Daily Mass Readings – Wednesday, 28 June 2028

8 And Helcias the high priest said to Saphan the scribe: I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord: and Helcias gave the book to Saphan, and he read it.

9 And Saphan the scribe came to the king, and brought him word again concerning that which he had commanded, and said: Thy servants have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the Lord, and they have given it to be distributed to the workmen, by the overseers of the works of the temple of the Lord.

10 And Saphan the scribe told the king, saying: Helcias the priest hath delivered to me a book. And when Saphan had read it before the king,

11 And the king had heard the words of the law of the Lord, he rent his garments.

12 And he commanded Helcias the priest, and Ahicam the son of Saphan, and Achobor the son of Micha, and Saphan the scribe, and Asaia the king’s servant, saying:

13 Go and consult the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Juda, concerning the words of this book which is found: for the great wrath of the Lord is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened to the words of this book, to do all that is written for us.

23:1 And they brought the king word again what she had said. And he sent: and all the ancients of Juda and Jerusalem were assembled to him.

2 And the king went up to the temple of the Lord, and all the men of Juda, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, the priests and the prophets, and all the people both little and great: and in the hearing of them all he read all the words of the book of the covenant, which was found in the house of the Lord.

3 And the king stood upon the step: and made a covenant with the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies and his ceremonies, with all their heart, and with all their soul, and to perform the words of this covenant, which were written in that book: and the people agreed to the covenant.

R. (33a) Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord.

33 Set before me for a law the way of thy justifications, O Lord: and I will always seek after it.

R. Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord.

34 Give me understanding, and I will search thy law; and I will keep it with my whole heart.

R. Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord.

36 Incline my heart into thy testimonies and not to covetousness.

R. Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord.

37 Turn away my eyes that they may not behold vanity: quicken me in thy way.

R. Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord.

40 Behold I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy justice.

R. Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

4a, 5b Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord; whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 By their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and the evil tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can an evil tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.

When the forgotten book of the law is read aloud, the king does not treat it as an old document. He allows the word of God to judge the life of the people, and his sorrow becomes a covenant: to walk after the Lord with all his heart and soul. The psalm gives voice to that same response, asking for understanding, a faithful heart, and freedom from vanity and covetousness.

Jesus shows where this obedience becomes visible. False prophets may wear the appearance of innocence, but their fruits reveal what is within. Goodness is not proved by impressive words or outward appearance; it grows from a life rooted in God. The Alleluia names that source clearly: remaining in Christ, as he remains in us. Scripture is therefore more than instruction to admire. It calls for a renewed covenant and a changed life. We can bring one word of the Gospel honestly into prayer today, letting it expose what needs conversion and strengthen what already bears good fruit. A heart that remains with Christ will gradually make his presence recognizable in the way it speaks, chooses, and treats others.

Lord God, place your word deeply within me. Give me the humility to receive it, the understanding to follow it, and the courage to let it correct what has become disordered in my life. Turn my eyes from vanity and my heart from whatever draws me away from you. Jesus, keep me abiding in you, so that my actions may bear the good fruit of truth, mercy, patience, and love. Protect me from appearances that deceive, and make my life a faithful sign of your covenant. May your Spirit guide my choices and keep my whole heart close to you. Amen.