Daily Mass Readings – Friday, 3 November 2028

1 Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ; to all the saints in Christ Jesus, who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.

2 Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 I give thanks to my God in every remembrance of you,

4 Always in all my prayers making supplication for you all, with joy;

5 For your communication in the gospel of Christ from the first day until now.

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he, who hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus.

7 As it is meet for me to think this for you all, for that I have you in my heart; and that in my bands, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my joy.

8 For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

9 And this I pray, that your charity may more and more abound in knowledge, and in all understanding:

10 That you may approve the better things, that you may be sincere and without offence unto the day of Christ,

11 Filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!

or

R. Alleluia.

1 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; in the council of the just: and in the congregation.

2 Great are the works of the Lord: sought out according to all his wills.

R. How great are the works of the Lord!

or

R. Alleluia.

3 His work is praise and magnificence: and his justice continueth for ever and ever.

4 He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord:

R. How great are the works of the Lord!

or

R. Alleluia.

5 He hath given food to them that fear him. He will be mindful for ever of his covenant:

6 He will shew forth to his people the power of his works.

R. How great are the works of the Lord!

or

R. Alleluia.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

27 My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

1 And it came to pass, when Jesus went into the house of one of the chief of the Pharisees, on the sabbath day, to eat bread, that they watched him.

2 And behold, there was a certain man before him that had the dropsy.

3 And Jesus answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying: Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?

4 But they held their peace. But he taking him, healed him, and sent him away.

5 And answering them, he said: Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fall into a pit, and will not immediately draw him out, on the sabbath day?

6 And they could not answer him to these things.

Paul gives thanks for the believers in Philippi because they have shared in the Gospel, trusting that God will bring to completion the good work he has begun in them. This confidence rests on the character of God: his works are great, his mercy endures, and he remains mindful of his covenant. The Christian life is therefore lived with gratitude and hope, while charity continues to grow in knowledge and understanding.

That charity becomes visible in Jesus’ response to the man suffering from dropsy. While others remain silent, Jesus recognizes the person before him and heals him, even on the Sabbath. His action reveals that faithfulness to God cannot be separated from mercy. The voice of the Shepherd leads his followers toward the “better things”: a justice that bears fruit and a love willing to act when another person needs help. God’s work in us reaches maturity as we learn to listen to Christ and allow his compassionate heart to shape our choices. Each concrete act of mercy becomes a quiet way of praising the greatness of the Lord.

Merciful Father, thank you for the good work you have begun in your people and for your unfailing care throughout every generation. Help me hear the voice of Christ clearly and follow him with a heart that is attentive to those who suffer. Keep me from hiding behind silence, habit, or fear when love asks me to act. Increase my charity with wisdom and understanding, so that my choices may bear the fruit of justice. Complete in me what you have begun, and make my life a grateful witness to your mercy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.