Daily Readings for July 20, 2019

1st READING 

It must have been an amazing sight—600,000 men and more than a million people leaving Egypt. After 430 years, the Israelites have grown into a large nation. You may ask how Moses kept any semblance of order in the movement of such a big crowd of people. This is God’s work and He made it all possible.

Exodus 12:37-42

37 The children of Israel set out from Rameses for Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, not counting the little ones. 38 A crowd of mixed ancestry also went up with them, besides their livestock, very numerous flocks and herds. 39 Since the dough they had brought out of Egypt was not leavened, they baked it into unleavened loaves. They had been rushed out of Egypt and had no opportunity even to prepare food for the journey. 40 The time the children of Israel had stayed in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. 41 At the end of four hundred and thirty years, all the hosts of the Lord left the land of Egypt on this very date. 42 This was a night of vigil for the Lord, as he led them out of the land of Egypt; so on this same night, all the children of Israel must keep a vigil for the Lord throughout their generations.  

PSALM

Psalm 136:1, 23-24, 10-12, 13-15

R: His mercy endures forever.

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever; 23 who remembered us in our abjection, for his mercy endures forever; 24 and freed us from our foes, for his mercy endures forever. (R) 10 Who smote the Egyptians in their firstborn, for his mercy endures forever; 11 and brought out Israel from their midst, for his mercy endures forever; 12 with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, for his mercy endures forever. (R) 13 Who split the Red Sea in twain, for his mercy endures forever; 14 and led Israel through its midst, for his mercy endures forever; 15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea, for his mercy endures forever. (R)

GOSPEL

There are many who are hostile to the Gospel of Jesus and conspire against Him. His ministry is a difficult one. There are times when Jesus withdraws from various places where people plotted to kill Him. There are also times when He decides to move forward. As for us, there are times when prudence takes priority and there are times to be forthright, no matter what the consequence may be. Let us pray for the wisdom to know the difference.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Matthew 12:14-21

14 The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 15 When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him, and he cured them all, 16 but he warned them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet: 18 Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. 19 He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. 21 And in his name the Gentiles will hope.

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