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Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 : Isaiah 1:10-17
Hear the word of the LORD,
princes of Sodom!
Listen to the instruction of our God,
people of Gomorrah!
What care I for the number of your sacrifices?
says the LORD.
I have had enough of whole-burnt rams
and fat of fatlings;
In the blood of calves, lambs and goats
I find no pleasure.When you come in to visit me,
who asks these things of you?
Trample my courts no more!
Bring no more worthless offerings;
your incense is loathsome to me.
New moon and sabbath, calling of assemblies,
octaves with wickedness: these I cannot bear.
Your new moons and festivals I detest;
they weigh me down, I tire of the load.
When you spread out your hands,
I close my eyes to you;
Though you pray the more,
I will not listen.
Your hands are full of blood!
Wash yourselves clean!
Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes;
cease doing evil; learn to do good.
Make justice your aim: redress the wronged,
hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.
Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23
R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think you that I a
m like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
Alleluia : Matthew 5:10
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel : Matthew 10:34-11:1
Jesus said to his Apostles:
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth.
I have come to bring not peace but the sword.
For I have come to set
a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
and one’s enemies will be those of his household.“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me,
and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
and whoever does not take up his cross
and follow after me is not worthy of me.
Whoever finds his life will lose it,
and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.“Whoever receives you receives me,
and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet
will receive a prophet’s reward,
and whoever receives a righteous man
because he is righteous
will receive a righteous man’s reward.
And whoever gives only a cup of cold water
to one of these little ones to drink
because he is a disciple–
amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.”When Jesus finished giving these commands to his Twelve disciples,
he went away from that place to teach and to preach in their towns.
Message from the Readings
Today’s readings proclaim a challenging but liberating truth:
God desires hearts that live justice, mercy, and authentic discipleship — not just outward religious actions.
• Isaiah calls us to worship that transforms how we treat others.
• The psalm reminds us that God sees beyond rituals into the heart.
• Jesus teaches that discipleship requires courage, sacrifice, and unwavering love.
The message is clear: Faith is not just what we say — it is how we live.
Reflection for the Day
Isaiah’s words are bold and uncomfortable — because they are meant to wake us up.
Israel continued offering sacrifices, attending worship, and performing rituals. But their hearts were far from God. Their lives did not reflect justice, mercy, or compassion.
So God says:
“Cease doing evil; learn to do good.” “Make justice your aim.”
It is a reminder that worship without love becomes noise. Prayer without compassion becomes hollow. Faith without justice becomes hypocrisy.
The psalm echoes this truth: God does not need our offerings — He desires our obedience, integrity, and trust.
Then Jesus speaks in the Gospel with striking clarity: Following Him is not comfortable. It is not convenient. It is not casual.
It demands loyalty even when it divides. It demands courage even when it costs. It demands love that places Him above every other attachment.
Yet Jesus also offers encouragement: Every act of kindness done for His sake — even giving a cup of cold water — is seen, remembered, and rewarded.
Discipleship is costly, but it is never unnoticed.
Today’s readings invite you to three movements:
- Examine your heart honestly.
Is your worship transforming your life, or has it become routine? - Practice justice and mercy.
Let your faith be visible in how you treat the vulnerable, the forgotten, and the hurting. - Follow Jesus courageously.
Even when it costs you comfort, approval, or ease.
Let today be a day of authentic worship, courageous discipleship, and renewed commitment to living the Gospel.
Prayer for Today
Lord Jesus, purify my heart and make my worship true.
Help me live a faith that shows itself in justice, mercy, and compassion.
Give me courage to follow You boldly, even when it is difficult or costly.
May every action today reflect Your love and bring Your light to those around me.
Amen.
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