Daily Mass Readings – Thursday, 4 February 2027

18 For you are not come to a mountain that might be touched, and a burning fire, and a whirlwind, and darkness, and storm,

19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words, which they that heard excused themselves, that the word might not be spoken to them:

21 And so terrible was that which was seen, Moses said: I am frighted, and tremble.

22 But you are come to mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of many thousands of angels,

23 And to the church of the firstborn, who are written in the heavens, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect,

24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new testament, and to the sprinkling of blood which speaketh better than that of Abel.

R. (10) O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.

2 Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.

3ab With the joy of the whole earth.

R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.

3cd Mount Sion founded, on the sides of the north, the city of the great king.

4 In her houses shall God be known, when he shall protect her.

R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.

9 As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God hath founded it for ever.

R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.

10 We have received thy mercy, O God, in the midst of thy temple.

11 According to thy name, O God, so also is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of justice.

R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

15 The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

7 And he called the twelve; and began to send them two and two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.

8 And he commanded them that they should take nothing for the way, but a staff only: no scrip, no bread, nor money in their purse,

9 But to be shod with sandals, and that they should not put on two coats.

10 And he said to them: Wheresoever you shall enter into an house, there abide till you depart from that place.

11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you; going forth from thence, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony to them.

12 And going forth they preached that men should do penance:

13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

The readings place us before the living God. Sinai revealed fire, storm, and trembling; Mount Zion reveals the heavenly Jerusalem, the gathered Church, the just made perfect, and Jesus, mediator of the new covenant. His blood speaks mercy more powerfully than Abel’s blood cried out for vengeance. In God’s temple, we do not find a distant ruler but a holy Lord whose mercy has been made known through Christ.

From this merciful presence, Jesus sends the Twelve to announce that God’s Kingdom is near and that people must repent. They go simply, without provisions that would make them self-sufficient, relying on the welcome God provides. Their mission includes confronting evil and bringing healing, while accepting that some may refuse to listen. Christian discipleship still begins here: standing before Christ’s mercy, allowing him to free us from sin, and then carrying his word with humble dependence. We cannot control how others receive the Gospel, but we can offer it faithfully, with lives that make God’s mercy visible.

Lord Jesus, Mediator of the new covenant, bring me into the shelter of your mercy. Cleanse my heart of whatever keeps me from repentance, and teach me to trust your strength rather than my own resources. Make me a faithful witness to your Kingdom, ready to speak the truth with gentleness and to bring healing through compassion, prayer, and service. When my offering is not received, keep me from bitterness; when it is welcomed, keep me humble. May your mercy, pondered in the Church and lived in my daily life, lead others toward you. Amen.