Daily Mass Readings – Thursday, 14 October 2027

21 But now without the law the justice of God is made manifest, being witnessed by the law and the prophets.

22 Even the justice of God, by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe in him: for there is no distinction:

23 For all have sinned, and do need the glory of God.

24 Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption, that is in Christ Jesus,

25 Whom God hath proposed to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, to the shewing of his justice, for the remission of former sins,

26 Through the forbearance of God, for the shewing of his justice in this time; that he himself may be just, and the justifier of him, who is of the faith of Jesus Christ.

27 Where is then thy boasting? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith.

28 For we account a man to be justified by faith, without the works of the law.

29 Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also.

30 For it is one God, that justifieth circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

R. (7) With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.

1 Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord:

2 Lord, hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

R. With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.

3 If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it.

4 For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord.

R. With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.

5 My soul hath relied on his word. My soul hath hoped in the Lord.

6 From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.

R. With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.

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.

47 Woe to you who build the monuments of the prophets: and your fathers killed them.

48 Truly you bear witness that you consent to the doings of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and you build their sepulchres.

49 For this cause also the wisdom of God said: I will send to them prophets and apostles; and some of them they will kill and persecute.

50 That the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation,

51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, who was slain between the alter and the temple: Yea I say to you, It shall be required of this generation.

52 Woe to you lawyers, for you have taken away the key of knowledge: you yourselves have not entered in, and those that were entering in, you have hindered.

53 And as he was saying these things to them, the Pharisees and the lawyers began violently to urge him, and to oppress his mouth about many things,

54 Lying in wait for him, and seeking to catch something from his mouth, that they might accuse him.

Scripture brings us before the mercy of God, where every person stands on the same ground: all have sinned, and all need the grace revealed in Jesus Christ. We cannot boast as though our holiness were something we achieved apart from God. The Lord himself is just and justifies those who place their faith in Christ, offering redemption and forgiveness. From the depths, the psalmist waits for the Lord because mercy, rather than human perfection, is the foundation of hope.

Jesus’ sharp words expose what happens when faith becomes a monument instead of a living response. The lawyers honor the prophets outwardly, yet their resistance shows that they have not truly received the knowledge those prophets proclaimed. Worse, they hinder others from entering. The Gospel asks us to receive God’s truth with humility, allowing it to correct us rather than using religion to protect our pride. Christ is the way to the Father, and his way leads us into honest repentance, grateful faith, and a mercy we do not keep for ourselves. Having been forgiven, we should never make the door harder for another person to enter.

Merciful Father, I praise you for the redemption given through Jesus Christ. Keep me from boasting in my own goodness or hiding behind outward signs of faith. Give me a humble heart that listens when your truth challenges me, and courage to repent when I resist your grace. May I never place obstacles before those who seek you. Let your word become living faith in me, marked by forgiveness, patience, and love. Jesus, be my way to the Father and teach me to hope in your mercy through every hour. Amen.