Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection July 19, 2025
Saturday – 15th Week in Ordinary Time
19th July 2025 (Saturday)
Psalter: Week 3
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Exodus 12:37-42
In those days: the people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. A mixed multitude also went up with them, and very much livestock, both flocks and herds. And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough that they had brought out of Egypt, for it was not leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared any provisions for themselves. The time that the people of Israel lived in Egypt was 430 years. At the end of 430 years, on that very day, all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. It was a night of watching by the Lord, to bring them out of the land of Egypt; so this same night is a night of watching kept to the Lord by all the people of Israel throughout their generations.
Psalm 136:1 and 23-24, 10-12, 13-15
R/. For his mercy endures forever
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: Matthew 12:14-21
At that time: The Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all and ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Saturday – 15th Week in Ordinary Time
Main Point: Good will always meets with resentment and resistance because it creates a bad taste to the bad flock as something not palpable and digestible
1. We wonder whether there was any single day left during the ministry of Jesus when he had no trouble from the Pharisees and scribes. As the Lord was ever active with God’s work, they were super active with the evil work.
2. As Jesus was vibrantly preaching the gospel, they were vehemently spreading evil, plotting against him. As he was tirelessly engaged in healing, they were ceaselessly engrossed in sickening minds and hearts. As he was expelling the demons, they were more and more demon-possessed. He was offering sight to the blind, but they were getting more and more blinded internally. He was offering new life to many, but they were immersed in the old life of stubbornness, self-righteousness, jealousy, hatred and wickedness.
3. That is why we see in today’s gospel that the Pharisees went out and took counsel against him, on how to destroy him. But it is impressive to note! This makes no difference in the mission of Jesus.
4. He was not in panic. He does not sit with his disciples and plan out the strategies. His focus does not change. His determination does not shake. His courage does not waver. His enthusiasm does not dwindle. Many continue to follow him. He heals all. But he orders all his beneficiaries not to make him known. He needs no human publicity or recommendations to win the favour of the Pharisees or to gain popularity
5. His whole focus is to accomplish the mission entrusted to him by the Father like a true suffering servant in the Old Testament. His sole intention is to remain always as the beloved of God, with whom God’s soul is well pleased.
6. In the first reading from Exodus 12. 37-42, God Yahweh kept a “night of watching”, the pass over night, to bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt. Similarly, amidst all opposition and evil, Jesus too continued his “nights of watching” to liberate the people from the bondage of sin.
My Practice: The success of the mission is not to meet with any adversities or obstacles. It is also not overcoming all of them and emerging victorious. Rather, it is combating them valiantly and continuing the good for God
