Daily Mass Readings – Sunday, 23 July 2028

1 And the Lord appeared to him in the vale of Mambre as he was sitting at the door of his tent, in the very heat of the day.

2 And when he had lifted up his eyes, there appeared to him three men standing near him: and as soon as he saw them he ran to meet them from the door of his tent, and adored down to the ground.

3 And he said: Lord, if I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away from thy servant:

4 But I will fetch a little water, and wash ye your feet, and rest ye under the tree.

5 And I will set a morsel of bread, and strengthen ye your heart, afterwards you shall pass on: for therefore are you come aside to your servant. And they said: Do as thou hast spoken.

6 Abraham made haste into the tent to Sara, and said to her: Make haste, temper together three measures of flour, and make cakes upon the hearth.

7 And he himself ran to the herd, and took from thence a calf very tender and very good, and gave it to a young man: who made haste and boiled it.

8 He took also butter and milk, and the calf which he had boiled, and set before them: but he stood by them under the tree.

9 And when they had eaten, they said to him: Where is Sara thy wife? He answered: Lo, she is in the tent.

10a And he said to him: I will return and come to thee at this time, life accompanying and Sara thy wife shall have a son.

R. (1a) He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

2 He that walketh without blemish, and worketh justice:

3ab He that speaketh truth in his heart, who hath not used deceit in his tongue.

R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

3cd Nor hath done evil to his neighbour: nor taken up a reproach against his neighbours.

4 In his sight the malignant is brought to nothing: but he glorifieth them that fear the Lord.

R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

5 He that hath not put out his money to usury, nor taken bribes against the innocent: He that doth these things shall not be moved for ever.

R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church:

25 Whereof I am made a minister according to the dispensation of God, which is given me towards you, that I may fulfill the word of God:

26 The mystery which hath been hidden from ages and generations, but now is manifested to his saints,

27 To whom God would make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ, in you the hope of glory.

28 Whom we preach, admonishing every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

15 Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

38 Now it came to pass as they went, that he entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sitting also at the Lord’s feet, heard his word.

40 But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood and said: Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? speak to her therefore, that she help me.

41 And the Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Abraham welcomes the visitors with remarkable generosity: he runs to meet them, offers water and rest, prepares food, and remains attentively present. His hospitality becomes the setting in which God’s promise is spoken. The psalm likewise describes the person who lives in God’s presence through truthful speech, justice, and respect for others. Communion with God is shown in a life that is open, honest, and generous.

Martha also opens her home to Jesus and serves him, yet her many concerns leave her troubled. Jesus does not condemn her service; he draws her toward the “one thing” that gives service its proper center: listening to him. Paul shows what this listening becomes when it bears fruit—faithful ministry, perseverance in suffering, and the proclamation of Christ, “the hope of glory.” Our work for others needs this rootedness. A generous heart receives the Lord first, then serves with greater freedom and steadiness. In prayer, Scripture, and quiet attention to Christ, we learn to offer not anxious activity, but a life shaped by his word.

Lord Jesus, teach me to welcome you with the generosity of Abraham and the attentive heart of Mary. Free me from the anxieties that scatter my thoughts and make my service burdensome. Let your word take root in me, so that my speech may be truthful, my actions just, and my care for others patient and sincere. When faithfulness becomes difficult, give me perseverance and unite my efforts with your love for the Church. May Christ living in me remain my hope and guide every task I undertake. Amen.