Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection March 16, 2026

16th March 2026 (Monday)

Psalter: Week 4

Readings of the Day

First Reading: Isaiah 65:17-21

Thus says the Lord: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

Psalm 30:2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12a and 13b (R. 2a)

R/. I will extol you, Lord, for you have raised me up

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Glory and praise to you, O Christ

R/. Glory and praise to you, O Christ

V/. Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you.

R/. Glory and praise to you, O Christ

Gospel: John 4:43-54

At that time: Jesus departed [from Samaria] for Galilee. (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honour in his own hometown.) So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast. So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.

Daily Gospel Reflection

Monday – Fourth Week of Lent

Main Point: Putting complete and unwavering confidence in the Lord, especially in the face of dismal and irritating circumstances, is the essence and beauty of faith.

1. There are undoubtedly difficulties and hardships in life. Nobody is immune to them. The reality is the same regardless of the sort or degree. Sickness, failure, loss, separation, and death are all experienced. These are referred to as “boundary situations.” These often cause us to feel empty, depressed, hopeless, and disappointed.

2. The greatest deliverance comes from our trust and confidence in God during these times. Such optimism and confidence are shown by the official in the gospel. He confides in Jesus despite the dire circumstances of his son’s impending death. He believes in the power of Jesus’ word even when Jesus tells him, “Go, your son will live,” without physically visiting his home as he had asked.

3. Genuine faith is putting your confidence in God not only when things go well. It is holding on to Him in the face of adversity. Asking Him is persistent, even if we don’t appear to get anything. Even when He doesn’t seem to be there, it is searching for Him. Even when He doesn’t appear to open, it is still pounding at Him.

4. So, genuine religion is fundamentally optimistic. Against hope, it hopes. Faithful people trust in God’s unwavering kindness and love. Undoubtedly, God always fulfills His promises and guarantees. Despite the old and ruined planet, true faith believes that God will create “new heavens and a new earth.”

5. Having faith does not guarantee that every issue will mysteriously and abruptly go away. It’s more about having a different viewpoint. It is adopting a new perspective with assurance. It is overcoming challenges with strengthened light. It is the capacity to maintain composure throughout a storm.

My Practice: The goal of a sincere prayer is to face challenges head-on with bravery, patience, and faith, not to avoid issues altogether. We will defeat and eradicate them if that is God’s will; if not, we will put up with them.