Tuesday October 1, 2024
Daily Mass Readings for Tuesday of the 26th 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. When this falls on October 2, the gospel for the Memorial of the Guardian Angels is used.
- First Reading (Cycle 1) – Zechariah 8:20-23: The Lord predicts that people from various cities and nations will seek Him in Jerusalem. They’ll even cling to Jews, recognizing God’s presence with them.
- First Reading (Cycle 2) – 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 (Cycle 1) – Psalm 87: The Lord values Zion above all other places. Various nations acknowledge their connection to Zion, affirming it as the birthplace of greatness. The Most High Lord is credited for establishing it.
- Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) – 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.
Themes for the Daily Mass Readings for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time
- Resolve Toward Destiny: Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem, showing a determined commitment to his divine mission. This theme underscores the importance of resolve when undertaking significant tasks.
- Misguided Zeal: The disciples suggest calling down fire on the Samaritan village, displaying a misunderstanding of Jesus’ mission of peace. This theme indicates how religious zeal can be misguided.
- Teaching Moment: Jesus rebukes the disciples for their aggressive stance. This serves as a corrective lesson, steering the disciples toward a more compassionate approach.
- Ethnic Tensions: The Samaritans’ refusal to welcome Jesus touches on the historical animosity between Jews and Samaritans. This theme provides a cultural context for the episode.
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
Reflection for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time
In the gospel for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Luke 9:51-56, Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem, signaling his commitment to his mission. When a Samaritan village doesn’t welcome him, his disciples ask if they should call down fire from heaven. Jesus rebukes them and moves on. Several aspects of this passage are relevant for today’s Catholics.
Jesus setting his face toward Jerusalem shows focus and determination in carrying out his mission. It’s a lesson in commitment for modern Catholics, who often juggle various responsibilities and distractions. Staying committed to one’s religious obligations amid life’s demands is crucial.
The rejection from the Samaritan village serves as a reminder that not everyone will be receptive to the message of faith. This shouldn’t deter Catholics today from continuing to share their faith and values, but it also suggests the need for discernment and tact in how this is done.
The disciples’ fiery response to the rejection reveals an impulsive, even destructive, tendency that can emerge when we feel our values are not respected. It’s a cautionary note for contemporary Catholics to avoid extreme reactions when encountering opposition or indifference to their faith.
Everyone experiences rejection in life. The hurt rises up in us and wants to lash out. But as disciples of Jesus Christ, we must learn to transform our pain rather than transmit it. Perhaps then we can follow the path of love.
Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples emphasizes restraint and compassion over retribution. This teaches modern Catholics that the appropriate response to rejection is not punitive action but a composed and respectful withdrawal, perhaps coupled with a re-evaluation of the approach.
Jesus shows us a different way. Instead of wanting revenge when we are rejected, we must hold fast to the path of discipleship. In fact, at this point Jesus is headed toward Jerusalem and the cross, the ultimate rejection of his message.
To sum up, Luke 9:51-56 encourages focus and commitment in living out one’s faith, discernment in sharing it, restraint in responding to rejection, and compassion over retribution. These guidelines can help Catholics in both personal spiritual growth and in representing their faith to the wider community.
Prayer for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time
Lord Jesus, when I am angry and want revenge, lead me along a different way. Let me follow you along the path which the Father asks. Amen.
Homilies and Reflections
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.
USCCB Reflection: The True Nature of Commitment to Faith
This USCCB video reflection for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time discusses the passage from Luke’s Gospel where James and John, despite their divine powers, fail to understand the essence of Christ’s teachings about love and forgiveness. Drawing parallels with another biblical story, it questions the sincerity of our commitments to faith and kindness. The focus is on the fluctuating nature of our “yes” to God, urging us to keep it constant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What date is Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time?
The next date is Tuesday October 1, 2024.
What are the Mass readings for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time?
