Daily Mass Readings – Monday, 18 September 2028

17 Now this I ordain: not praising you, that you come together not for the better, but for the worse.

18 For first of all I hear that when you come together in the church, there are schisms among you; and in part I believe it.

19 For there must be also heresies: that they also, who are approved, may be made manifest among you.

20 When you come therefore together into one place, it is not now to eat the Lord’s supper.

21 For every one taketh before his own supper to eat. And one indeed is hungry and another is drunk.

22 What, have you not houses to eat and to drink in? Or despise ye the church of God; and put them to shame that have not? What shall I say to you? Do I praise you? In this I praise you not.

23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread.

24 And giving thanks, broke, and said: Take ye, and eat: this is my body, which shall be delivered for you: this do for the commemoration of me.

25 In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped, saying: This chalice is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me.

26 For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come.

33 Wherefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.

R. (1 Cor 11:26b) Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again.

7 Sacrifice and oblation thou didst not desire; but thou hast pierced ears for me. Burnt offering and sin offering thou didst not require:

8a Then said I, Behold I come.

R. Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again.

8b In the head of the book it is written of me,

9 That I should do thy will: O my God, I have desired it, and thy law in the midst of my heart.

R. Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again.

10 I have declared thy justice in a great church, lo, I will not restrain my lips: O Lord, thou knowest it.

R. Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again.

17 Let all that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say always: The Lord be magnified.

R. Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

16 God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

1 When he had finished all his words in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capharnaum.

2 And the servant of a certain centurion, who was dear to him, being sick, was ready to die.

3 And when he had heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the ancients of the Jews, desiring him to come and heal his servant.

4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him earnestly, saying to him: He is worthy that thou shouldest do this for him.

5 For he loveth our nation; and he hath built us a synagogue.

6 And Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent his friends to him, saying: Lord, trouble not thyself; for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof.

7 For which cause neither did I think myself worthy to come to thee; but say the word, and my servant shall be healed.

8 For I also am a man subject to authority, having under me soldiers: and I say to one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doth it.

9 Which Jesus hearing, marvelled: and turning about to the multitude that followed him, he said: Amen I say to you, I have not found so great faith, not even in Israel.

10 And they who were sent, being returned to the house, found the servant whole who had been sick.

At the Lord’s table, faith cannot be separated from the way we treat one another. The Corinthians gathered to celebrate the Eucharist, yet their divisions and disregard for the hungry contradicted the sacrifice they proclaimed. Paul brings them back to the heart of the mystery: Jesus gives his Body and Blood for his people, and those who receive this gift must learn to wait for one another and care for one another.

The centurion shows the posture that makes such communion possible. Others describe him as worthy, but he approaches Jesus with humility: “I am not worthy.” He trusts that Christ’s word has authority to heal, even at a distance. The God who loved the world by giving his Son still works through that same word and self-giving love. At Mass, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes, while asking that his will be written in our hearts. Our “Amen” becomes credible when it leads us to patience, humility, and genuine concern for those who stand beside us.

Lord Jesus, you give yourself to us in the Eucharist and speak a word that brings healing and life. Give me the humble faith of the centurion, trusting your authority even when I cannot see how you are working. Purify the divisions within your Church and within my own heart. Teach me to recognize the needs of others, to wait with patience, and to share generously. May receiving your Body and Blood make me more faithful to your command and more willing to do the Father’s will. Keep your love at the center of our gatherings, and strengthen us until you come again. Amen.