Daily Mass Readings – Thursday, 6 July 2028

10 And Amasias the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying: Amos hath rebelled against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.

11 For thus saith Amos: Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall be carried away captive out of their own land.

12 And Amasias said to Amos: Thou seer, go, flee away into the land of Juda: and eat bread there, and prophesy there.

13 But prophesy not again any more in Bethel: because it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is the house of the kingdom.

14 And Amos answered and said to Amasias: I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet: but I am a herdsman plucking wild figs.

15 And the Lord took me when I followed the flock, and the Lord said to me: Go, prophesy to my people Israel.

16 And now hear thou the word of the Lord: Thou sayest, thou shalt not prophesy against Israel, and thou shalt not drop thy word upon the house of the idol.

17 Therefore thus saith the Lord: Thy wife shall play the harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be measured by a line: and thou shalt die in a polluted land, and Israel shall go into captivity out of their land.

R. (10cd) The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.

8 The law of the Lord is unspotted, converting souls: the testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones.

R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.

9 The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts: the commandment of the Lord is lightsome, enlightening the eyes.

R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.

10 The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for ever and ever: the judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.

R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.

11 More to be desired than gold and many precious stones: and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.

R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

19 God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

1 And entering into a boat, he passed over the water and came into his own city.

2 And behold they brought to him one sick of the palsy lying in a bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the man sick of the palsy: Be of good heart, son, thy sins are forgiven thee.

3 And behold some of the scribes said within themselves: He blasphemeth.

4 And Jesus seeing their thoughts, said: Why do you think evil in your hearts?

5 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee: or to say, Arise, and walk?

6 But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then said he to the man sick of palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house.

7 And he arose, and went into his house.

8 And the multitude seeing it, feared, and glorified God that gave such power to men.

God’s word cannot be silenced simply because it disturbs those who hold power. Amos is an ordinary herdsman, yet the Lord takes him and sends him to speak truth to Israel. The priest wants prophecy kept away from the king’s sanctuary, but the judgments of the Lord remain true and just. His law exposes what is false and converts the soul.

In Jesus, that truthful word becomes a merciful act. He sees the faith of those who bring the paralyzed man and first forgives his sins. The healing that follows reveals that the Son of Man truly has authority to forgive and restore. Some hearts resist this mercy because they are already judging Jesus, while the multitude glorifies God.

These readings call us to let God’s word correct us rather than defend whatever we have made untouchable. Christ does not expose sin to crush us; he speaks forgiveness so that we can rise and walk in a new way. Having received his reconciliation, we can also speak truth with courage and offer mercy without keeping others trapped in their past.

Merciful Father, your judgments are true, and your word brings light to those who receive it. Give me the humility to accept correction when I have wandered, and the courage to remain faithful when truth is unwelcome. Jesus, Son of Man, forgive my sins and heal what keeps me from walking freely in your presence. Deliver me from a hardened or judgmental heart. Make me a faithful witness to your reconciling love, ready to speak truth with charity and to help others rise again. May my life glorify you. Amen.