Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection July 11, 2025

11th July 2025 (Friday)

Psalter: Week 2

Readings of the Day

First Reading: Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30

In those days: Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.” Then Jacob set out from Beersheba. The sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry him. They also took their livestock and their goods, which they had gained in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him, his sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters. All his offspring he brought with him into Egypt. He had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to show the way before him in Goshen, and they came into the land of Goshen. Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive.”

Psalm 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40 (R. 39a)

R/. From the Lord comes the salvation of the just.

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

R/. Alleluia

Gospel: Matthew 10:16-23

At the time: Jesus said to his disciples, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak, or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Daily Gospel Reflection

Friday – 14th Week in Ordinary Time

Main Point: The beauty of faith is not to have any problems or to vanquish all the problems. Rather, its value is in facing them with courage and confidence

1. Many may have a wrong idea about faith and the power and effect of it. Their thinking is: If I have faith, then I should not get any problem; or at least, even if I get them. They should be overcome easily and disappear. But, God has never promised this. He never declared, Believe and worship me and I will never allow any problems to beset you.

2. God is no false assurer or promiser. But one thing is sure. He promises to help out those who trust in Him. He assures to accompany them, to sustain, encourage and guide them. He will not guarantee a complete absence of difficulties. But He confirms His assistance.

3. This is what we see in today’s readings. In the first reading from Genesis 46. 1-30, God tells Jacob to go and settle down in Egypt. But Jacob is afraid because it is a foreign land of Pharaoh. What lies ahead is uncertain and unclear. The fear of ill-treatment and slavery also looms high. It is in such a context God assures him, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid … for I will go with you … I will be with you”.

4. In the gospel too from Matthew 10. 16-23, Jesus is sending his disciples on his mission. He is no false leader, trying to hide the facts and present a cosy picture. He speaks to them plainly of the challenges of this mission. They will be like sheep among wolves. They will be persecuted, disowned and hated for his sake.

5. However, it is not to scare them; rather, it is to alert them and mentally prepare them to encounter impending adversities. A true disciple shall not shelter himself in illusory ambitions and comfort zones. Further, he will not leave us as lone fighters in this battle. He will stand by us with his Spirit of wisdom and courage.

6. Thus he assures them, “Do not be anxious how you are to speak … for what you are you to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of the Father speaking through you”. All that is needed is to be wise, innocent and persevere: be wise to discern; be innocent to remain uncontaminated; and be persevering not to give up.

My Practice: The quality of a true follower of Christ is his loyalty to the end, in the midst and despite all the adversities and discouraging experiences. This alone will bring him a rich reward!