The 23rd of July, 2021 is Friday in the Sixteenth Week of Ordinary Time. The Holy Bible verses for the mass readings for this day came from the Liturgical Calendar Year 2021.
Reading 1: EX 20:1-17
The first reading from the Book of Exodus.
God spoke all these words, saying, “I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
“You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
“You shall not misuse the name of Yahweh your God, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who misuses his name.”
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
You shall labor six days, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates; for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy.”
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.”
“You shall not murder.”
“You shall not commit adultery.”
“You shall not steal.”
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
Responsorial Psalm: PS 19:7, 8, 9, 10
Response: “You have the words of eternal life.”
Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s covenant is sure, making wise the simple.
R: “You have the words of eternal life.”
Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes.
R: “You have the words of eternal life.”
The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever. Yahweh’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether.
R: “You have the words of eternal life.”
They are more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.
R: “You have the words of eternal life.”
Gospel of the Day: MT 13:18-23
From the gospel scripture according to Matthew.
“Hear, then, the parable of the farmer.
When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside.
What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word and immediately with joy receives it; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit and produces, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.”
Other Celebration
An optional celebration on this day is the Memorial of Saint Bridget, Religious.