Daily Mass Readings – Monday, 14 February 2028

1 James the servant of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

2 My brethren, count it all joy, when you shall fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 And patience hath a perfect work; that you may be perfect and entire, failing in nothing.

5 But if any of you want wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men abundantly, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, which is moved and carried about by the wind.

7 Therefore let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8 A double minded man is inconstant in all his ways.

9 But let the brother of low condition glory in his exaltation:

10 And the rich, in his being low; because as the flower of the grass shall he pass away.

11 For the sun rose with a burning heat, and parched the grass, and the flower thereof fell off, and the beauty of the shape thereof perished: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

R. (77a) Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

67 Before I was humbled I offended; therefore have I kept thy word.

R. Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

68 Thou art good; and in thy goodness teach me thy justifications.

R. Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

71 It is good for me that thou hast humbled me, that I may learn thy justifications.

R. Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

72 The law of thy mouth is good to me, above thousands of gold and silver.

R. Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are equity: and in thy truth thou hast humbled me.

R. Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

76 O! let thy mercy be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

R. Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

6 I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

11 And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, asking him a sign from heaven, tempting him.

12 And sighing deeply in spirit, he saith: Why doth this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, a sign shall not be given to this generation.

13 And leaving them, he went up again into the ship, and passed to the other side of the water.

Faith is often clarified in the very circumstances that test it. James teaches that trials can produce patience, and patience can bring a person toward spiritual maturity. When wisdom is needed, we are to ask God with a steady heart, trusting that he gives generously and without reproach. The psalm gives this teaching a humble voice: being corrected and brought low can become a way of learning God’s judgments and discovering his mercy. Even worldly status and wealth are temporary, like grass that withers beneath the sun; God’s word is the lasting treasure.

In the Gospel, the Pharisees demand a sign while testing Jesus, but he does not submit to their conditions. He leaves them, and the Alleluia helps us understand why: Jesus himself is the way, the truth, and the life. Faith does not place God on trial, insisting that he prove himself according to our expectations. It follows Christ with patience, especially when answers are not immediate. In moments of uncertainty, we can ask for wisdom, receive correction with humility, and remain anchored in the Lord rather than being carried about like a wave.

Lord Jesus, you are the way, the truth, and the life. When trials unsettle me, give me patience instead of fear and wisdom instead of confusion. Teach me to receive correction without resentment, trusting that your mercy gives life. Keep my heart from demanding signs or placing conditions on faith. Help me hold earthly success lightly and treasure your word above every passing possession. Make my trust steady, so that I may follow you faithfully when your purposes are not yet clear. May your truth form me into a whole and generous disciple. Amen.