Daily Mass Readings – Tuesday, 20 July 2027

21 And when Moses had stretched forth his hand over the sea, the Lord took it away by a strong and burning wind blowing all the night, and turned it into dry ground: and the water was divided.

22 And the children of Israel went in through the midst of the sea dried up: for the water was as a wall on their right hand and on their left.

23 And the Egyptians pursuing went in after them, and all Pharao’s horses, his chariots and horsemen through the midst of the sea,

24 And now the morning watch was come, and behold the Lord looking upon the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, slew their host.

25 And overthrew the wheels of the chariots, and they were carried into the deep. And the Egyptians said: Let us flee from Israel: for the Lord fighteth for them against us.

26 And the Lord said to Moses: Stretch forth they hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and horsemen.

27 And when Moses had stretched forth his hand towards the sea, it returned at the first break of day to the former place: and as the Egyptians were fleeing away, the waters came upon them, and the Lord shut them up in the middle of the waves.

28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen of all the army of Pharao, who had come into the sea after them, neither did there so much as one of them remain.

29 But the children of Israel marched through the midst of the sea upon dry land, and the waters were to them as a wall on the right hand and on the left:

30 And the Lord delivered Israel on that day out of the hands of the Egyptians.

31 And they saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore, and the mighty hand that the Lord had used against them: and the people feared the Lord, and they believed the Lord, and Moses his servant.

15:1 Then Moses and the children of Israel sung this canticle to the Lord: and said: Let us sing to the Lord: for he is gloriously magnified, the horse and the rider he hath thrown into the sea.

R. (1b) Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

8 And with the blast of thy anger the waters were gathered together: the flowing water stood, the depth were gathered together in the midst of the sea.

9 The enemy said: I will pursue and overtake, I will divide the spoils, my soul shall have its fill: I will draw my sword, my hand shall slay them.

R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

10 Thy wind blew and the sea covered them: they sunk as lead in the mighty waters.

12 Thou stretchedst forth thy hand, and the earth swallowed them.

R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thy inheritance, in thy most firm habitation which thou hast made, O Lord; thy sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.

R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

23 Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

46 As he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him.

47 And one said unto him: Behold thy mother and thy brethren stand without, seeking thee.

48 But he answering him that told him, said: Who is my mother, and who are my brethren?

49 And stretching forth his hand towards his disciples, he said: Behold my mother and my brethren.

50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father, that is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.

At the sea, Israel discovers that God’s saving power requires trust. The waters open at his command, and the people pass through a place that had seemed impassable. When the danger is over, they do not praise their own courage; they sing because the Lord has acted for them. His power creates a path where there was none and brings his people out of slavery into freedom.

Jesus then shows what it means to belong to him. His true family is formed by those who do the will of his Father. Faith is therefore more than admiration or words. It becomes a way of life, a willingness to follow God’s command even when the path ahead is difficult. The same Lord who made a passage through the sea continues to lead his people, and Christ gathers into his family all who listen and obey. Today, a simple act of faithful obedience may be the place where we discover that we are already walking with him—trusting his direction, leaving behind what enslaves us, and learning to sing because his mercy has made a way.

Lord God, you opened the sea before your people and led them safely through the waters. When fear or uncertainty makes the way seem closed, deepen our trust in your power and your care. Jesus, draw us into your family by teaching us to do the will of your Father with humble and faithful hearts. Free us from whatever keeps us from obedience, and give us courage to take the next step you place before us. May our lives become a grateful song, praising you for the paths of mercy you prepare. Amen.