Daily Mass Readings – Friday, 4 September 2026

1 Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and the dispensers of the mysteries of God.

2 Here now it is required among the dispensers, that a man be found faithful.

3 But to me it is a very small thing to be judged by you, or by man’s day; but neither do I judge my own self.

4 For I am not conscious to myself of any thing, yet am I not hereby justified; but he that judgeth me, is the Lord.

5 Therefore judge not before the time; until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall every man have praise from God.

R. (39a) The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good, and dwell in the land, and thou shalt be fed with its riches.

4 Delight in the Lord, and he will give thee the requests of thy heart.

R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

5 Commit thy way to the Lord, and trust in him, and he will do it.

6 And he will bring forth thy justice as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

27 Decline from evil and do good, and dwell for ever and ever.

28 For the Lord loveth judgment, and will not forsake his saints: they shall be preserved for ever. The unjust shall be punished, and the seed of the wicked shall perish.

R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

39 But the salvation of the just is from the Lord, and he is their protector in the time of trouble.

40 And the Lord will help them and deliver them: and he will rescue them from the wicked, and save them, because they have hoped in him.

R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

12 I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

33 And they said to him: Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees in like manner; but thine eat and drink?

34 To whom he said: Can you make the children of the bridegroom fast, whilst the bridegroom is with them?

35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, then shall they fast in those days.

36 And he spoke also a similitude to them: That no man putteth a piece from a new garment upon an old garment; otherwise he both rendeth the new, and the piece taken from the new agreeth not with the old.

37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: otherwise the new wine will break the bottles, and it will be spilled, and the bottles will be lost.

38 But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.

39 And no man drinking old, hath presently a mind to new: for he saith, The old is better.

Paul describes the servants of Christ as stewards entrusted with God’s mysteries, and he names faithfulness as the essential requirement. He does not measure his life by human approval, nor does he claim to be his own judge. The Lord alone brings hidden things to light and gives the true judgment. The psalm echoes this freedom: trust in the Lord, do good, and commit your way to him. Salvation belongs to those who hope in God, because he remains their protector.

That trust makes room for the newness Christ brings. Jesus is the Bridegroom, and his presence gives his disciples a joy that cannot be contained by old patterns. Yet he also speaks of fasting when he is taken away, showing that discipleship includes both celebration and longing. New wine requires new wineskins: a heart willing to be reshaped by Christ rather than defended by habit. We do not need to secure our worth through the judgment of others. Our task is simpler and deeper—to remain faithful, follow the light of Christ, and let his grace renew the way we live.

Lord Jesus, Bridegroom of your people, free me from the need to be approved or judged by others. Teach me to entrust my life to the Father, who sees what is hidden and knows the desires of every heart. Make me a faithful steward of the gifts and mysteries you have placed in my care. Give me a heart supple enough to receive your new wine, with joy when your presence is near and perseverance when I must wait for you. May your light guide my choices, and may my trust in you bear fruit in goodness. Amen.