Daily Mass Readings – Friday, 18 February 2028

14 What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but hath not works? Shall faith be able to save him?

15 And if a brother or sister be naked, and want daily food:

16 And one of you say to them: Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; yet give them not those things that are necessary for the body, what shall it profit?

17 So faith also, if it have not works, is dead in itself.

18 But some man will say: Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without works; and I will shew thee, by works, my faith.

19 Thou believest that there is one God. Thou dost well: the devils also believe and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, offering up Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 Seest thou, that faith did co-operate with his works; and by works faith was made perfect?

23 And the scripture was fulfilled, saying: Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him to justice, and he was called the friend of God.

24 Do you see that by works a man is justified; and not by faith only?

26 For even as the body without the spirit is dead; so also faith without works is dead.

R. (1b) Blessed the man who greatly delights in the Lord’s commands.

1 Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he shall delight exceedingly in his commandments.

2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the righteous shall be blessed.

R. Blessed the man who greatly delights in the Lord’s commands.

3 Glory and wealth shall be in his house: and his justice remaineth for ever and ever.

4 To the righteous a light is risen up in darkness: he is merciful, and compassionate and just.

R. Blessed the man who greatly delights in the Lord’s commands.

5 Acceptable is the man that sheweth mercy and lendeth: he shall order his words with judgment:

6 Because he shall not be moved for ever.

R. Blessed the man who greatly delights in the Lord’s commands.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

15b I call you my friends, says the Lord, for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

34 And calling the multitude together with his disciples, he said to them: If any man will follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

35 For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel, shall save it.

36 For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his soul?

37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

38 For he that shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation: the Son of man also will be ashamed of him, when he shall come in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

9:1 And he said to them: Amen I say to you, that there are some of them that stand here, who shall not taste death, till they see the kingdom of God coming in power.

Faith cannot remain an idea held in the mind or words spoken to others. Saint James gives a plain example: wishing a hungry or poorly clothed person well, while offering nothing necessary for the body, reveals a faith that has become lifeless. The psalm describes the living alternative—a person who delights in God’s commands and becomes merciful, compassionate, and just. Faith takes shape in concrete love.

Jesus shows how deeply this love reaches. To follow him means denying ourselves, taking up the cross, and allowing his words to direct the way we use our time, possessions, strength, and freedom. Abraham’s faith became complete through obedient action; likewise, our trust in Christ becomes visible when we accept the cost of loving God and neighbor. We may gain approval, comfort, or many possessions, yet none of these can equal the value of the soul. Christ calls us to lose our life for his sake and the Gospel, promising that this surrender leads to true life. A small act of mercy, offered in faith, can become a real confession that Jesus is Lord.

Lord Jesus, you call us friends and make known to us the Father’s heart. Free my faith from empty words and give it the strength to serve, forgive, and show mercy. Teach me to recognize you in those who lack what they need, and to accept the daily sacrifices that faithful love requires. When I am tempted to protect my comfort or gain the world at the cost of my soul, turn my heart back to you. May my actions give quiet witness to the Gospel, and may your grace make my faith alive and fruitful. Amen.