Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection February 21, 2026
Saturday – Saturday after Ash Wednesday
21st February 2026 (Saturday)
Psalter: Week 4
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Isaiah 58: 9c-14
Thus says the Lord: “If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong;and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.“If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day,and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honorable;if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly;then you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth;I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Psalm 86: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 (R. 11ab)
R/. Teach me, O Lord, your way, so that I may walk in your truth
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Glory and praise to you, O Christ
R/. Glory and praise to you, O Christ
V/. I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord, but that he turn from his way and live.
R/. Glory and praise to you, O Christ
Gospel: Luke 5:27-32
At that time: Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Saturday – Saturday after Ash Wednesday
Main Point: We spend so much energy on pointing at the faults of others that we forget to examine our own hearts. Jesus reminds us that He is a doctor, and can only heal those who will admit that they are sick.
1. In the first reading, Isaiah makes a very powerful phrase. He tells us to take “the pointing of the finger” away. We all know what that means. It is the habit of blaming, judging and accusing people. It is saying, “It’s his fault!” or “Look at how bad she is!”
2. God wants us to know that if we stop this – if we stop speaking evil and start addressing the needs of the afflicted – our lives will be changed. We will become like a “watered garden.” Instead of drying and bitter with the judgmental, our souls will be in fresh fullness of life.
3. In the Gospel, we see this brought out in real life. Jesus passes by Levi, a tax collector, walking up to him. Those days, everyone “pointed the finger” at tax collectors. They were regarded as traitors and thieves.
4. But not a finger does Jesus point at, but a hand outstretched. He simply says, “Follow me.” He sees the man, not the sin. And Levi is so touched by this lack of judgment that he leaves it all – his money, his job, his security – to follow Jesus.
5. Later on the Pharisees get angry. “Why will you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” they question. They can’t believe that Jesus would hang around with “sinners”. They thought that being holy means not being among bad people.
6. Jesus gives the best answer: “Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but those who are sick do.” He tells them, “I am the doctor.” I am here to help. I can’t assist you if you think you’re perfect. But if you will admit that you are broken, I could save you.”
7. The Pharisees were ill with pride, but did not want to acknowledge it. Levi was sick with greed but he admitted this and got healed. It is better to be a sinner that knows he needs to see the doctor than a religious person that thinks that he is already perfect.
My Practice: Today, catch yourself if you begin to “point the finger” at someone; either to yourself in your head or to someone else in conversation. Instead, point the finger at yourself and ask, “Lord, what part of my heart needs your healing today?”
