Daily Mass Readings – Monday, 7 September 2026

1 It is absolutely heard, that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as the like is not among the heathens; that one should have his father’s wife.

2 And you are puffed up; and have not rather mourned, that he might be taken away from among you, that hath done this deed.

3 I indeed, absent in body, but present in spirit, have already judged, as though I were present, him that hath so done,

4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, you being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus;

5 To deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

6 Your glorying is not good. Know you not that a little leaven corrupteth the whole lump?

7 Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new paste, as you are unleavened. For Christ our pasch is sacrificed.

8 Therefore let us feast, not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

R. Lead me in your justice, Lord.

5 In the morning I will stand before thee, and will see: because thou art not a God that willest iniquity.

6 Neither shall the wicked dwell near thee: nor shall the unjust abide before thy eyes.

R. Lead me in your justice, Lord.

7 Thou hatest all the workers of iniquity: Thou wilt destroy all that speak a lie. The bloody and the deceitful man the Lord will abhor.

R. Lead me in your justice, Lord.

12 But let all them be glad that hope in thee: they shall rejoice for ever, and thou shalt dwell in them. And all they that love thy name shall glory in thee:

R. Lead me in your justice, Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And there was a man, whose right hand was withered.

7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched if he would heal on the sabbath; that they might find an accusation against him.

8 But he knew their thoughts; and said to the man who had the withered hand: Arise, and stand forth in the midst. And rising he stood forth.

9 Then Jesus said to them: I ask you, if it be lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to destroy?

10 And looking round about on them all, he said to the man: Stretch forth thy hand. And he stretched it forth: and his hand was restored.

11 And they were filled with madness; and they talked one with another, what they might do to Jesus.

God’s justice is never a cover for pride or cruelty. Saint Paul confronts serious sin in the community because unchecked evil corrupts the whole body, yet his purpose is that the sinner’s spirit may ultimately be saved. The community must refuse to boast, make room for truth, and leave behind the “old leaven” of malice and wickedness. Holiness requires honest repentance.

In the synagogue, Jesus shows what that holiness looks like. He does not allow fear of criticism or a rigid interpretation of the Sabbath to prevent an act of mercy. He restores the man’s withered hand while those watching him become hardened and angry. The contrast is searching: some defend religious appearances while life stands before them; Jesus listens to the Father’s will and does good. To hear the Shepherd’s voice means allowing him to lead us into both truth and compassion. We may need to name what is sinful, including in our own lives, but we must never use truth as an excuse to withhold mercy. Christ’s desire is purification that leads to restoration, and a community whose sincerity makes room for life to be renewed.

Lord Jesus, Shepherd of your people, lead me in your justice. Give me courage to reject sin without becoming proud, harsh, or blind to my own need for mercy. Purify my heart from malice, deceit, and every false excuse. Teach me to recognize your voice and to choose what gives life, especially when compassion demands courage. Heal what has become withered in me, and make your Church a place where truth brings repentance, restoration, and hope. May my words and actions reflect the sincerity of one who belongs to you. Amen.