Daily Mass Readings – Monday, 24 July 2028

1 Hear ye what the Lord saith: Arise, contend thou in judgment against the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice.

2 Let the mountains hear the judgment of the Lord, and the strong foundations of the earth: for the Lord will enter into judgment with his people, and he will plead against Israel.

3 O my people, what have I done to thee, or in what have I molested thee? answer thou me.

4 For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and delivered thee out of the house of slaves: and I sent before thy face Moses, and Aaron, and Mary.

6 What shall I offer to the Lord that is worthy? wherewith shall I kneel before the high God? shall I offer holocausts unto him, and calves of a year old?

7 May the Lord be appeased with thousands of rams, or with many thousands of fat he goats? shall I give my firstborn for my wickedness, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

8 I will shew thee, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requireth of thee: Verily, to do judgment, and to love mercy, and to walk solicitous with thy God.

R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

5 Gather ye together his saints to him: who set his covenant before sacrifices.

6 And the heavens shall declare his justice: for God is judge.

R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

8 I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices: and thy burnt offerings are always in my sight.

9 I will not take calves out of thy house: nor he goats out of thy flocks.

R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

16bc Why dost thou declare my justices, and take my covenant in thy mouth?

17 Seeing thou hast hated discipline: and hast cast my words behind thee.

R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

21 These things hast thou done, and I was silent. Thou thoughtest unjustly that I should be like to thee: but I will reprove thee, and set before thy face.

23 The sacrifice of praise shall glorify me: and there is the way by which I will shew him the salvation of God.

R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

8 If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying: Master we would see a sign from thee.

39 Who answering said to them: An evil and adulterous generation seeketh a sign: and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.

40 For as Jonas was in the whale’s belly three days and three nights: so shall the Son of man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.

41 The men of Ninive shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they did penance at the preaching of Jonas. And behold a greater than Jonas here.

42 The queen of the south shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold a greater than Solomon here.

God does not remain silent about the shape of a faithful life. He reminds his people of the deliverance he has already given, then asks for something deeper than impressive offerings: to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with him. The psalm makes the same point. Sacrifices have their place, but they cannot replace discipline, obedience, and a heart that truly listens. Praise becomes genuine when it is joined to a life turned toward God.

In the Gospel, some ask Jesus for a sign, though he himself is already among them. The sign of Jonah points to his death and rising, while the people of Nineveh and the queen of the south stand as witnesses against those who refuse to respond to what they have heard. Christ is greater than Jonah and Solomon, so his presence calls for more than curiosity or endless proof. We need hearts ready to recognize him and change. The practical offering God seeks today may be a merciful decision, an honest act of justice, or the humility to obey a word we have been resisting. If we hear his voice, we should not harden our hearts.

Merciful God, you have shown your saving power and have never ceased to speak to your people. Give me a listening heart, ready to receive your word without demanding signs of my own choosing. Through Jesus Christ, greater than Jonah and Solomon, lead me to sincere conversion. Teach me to do what is just, to love mercy, and to walk humbly in your presence. Free me from empty religious habits and make my praise truthful through obedience and compassion. When I am slow to change, awaken me by your grace, and let my life become a faithful response to your love. Amen.