Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Romans 16:3-9, 16, 22-27: I send greetings to my fellow workers, Prisca and Aquila, and other friends who have labored for the faith; may God, who strengthens us through Jesus Christ, be glorified forever.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 145: I will always praise you, Lord, for your unsearchable greatness and the glorious splendor of your kingdom that all generations talk about.
• Gospel – Luke 16:9-15: Jesus advises using material wealth to gain eternal friendships and asserts that faithfulness in small matters translates to trustworthiness in larger ones. He stresses the impossibility of serving both God and wealth, highlighting that God judges by the heart, not by outward appearances valued by society.

No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Luke 16:13

Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 presents readings with themes that speak to Christian love, humility, and loyalty to God’s mission. The first reading from Romans acknowledges many who worked faithfully for Christ, while the Gospel challenges the use of worldly wealth and urges undivided loyalty to God.

• Faithful Companions in Christ: Paul greets his friends who served with him, showing the importance of community in spreading the Gospel. Christians are called to support each other in faith and mission.
• Unity in Mission: Paul honors fellow Christians who work for the same goal, pointing to the unity that Christ desires for His followers. This unity strengthens the Church and the spread of the Gospel.
• Humility in Service: Paul’s message highlights the humble roles each person plays in God’s work, reminding Christians that no service is too small. Humility allows each person to serve without seeking recognition.
• Generosity with Wealth: The Gospel urges believers to use wealth to build relationships that honor God. Wealth is a tool to help others, not something to be hoarded or idolized.
• Loyalty to God Alone: Jesus teaches that a person cannot serve both God and money, calling for full commitment to God. Divided loyalties lead away from true faith and purpose.
• Simplicity of Heart: Jesus warns against being “worldly-wise,” encouraging His followers to live in sincerity. A simple, honest heart is more valuable than worldly cleverness.
• Trust in Eternal Riches: The Gospel points believers toward treasures in heaven rather than earthly wealth. True wealth is found in a life that follows God’s commandments.

These themes from Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourage Christians to live simply, serve humbly, and commit fully to God. Each reading inspires believers to focus on what is lasting and to walk closely with God and one another.

The readings for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 focus on themes of unity, loyalty to God, and faithfulness in small things. Paul expresses gratitude for his fellow Christians, highlighting the strength that comes from working together for Christ. In the Gospel, Jesus reminds us that true commitment to God means letting go of anything that divides our loyalty. These reflections encourage us to see the importance of working together, choosing God over material wealth, and staying faithful even in the small things.

Unity in Christ’s Mission

On Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Paul honors the men and women who serve alongside him in spreading the faith. Paul knows that a strong community of believers is essential for carrying out Christ’s mission. These fellow workers strengthen the Church and inspire others by their commitment to the Gospel. This unity among believers helps keep them on course when difficulties arise, reminding each one of the greater goal they share.

Unity strengthens the Church and makes the message of Jesus more visible to the world. A divided Church weakens its own message, as disagreements can distract from the true purpose of spreading the faith. Paul’s words encourage us to remember that the Church’s mission is greater than any single individual’s effort. As Christians, we are called to support and encourage each other, whether through prayer, friendship, or service.

When we focus on unity, we draw closer to the heart of Christ’s message. Jesus prayed for His followers to be one, just as He is one with the Father. By working together in unity, we reflect God’s love for all people and bring the light of Christ into a world that needs it. Paul’s gratitude for his fellow Christians in the reading from Romans reminds us that every person has a role in building up the Church and helping it thrive.

Choosing God over Wealth

The Gospel for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 challenges us to put God above material wealth. Jesus tells us that it’s impossible to serve both God and money, because trying to follow both leads to divided loyalties. Wealth can seem appealing, but if it becomes too important, it can slowly take over our thoughts and actions. When wealth controls us, we lose sight of our true purpose and move away from the life God wants for us.

Jesus makes it clear that God must come first in every part of our lives. Wealth is temporary, and it can bring false security or distract us from trusting in God. By focusing on God instead of material things, we free ourselves to live with purpose and direction. Jesus’ words in the Gospel help us see that lasting peace comes only from following God fully and not letting anything else take His place.

