Daily Mass Readings – Thursday, 16 September 2027

12 Let no man despise thy youth: but be thou an example of the faithful in word, in conversation, in charity, in faith, in chastity.

13 Till I come, attend unto reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine.

14 Neglect not the grace that is in thee, which was given thee by prophesy, with imposition of the hands of the priesthood.

15 Meditate upon these things, be wholly in these things: that thy profiting may be manifest to all.

16 Take heed to thyself and to doctrine: be earnest in them. For in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee.

R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!

7 That he may give them the inheritance of the Gentiles: the works of his hands are truth and judgment.

8 All his commandments are faithful: confirmed for ever and ever, made in truth and equity.

R. How great are the works of the Lord!

9 He hath sent redemption to his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name:

R. How great are the works of the Lord!

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding to all that do it: his praise continueth for ever and ever.

R. How great are the works of the Lord!

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

28 Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

36 And one of the Pharisees desired him to eat with him. And he went into the house of the Pharisee, and sat down to meat.

37 And behold a woman that was in the city, a sinner, when she knew that he sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment;

38 And standing behind at his feet, she began to wash his feet, with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

39 And the Pharisee, who had invited him, seeing it, spoke within himself, saying: This man, if he were a prophet, would know surely who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him, that she is a sinner.

40 And Jesus answering, said to him: Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee. But he said: Master, say it.

41 A certain creditor had two debtors, the one who owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

42 And whereas they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which therefore of the two loveth him most?

43 Simon answering, said: I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And he said to him: Thou hast judged rightly.

44 And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon: Dost thou see this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet; but she with tears hath washed my feet, and with her hairs hath wiped them.

45 Thou gavest me no kiss; but she, since she came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but she with ointment hath anointed my feet.

47 Wherefore I say to thee: Many sins are forgiven her, because she hath loved much. But to whom less is forgiven, he loveth less.

48 And he said to her: Thy sins are forgiven thee.

49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves: Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

50 And he said to the woman: Thy faith hath made thee safe, go in peace.

The woman who approaches Jesus brings no defense of herself. She brings tears, love, and the costly gift she has carried. Simon sees only her sin; Jesus sees her faith and the love that has awakened in her because mercy is being received. His parable makes clear that the awareness of forgiveness opens the heart to love. The woman leaves with more than relief: she hears Christ’s word of peace and is sent forward in faith.

That same grace is meant to shape the whole of Christian life. The instruction to Timothy is concrete: let faith appear in speech, conduct, charity, faithfulness, and purity; do not neglect the grace given by God, but attend to it and persevere in it. The Lord’s works are truth, judgment, redemption, and covenant faithfulness. Reverence before such a God becomes wisdom, while gratitude becomes a way of living. We can bring Christ our burdens and sins without hiding, then allow his mercy to make our love visible—in patient words, faithful conduct, and compassion toward those whom others are ready to judge.

Merciful Jesus, I come before you with all that needs your forgiveness. Keep me from looking at others through the eyes of judgment while forgetting the mercy I have received. Let your pardon kindle in me a sincere love that can be seen in my words, choices, and treatment of others. Strengthen the grace you have planted in me, and teach me to remain faithful when discipleship requires patience and courage. Give rest to my burdened heart, wisdom to follow your commandments, and the humility to go forward in peace. Amen.