Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time
Friday September 4, 2026
Daily Mass Readings for Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
- First Reading – 1 Corinthians 4:1-5: We are servants of Christ, entrusted with God’s mysteries. Don’t judge before the Lord’s return, as He will reveal hidden things and the true motives of our hearts.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 37: Trust in the Lord, do good, and he will protect and save you. Commit to him, avoid evil, and he will deliver you, shining justice on the righteous.
- Gospel – Luke 5:33-39: Jesus explains that his disciples cannot fast while he is with them, using the examples of garments and wineskins to show that new teachings require new ways, not old traditions.
Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.
Luke 5:34-35
Themes for the Readings for Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
On Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings focus on how to live as faithful Christians. They remind us to rely on God’s judgment and to embrace the new life Christ offers.
- Faithful Servanthood: Paul encourages the Corinthians to see themselves as servants of Christ. He urges them to be faithful in their tasks, trusting that God alone will judge them rightly.
- God’s Judgment: Paul tells the Corinthians not to judge each other before the right time. Only God can judge the heart and reveal the truth.
- Fasting and Prayer: In the Gospel, Jesus explains the importance of fasting and prayer. These practices help us focus on God and prepare for what He is doing in our lives.
- New Wine, New Wineskins: Jesus speaks about putting new wine into new wineskins. He teaches that His new way of life cannot fit into old patterns and calls us to embrace His teachings fully.
- Openness to Change: The readings show that we need to be open to the new things God is doing. Jesus invites us to let go of old ways that do not serve the new life He offers.
- Patience and Trust: The readings encourage us to wait on God’s timing. We are reminded to trust that God will reveal what is right in His time.
In these readings, we learn about faithfulness, trust, and openness to God’s work. The call is to live according to Christ’s teachings and to be ready for the new things He brings into our lives.
Thoughts for Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
On Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings invite us to reflect on our role as servants of Christ, the importance of embracing the new life He offers, and the need to be open to the changes God calls us to make. These reflections help us understand how to live faithfully and grow closer to God.
Faithful Servants of Christ
On Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Paul reminds the Corinthians to see themselves as servants of Christ. He calls them to be faithful in their tasks, trusting that God will judge them rightly. This is an important lesson for us, too. As followers of Christ, we are called to serve Him in all we do.
Being a servant of Christ means putting Him first in our lives. It means doing our work with dedication and love, knowing that God sees our efforts. Sometimes, we may feel unnoticed or unappreciated by others, but Paul encourages us to stay faithful. Our true reward comes from God, who sees and knows everything.
Paul also teaches us not to worry about how others judge us. On Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are reminded that only God can judge us fairly. We should focus on being faithful servants, trusting that God will reward our efforts in His perfect timing. Our goal is to please God, not to seek approval from others.
Embracing God’s New Work
The readings for Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 show us the importance of being open to the new things God is doing. Jesus invites us to let go of old ways that do not serve the new life He offers. This message challenges us to be open to change and to embrace the new life that comes with following Christ.
Jesus uses the image of new wine needing new wineskins to illustrate this point. Just as new wine requires new wineskins, the new life Christ offers requires us to adopt new attitudes and ways of living. We cannot cling to old habits that are not in line with Christ’s teachings. Instead, we must be ready to let go of anything that holds us back from fully living out our faith.
On Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are called to examine our lives and see where we need to change. Are there old patterns or ways of thinking that need to be left behind? Jesus invites us to trust Him and to embrace the new life He offers. By doing so, we allow God to work in us and through us in new and powerful ways.
Openness to Change in Christ
On Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings encourage us to be open to the new things God is doing in our lives. Jesus invites us to let go of old ways that do not serve the new life He offers. This theme of openness to change is central to our journey as Christians.
Change can be difficult, especially when we are comfortable with our current ways. But following Christ often means stepping out of our comfort zones and being open to the new paths He leads us on. Jesus teaches us that holding onto old ways can prevent us from fully experiencing the life He offers.
As we reflect on the readings for Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are encouraged to ask ourselves if we are open to change. Are we willing to let go of old habits or attitudes that are not in line with Christ’s teachings? By being open to change, we allow God to shape us into the people He calls us to be.
As we reflect on the lessons from Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are reminded to be faithful servants, embrace the new life Christ offers, and remain open to the changes He brings into our lives. By following these teachings, we draw nearer to God and live out our faith more fully.
