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Tuesday of the 23rd Week In Ordinary Time

Tuesday September 10, 2024

Daily Mass Readings for Tuesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time

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.

  • First Reading (Cycle 1) - Colossians 2:6-15: Paul teaches believers to walk in faith, rooted in Christ, and to reject human traditions, finding complete spiritual fulfillment in Christ's victory over sin and the powers of darkness through His death and resurrection.
  • First Reading (Cycle 2) - 1 Corinthians 6:1-11: Paul admonishes believers against taking legal disputes among themselves to secular courts, urging them to settle matters within the church and reminding them of their transformed identity as those washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 145: Praise and bless the compassionate Lord, who is gracious to all. Let the faithful proclaim His Kingdom's glory and might.
  • Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 149: Rejoice and sing a new song to the LORD, for He delights in His people and brings victory to the lowly, causing the faithful to exult and proclaim His praises with joy.
  • Gospel - Luke 6:12-19: Jesus spends a night in prayer before choosing His twelve apostles, who would become the foundation of His ministry, and afterward He heals a multitude of people from various ailments, demonstrating His power and compassion as a source of hope and restoration for all who sought Him.

Themes for the Daily Mass Readings for Tuesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time

  • Decision-Making Process: Jesus spends the night in prayer before choosing his twelve apostles. This theme underscores the importance of careful deliberation and spiritual guidance in decision-making.
  • Formation of Community: Jesus formally selects his inner circle, the apostles. This emphasizes the role of community in his ministry and the commitment required from his followers.
  • Healing Abilities: The passage notes that Jesus heals people. This reiterates his role as a healer, and shows the magnetic force that draws people to him for physical and spiritual healing.
  • Spiritual Authority: The naming of the apostles and the act of healing demonstrate Jesus’ spiritual authority. This theme establishes Jesus as a leader with divine backing.
  • Public Engagement: People come from various places to hear Jesus and to be healed. This theme shows the broadening reach and influence of Jesus' ministry beyond a local scope.

Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles.

Luke 6:12-13

Reflection for Tuesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time

In the gospel for Tuesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time, Luke 6:12-19, Jesus spends the night in prayer before choosing his twelve apostles and then heals a large crowd of people. The decision to pray before making crucial choices shows the importance of deliberation and seeking guidance in our own lives. Before we make significant decisions, be it in our careers or relationships, taking time for contemplation can offer valuable perspective.

After selecting his apostles, Jesus doesn’t just stay secluded; he goes down to be among the people, healing illnesses and addressing suffering. This has a straightforward message for Catholics today: faith is not solely an internal or personal affair. It has social implications, driving us to act on behalf of others.

The range of people coming to Jesus—“from all Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon”—indicates that the impact of good deeds isn’t limited by geography or community boundaries. This might encourage us to think globally in our actions and concern for others, considering not only our local community but also the larger world.

The passage also subtly tells us about the power of a communal experience. The people sought to "touch him because power was coming from him and healing them all." Even in our age of individual spirituality, communal acts of faith, like attending Mass or participating in social justice activities, have their unique benefits.

To sum up, Luke 6:12-19 underlines the importance of contemplation before action, the need to balance personal spirituality with social responsibility, and the value of looking beyond our immediate communities when we consider the impact of our actions.

Prayer for Tuesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time

Lord, what are you calling me to do today? Open my ears to hear your voice. Give me a servant's heart to do what you ask of me. I want to do your will. Amen.

Word On Fire: The Need for a Savior

Bishop Robert Barron's reflection for centers on the healing touch of Jesus, emphasizing the universal need for salvation. Barron suggests that humanity, inherently flawed by sin and marked by behaviors like hatred and injustice, requires more than intellectual or social solutions. He invokes the thoughts of St. Augustine and philosopher René Girard to highlight the systemic flaws in human social arrangements. Barron concludes by asserting that only a Savior can penetrate this dysfunctional condition to offer the healing and transformation people need.

USCCB Reflection: Finding Guidance Through Prayer

This reflection for Tuesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time talks about a moment in Luke's Gospel where Jesus prays before selecting his 12 apostles. We must involve God in decision-making. The takeaway is that spending time in prayer before making decisions ensures divine guidance, and either choice will be blessed if God is part of the equation.

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