Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection July 21, 2025

By CL

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Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection July 21, 2025

First Reading: Exodus 14:5-18

Exodus 15:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6 (R. 1b)

R/. I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. Today, harden not your hearts, but listen to the voice of the Lord.

R/. Alleluia

Gospel: Matthew 12:38-42

At that time: Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great sea creature, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

Daily Gospel Reflection

1. In the gospel of Matthew 12. 38-42, some Pharisees and scribes demand a sign from Jesus to convince them and make them believe him. Signs are meant to deepen and strengthen the faith.

2. But their intention is the opposite. They want to validate their unfaith, and not consolidate their faith. They seek excuses for not believing, rather than confirmations for believing. True faith generates from a humble openness to God’s grace, a profound experience of God and a strong conviction.

3. In this way, no one can generate or create faith. A faith that is based on mere favours and signs, a faith that builds itself on proofs and evidence, will be shallow and unsteady. Signs must help us to deepen our faith, because they are manifestations of God’s powerful and merciful intervention.

4. There is nothing wrong with expecting signs. But the problem is to expect them as proof of God’s power. Signs are not the measuring rods for the power of God or the power of faith. They are not the primary things.

5. Unfailing trust in God and a loyal relationship with Him are the real matters. Signs can make sense only in such an atmosphere of trust and loyalty. Jesus accuses those people as “an evil and adulterous generation” because they were evil-intentioned and unfaithful, as marital infidelity.

6. Had they not seen the mighty works of God in their history? Do they easily forget how God worked wonders to liberate them from slavery in Egypt? Do they forget the sign of God’s sparing the Ninevites at the preaching of Jonah and their consequent repentance? Do they easily lose sight of the wisdom of Solomon? Are these and numberless acts of God’s intervention not enough signs to stabilize their faith?

7. And Jesus himself is the greatest sign of God’s love, wisdom and mercy. The authenticity of his life, the effectiveness of his ministry are the most compelling signs.

Catholic Leaf is website that provides Sundays and Weekdays catholic reflections. Please use catholic leaf as a tool for preparing your Homily.