Prayer
Lord, help us to be faithful servants, always seeking to do Your will. Give us the courage to let go of old ways and embrace the new life You offer. Guide us to be open to Your work in our lives and to trust in Your perfect timing. Amen.
Homilies and Reflections for Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
Word On Fire: The Joy of Divine Union
In this reflection for Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Bishop Robert Barron explores the Gospel passage where Jesus is questioned about fasting. Jesus responds with the metaphor of a wedding feast, highlighting the joy and exuberance that define the Christian experience. Barron emphasizes that in Jesus, a unique union between divinity and humanity occurs, much like the coming together of bride and groom. This union negates the need for fasting and replaces it with a celebration of divine-human intimacy. According to Barron, the Christian dispensation is marked not by austerity, but by joy, as God and the world have come together.
Dynamic Catholic: Discover Your Treasure
In this reflection from Matthew Kelly for Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, he focuses on Jesus’ teaching about old and new wineskins. Kelly highlights the importance of recognizing that the old is still good, especially in a world that values only the new. He compares the Gospels to a treasure map—though ancient, their value lies in the fact that they still lead to treasure. The wisdom of old traditions, like the Gospel, continues to guide us. Kelly reminds us that we shouldn’t discard something just because it’s old if it still leads us to truth and grace.
Order of Preachers: Question: New or Old?
In this reflection from Sr. Kathleen Gallagher for Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, she discusses Jesus’ teaching about new wine in fresh wineskins. Jesus challenges His disciples to embrace a new way of living, centered on loving God and neighbor, rather than being bound by old laws. Sr. Kathleen connects this to education, noting how new ideas and methods often need fresh approaches. She encourages us to approach life with energy and openness to new possibilities, while also recognizing that some old ways remain valuable. Following Christ means balancing both the old and the new faithfully.
USCCB Reflection: Being Stewards of God’s Mysteries
In a USCCB video reflection for Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, Fr. John McKenzie reflects on St. Paul’s message about being “stewards of the mysteries of God.” He explains that through baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist, all Christians are called to be stewards of God’s mysteries and share them with others. Fr. McKenzie challenges us to examine if we are trustworthy in this role. If not, we must seek ways to deepen our faith and commitment to be faithful servants and share God’s message with the world.
USCCB Reflection: Old and New Fasting
This USCCB video reflection for Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 discusses the evolution of fasting rules in the Catholic Church, noting how they were much stricter before the early 1970s. It then explores the current approach, emphasizing that while the rules may have changed, the spiritual importance of fasting and penance remains the same.
Questions and Answers for Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
What date is Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
The next date is Friday September 4, 2026.
Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. For odd numbered years see Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.
What are the Mass readings for Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
The Mass readings for Friday September 4, 2026 are:
First Reading – 1 Corinthians 4:1-5: Faithful Stewards of God’s Mysteries
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 37: Trusting in the Lord
Gospel – Luke 5:33-39: Jesus’ Teaching on Fasting and the Kingdom of God
Why does Paul say not to judge others in the first reading for Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
Paul tells us not to judge others because only God truly knows a person’s heart. We should trust that God will judge fairly at the right time.
What does it mean to be a faithful servant according to the first reading on Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
Being a faithful servant means doing our tasks with dedication and trusting in God’s judgment. We are called to serve Christ and stay focused on our work, knowing God sees our efforts.
Why does Jesus talk about fasting in the Gospel for Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
Jesus mentions fasting to show its value in focusing on God. Fasting and prayer help us prepare for what God is doing in our lives.
What does Jesus mean by new wine needing new wineskins in the Gospel for Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
Jesus is saying that His new way of life requires a new approach. We cannot hold onto old habits or ways that don’t fit with His teachings.
How can we apply the lesson of new wine and new wineskins from Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 to our lives?
We can apply this lesson by being open to change and letting go of old ways that no longer serve our faith. Jesus invites us to embrace His teachings fully and live according to His ways.
Why is it important to wait on God’s timing as shown in the readings for Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
It is important to wait on God’s timing because He knows when the right time is for everything. Trusting in His timing helps us stay patient and rely on His wisdom.
How can we stay faithful as servants of Christ, as Paul encourages in the first reading for Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
We can stay faithful by focusing on our duties and trusting that God sees our efforts. Remembering that God is the ultimate judge helps us stay committed to our work for Him.
What can we learn from the readings on Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 about judging others?
We learn that judging others is not our place because we cannot see the whole picture. Only God can judge fairly, so we should leave judgment to Him.
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