Catholic Mass Readings For Today (Readings, Gospel, and Reflection)

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path

Catholic mass readings for July 02, 2025: Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Catholic Mass Readings For Today

 

Each day, the Church provides us with a selection of Scripture passages that speak to our hearts, guiding us in our spiritual journey and drawing us closer to God. Whether we listen to these readings during Mass or meditate on them privately, they serve as nourishment for our souls.

 

The Power of Daily Scripture

The Word of God is alive and active. When we reflect on the daily Mass readings, we allow God to speak to us in our current circumstances. These readings are carefully chosen to complement the liturgical calendar, offering themes of hope, repentance, love, and faith.

Each reading, whether from the Old Testament, Psalms, Epistles, or the Gospel, carries a message that can inspire and transform our lives. They remind us that God's voice is always present, guiding us through every season of life.

 

How To Engage With Today's Readings

Engaging with the daily Mass readings can become a beautiful habit that deepens our faith. Here are some ways to make the most of them:

  • Read and Reflect: Take a few moments to read the Scripture passages and meditate on their meaning. Ask yourself how they apply to your life today.
  • Pray With The Readings: Let the words of Scripture inspire your prayer. Speak to God about what you have read and listen for His response in your heart.
  • Attend Daily Mass: If possible, participating in the daily Eucharist allows you to hear the readings proclaimed and to receive the grace of the Sacrament.
  • Share With Others: Discussing the readings with family or friends can provide new insights and encourage mutual spiritual growth.

 

Today's Gospel Reflection

The Gospel reading for today often contains the very words of Jesus. These words challenge, comfort, and guide us. Perhaps today’s Gospel speaks of mercy, reminding us to forgive others as God forgives us. Or maybe it calls us to greater faith, urging us to trust in God's providence.

By spending time with the Gospel, we allow Jesus’ teachings to shape our thoughts and actions. It is in these moments of reflection that we truly encounter Christ.

 

Why The Mass Readings Matter

The Catholic Church, in her wisdom, has structured the liturgical readings in a way that allows us to journey through the Bible over time. This rhythm of Scripture keeps us connected to God’s story and reminds us that we are part of something greater.

No matter what challenges or joys we face today, the Mass readings offer us a source of strength, encouragement, and wisdom. They remind us that God’s Word is a light for our path and that He is always with us.

As you read and meditate on today’s readings, may your heart be open to the voice of God, and may His words bring you peace and inspiration.

 

Liturgical Calendar

Today: Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Readings and Gospel

Reading 1 : Genesis 21:5, 8-20a
Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 34:7-8, 10-11, 12-13
Alleluia : James 1:18
Gospel : Matthew 8:28-34

Liturgical vestments: Green

Catholic mass readings for July 02, 2025: Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Genesis 21:5, 8-20a

Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
Isaac grew, and on the day of the child's weaning
Abraham held a great feast.

Sarah noticed the son whom Hagar the Egyptian
had borne to Abraham
playing with her son Isaac;
so she demanded of Abraham:
"Drive out that slave and her son!
No son of that slave is going to share the inheritance
with my son Isaac!"
Abraham was greatly distressed,
especially on account of his son Ishmael.
But God said to Abraham: "Do not be distressed about the boy
or about your slave woman.
Heed the demands of Sarah, no matter what she is asking of you;
for it is through Isaac that descendants shall bear your name.
As for the son of the slave woman,
I will make a great nation of him also,
since he too is your offspring."

Early the next morning Abraham got some bread and a skin of water
and gave them to Hagar.
Then, placing the child on her back, he sent her away.
As she roamed aimlessly in the wilderness of Beer-sheba,
the water in the skin was used up.
So she put the child down under a shrub,
and then went and sat down opposite him, about a bowshot away;
for she said to herself, "Let me not watch to see the child die."
As she sat opposite Ishmael, he began to cry.
God heard the boy's cry,
and God's messenger called to Hagar from heaven:
"What is the matter, Hagar?
Don't be afraid; God has heard the boy's cry in this plight of his.
Arise, lift up the boy and hold him by the hand;
for I will make of him a great nation."
Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water.
She went and filled the skin with water, and then let the boy drink.

God was with the boy as he grew up.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 34:7-8, 10-11, 12-13

R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Fear the LORD, you his holy ones,
for nought is lacking to those who fear him.
The great grow poor and hungry;
but those who seek the LORD want for no good thing.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Come, children, hear me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Which of you desires life,
and takes delight in prosperous days?
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Alleluia

James 1:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth
that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Matthew 8:28-34

When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes,
two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him.
They were so savage that no one could travel by that road.
They cried out, "What have you to do with us, Son of God?
Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?"
Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding.
The demons pleaded with him,
"If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine."
And he said to them, "Go then!"
They came out and entered the swine,
and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea
where they drowned.
The swineherds ran away,
and when they came to the town they reported everything,
including what had happened to the demoniacs.
Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus,
and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.

 

Reflection

  • “He emerged from the womb of the Virgin like the rising sun, to illuminate with His Light the entire orb of the earth. Receive this Light those who desire the clarity of endless splendor.” (Saint Ambroise)

  • “Jesus has come to give us freedom from slavery to the devil . And it cannot be said that we are exaggerating. We must always be vigilant against deception, against the seduction of the evil one.” (Francis)

  • “The coming of God's kingdom means the defeat of Satan's: ‘If it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you’ (Mt 12:28). Jesus' exorcisms free some individuals from the domination of demons. They anticipate Jesus' great victory over ‘the ruler of this world’ (Jn 12:31)” (Catechism Of The Catholic Church, Nº 550)

  • Your Daily Verse

    Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Mt5.3)
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