Daily Mass Readings – Wednesday, 23 August 2028

1 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

2 Son of man, prophesy concerning the shepherds of Israel: prophesy, and say to the shepherds: Thus saith the Lord God: Woe to the shepherds of Israel, that fed themselves: should not the flocks be fed by the shepherds?

3 You ate the milk, and you clothed yourselves with the wool, and you killed that which was fat: but my flock you did not feed.

4 The weak you have not strengthened, and that which was sick you have not healed, that which was broken you have not bound up, and that which was driven away you have not brought again, neither have you sought that which was lost: but you ruled over them with rigour, and with a high hand.

5 And my sheep were scattered, because there was no shepherd: and they became the prey of all the beasts of the field, and were scattered.

6 My sheep have wandered in every mountain, and in every high hill: and my flocks were scattered upon the face of the earth, and there was none that sought them, there was none, I say, that sought them.

7 Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord:

8 As I live, saith the Lord God, forasmuch as my flocks have been made a spoil, and my sheep are become a prey to all the beasts of the field, because there was no shepherd: for my shepherds did not seek after my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flocks:

9 Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord:

10 Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I myself come upon the shepherds, I will require my flock at their hand, and I will cause them to cease from feeding the flock any more, neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more: and I will deliver my flock from their mouth, and it shall no more be meat for them.

11 For thus saith the Lord God: Behold I myself will seek my sheep, and will visit them.

R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

1 The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.

2 He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment:

3a He hath converted my soul.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

3b He hath led me on the paths of justice, for his own name’s sake.

4 For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

5 Thou hast prepared a table before me against them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil; and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it!

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

6 And thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

12 The word of God is living and effective, able to discern the reflections and thoughts of the heart.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

1 The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

2 And having agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

3 And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing in the market place idle.

4 And he said to them: Go you also into my vineyard, and I will give you what shall be just.

5 And they went their way. And again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did in like manner.

6 But about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing, and he saith to them: Why stand you here all the day idle?

7 They say to him: Because no man hath hired us. He saith to them: Go you also into my vineyard.

8 And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward: Call the labourers and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the first.

9 When therefore they were come, that came about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

10 But when the first also came, they thought that they should receive more: and they also received every man a penny.

11 And receiving it they murmured against the master of the house,

12 Saying: These last have worked but one hour, and thou hast made them equal to us, that have borne the burden of the day and the heats.

13 But he answering said to one of them: Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny?

14 Take what is thine, and go thy way: I will also give to this last even as to thee.

15 Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? is thy eye evil, because I am good?

16 So shall the last be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.

God does not abandon those who have been scattered or overlooked. When shepherds feed themselves and fail to strengthen the weak, heal the sick, or seek the lost, the Lord declares that he himself will search for his flock. The psalm gives us the living answer to that promise: the Lord is the shepherd who restores, guides, protects, and prepares a table for his people, even in the shadow of death.

Jesus shows this same care in the vineyard. The householder keeps going out, inviting workers at every hour, including those who have stood waiting until late in the day. His generosity exposes the discontent of those who measure goodness by comparison. The Word of God searches our hearts here: can we rejoice when another person receives mercy, a place to serve, or a new beginning? We are entrusted with the Lord’s vineyard, not as owners guarding our privilege, but as servants who strengthen the weak and welcome those whom others have missed. God’s grace is not diminished when it reaches someone late; it reveals how abundantly good he is.

Lord God, you are the shepherd who seeks every scattered sheep and leads your people along paths of justice. Heal in us whatever resists your mercy. Give us eyes to notice the weak, the forgotten, and those still waiting for a place in your vineyard. Keep us from envy when your goodness is given freely to others. Make us faithful servants who nourish, protect, and encourage those entrusted to our care. When your Word reveals selfishness within us, grant us humility to repent and receive your generous heart. May we rejoice in every person whom your grace calls home. Amen.