Daily Mass Readings – Sunday, 29 August 2027

1 And now, O Israel, hear the commandments and judgments which I teach thee: that doing them, thou mayst live, and entering in mayst possess the land which the Lord the God of your fathers will give you.

2 You shall not add to the word that I speak to you, neither shall you take away from it: keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

6 And you shall observe, and fulfill them in practice. For this is your wisdom, and understanding in the sight of nations, that hearing all these precepts, they may say: Behold a wise and understanding people, a great nation.

7 Neither is there any other nation so great, that hath gods so nigh them, as our God is present to all our petitions.

8 For what other nation is there so renowned that hath ceremonies, and just judgments, and all the law, which I will set forth this day before your eyes?

R. (1a) One who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

2 He that walketh without blemish, and worketh justice:

3 He that speaketh truth in his heart, who hath not used deceit in his tongue.

R. One who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

3 Nor hath done evil to his neighbour: nor taken up a reproach against his neighbours.

4 In his sight the malignant is brought to nothing: but he glorifieth them that fear the Lord.

R. One who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

5 He that hath not put out his money to usury, nor taken bribes against the innocent: He that doth these things shall not be moved for ever.

R. One who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

17 Every best gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of alteration.

18 For of his own will hath he begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be some beginning of his creatures.

21 Wherefore casting away all uncleanness, and abundance of naughtiness, with meekness receive the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

27 Religion clean and undefiled before God and the Father, is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their tribulation: and to keep one’s self unspotted from this world.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

18 The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

1 And there assembled together unto him the Pharisees and some of the scribes, coming from Jerusalem.

2 And when they had seen some of his disciples eat bread with common, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.

3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews eat not without often washing their hands, holding the tradition of the ancients:

4 And when they come from the market, unless they be washed, they eat not: and many other things there are that have been delivered to them to observe, the washings of cups and of pots, and of brazen vessels, and of beds.

5 And the Pharisees and scribes asked him: Why do not thy disciples walk according to the tradition of the ancients, but they eat bread with common hands?

6 But he answering, said to them: Well did Isaias prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

7 And in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and precepts of men.

8 For leaving the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, the washing of pots and of cups: and many other things you do like to these.

14 And calling again the multitude unto him, he said to them: Hear ye me all, and understand.

15 There is nothing from without a man that entering into him, can defile him. But the things which come from a man, those are they that defile a man.

21 For from within out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.

23 All these evil things come from within, and defile a man.

God’s commandments are given so that his people may live near him. They are not burdens added to life, but the wisdom that forms a people capable of justice, truth, and faithful love. The psalm makes this concrete: the one who lives in the Lord’s presence speaks honestly, refuses harm, protects the innocent, and does not use others for personal gain. Obedience becomes visible in the way we treat our neighbor.

Jesus exposes the danger of keeping religious practices while allowing the heart to remain untouched. Clean hands cannot conceal evil thoughts, deceit, pride, greed, or contempt. James shows the better path: receive God’s word with meekness, then put it into practice by caring for those in distress and remaining undefiled by the world’s wrongdoing. The Father gives birth to us through the word of truth, and that word is meant to take root within us. Our worship becomes genuine when God’s teaching moves beyond our lips and habits into our choices, our speech, and our treatment of the vulnerable. A heart made clean by grace learns to do justice.

Father of lights, your word is a perfect gift and a source of life. Plant it deeply within us, and free us from the pride, deceit, greed, and hardness that defile the heart. Keep our worship from becoming empty words or outward observances without love. Give us grace to speak truth, practice justice, protect the innocent, and attend faithfully to those who suffer. Through Jesus, make our lives a visible response to your commandments and a sign of your nearness. May your word shape our choices each day and keep us steadfast in your presence. Amen.