The Mass readings for Tuesday October 1, 2024 are:
First Reading (Cycle 1) – Zechariah 8:20-23: Universal Pilgrimage
First Reading (Cycle 2) – Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23: Job’s Lament
Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) – Psalm 87: Zion’s Glory
Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) – 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.
See the readings section of this page for a longer summary of these readings for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time and links to the readings.
What happens in the gospel for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time (Luke 9:51-56)?
Jesus decides to go to Jerusalem and sends messengers ahead to a Samaritan village. The villagers don’t welcome him because he is set on going to Jerusalem. James and John ask if they should call down fire to destroy the village, but Jesus rebukes them and they move on.
What are the themes for the gospel for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time?
The themes in the gospel, Luke 9:51-56, are rejection, the tension between Jews and Samaritans, and the appropriate response to hostility. Jesus demonstrates restraint and focuses on the mission at hand, despite the rejection and his disciples’ desire for retaliation.
See the themes section of this page for more themes for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time. A reflection, prayer, and homily links are also available.
Why don’t the Samaritans welcome Jesus in the gospel for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time (Luke 9:51-56)?
The Samaritans and Jews had a long-standing animosity. Since Jesus is headed to Jerusalem—a Jewish religious center—the Samaritans probably see this as a rejection of their own beliefs and practices.
What does Jesus’ response in the gospel for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time (Luke 9:51-56) teach about handling rejection?
Jesus’ response is one of non-retaliation. He chooses to move on rather than engage in violence or conflict, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus on larger goals.
How can the gospel for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time (Luke 9:51-56) be applied to everyday life?
The passage shows the value of restraint and choosing battles wisely. Not every act of rejection or hostility warrants retaliation. Sometimes, it’s more productive to simply move on and stay focused on what’s important.
What does the Lord predict about the future of Jerusalem in the first reading for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 (Zechariah 8:20-23)?
The Lord predicts that people from various cities and nations will seek Him in Jerusalem. They’ll recognize God’s presence among the Jews.
How does the first reading for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 (Zechariah 8:20-23) relate to modern religious diversity?
The reading suggests that the allure of divine presence transcends cultural or religious boundaries.
What makes Zion special according to the responsorial psalm for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 (Psalm 87)?
Zion is valued above all other places. It is the birthplace of greatness and established by the Most High Lord.
How can we interpret the focus on Zion in the responsorial psalm for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 (Psalm 87)?
The focus on Zion underscores the importance of sacred spaces in fostering a relationship with God.
What overarching theme ties the readings for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 together?
The readings share the theme of the universal appeal of divine presence, whether in Jerusalem or in the person of Jesus.
How can these themes for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 be applied to modern life?
In today’s world, the readings encourage us to seek divine presence across cultural and religious lines, and to respond with tolerance rather than retaliation when faced with rejection.
What is Job expressing in the first reading for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 (Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23)?
Job is in deep despair, regretting his very existence. He questions the point of life when it involves so much suffering and sees the peace of the dead as preferable.
How can people relate to Job’s feelings during difficult times in the first reading for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 (Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23)?
Job’s sentiments reflect the depths of human despair that can come with intense suffering. It’s a reminder that questioning and doubt are natural aspects of a complicated faith journey.
What does the responsorial psalm for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 (Psalm 88) reflect?
Psalm 88 is a lament, expressing feelings of abandonment and despair. The psalmist feels overwhelmed and is pleading for divine intervention.
How can one engage with the responsorial psalm for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 (Psalm 88) in modern life?
This Psalm can be a resource for times when you’re feeling low, offering words to articulate despair. It’s a way to engage with the divine, even when it feels like God is distant.
What do these readings for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 collectively say about suffering and dealing with rejection or despair?
ob and the psalmist show the depths of despair and questioning that can occur. Jesus shows how to handle rejection without adding fuel to the fire. They collectively explore the emotional lows and highs of the human experience.
What steps can people take based on these messages in the readings for Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
Acknowledge your feelings in times of despair but also seek support and guidance. When faced with rejection or hostility, take a cue from Jesus and opt for grace and restraint instead of retaliating.
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