Daily Mass Readings – Monday, 12 October 2026

22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, and the other by a free woman.

23 But he who was of the bondwoman, was born according to the flesh: but he of the free woman, was by promise.

24 Which things are said by an allegory. For these are the two testaments. The one from mount Sina, engendering unto bondage; which is Agar:

26 But that Jerusalem, which is above, is free: which is our mother.

27 For it is written: Rejoice, thou barren, that bearest not: break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for many are the children of the desolate, more than of her that hath a husband.

31 So then, brethren, we are not the children of the bondwoman, but of the free: by the freedom wherewith Christ has made us free.

5:1 Stand fast, and be not held again under the yoke of bondage.

R. (2) Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.

or

R. Alleluia.

1 Praise the Lord, ye children: praise ye the name of the Lord.

2 Blessed be the name of the Lord, from henceforth now and for ever.

R. Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.

or

R. Alleluia.

3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise.

4 The Lord is high above all nations; and his glory above the heavens.

R. Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.

or

R. Alleluia.

5 Who is as the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high:

6 And looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth?

7 Raising up the needy from the earth, and lifting up the poor out of the dunghill:

R. Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.

or

R. Alleluia.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

8 If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

29 And the multitudes running together, he began to say: This generation is a wicked generation: it asketh a sign, and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.

30 For as Jonas was a sign to the Ninivites; so shall the Son of man also be to this generation.

31 The queen of the south shall rise in the judgment with the men of this generation, and shall condemn them: because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold more than Solomon here.

32 The men of Ninive shall rise in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it; because they did penance at the preaching of Jonas; and behold more than Jonas here.

Christ sets us free, yet freedom is not the license to remain unchanged. The children of promise are called to stand firm in the freedom Christ gives, and that freedom reaches its fullness when the heart listens to God and responds. The psalm praises the Lord who is exalted above all and who stoops to raise the needy; his greatness is shown in mercy that lifts people into new life.

In the Gospel, Jesus refuses to satisfy a generation that keeps demanding signs while overlooking the sign already before it. The people of Nineveh heard Jonah and repented. The queen of the south traveled far to receive Solomon’s wisdom. In Christ, something greater than Jonah and Solomon is present. His word does not need to be surrounded by further proofs before we obey it. A hardened heart can remain trapped even while standing close to grace. Today, the Lord’s voice calls us away from excuses and toward conversion. We can receive his freedom by listening honestly, turning from what enslaves us, and trusting the mercy that raises the lowly.

Lord Jesus, you are greater than Jonah and wiser than Solomon. Keep my heart from demanding signs while resisting the grace already given. Help me to hear your voice with humility and to respond through sincere repentance. Free me from every habit, fear, or attachment that keeps me from living as a child of promise. Raise me when I fall, and teach me to trust the mercy that lifts the needy. May your word become clear in my choices, patient in my relationships, and faithful in my daily life. Blessed be your name forever. Amen.