DAILY READINGS & REFLECTION

JULY 29, 2020

WEDNESDAY - ST. MARTHA MEMORIAL

FIRST READING

JEREMIAH 15:10, 16-21 (ALTERNATE READING: JOHN 4:7-16)

10 Woe is me, my mother, that you bore me, a man of strife and contention to the whole land! I have not lent, nor have I borrowed, yet all of them curse me. 16 Thy words were found, and I ate them, and thy words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I am called by thy name, O LORD, God of hosts. 17 I did not sit in the company of merrymakers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone, because thy hand was upon me, for thou hadst filled me with indignation. 18 Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Wilt thou be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail? 19 Therefore thus says the LORD: "If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them. 20 And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, says the LORD. 21 I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless."

The Word of the Lord
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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

PSALMS 59:2-3, 4, 10-11, 17, 18 (ALTERNATE PSALMS 34:2-11)

Response: God is my refuge on the day of distress.

Deliver me from my enemies, O my God,
protect me from those who rise up against me,
deliver me from those who work evil,
and save me from bloodthirsty men.

R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.

For lo, they lie in wait for my life;
fierce men band themselves against me.
For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord.

R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.

O my Strength, I will sing praises to thee;
for thou, O God, art my fortress.
My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
my God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.

R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.

But I will sing of thy might;
I will sing aloud of thy steadfast love in the morning.
For thou hast been to me a fortress
and a refuge in the day of my distress.

R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.

O my Strength, I will sing praises to thee,
for thou, O God, art my fortress,
the God who shows me steadfast love.

R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.
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GOSPEL

Martha said to Jesus, "I know he will rise again"

JOHN 11:19-27 (ALTERNATE READING: LUKE 10:38-42)

19 Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary sat in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" 27 She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world."

The Gospel of the Lord
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REFLECTION

DAILY QUOTE FROM THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS

The voice of life and joy that awakens the dead, by Athanasius of Alexandria (295-373 AD)

"I am the voice of life that wakens the dead. I am the good odor that takes away the foul odor. I am the voice of joy that takes away sorrow and grief.… I am the comfort of those who are in grief. Those who belong to me are given joy by me. I am the joy of the whole world. I gladden all my friends and rejoice with them. I am the bread of life" (John 6:35).

(excerpt from HOMILY ON THE RESURRECTION OF LAZARUS)
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Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.