Daily Mass Readings – Tuesday, 12 October 2027

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel. For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first, and to the Greek.

17 For the justice of God is revealed therein, from faith unto faith, as it is written: The just man liveth by faith.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and injustice of those men that detain the truth of God in injustice:

19 Because that which is known of God is manifest in them. For God hath manifested it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him, from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made; his eternal power also, and divinity: so that they are inexcusable.

21 Because that, when they knew God, they have not glorified him as God, or given thanks; but became vain in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 For professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.

23 And they changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of the image of a corruptible man, and of birds, and of fourfooted beasts, and of creeping things.

24 Wherefore God gave them up to the desires of their heart, unto uncleanness, to dishonour their own bodies among themselves.

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie; and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

R. (2a) The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

2 The heavens shew forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of his hands.

3 Day to day uttereth speech, and night to night sheweth knowledge.

R. The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

4 There are no speeches nor languages, where their voices are not heard.

5 Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth: and their words unto the ends of the world.

R. The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

12 The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

37 And as he was speaking, a certain Pharisee prayed him, that he would dine with him. And he going in, sat down to eat.

38 And the Pharisee began to say, thinking within himself, why he was not washed before dinner.

39 And the Lord said to him: Now you Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but your inside is full of rapine and iniquity.

40 Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without, make also that which is within?

41 But yet that which remaineth, give alms; and behold, all things are clean unto you.

Creation continually speaks of the glory of its Creator. The heavens proclaim God’s power, and the world itself offers signs of his wisdom, yet the human heart can still turn away, exchange truth for falsehood, and serve created things instead of the One who made them. Faith receives what creation announces and discovers its fullness in the Gospel, which is the power of God for salvation. The living word does not remain outside us; it reaches into our thoughts and desires and reveals what is really happening within.

That is why Jesus challenges the Pharisee’s concern with outward washing. God made both the outside and the inside, and he desires a heart made clean by truth, gratitude, and mercy. Jesus points to almsgiving as a concrete expression of this inner conversion: what we possess is no longer treated as an idol, but placed at the service of love. The heavens proclaim God’s glory, but our lives should proclaim it too. When faith leads us to give thanks and to share generously, the truth we have received begins to shape everything we do.

Creator and Redeemer, open my eyes to your glory revealed in all you have made, and open my heart to the living power of your Gospel. Free me from the idols that turn my attention away from you. Let your word search my thoughts and purify my desires. Give me a faith that is expressed in thanksgiving, honesty, and generous care for those in need. May my outward actions flow from a heart made clean by your mercy, so that my life may quietly give witness to your truth and goodness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.