Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Romans 4:1-8: Abraham was saved by his faith in God. Righteousness is credited as a gift through faith, not as a wage for works. David also speaks of the blessedness of such faith.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 32: Blessed is the man whose sins are forgiven by the Lord. By confessing my faults, the guilt of my sin is removed. Rejoice in the Lord for this salvation.
• Gospel – Luke 12:1-7: Beware of the Pharisees’ hypocrisy; secrets will be exposed. Don’t fear those who can only harm the body. God notices even the smallest details, like sparrows, and you’re more valuable than they are.

Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.

Luke 12:6-7

Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 centers on faith, forgiveness, and trust in God’s care. In these readings, Paul writes about faith and being right with God, while Jesus reassures His followers that they are valuable to God. Together, these passages help us understand that God knows our needs and values our faith and trust.

• Faith over Works: Paul explains that it is faith, not actions alone, that brings us close to God. This teaches us that our trust in God matters more than trying to earn His love through good deeds alone.
• Forgiveness of Sins: Paul reminds us that God forgives those who have faith in Him. It is a call to seek God’s mercy and trust that He does not hold our sins against us.
• God’s Loving Care: Jesus reminds His followers that God knows even the smallest details about them. This shows us that we are never forgotten by God, who values us deeply.
• Trust Over Fear: Jesus encourages His followers not to fear those who can harm them but to place their trust in God. We are reminded to find strength in God’s protection and not let fear control us.
• Humility in Faith: Paul points to Abraham’s humble faith as a model for us. This calls us to remember that true faith comes from a humble heart that relies on God’s mercy.
• Value of Each Soul: Jesus speaks of how even sparrows are important to God, much more each of us. This shows that every soul is precious, and we are each cared for personally by God.
• Hidden Truths Revealed: Jesus warns that nothing hidden will stay hidden. We are reminded to live truthfully, knowing that God sees our hearts.

These themes in Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourage us to have faith, trust in God’s care, and seek His forgiveness. Together, they point us to a life of humility, trust, and courage in God’s love.

Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 offers rich insights into faith, trust, and humility in our relationship with God. The readings show us how faith connects us to God’s love, how deeply God cares for each of us, and the role of humility in true faith. These reflections invite us to look closer at our own trust in God, learning to rely on Him completely.

Faith Brings Us Close to God

In the first reading for Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, St. Paul tells us that we are made right with God through faith, not by our actions. Abraham’s trust in God is the example given, showing that his relationship with God came from deep faith, not because he followed specific actions to earn it. This faith was his way of opening his heart to God, and it pleased God to see his trust and humility.

This theme reminds us that, like Abraham, we don’t need to achieve perfection or complete many tasks to be close to God. We only need to come to Him in trust, knowing that He sees our faith and our intentions. Faith doesn’t erase the need for good actions, but it shows that God’s love for us is not based on what we achieve. God calls us first to believe and trust in Him.

For us, living out this message means recognizing that our faith is the foundation of our relationship with God. We should still try to live good lives, but our closeness with God rests on how much we rely on His mercy and love. Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourages us to look at our faith as the gift that brings us into God’s presence.

God Cares Deeply for Each of Us

In the gospel for Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus speaks about how much God values each person. He explains that God knows everything about us, even the smallest details, and cares deeply for us. This reminder of God’s personal care is especially important when we feel anxious, lost, or afraid. Jesus reassures us that God sees every part of our lives and values each of us greatly.

This message speaks to our fears and worries. When we face challenges, we can sometimes feel alone or even forgotten. But Jesus’s words remind us that God is always near and that we are never out of His sight. The smallest part of our lives matters to Him, and He keeps track of all our needs and concerns.

Trusting in this care brings peace and helps us face difficult moments with confidence. On Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings invite us to let go of our fears and know that God’s love surrounds us. With this, we can move forward, not alone, but with the support of God, who watches over us each day.

Humility as the Foundation of Faith

Both St. Paul’s message and Jesus’s words on Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 highlight the importance of humility in our faith. Abraham’s faith is a humble one—he trusts without needing proof or assurance of success. Likewise, Jesus’s message in the gospel points to trusting God completely, knowing He holds all things, even our hidden worries and weaknesses, in His care.

