Daily Mass Readings – Tuesday, 16 February 2027

10 And as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return no more thither, but soak the earth, and water it, and make it to spring, and give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

11 So shall my word be, which shall go forth from my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall do whatsoever I please, and shall prosper in the things for which I sent it.

R. (18b) From all their distress God rescues the just.

4 O magnify the Lord with me; and let us extol his name together.

5 I sought the Lord, and he heard me; and he delivered me from all my troubles.

R. From all their distress God rescues the just.

6 Come ye to him and be enlightened: and your faces shall not be confounded.

7 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him: and saved him out of all his troubles.

R. From all their distress God rescues the just.

16 The eyes of the Lord are upon the just: and his ears unto their prayers.

17 But the countenance of the Lord is against them that do evil things: to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

R. From all their distress God rescues the just.

18 The just cried, and the Lord heard them: and delivered them out of all their troubles.

19 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart: and he will save the humble of spirit.

R. From all their distress God rescues the just.

4b One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

7 And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard.

8 Be not you therefore like to them, for your Father knoweth what is needful for you, before you ask him.

9 Thus therefore shall you pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our supersubstantial bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. Amen.

14 For if you will forgive men their offences, your heavenly Father will forgive you also your offences.

15 But if you will not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive you your offences.

God’s word does not fall uselessly. Like rain soaking the earth, it enters human hearts and brings forth what God desires: nourishment, life, and renewal. The psalm shows where this word bears fruit most clearly—in the cry of the humble. The Lord hears those who seek him and draws near to the contrite, even in their distress.

Jesus teaches us to pray with that same trust. We do not need to multiply words to persuade the Father, who already knows what we need. In the Our Father, we place our lives within God’s larger purpose: his name, his kingdom, and his will. We ask for bread, including the deeper nourishment that comes from his word, and we accept the demanding grace of forgiveness. God’s word becomes fruitful in us when it shapes how we treat those who have offended us. A simple, honest prayer can therefore open the heart to receive God’s care and make us ready to extend it.

Father in heaven, let your word fall deeply into my heart and produce the fruit you desire. Teach me to pray with trust, bringing you my needs without fear or empty repetition. Give me today the bread that sustains my body and the grace that nourishes my soul. When I am burdened or distressed, draw me near to you. Soften my heart toward those who have wronged me, that I may forgive as I seek forgiveness. May your kingdom grow in my choices, my words, and my relationships. Deliver me from evil and guide me in your will. Amen.