Daily Mass Readings – Sunday, 26 September 2027

25 And the Lord came down in a cloud, and spoke to him, taking away of the spirit that was in Moses, and giving to the seventy men. And when the spirit had rested on them they prophesied, nor did they cease afterwards.

26 Now there remained in the camp two of the men, of whom one was called Eldad, and the other Medad, upon whom the spirit rested; for they also had been enrolled, but were not gone forth to the tabernacle.

27 And when they prophesied in the camp, there ran a young man, and told Moses, saying: Eldad and Medad prophesy in the camp.

28 Forthwith Josue the son of Nun, the minister of Moses, and chosen out of many, said: My lord Moses forbid them.

29 But he said: Why hast thou emulation for me? O that all the people might prophesy, and that the Lord would give them his spirit!

R. (9a) The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

8 The law of the Lord is unspotted, converting souls: the testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones.

R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

10 The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for ever and ever: the judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.

R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

12 For thy servant keepeth them, and in keeping them there is a great reward.

13 Who can understand sins? from my secret ones cleanse me, O Lord:

R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

14 And from those of others spare thy servant. If they shall have no dominion over me, then shall I be without spot: and I shall be cleansed from the greatest sin.

R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl in your miseries, which shall come upon you.

2 Your riches are corrupted: and your garments are motheaten.

3 Your gold and silver is cankered: and the rust of them shall be for a testimony against you, and shall eat your flesh like fire. You have stored up to yourselves wrath against the last days.

4 Behold the hire of the labourers, who have reaped down your fields, which by fraud has been kept back by you, crieth: and the cry of them hath entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

5 You have feasted upon earth: and in riotousness you have nourished your hearts, in the day of slaughter.

6 You have condemned and put to death the Just One, and he resisted you not.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

17b, 17a Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

38 John answered him, saying: Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, who followeth not us, and we forbade him.

39 But Jesus said: Do not forbid him. For there is no man that doth a miracle in my name, and can soon speak ill of me.

40 For he that is not against you, is for you.

41 For whosoever shall give you to drink a cup of water in my name, because you belong to Christ: amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.

42 And whosoever shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me; it were better for him that a millstone were hanged around his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

43 And if thy hand scandalize thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life, maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into unquenchable fire:

45 And if thy foot scandalize thee, cut it off. It is better for thee to enter lame into life everlasting, than having two feet, to be cast into the hell of unquenchable fire:

47 And if thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out. It is better for thee with one eye to enter into the kingdom of God, than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire:

48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not extinguished.

The Spirit of God cannot be confined by our boundaries. Eldad and Medad prophesy in the camp, and Jesus tells his disciples not to stop the one casting out demons in his name. Moses and Jesus both reveal a generous heart that rejoices whenever God’s grace is at work, even beyond the familiar circle. The Lord’s precepts give joy because they lead us into this freedom: serving God is not a contest for recognition, but a participation in his work.

That freedom also demands honesty. James warns that wealth gathered through fraud and withheld wages cries out to God. Jesus speaks with striking seriousness about whatever causes scandal or turns us away from life. His words are not an invitation to harm ourselves, but a call to remove sin decisively. We cannot welcome God’s Spirit while protecting greed, injustice, pride, or anything that damages “the little ones” who believe. The truth that consecrates us may expose what needs to change. A faithful disciple makes room for God’s gifts in others and examines his own life with courage, choosing whatever leads more surely toward the kingdom.

Lord God, pour out your Spirit upon your people and free us from jealousy when your grace appears through others. Give us joy in your truth and wisdom to recognize the sins we keep hidden. Make us honest in our work, fair toward those who depend on us, and attentive to anyone vulnerable to our choices. Jesus, give us courage to remove whatever leads us away from you, even when change is difficult. Keep us from causing scandal, and teach us to rejoice in every sincere act done in your name. Lead us into your kingdom. Amen.