Saturday of the 31st 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) - 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.
• First Reading (Cycle 2) - Philippians 4:10-19: I've learned to be content with little or much, and I appreciate your support, trusting that God will meet all our needs according to his riches.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 145: I will always praise you, Lord, for your unsearchable greatness and the glorious splendor of your kingdom that all generations talk about.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 112: The man who reveres the Lord and delights in His commands will be blessed, his generosity enduring forever, and his legacy exalted in honor.
• 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

• Wise Use of Worldly Resources: Jesus advises the use of material wealth to gain friends and secure an eternal dwelling. This suggests the theme of utilizing earthly possessions for spiritual benefits or eternal outcomes.
• Faithfulness in Small Things: The passage posits that whoever is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in much. This theme highlights the importance of integrity in small matters as a reflection of one's character in larger issues.
• Serving Two Masters: The teaching that no one can serve both God and money speaks to divided loyalties. It suggests that ultimate allegiance cannot be split between spiritual devotion and material wealth.
• Justification Before God: Jesus addresses the Pharisees, who justify themselves before men but are admonished that God knows their hearts. This theme contrasts human standards of righteousness with divine judgment.
• Value in the Eyes of God vs. People: What is highly valued by people can be detestable in God’s sight. This reflects the theme that spiritual values often differ from societal values, and what is esteemed in society may not be aligned with divine principles.

In the gospel for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Luke 16:9-15, Jesus encourages us to be wise stewards of the resources and abilities we're given. It's a reminder that everything we have is a gift and should be used in a way that contributes to the greater good. By looking at what we possess, whether it's money, skills, or time, we can identify how to use these gifts to serve others and enhance our spiritual wellbeing. It's not just about accumulating wealth or success for ourselves but about fostering a community that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God.

Reflecting on our lives, it's important to assess our spiritual health and identify areas where we may be lacking. Are we investing in our relationship with God and others? Or are we consumed with personal gain? The parable calls us to a higher purpose, one that prioritizes spiritual growth and communal support. This growth often requires us to step out of our comfort zones and use our resources in ways that may not offer immediate material benefits but enrich us spiritually.

Furthermore, this passage challenges the idea of serving two masters – God and wealth. This is a clear directive to prioritize our spiritual commitments over financial or material ones. The pursuit of wealth can easily become all-consuming, leaving little room for the things of God. By reassessing our priorities, we can ensure that our endeavors align more closely with our faith and values.

In conclusion, Jesus' parable is a call to action. It prompts us to examine our lives, our choices, and our priorities. By using our resources to bridge the gaps in our spiritual lives, we actively participate in building God's Kingdom on Earth. It's not just about being responsible stewards; it's about being purposeful in our actions, shaping our lives in a way that honors our faith and serves the world around us.

Prayer

Father in Heaven, you have given me so many good things. Grant me the wisdom to use these to build your Kingdom. Amen.

Word on Fire: Everything Is Gift

In this reflection for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Barron highlights St. John Chrysostom's thoughts on wealth and the importance of using it according to God's intentions. Chrysostom condemned the aggressive pursuit of wealth and urged that wealth should not be used selfishly. He insisted that since everything we possess is a gift from God, it should be utilized to serve God's will and help others rather than be hoarded.

USCCB Reflection: The Only Useful Thing to Do with Money

This is a USCCB video reflection for for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2. Paul expresses gratitude for the Philippians' support, emphasizing that their giving benefits them spiritually. The Psalm suggests that those who fear the Lord and give generously to the poor are blessed. The Alleluia verse points to Jesus Christ's sacrifice as an example of such giving, implying that true richness comes from making others rich through our own material sacrifice. The Gospel of Luke underscores this with the idea of the Great Reversal, where earthly wealth is insignificant compared to the importance of sharing with the needy, an act that aligns with God’s vision and will be rewarded in His kingdom.

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

The next date is Saturday November 8, 2025.

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 (Cycle 1) - Romans 16:3-9, 16, 22-27: Acknowledgments and Doxology
Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 145: Unending Praise
Gospel - Luke 16:9-15: True Wealth and Service

What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Saturday November 7, 2026 are:
First Reading (Cycle 2) - Philippians 4:10-19: Content in Every Situation
Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 112: Blessings of Righteousness
Gospel - Luke 16:9-15: True Wealth and Service

What is the primary message the gospel for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time?

