Since for your sake I bear insult, and shame covers my face. 8 [9] I have become an outcast to my brothers, a stranger to my mother’s sons, 9 [10] because zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me. (R) 13 [14] But I pray to you, O Lord, for the time of your favor, O God! In your great kindness answer me with your constant help. (R) 

GOSPEL

God’s grace flourishes where there is faith. Grace, however, cannot work in a vacuum — it needs to work in us and on our will. Let us be aware of the dynamics of conversion and discipleship — cooperate with the will of God. Without our cooperation, the grace of God falls from our lives like water from an umbrella.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The word of the Lord remains forever; this is the word that has been proclaimed to you.

Matthew 13:54-58

54 Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? 55 Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? 56 Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” 58 And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.