Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time
Tuesday October 3, 2028
Daily Mass Readings for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
- First Reading – Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23: Job curses the day he was born, questioning why he didn’t die at birth. He envies the peace of the dead and resents the struggles of life.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 88: I cry out day and night, overwhelmed with troubles and feeling near death. I feel abandoned, as if in a dark pit, burdened by your wrath. Hear my call for help.
- Gospel – Luke 9:51-56: Jesus determinedly heads to Jerusalem, but a Samaritan village rejects him because of his destination. Disciples suggest retaliation, but Jesus rebukes them, and they move on to another village.
When this falls on October 2, the gospel for the Memorial of the Guardian Angels is used.
When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him.
Luke 9:51-52
Themes for the Readings for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
On Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings from Job and Luke give us a look at human suffering and the right way to respond to rejection. Job expresses deep sorrow and confusion in his suffering, while Jesus shows us how to react when others reject us.
- Suffering and despair: Job’s words reflect deep sorrow as he questions the meaning of his life. This highlights the pain we can feel when we don’t understand why we suffer.
- The mystery of life: Job wonders why life is given to those who suffer. This theme reflects how sometimes we don’t know why we face trials, but they are part of life.
- Longing for peace: Job speaks of finding rest in death, showing a desire for relief from suffering. This theme points to the human need for peace, even in difficult times.
- Rejection and mercy: In the Gospel, Jesus faces rejection from the Samaritans but chooses not to retaliate. This teaches us the importance of showing mercy when others reject us.
- Patience in trials: Job’s suffering shows the importance of being patient, even when we do not understand God’s plan. It encourages us to wait for God’s help.
- Trust in God’s plan: Both Job’s suffering and Jesus’ response to rejection show us that even in hard times, we must trust God. His ways are higher than ours, and we are called to follow Him faithfully.
Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reminds us of the reality of suffering and rejection in life. We are encouraged to trust God’s wisdom and mercy, even when we don’t have all the answers.
Thoughts for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
The readings for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 invite us to reflect on themes of suffering, rejection, and trust in God. Job’s deep sorrow and Jesus’ calm response to rejection both speak to the reality of life’s difficulties. These reflections help us see how we can grow closer to God, even in our struggles.
The Mystery of Suffering
In the first reading for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Job asks why life is given to those who suffer. He is struggling with deep pain and doesn’t understand the purpose behind it. His questions remind us of the times in our lives when we face difficulties and don’t have clear answers.
We can all relate to Job’s feelings when we go through hardships. We might ask, “Why is this happening?” or “What is the purpose of this pain?” The reading teaches us that it’s okay to have questions and to bring them to God, even when we feel lost or hurt.
Job’s story shows that suffering is part of life, even for those who follow God. It encourages us to stay close to God, even when we don’t understand His plan. In times of trial, we can pray for strength and trust that God is still with us, guiding us through the darkness.
Responding to Rejection with Mercy
In the Gospel for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Jesus faces rejection from the Samaritans, but He chooses not to retaliate. Instead of getting angry or seeking revenge, He shows patience and mercy. This teaches us an important lesson about how to respond when others don’t treat us well.
We may not face the same kind of rejection as Jesus did, but in our own lives, we deal with situations where people hurt or reject us. Like Jesus, we are called to respond with kindness, even when it would be easier to get angry. This is not always easy, but Jesus shows us the way.
When we show mercy, we reflect the love of God to others. The Gospel reading reminds us that love and patience are more powerful than anger. As followers of Christ, we are called to bring peace, even when we are treated unfairly.
Trusting God’s Plan in Difficult Times
Both the first reading and the Gospel for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 teach us about trusting God when life is hard. Job doesn’t understand why he suffers, but he continues to talk to God. Jesus faces rejection but chooses to follow His mission without letting the rejection stop Him.
In our lives, we often face challenges that make us question what God is doing. Whether it is suffering, rejection, or confusion, we may not see how things will work out. Like Job and Jesus, we are invited to trust that God has a plan, even when we don’t understand.
When we trust God, we are choosing to believe that He is in control, no matter what we are going through. Both Job’s suffering and Jesus’ rejection show that difficulties are part of life, but they do not mean God has forgotten us. In these moments, we can ask for His strength to keep moving forward, trusting that He will guide us through.
Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reminds us that suffering and rejection are part of the human experience. But, like Job and Jesus, we can respond with trust and mercy, knowing that God is always with us. Through these challenges, we are invited to deepen our faith and follow Christ more closely.
