Daily Mass Readings – Thursday, 17 September 2026

1 Now I make known unto you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand;

2 By which also you are saved, if you hold fast after what manner I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all, which I also received: how that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures:

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day, according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen by Cephas; and after that by the eleven.

6 Then he was seen by more than five hundred brethren at once: of whom many remain until this present, and some are fallen asleep.

7 After that, he was seen by James, then by all the apostles.

8 And last of all, he was seen also by me, as by one born out of due time.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

10 But by the grace of God, I am what I am; and his grace in me hath not been void, but I have laboured more abundantly than all they: yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

11 For whether I, or they, so we preach, and so you have believed.

R. (1) Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

1 Give praise to Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

2 Let Israel now say that he is good: that his mercy endureth for ever.

R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

16ab The right hand of the Lord hath exulted me: the right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength.

17 I shall not die, but live: and shall declare the works of the Lord.

R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, and I will exalt thee. I will praise thee, because thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

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 mercy of God does more than remove guilt; it awakens a grateful love that can be seen. The woman who approaches Jesus does not defend herself or hide her sin. She comes with tears, and her love becomes an offering. Jesus recognizes what Simon fails to see: her actions reveal faith receiving forgiveness. The one who knows mercy deeply is moved to love deeply, while the one who feels little need for mercy remains closed to it.

Paul gives the same testimony in another form. He remembers that he persecuted the Church, yet he does not remain trapped in that past. “By the grace of God, I am what I am,” he says, because the risen Christ has made him a witness and servant. The Gospel he received is the foundation on which he stands: Christ died for our sins and rose again. That same risen Lord offers rest to the burdened and salvation to those who hold fast. We can bring him our sin without pretending, receive his forgiveness with humility, and let gratitude shape what we do. Mercy received becomes love given.

Merciful Jesus, you welcomed the repentant woman and spoke peace to her heart. Help me recognize my need for your forgiveness and come to you without fear or concealment. Keep me grounded in the truth of your death and resurrection, the Gospel by which I am saved. When I am burdened by sin or the memory of my failures, give me the humility to receive your grace. Let gratitude for your mercy make my faith active, my worship sincere, and my love generous toward others. May your grace work through me, as it worked through Paul. Amen.