Catholic Daily Readings

Daily Mass Readings For Friday, March 14, 2025

Friday of the First Week of Lent

Reading I: Ezekiel 18:21-28

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8

Verse before the Gospel: Ezekiel 18:31

Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26

Liturgical vestments: Purple

March - 13
March - 14
March - 15

Friday, March 14, 2025: Readings & Responsorial Psalm & Gospel

Each day, the Mass readings invite us into a deeper encounter with God. Through Scripture, we hear His voice speaking to our hearts, guiding us, comforting us, and calling us to a life of holiness. The Word of God is not just a story from the past; it is alive, relevant, and transformative.

Every reading is an opportunity for grace. Some days, the words challenge us to grow; other days, they console us in our struggles. But always, they nourish our souls, strengthening our faith and drawing us closer to Christ.

Let us open our hearts to the Word of God daily. May we not just hear it but live it, allowing it to shape our actions and deepen our love for Him. Lord, speak to us today, and help us to follow You more faithfully. Amen.

Reading I

Ezekiel 18:21-28

Thus says the Lord GOD:
If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed,
   if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just,
   he shall surely live, he shall not die.
None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him;
   he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced.
Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked?
   says the Lord GOD.
Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way
   that he may live?

And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil,
   the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does,
   can he do this and still live?
None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered,
   because he has broken faith and committed sin;
   because of this, he shall die.
You say, “The LORD’s way is not fair!”
Hear now, house of Israel:
   Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?
When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies,
   it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.
But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed,
   does what is right and just,
   he shall preserve his life;
   since he has turned away from all the sins that he committed,
   he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8

R.   (3) If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
   LORD, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
   to my voice in supplication.
R.   If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
If you, O LORD, mark iniquities,
   LORD, who can stand?
But with you is forgiveness,
   that you may be revered.
R.   If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
I trust in the LORD;
   my soul trusts in his word.
My soul waits for the LORD
   more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
   Let Israel wait for the LORD.
R.   If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
For with the LORD is kindness
   and with him is plenteous redemption;
And he will redeem Israel
   from all their iniquities.
R.   If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

Verse before the Gospel

Ezekiel 18:31

Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the LORD,
and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

Gospel

Matthew 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you,
unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment,
and whoever says to his brother, Raqa,
will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,
and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,
and the judge will hand you over to the guard,
and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you,
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

Reflection

“Nothing makes us so like God, as being ready to forgive.” (Saint John Chrysostom)

“That the Lord, in this Lenten season, gives us the grace to learn to blame ourselves, each in his solitude, and to pray: have compassion for me, Lord, help me to feel shame and give me mercy, so that I may be merciful with others.” (Francis)

“From the Sermon on the Mount onwards, Jesus insists on conversion of heart: reconciliation with one's brother before presenting an offering on the altar, love of enemies, and prayer for persecutors, (…) prayerful forgiveness from the depths of the heart, purity of heart, and seeking the Kingdom before all else. This filial conversion is entirely directed to the Father.” (Catechism Of The Catholic Church, Nº 2608)

In all of this we see that Jesus does not give importance simply to disciplinary compliance and exterior conduct. He goes to the Law’s roots focusing, first and foremost, on the intention and the human heart, from which our good and bad actions originate. To obtain good and honest conduct, legal rules are not enough. We need a deep motivation, an expression of a hidden wisdom, God’s wisdom, which can be received through the Holy Spirit. Through faith in Christ, we can open ourselves to the action of the Spirit which enable us to experience divine love. In the light of Christ’s teaching, every precept reveals its full meaning as a requirement of love, and they all come together in the greatest commandment: to love God with all of your heart and to love your neighbour as yourself. (Angelus, 16 February 2014)