Choosing God over wealth also leads to greater joy and freedom. When we let go of our attachment to money or possessions, we are better able to live as Jesus taught. Generosity and kindness toward others become easier, because we see our blessings as opportunities to serve rather than things to protect. The Gospel calls us to trust in God’s care for us and to let go of anything that holds us back from fully following Him.

Faithfulness in Small Things

On Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, both Paul and Jesus emphasize the importance of faithfulness. Paul gives thanks for those who serve with him, recognizing even the smallest acts of dedication that keep the mission alive. Jesus also speaks about being faithful in small things, as this shows our trustworthiness and helps us grow in responsibility. These readings remind us that the way we handle the little things reflects our loyalty to God.

Faithfulness in small things shows that we value even the quiet, unnoticed parts of our work. Paul sees each person’s contribution as essential, whether big or small, in building up the Church. In the same way, Jesus teaches that when we handle small matters well, we can be trusted with greater responsibilities. This teaches us that every task or duty, even if it seems small, can have a lasting impact when done with a sincere heart.

Living with this kind of faithfulness helps us grow closer to God and strengthens our relationship with others. Small acts of kindness, honesty, and generosity build a foundation of trust and love that helps us grow in faith. Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 calls us to focus on the little things we do each day, remembering that they can make a difference in our lives and in the lives of others.

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The themes in Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 call us to deepen our dedication to God and to value the people around us. Jesus and Paul show us that a life focused on God is one that holds strong connections, wise choices, and simple faithfulness. By following these teachings, we build lives that honor God and serve others.

Prayer

Lord, help me stay close to You in everything I do. Guide me to choose You over worldly things and to serve others with humility. Give me a heart that values unity, loyalty, and faithfulness in all parts of my life. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I support others in their faith journey and build unity in my community?
• Are there any material things that divide my loyalty to God?
• In what small ways can I serve God more faithfully each day?
• How can I show gratitude for the people who encourage my faith?

Word on Fire: The Right Approach to Wealth

In his reflection for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Bishop Robert Barron shares wisdom from St. John Chrysostom on how to view wealth. Chrysostom warns that a love of money can make people act like wild animals, harming others to gain wealth and dulling their consciences. Bishop Barron explains that Chrysostom’s message reflects Jesus’ teachings: everything we have—our life, skills, and wealth—comes as a gift from God. Because of this, wealth should be used wisely and generously for God’s purposes, not selfishly held for personal gain.

What date is Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Saturday November 8, 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 Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Saturday November 8, 2025 are:
First Reading – Romans 16:3-9, 16, 22-27: Acknowledgments and Doxology
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 145: Unending Praise
Gospel – Luke 16:9-15: True Wealth and Service

Why does Paul greet so many people in the first reading for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

In the reading from Romans, Paul greets many of his friends and coworkers. This shows how much he values the people who work alongside him in spreading the Gospel. It reminds us to appreciate the people in our lives who help us grow in faith.

How does this reading from Romans apply to our lives?

Paul shows that the Christian life is not lived alone. We are called to support one another and work together in our faith journey. It’s important to build a community around us that encourages us to live as Jesus taught.

What does Paul’s gratitude teach us?

Paul is grateful for each person who helped him spread the faith. His gratitude shows us the importance of acknowledging others and giving thanks to God for those who support us.

Why does Jesus talk about using wealth in the Gospel for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Jesus explains that wealth is temporary and should be used wisely to help others. He teaches that material things should not control us, but instead, we should focus on using what we have to serve God and others.

What does it mean to serve God rather than wealth?

Serving God means putting Him first in all parts of our lives. Wealth or material things can easily distract us, so Jesus reminds us to keep our loyalty with God.

Why does Jesus say we can’t serve two masters in the Gospel for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Jesus explains that divided loyalties make us lose focus on what is truly important. If we try to serve both God and material things, our hearts will be pulled away from God.

How can we be wise without being worldly?

Jesus calls for a heart that is honest and pure, instead of focused on worldly success. Living with a simple and truthful heart keeps us focused on God’s way, rather than on what the world values.

Why does Jesus emphasize faithfulness in small things?

Jesus teaches that being faithful in small matters shows trustworthiness. When we are faithful in the small things, God can trust us with more.

How does the theme of humility appear in these readings for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Paul’s words show that each person’s role matters, even if it seems small. Jesus and Paul both show that humility leads us to serve others without needing recognition.