Daily Mass Readings – Monday, 4 September 2028

1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not in loftiness of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of Christ.

2 For I judged not myself to know anything among you, but Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not in the persuasive words of human wisdom, but in shewing of the Spirit and power;

5 That your faith might not stand on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

R. (97) Lord, I love your commands.

97 O how have I loved thy law, O Lord! it is my meditation all the day.

R. Lord, I love your commands.

98 Through thy commandment, thou hast made me wiser than my enemies: for it is ever with me.

R. Lord, I love your commands.

99 I have understood more than all my teachers: because thy testimonies are my meditation.

R. Lord, I love your commands.

100 I have had understanding above ancients: because I have sought thy commandments.

R. Lord, I love your commands.

101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way: that I may keep thy words.

R. Lord, I love your commands.

102 I have not declined from thy judgments, because thou hast set me a law.

R. Lord, I love your commands.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up: and he went into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the sabbath day; and he rose up to read.

17 And the book of Isaias the prophet was delivered unto him. And as he unfolded the book, he found the place where it was written:

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. Wherefore he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the contrite of heart,

19 To preach deliverance to the captives, and sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of reward.

20 And when he had folded the book, he restored it to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.

21 And he began to say to them: This day is fulfilled this scripture in your ears.

22 And all gave testimony to him: and they wondered at the words of grace that proceeded from his mouth, and they said: Is not this the son of Joseph?

23 And he said to them: Doubtless you will say to me this similitude: Physician, heal thyself: as great things as we have heard done in Capharnaum, do also here in thy own country.

24 And he said: Amen I say to you, that no prophet is accepted in his own country.

25 In truth I say to you, there were many widows in the days of Elias in Israel, when heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there was a great famine throughout all the earth.

26 And to none of them was Elias sent, but to Sarepta of Sidon, to a widow woman.

27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet: and none of them was cleansed but Naaman the Syrian.

28 And all they in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with anger.

29 And they rose up and thrust him out of the city; and they brought him to the brow of the hill, whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.

30 But he passing through the midst of them, went his way.

Jesus announces that the Spirit of the Lord rests upon him: he has been sent to bring good news to the poor, healing to the brokenhearted, freedom to captives, and light to those who cannot see. In him, Isaiah’s promise is fulfilled. Yet the people of Nazareth struggle to receive this mercy because they think they already know him. When Jesus reminds them that God’s compassion reached a widow in Sidon and Naaman the Syrian, their admiration turns to anger. Familiarity can become a barrier when it makes us place limits on whom God may bless.

Paul shows another way of receiving Christ. He does not rely on impressive speech or human wisdom, but proclaims Jesus Christ crucified so that faith may rest on God’s power. The psalm gives that faith a daily shape: loving God’s commands, meditating on his word, and allowing it to restrain our feet from evil. The Gospel may challenge our assumptions, yet its purpose is liberation. If we stay close to Christ’s word, the Spirit can make us humble enough to receive mercy and courageous enough to share it beyond the boundaries we would naturally draw.

Lord Jesus, anointed by the Spirit, open my heart to the freedom and healing you bring. Keep me from deciding who is worthy of your mercy or limiting your work to what is familiar to me. Teach me to love your commands and to remain faithful to your word, especially when it corrects my judgments. Let my faith rest on your power rather than on human wisdom or appearances. Give me humility like the poor who receive good news, and courage to carry your compassion toward those I might overlook. May your Spirit guide my steps today. Amen.