Prayer
Lord, in times of suffering and rejection, help me to trust in Your plan. Give me the strength to respond with love and mercy, even when life is difficult. Guide me with Your peace and lead me closer to You each day. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when I face suffering or difficulties in my life?
- What can I learn from Job’s honesty with God in his time of sorrow?
- When have I experienced rejection, and how did I react?
- How can I trust God more deeply, even when I don’t understand His plan?
Homilies and Reflections for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
Dynamic Catholic: Set Out Resolutely
In this reflection from Matthew Kelly for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, he focuses on Jesus’ determination as He set His face toward Jerusalem, knowing the hardships ahead. Kelly encourages us to approach difficult tasks or conversations in our own lives with the same resolve. He challenges us to stop avoiding the hard things and instead face them with purpose and focus, just as Jesus did. The key lesson is to move forward resolutely, even when things are tough, trusting that it is the right thing to do.
Order of Preachers: Tolerance and Gentleness
In a reflection from Fr. Clifton Harris for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, he discusses how James and John wanted to call down fire on a Samaritan village that rejected Jesus. Fr. Harris highlights that Jesus teaches a different path—responding with tolerance and gentleness, not hatred and violence. He connects this lesson to conflicts in the world today and calls for love in the face of opposition. Fr. Harris also reflects on Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, whose “little way” teaches us to respond to rejection with simple acts of love.
USCCB Reflection: Love, Not Retribution
In a USCCB video reflection for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Deacon Arthur Miller reflects on Jesus’ lesson to the apostles as they journey to Jerusalem. When the Samaritans refuse hospitality, James and John want retribution, but Jesus teaches that love, not revenge, is the way forward. Deacon Miller asks us to think about the best person we’ve ever met, likely someone kind and loving, not powerful or wealthy. He encourages us to be the best we can by loving others, avoiding the traps of pride, power, or seeking revenge.
Word on Fire: Jesus’ Rebuke and the Call for Nonviolence
In this reflection for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Robert Barron discusses Jesus’ rebuke of James and John for wanting to retaliate against the Samaritans who denied them hospitality. Their urge for vengeance is something that has been echoed through history whenever people feel wronged or marginalized. Jesus’ rebuke serves to emphasize that adherence to his teaching of nonviolence and love must supersede feelings of racial or ethnic pride, or even justified anger. For followers of Jesus, the moral imperative is clear: his teachings should take priority over cultural or personal grievances.
Questions and Answers for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
What date is Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
The next date is Tuesday October 3, 2028.
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 Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.
What are the Mass readings for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
The Mass readings for Tuesday October 3, 2028 are:
First Reading – Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23: Job’s Lament
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 88: A Desperate Prayer
Gospel – Luke 9:51-56: Journey to Jerusalem
When this falls on October 2, the gospel for the Memorial of the Guardian Angels is used.
Why does Job feel so sad in the first reading for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
Job feels deep sadness because of the suffering he faces. He doesn’t understand why he is suffering and wonders why his life is so hard, which reflects how we sometimes feel in tough times.
How does Job’s suffering relate to our lives?
Job’s suffering shows that sometimes we will face pain and confusion. It teaches us that even when life is hard, we can turn to God with our questions and trust Him, even when we don’t understand.
How can we show patience in suffering like Job?
The first reading teaches us that Job, even in his sadness, continues to speak to God. In our own suffering, we can follow his example by praying and trusting that God is still with us, even when we don’t see a way out.
Why does Job wish for death in the first reading?
Job is so overwhelmed by his suffering that he thinks death would bring peace. This reflects how, when we face deep pain, we might feel hopeless, but the reading reminds us to keep trusting in God’s plan for us.
Why do the Samaritans reject Jesus in the Gospel for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
The Samaritans reject Jesus because they do not agree with His journey to Jerusalem. This rejection helps show that even when people don’t accept us or our faith, we can choose to respond with patience and love, like Jesus did.
What lesson does Jesus teach when He is rejected?
The Gospel shows that when Jesus is rejected, He responds with mercy and does not seek revenge. This teaches us to be kind and forgiving when we face rejection, instead of getting angry or wanting to fight back.
What does the Gospel teach us about handling rejection?
Jesus shows us how to handle rejection without anger or revenge. It teaches us to respond with love and mercy, even when others do not treat us well.
How can these readings help us in our daily lives?
The readings remind us that suffering and rejection are part of life. They encourage us to be patient, trusting in God’s plan, and responding with kindness even when life is hard.
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