Faith Today

September 21, 2026

Called to Mercy and Unity

“Mercy is what pleases me, not sacrifice.”
Matthew 9:13

Today's Reflection

Dear Brothers and Sisters, todays headline about corruption reminds us of the ever-present challenges in society, and yet the Gospel calls us to respond not with condemnation but by seeking mercy and healing for all.

Coping

In moments when we face difficult news or situations, todays readings remind us that mercy and unity are our anchors. Just as Christ sought out those who were struggling and offered healing, we are invited to find peace and hope not in condemnation, but in compassion.

Family

Taking care of our family means supporting each other with humility, gentleness, and patience, as Ephesians encourages. Rather than judgment, we strive to bind our households together with love—trusting that everyone is growing and changing, and that Gods grace is at work.

Community

Community thrives when we preserve the unity of the Spirit and honor each persons gifts. Like the apostles, prophets, and teachers named in Ephesians, all of us are called to build up those around us, especially those who feel marginalized, offering mercy to create a stronger, more loving community.

Today's Readings

First Reading · Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13

[1] I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you therefore to lead a life worthy of the vocation to which you were called. [2] With all humility and gentleness, and with patience, support each other in love. [3] Take every care to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together. [4] There is one Body, one Spirit, just as one hope is the goal of your calling by God. [5] There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] and one God and Father of all, over all, through all and within all. [7] On each one of us God's favour has been bestowed in whatever way Christ allotted it. [11] And to some, his 'gift' was that they should be apostles; to some prophets; to some, evangelists; to some, pastors and teachers; [12] to knit God's holy people together for the work of service to build up the Body of Christ, [13] until we all reach unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God and form the perfect Man, fully mature with the fullness of Christ himself.

Psalm · Psalms 19:2-3, 4-5

[2] day discourses of it to day, night to night hands on the knowledge. [3] No utterance at all, no speech, not a sound to be heard, [4] but from the entire earth the design stands out, this message reaches the whole world. High above, he pitched a tent for the sun, [5] who comes forth from his pavilion like a bridegroom, delights like a champion in the course to be run.

Gospel · Matthew 9:9-13

[9] As Jesus was walking on from there he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, 'Follow me.' And he got up and followed him. [10] Now while he was at table in the house it happened that a number of tax collectors and sinners came to sit at the table with Jesus and his disciples. [11] When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, 'Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?' [12] When he heard this he replied, 'It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. [13] Go and learn the meaning of the words: Mercy is what pleases me, not sacrifice. And indeed I came to call not the upright, but sinners.'