Daily Mass Readings – Wednesday, 13 October 2027

1 Wherefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest. For wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself. For thou dost the same things which thou judgest.

2 For we know that the judgment of God is, according to truth, against them that do such things.

3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them who do such things, and dost the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and patience, and longsuffering? Knowest thou not, that the benignity of God leadeth thee to penance?

5 But according to thy hardness and impenitent heart, thou treasurest up to thyself wrath, against the day of wrath, and revelation of the just judgment of God.

6 Who will render to every man according to his works.

7 To them indeed, who according to patience in good work, seek glory and honour and incorruption, eternal life:

8 But to them that are contentious, and who obey not the truth, but give credit to iniquity, wrath and indignation.

9 Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek.

10 But glory, and honour, and peace to every one that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

R. (13b) Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works.

2 Shall not my soul be subject to God? for from him is my salvation.

3 For he is my God and my saviour: he is my protector, I shall be moved no more.

R. Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works.

6 But be thou, O my soul, subject to God: for from him is my patience.

7 For he is my God and my saviour: he is my helper, I shall not be moved.

R. Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works.

9 Trust in him, all ye congregation of people: pour out your hearts before him. God is our helper for ever.

R. Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

27 My sheep hear my voice: and I know them, and they follow me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

42 But woe to you, Pharisees, because you tithe mint and rue and every herb; and pass over judgment, and the charity of God. Now these things you ought to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

43 Woe to you, Pharisees, because you love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the marketplace.

44 Woe to you, because you are as sepulchres that appear not, and men that walk over are not aware.

45 And one of the lawyers answering, saith to him: Master, in saying these things, thou reproachest us also.

46 But he said: Woe to you lawyers also, because you load men with burdens which they cannot bear, and you yourselves touch not the packs with one of your fingers.

Christ’s rebuke reaches beyond the Pharisees and lawyers to anyone who can appear religious while neglecting the heart of God’s law. Tithing carefully has its place, yet judgment and charity cannot be passed over. Religious practice loses its truth when it becomes a means of receiving honor, placing burdens on others, or condemning faults we refuse to confront in ourselves.

Saint Paul shows why this matters: God’s judgment is according to truth, without respect for persons, and his goodness and patience are meant to lead us to repentance. The psalm gives us the right posture before such a God: to become quiet and subject to him, to pour out our hearts, and to trust him as our salvation and helper. Jesus says that his sheep hear his voice and follow him. His voice exposes hypocrisy, yet it also leads us toward conversion. Today, honest obedience may mean examining whether our faith is marked by charity, fairness, and patient goodness rather than appearances. God’s mercy gives us time to change; we should not mistake that patience for permission to remain unchanged.

Merciful God, you judge with truth and see what is hidden in the heart. Save me from judging others while excusing my own sins. Through the voice of Jesus, show me where my faith has become appearance, pride, or a burden for someone else. Give me the humility to receive correction, the courage to repent, and the patience to practice justice and charity in ordinary choices. Keep me close to Christ, my Shepherd, so that I may hear his voice and follow him faithfully. May your goodness soften my heart and make my life a sincere offering of love. Amen.