Daily Readings

Memorial of Saint John Vianney, Priest

Obligatory MemorialWhite

Today's Mass Readings

Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22

The following message came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel:
Write all the words I have spoken to you in a book.

For thus says the LORD:
Incurable is your wound,
grievous your bruise;
There is none to plead your cause,
no remedy for your running sore,
no healing for you.
All your lovers have forgotten you,
they do not seek you.
I struck you as an enemy would strike,
punished you cruelly;
Why cry out over your wound?
your pain is without relief.
Because of your great guilt,
your numerous sins,
I have done this to you.

Thus says the LORD:
See!  I will restore the tents of Jacob,
his dwellings I will pity;
City shall be rebuilt upon hill,
and palace restored as it was.
From them will resound songs of praise,
the laughter of happy men.
I will make them not few, but many;
they will not be tiny, for I will glorify them.
His sons shall be as of old,
his assembly before me shall stand firm;
I will punish all his oppressors.
His leader shall be one of his own,
and his rulers shall come from his kin.
When I summon him, he shall approach me;
how else should one take the deadly risk
of approaching me? says the LORD.
You shall be my people,
and I will be your God.

Thanks be to God

Psalm 102:16-18, 19-21, 29, 22-23
The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.

Verse: The nations shall revere your name, O LORD,
and all the kings of the earth your glory,
When the LORD has rebuilt Zion
and appeared in his glory;
When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute,
and not despised their prayer.

Response: The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.

Verse: Let this be written for the generation to come,
and let his future creatures praise the LORD:
“The LORD looked down from his holy height,
from heaven he beheld the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoners,
to release those doomed to die.”

Response: The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.

Verse: The children of your servants shall abide,
and their posterity shall continue in your presence,
That the name of the LORD may be declared on Zion;
and his praise, in Jerusalem,
When the peoples gather together
and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.

Response: The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.

Verse: For steadfast is his kindness toward us,
and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever.

Response: The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.

John 1:49b
Alleluia, alleluia.

Verse: Rabbi, you are the Son of God;
you are the King of Israel.

Response: Alleluia, alleluia.

Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14

Some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,
“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?
They do not wash their hands when they eat a meal.”
He summoned the crowd and said to them, “Hear and understand.
It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles the man;
but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.”
Then his disciples approached and said to him,
“Do you know that the Pharisees took offense
when they heard what you said?”
He said in reply, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted
will be uprooted.
Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind.
If a blind man leads a blind man,
both will fall into a pit.”

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

ReflectionReflection Guide

The Pharisees were concerned because the disciples did not follow certain traditions regarding ritual washing. Jesus used the occasion to teach an important lesson: what truly matters is not merely outward appearances but the condition of the heart. Words, actions, and habits all begin within us. If our hearts are filled with pride, anger, jealousy, or resentment, these eventually reveal themselves in the way we treat others. On the other hand, a heart formed by love, humility, and mercy bears good fruit.

This Gospel invites us to look honestly at ourselves. It is often easier to notice the faults of others than to examine our own hearts. We can become so focused on external practices, titles, achievements, or appearances that we forget the deeper purpose of our faith, which is to grow closer to God and to become more loving toward one another. Jesus reminds us that genuine holiness begins within and gradually transforms the way we live.

Today, the Church also celebrates the Memorial of Saint John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests. Although he was known for his wisdom and holiness, he lived a simple and humble life. He understood that a transformed heart is far more valuable than outward recognition. Through his example, may we pray not only for our priests but also for ourselves, that our hearts may always remain open to God's grace and guidance.