This kind of humble faith means admitting that we depend on God for everything. Humility lets us accept that we cannot solve every problem on our own. When we approach God with this attitude, we come to Him without pretending to have all the answers. We give up pride and come to Him openly, just as Abraham did, and just as Jesus teaches us to do in the gospel.

Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 calls us to think about humility in our own lives. True faith involves accepting our own limits and God’s greatness. Through humility, we can let God take control and trust in His love for us. This humble trust is what brings us closer to God and opens us to His grace.

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The reflections for Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us of God’s care and the closeness He desires with us. Through faith, humility, and trust, we can deepen our relationship with Him. May we always turn to God with an open heart, knowing that He values and loves each one of us.

Prayer

Lord, help us to have true faith in You. Remind us of Your care in each moment of our lives, and help us grow in humble trust. May we know You are always with us and turn to You with open, trusting hearts. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How does my faith bring me closer to God?
• When do I struggle to trust that God knows and cares for every detail of my life?
• In what ways can I practice humility in my relationship with God?
• How can I grow in trust, believing that God values and watches over me?

Word on Fire: A Place of Safety in God

In a reflection for Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Bishop Robert Barron highlights Jesus’s words, “Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.” He explains that in Jesus, we are connected to God’s unchanging power, safe from life’s uncertainties. Bishop Barron recalls how St. John Paul II and St. José Sánchez del Río showed courage by trusting in God despite danger and persecution. Their examples remind us that, no matter the chaos around us, we can find peace and strength in God’s presence.

USCCB Reflection: Trusting God Without Fear

In a USCCB video reflection for Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Fr. John McKenzie discusses trusting God fully and overcoming fears that hold us back. He explains how society often makes us afraid to have honest conversations with others, whether with coworkers, loved ones, or leaders. Fr. McKenzie encourages a childlike trust in God, inspired by St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and reminds us that only God’s judgment matters. This trust in God’s love can cast out our anxieties, freeing us from the need to prove ourselves to others.

What date is Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Friday October 17, 2025.

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 even numbered years see Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Friday October 17, 2025 are:
First Reading – Romans 4:1-8: Abraham’s Righteousness
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 32: Joy in Forgiveness
Gospel – Luke 12:1-7: Warning Against Hypocrisy

What does Paul mean by saying faith is more important than works in the first reading for Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Paul explains that being close to God comes through faith, not by earning it through actions. This reminds us that trusting God and believing in His mercy is more important than trying to earn His love.

Why does Paul use Abraham as an example?

Abraham’s faith is used as a model because he trusted God fully, even when it was difficult. This teaches us to rely on God with a humble heart, trusting Him in all things.

How can we apply Paul’s message about forgiveness to our lives?

Paul teaches that God forgives those who have faith in Him. This encourages us to turn to God for forgiveness and to trust that He does not hold our sins against us.

Why is humility important in the faith of Abraham?

Abraham’s humble faith shows he knew he needed God. This teaches us that true faith comes from relying on God, not our own strength.

Why does Jesus say that God cares about sparrows in the Gospel for Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

By mentioning sparrows, Jesus shows that God values even the smallest creatures. This reminds us that God also values and watches over each one of us with great care.

How can we understand Jesus’s message about fearing God, not others?

Jesus wants us to remember that God has ultimate authority and cares for us. This means we should respect God and trust Him above anyone or anything that might cause us fear.

What does Jesus mean when He says nothing hidden will stay hidden?

Jesus is saying that God sees everything, even what is hidden. We are called to live truthfully, knowing that our actions and thoughts are known to God.

How does Jesus’s message about trust in Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 help with daily worries?

Jesus reassures us that God knows and cares for every detail of our lives. When we feel anxious or afraid, we can remember that God values us and will always care for us.

What does Jesus mean by saying that we are more valuable than sparrows?

Jesus wants us to know that each person is precious to God. This tells us that God’s love is personal and real for every one of us.

How can we grow in trust, as the readings for Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourage?

We can grow in trust by praying and asking God to help us rely on Him. When we turn to God with our needs, we build a relationship that helps us feel His presence and care.