The primary message of Luke 16:9-15 is about the right use of wealth and the importance of being trustworthy with worldly resources as a reflection of one's faithfulness to spiritual values. Jesus teaches that no one can serve two masters — God and money.

What does Jesus mean by "use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves" in the gospel for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time?

In Luke 16:9-15, Jesus suggests using material resources to benefit others and create lasting relationships rather than merely accumulating wealth. This is about the stewardship of wealth in a way that reflects God's kingdom values.

What does the phrase "whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much" mean in the gospel for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time?

This phrase in Luke 16:9-15 means that a person's trustworthiness in small matters is indicative of their trustworthiness in larger ones. This principle applies to both material and spiritual matters.

What does Jesus mean by saying, "You cannot serve both God and mammon" in the gospel for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time?

This teaching in Luke 16:9-15 emphasizes that devotion cannot be divided between God and material wealth. A person's ultimate loyalty must be to God, not to accumulating wealth, as trying to serve both will lead to a conflict of interest.

How does the gospel for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time relate to the audience Jesus was speaking to?

In Luke 16:9-15, Jesus was addressing His disciples, the Pharisees, and others around Him. The Pharisees, who loved status and money, were sneering at Jesus' teachings, prompting Him to underscore the incompatibility of greed with the kingdom of God.

What is the significance of Jesus saying, "What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight" in the gospel for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time?

This statement in Luke 16:9-15 contrasts earthly values, often focused on wealth and status, with divine values that prioritize spiritual virtues and integrity. It's a reminder that God's perspective is different from human perspectives, particularly concerning material wealth.

What lesson can we learn from Jesus' advice on using material wealth in the gospel for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time?

The lesson in Luke 16:9-15 is to use material resources wisely and ethically to benefit others and foster relationships that contribute to our spiritual growth, not just our earthly well-being.

How can we be trustworthy in both small and large matters, from the gospel for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time?

By being consistent and faithful in our daily responsibilities, maintaining integrity, and upholding moral principles in all areas of life, regardless of the scale.

What does Paul's greeting to his fellow workers in the first reading for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 tell us about Christian community?

Paul's greetings in Romans 16 show the importance of acknowledging and valuing each member's contribution to the faith community. It highlights fellowship and mutual support among believers.

How is God glorified through the work of individuals like Prisca and Aquila in the first reading for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Their labor for the faith demonstrates dedication and service, which reflect God's love and power, thus glorifying Him through their actions and commitment.

What is meant by God's "unsearchable greatness" in the responsorial psalm for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Psalm 145 refers to the depth and magnitude of God’s attributes and deeds, which are beyond human understanding and cannot be fully comprehended or explored.

How can we praise the Lord's greatness in our daily lives as in the responsorial psalm for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

We can praise God through prayer, worship, sharing His deeds with others, and living in a way that honors His teachings and reflects His love.

How do these readings for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 connect to the theme of stewardship?

They encourage us to be good stewards of both our relationships and resources, using them to honor God and further the mission of the Christian community.

In what ways can we serve God rather than wealth according to these readings for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

By prioritizing spiritual values over material gain, being faithful in our responsibilities, and judging success by the standards of God's kingdom rather than society's.

What does Paul mean when he says he has learned to be content in the first reading for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

In Philippians 4:10-19, Paul is expressing that he has learned to maintain a state of peace and satisfaction regardless of his external circumstances, whether in abundance or in need.

How does Paul view the support he received from the Philippians according to the first reading for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Paul values their support highly, seeing it not just as practical help but as a contribution that pleases God and an act of fellowship in his ministry.

What are the characteristics of the man who reveres the Lord according to the responsorial psalm for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

In Psalm 112, this person is described as generous, righteous, and compassionate. He respects God's commands and acts with kindness and justice.

What does it mean that his legacy is exalted in honor in the responsorial psalm for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Psalm 112 means that the person's reputation and memory will be respected and praised by others because of his virtuous life and actions.

How do contentment and the use of wealth relate to each other in these readings for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The readings suggest that true contentment comes from a focus on God and serving others, rather than accumulating wealth for its own sake.

What is the role of trust in God in these readings for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Trust in God is central; it involves relying on Him to meet our needs, being content with His provision, and using our resources in ways that align with His will.