Daily Mass Readings for Wednesday 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 3:1-11: If you're raised with Christ, focus on heavenly matters. Your old self has died; your new life is in Christ. Abandon earthly vices like immorality and greed, which incur God's wrath. Instead, shed anger, slander, and lies. Your new self is being renewed. In Christ, all distinctions like race or status disappear; he is in all.
- First Reading (Cycle 2) - 1 Corinthians 7:25-31: Due to current distress, it's better to stay as you are—married or single. While marriage isn't sinful, it brings challenges. Time is short, so even if you're married, act detached. This world is temporary; don't get entangled.
- Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 145: I'll bless and praise you daily; your greatness is beyond understanding. May all your works thank you and your followers discuss your Kingdom's glory. Your dominion lasts through all generations.
- Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 45: Forget your old life; the king desires your beauty. Adorned in gold, you enter his palace with a following of virgins. Your sons will inherit your father's place and become princes.
- Gospel - Luke 6:20-26: The poor, hungry, and persecuted are blessed and will find joy and reward in heaven. Conversely, the rich and satisfied face a future of hunger and sorrow; popularity now may signal deceit.
Themes for the Daily Mass Readings for Wednesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
- Reversal of Fortunes: Jesus outlines a future where the poor, hungry, and sorrowful are blessed, while the rich and content face woes. This suggests an overturning of societal expectations.
- Ethical Reward: The passage implies that ethical behavior and suffering may lead to future rewards. This contrasts with the immediate benefits that might come from unethical or easy choices.
- Social Critique: The “woes” issued to the rich, full, and joyful serve as a social critique. They challenge the societal values that equate wealth and pleasure with success or righteousness.
- Divine Justice: Both the blessings and woes imply a divine balancing act. This theme suggests that ultimate justice is in the hands of a higher power, not earthly institutions.
- Conditional Happiness: Jesus suggests that happiness or woe depends on one’s spiritual and ethical choices. This theme contradicts the idea that material success is the key to happiness.
Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.
Luke 6:22-23
Reflection for Wednesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
In the gospel for Wednesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time, Luke 6:20-26, known as the "Beatitudes and Woes," Jesus pronounces blessings on the poor, hungry, sad, and persecuted while issuing warnings to the rich, full, happy, and well-liked. The message here turns conventional wisdom on its head: those who are struggling now will find comfort and rewards, while those who are comfortable should be cautious.
For contemporary Catholics, this provides a framework for understanding social justice. The focus on the marginalized is clear: those who are disadvantaged should be at the forefront of our concern. This passage can serve as a reminder to actively engage in social issues, prioritizing those who are often neglected by society.
On the flip side, the woes aimed at the comfortable challenge us to question our own complacency. "Woe" can also be thought of as "be careful!" Are we too focused on accumulating wealth, indulging ourselves, and seeking approval from others? These verses caution us against living a life solely aimed at personal gain and popularity.
The dual message of blessings and woes also brings a balanced perspective. Life has its ups and downs, and our spiritual focus should not be overly influenced by our current circumstances. Whether we find ourselves privileged or struggling, the call to ethical action and spiritual awareness remains constant.
In summary, Luke 6:20-26 challenges us to reevaluate societal values, advocate for social justice, and scrutinize our own priorities. The message remains relevant for Catholics today, calling for a balanced spiritual life that doesn't waver with life's ups and downs but remains committed to ethical and compassionate living.
Prayer for Wednesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
Lord, what do I need to be careful of in my life today? Show me what I am too attached to. Help me cling to you instead. Amen.
Homilies and Reflections for Wednesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
Word On Fire: The Cycle of Material Want
In this reflection for Wednesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Robert Barron discusses Luke's version of the Beatitudes, emphasizing the importance of spiritual detachment from worldly values. Luke's Beatitudes are more direct in conveying that material goods cannot satisfy our deeper spiritual needs. When we become too focused on accumulating material possessions, we enter an unending cycle of desire and dissatisfaction. Bishop Barron suggests that true contentment comes when we are unattached to these goods, which frees us to seek the ultimate good, God.
USCCB Reflection: Luke's Beatitudes
This USCCB video reflection for Wednesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time delves into the difficulty of truly living the beatitudes, emphasizing that it's the genuine challenge of the Gospel. Being blessed by God means looking at life through the lens of faith, seeing the world and people as God does, with compassion for the poor, hungry, burdened, and those persecuted for their faith in Jesus. The message encourages us to strive to live as those blessed by God, being poor in spirit, hungering for God's ways, and finding joy in drawing closer to Him, even when facing insults for our faith. It invites us to see as God sees and embrace the beatitudes with faith.
Leave a Reply