Daily Mass Readings – Thursday, 9 September 2027

12 Put ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy, and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience:

13 Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another: even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also.

14 But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection:

15 And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body: and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom: teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God.

17 All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

R. (6) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!

1 Praise ye the Lord in his holy places: praise ye him in the firmament of his power.

2 Praise ye him for his mighty acts: praise ye him according to the multitude of his greatness.

R. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!

3 Praise him with sound of trumpet: praise him with psaltery and harp.

4 Praise him with timbrel and choir: praise him with strings and organs.

R. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!

5 Praise him on high sounding cymbals: praise him on cymbals of joy:

6 Let every spirit praise the Lord. Alleluia.

R. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

12 If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

27 But I say to you that hear: Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you.

28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them that calumniate you.

29 And to him that striketh thee on the one cheek, offer also the other. And him that taketh away from thee thy cloak, forbid not to take thy coat also.

30 Give to every one that asketh thee, and of him that taketh away thy goods, ask them not again.

31 And as you would that men should do to you, do you also to them in like manner.

32 And if you love them that love you, what thanks are to you? for sinners also love those that love them.

33 And if you do good to them who do good to you, what thanks are to you? for sinners also do this.

34 And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thanks are to you? for sinners also lend to sinners, for to receive as much.

35 But love ye your enemies: do good, and lend, hoping for nothing thereby: and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the sons of the Highest; for he is kind to the unthankful, and to the evil.

36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

37 Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you shall be forgiven.

38 Give, and it shall be given to you: good measure and pressed down and shaken together and running over shall they give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you shall mete withal, it shall be measured to you again.

Because God has chosen and loved us, we are to clothe ourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. These virtues become concrete when we bear with one another and forgive as the Lord has forgiven us. Charity holds everything together; the peace of Christ gives unity to the one body, while his word forms our minds and hearts. Even our songs and thanksgiving belong to this life of grace: every breath is meant to become praise.

Jesus shows how far this mercy reaches. We are to love enemies, bless those who curse us, pray for those who mistreat us, and give without making love dependent on repayment. Such freedom does not excuse evil; it refuses to let another person’s evil dictate the measure of our own goodness. The Father is kind even to the unthankful and the wicked, and his children are recognized by sharing that mercy. Before judging or condemning, we can pause, pray, and choose the generous measure Christ gives us. Forgiveness, patient speech, and an act of goodness offered without return can become a quiet song of praise to God.

Merciful Father, clothe my heart with the compassion, patience, and humility that come from Christ. When I am hurt or opposed, keep me from returning evil for evil. Give me grace to bless, pray, forgive, and do good without waiting for recognition or repayment. Let your word dwell richly in me, shaping my thoughts and speech. Establish the peace of Christ within your people, and make my daily choices an offering of thanksgiving. May your mercy be seen in me, especially toward those who are difficult to love, and may every breath of my life praise you. Amen.