Daily Mass Readings – Thursday, 8 June 2028

8 Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ is risen again from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel.

9 Wherein I labour even unto bands, as an evildoer; but the word of God is not bound.

10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory.

11 A faithful saying: for if we be dead with him, we shall live also with him.

12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us.

13 If we believe not, he continueth faithful, he can not deny himself.

14 Of these things put them in mind, charging them before the Lord. Contend not in words, for it is to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

15 Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

R. (4) Teach me your ways, O Lord.

4 Let all them be confounded that act unjust things without cause. shew, O Lord, thy ways to me, and teach me thy paths.

5ab Direct me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art God my Saviour.

R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

8 The Lord is sweet and righteous: therefore he will give a law to sinners in the way.

9 He will guide the mild in judgment: he will teach the meek his ways.

R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

10 All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth, to them that seek after his covenant and his testimonies.

14 The Lord is a firmament to them that fear him: and his covenant shall be made manifest to them.

R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

10 Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

28 And there came one of the scribes that had heard them reasoning together, and seeing that he had answered them well, asked him which was the first commandment of all.

29 And Jesus answered him: The first commandment of all is, Hear, O Israel: the Lord thy God is one God.

30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind, and with thy whole strength. This is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like to it: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than these.

32 And the scribe said to him: Well, Master, thou hast said in truth, that there is one God, and there is no other besides him.

33 And that he should be loved with the whole heart, and with the whole understanding, and with the whole soul, and with the whole strength; and to love one’s neighbour as one’s self, is a greater thing than all holocausts and sacrifices.

34 And Jesus seeing that he had answered wisely, said to him: Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

Jesus gathers the whole life of faith into a love that is complete: love of God with heart, soul, mind, and strength, expressed through love of our neighbour. This love is more than a feeling or a religious duty. It is the steady orientation of our whole life toward the God who is one, faithful, merciful, and true. The psalm teaches us to receive this love by allowing the Lord to teach and guide us, especially through meekness and humility.

Paul shows what such love looks like when faith becomes costly. He endures hardship for the sake of others because Christ, risen from the dead, cannot be defeated and the word of God cannot be bound. Christian love therefore has perseverance in it. It remains faithful when obedience is difficult, and it seeks another person’s salvation rather than victory in argument. Jesus tells the scribe that he is near the kingdom because he understands that love is greater than outward sacrifice. We draw near to that kingdom whenever our worship becomes a life of truth, patient endurance, and concrete care for those God places before us.

Lord Jesus Christ, risen Savior, teach me your ways of mercy and truth. Gather my scattered heart and help me love the Father with my whole being. Make that love visible in patience, humility, and faithful care for my neighbour. When hardship comes, keep me from discouragement and from empty arguments. Give me courage to hold firmly to your word, trusting that it cannot be bound and that life with you is stronger than death. May my prayers, sacrifices, and daily choices lead others toward your kingdom. Amen.