Daily Mass Readings – Monday, 21 September 2026

1 I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called,

2 With all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity.

3 Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4 One body and one Spirit; as you are called in one hope of your calling.

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism.

6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all.

7 But to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the giving of Christ.

11 And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some evangelists, and other some pastors and doctors,

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Until we all meet into the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ;

R. (5) Their message goes out through all the earth.

2 The heavens shew forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of his hands.

3 Day to day uttereth speech, and night to night sheweth knowledge.

R. Their message goes out through all the earth.

4 There are no speeches nor languages, where their voices are not heard.

5 Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth: and their words unto the ends of the world.

R. Their message goes out through all the earth.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise you.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

9 And when Jesus passed on from hence, he saw a man sitting in the custom house, named Matthew; and he saith to him: Follow me. And he rose up and followed him.

10 And it came to pass as he was sitting at meat in the house, behold many publicans and sinners came, and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.

11 And the Pharisees seeing it, said to his disciples: Why doth your master eat with publicans and sinners?

12 But Jesus hearing it, said: They that are in health need not a physician, but they that are ill.

13 Go then and learn what this meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice. For I am not come to call the just, but sinners.

Christ’s call reaches people where they are, as it reached Matthew at the customs house: “Follow me.” Matthew rose and followed, and his response opened a place at the table for other publicans and sinners. Jesus does not wait for the sick to become healthy before receiving them. He comes as the physician, showing that the Father desires mercy and that conversion begins by allowing ourselves to be found by him.

That mercy also creates a people. The message that goes out through all the earth is carried by apostles and by every grace Christ gives for building up his Body. Unity is therefore more than agreement; it requires humility, gentleness, patience, and the willingness to support one another in charity. The one Lord gathers people who are different, wounded, and still growing into the fullness of Christ. We honor the Gospel when our words and choices make room for repentance rather than contempt. Having received mercy, we can become a merciful presence—at home, in the Church, and wherever someone is waiting to hear that Christ still calls.

Lord Jesus, you called Matthew with a simple word and welcomed sinners to your table. Heal what is wounded in us, and free us from the pride that judges others. Give us humble and patient hearts, ready to preserve the unity of your Spirit in peace. Help us recognize the grace you have given each person and use it to strengthen your Church. May our lives carry your mercy beyond our familiar circles, so that your message may be heard and your love may gather many into one hope. Amen.