Daily Mass Readings – Wednesday, 16 February 2028

19 You know, my dearest brethren. And let every man be swift to hear, but slow to speak, and slow to anger.

20 For the anger of man worketh not the justice of God.

21 Wherefore casting away all uncleanness, and abundance of naughtiness, with meekness receive the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For if a man be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he shall be compared to a man beholding his own countenance in a glass.

24 For he beheld himself, and went his way, and presently forgot what manner of man he was.

25 But he that hath looked into the perfect law of liberty, and hath continued therein, not becoming a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work; this man shall be blessed in his deed.

26 And if any man think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

27 Religion clean and undefiled before God and the Father, is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their tribulation: and to keep one’s self unspotted from this world.

R. (1b) Who shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord?

2 He that walketh without blemish, and worketh justice:

3a He that speaketh truth in his heart, who hath not used deceit in his tongue.

R. Who shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord?

3bc Nor hath done evil to his neighbour: nor taken up a reproach against his neighbours.

4ab In his sight the malignant is brought to nothing: but he glorifieth them that fear the Lord.

R. Who shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord?

5 He that hath not put out his money to usury, nor taken bribes against the innocent: He that doth these things shall not be moved for ever.

R. Who shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord?

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

17-18 May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to his call.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

22 And they came to Bethsaida; and they bring to him a blind man, and they besought him that he would touch him.

23 And taking the blind man by the hand, he led him out of the town; and spitting upon his eyes, laying his hands on him, he asked him if he saw any thing.

24 And looking up, he said: I see men as it were trees, walking.

25 After that again he laid his hands upon his eyes, and he began to see, and was restored, so that he saw all things clearly.

26 And he sent him into his house, saying: Go into thy house, and if thou enter into the town, tell nobody.

The Word of God asks for more than attentive hearing. It must take root in us and become visible in the way we speak, respond, and treat those entrusted to our care. James warns that uncontrolled anger and an unbridled tongue contradict the religion we profess. The psalm describes the person who dwells with God as one who speaks truth, avoids harming a neighbor, and acts with justice.

In the Gospel, Jesus heals a blind man gradually. At first, his sight is blurred; after Christ touches him again, he sees clearly. This healing offers a picture of discipleship. Christ patiently clears our vision so that we may recognize what faithful living requires: truth without deceit, mercy toward the vulnerable, and justice without compromise. We may still see imperfectly, but we can place ourselves again in his hands. A practical prayer today might be: Lord, show me clearly what my words and actions reveal. Then help me do the word I have heard, especially in the quiet choices that protect another person’s dignity.

Lord Jesus, take me by the hand and heal the blindness in my heart. Let your word sink deeply into me, so that I do not forget it after hearing it. Make me swift to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Give me courage to speak truth without deceit and to act with justice toward my neighbor. Open my eyes to those who are vulnerable and teach me to serve them with a clean heart. May my faith become visible in patient, merciful deeds, and may I remain faithful to your call. Amen.