Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection February 28, 2026

28th February 2026 (Saturday)

Psalter: Week 1

Readings of the Day

First Reading: Deuteronomy 26:16-19

Moses spoke to the people saying: “This day the Lord your God commands you to do these statutes and rules. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul. You have declared today that the Lord is your God, and that you will walk in his ways, and keep his statutes and his commandments and his rules, and will obey his voice. And the Lord has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments, and that he will set you in praise and in fame and in honor high above all nations that he has made, and that you shall be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.”

Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8 (R.1b)

R/. Blessed are those who walk in the law of the Lord

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Glory and praise to you, O Christ

R/. Glory and praise to you, O Christ

V/. Behold, not is the favourable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

R/. Glory and praise to you, O Christ

Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Daily Gospel Reflection

Saturday – First Week of Lent

Main Point: Faith is a true religion. Living in accordance with God’s laws and commands is the only thing that constitutes true faith.

1. Perfection is the ultimate goal of true faith. The pursuit of perfection is the ongoing goal of perfect faith. Since our God is flawless, we should strive to live like Him. Jesus tells us, “You must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect,” for this reason.

2. Mark! This is a duty rather than a request, a need rather than a choice. As followers of Christ, we must strive to emulate Him and become like Him in His perfection if we are God’s children. How can I go about doing this?

3. First, obey and follow His laws, regulations, and directives. Follow God’s instructions. Pay attention to what He says. And we have to put all of our heart and soul into this. Second, mirror the holiness of the Lord, our God.

4. Third, treat everyone equally. God does not treat people differently. He offers everyone His grace in a fair manner. It’s another matter entirely whether or not individuals are cooperative and receptive. Regardless of whether it is good or bad, He allows His light to shine on everyone and His rain to fall on everyone, whether it is fair or unfair.

5. Fourth, Show generosity: Show love to our adversaries as well as our friends and family. Offer up prayers for our persecutors. Like friends against enemies, family versus foreigners, it is an exhortation to break through the barriers we have built for ourselves.

My Practice: We are urged to walk the road of perfection despite all the pressures and pulls of flaws. It is made up of generosity, love, and obedience.