Daily Mass Readings – Wednesday, 22 September 2027

5 And at the evening sacrifice I rose up from my affliction, and having rent my mantle and my garment, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands to the Lord my God,

6 And said: My God I am confounded and ashamed to lift up my face to thee: for our iniquities are multiplied over our heads, and our sins are grown up even unto heaven,

7 From the days of our fathers: and we ourselves also have sinned grievously unto this day, and for our iniquities we and our kings, and our priests have been delivered into the hands of the kings of the lands, and to the sword, and to captivity, and to spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is at this day.

8 And now as a little, and for a moment has our prayer been made before the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant, and give us a pin in his holy place, and that our God would enlighten our eyes, and would give us a little life in our bondage.

9 For we are bondmen, and in our bondage our God hath not forsaken us, but hath extended mercy upon us before the king of the Persians, to give us life, and to set up the house of our God, and rebuild the desolations thereof, and to give us a fence in Juda and Jerusalem.

R. (1b) Blessed be God, who lives for ever.

2 For thou scourgest, and thou savest: thou leadest down to hell, and bringest up again: and there is none that can escape thy hand.

R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.

3 Give glory to the Lord, ye children of Israel, and praise him in the sight of the Gentiles: Because he hath therefore scattered you among the Gentiles.

R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.

6abc See then what he hath done with us, and with fear and trembling give ye glory to him: and extol the eternal King of worlds in your works.

R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.

6def As for me, I will praise him in the land of my captivity: because he hath shewn his majesty toward a sinful nation.

R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.

8 I and my soul will rejoice in him. Bless ye the Lord, all his elect, keep days of joy, and give glory to him.

R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

15 The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

1 Then calling together the twelve apostles, he gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

3 And he said to them: Take nothing for your journey; neither staff, nor scrip, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats.

4 And whatsoever house you shall enter into, abide there, and depart not from thence.

5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off even the dust of your feet, for a testimony against them.

6 And going out, they went about through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.

The prayer of repentance in the first reading does not hide the people’s sin. It confesses that their guilt has risen high, yet it also recognizes that God has preserved a remnant and given them life. His mercy appears even in the midst of judgment and bondage. The psalm echoes this trust: the Lord may scourge, but he also saves; he may lead down, but he brings up again. His faithfulness is greater than the failure of his people.

That mercy becomes a mission in the Gospel. Jesus gives the Twelve authority over evil and sickness, then sends them to proclaim God’s kingdom with almost nothing to rely upon except the power he has given them. Their poverty keeps the message centered on God, while their willingness to accept rejection shows that the Gospel cannot be forced. Repentance is therefore more than regret. It opens us to God’s restoring work and makes us available for his service. Having received mercy, we can speak truthfully, bring healing where we can, and continue faithfully even when our efforts are not welcomed.

Merciful God, I confess that I depend on your saving hand. When sin brings shame or discouragement, keep me from hiding my face from you. Give me the humility to repent, the faith to trust your mercy, and the courage to receive the mission you place before me. Free me from relying on possessions, recognition, or success. Make my words truthful and my actions healing. When others do not receive what I offer in your name, teach me to remain peaceful and faithful, leaving the results to you. May your kingdom take root in my life. Amen.