Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – 2 Samuel 6:12b-15, 17-19: David led the joyous return of the Ark to Jerusalem with dancing, sacrifices, and music. Celebrations included offerings and blessings, culminating in generous distributions to all Israelites
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 24: Let the gates open wide for the king of glory. The Lord, mighty in battle, commands respect and awe. He is the powerful LORD of hosts, our eternal king.
• Gospel – Mark 3:31-35: As Jesus’ family arrived at a house and sent for Him, the crowd relayed their presence. Jesus questioned the concept of His true family and, looking at His followers, proclaimed them as His real family. He emphasized that anyone who follows God’s will is akin to His brother, sister, and mother, thereby elevating spiritual bonds over biological ones in God’s kingdom.

Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.

Mark 3:34-35

On Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, the readings focus on themes of joy, reverence, and true belonging in God’s family. In the first reading, King David joyfully brings the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, while in the Gospel, Jesus speaks about those who are truly His family—those who do God’s will.

• Joyful Worship of God: King David dances and celebrates as he brings the Ark into Jerusalem. This shows how worship can be filled with joy and energy, honoring God with our whole hearts.
• Reverence for the Sacred: The Ark of the Covenant represents God’s holy presence. David’s actions remind us to approach God with respect and awe, recognizing His presence in our lives.
• Generosity in Worship: David offers sacrifices and blesses the people with gifts after bringing the Ark to Jerusalem. This generosity reflects how true worship can lead us to share blessings and kindness with others.
• Obedience as True Kinship: In the Gospel, Jesus says that those who do God’s will are His family. This shows that obedience to God creates a strong bond with Jesus, even stronger than family ties.
• A Welcoming Family of Faith: Jesus opens the idea of family to all who follow God’s will. This invitation reminds us that God’s family is open to everyone, and faith brings us together as brothers and sisters.
• Faith Expressed Through Actions: Both David’s celebration and Jesus’s message on kinship show that faith is more than words; it requires action. Living out our faith brings us closer to God and strengthens our place in His family.

These themes from Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, call us to worship God with joy, respect His presence, and embrace our place in His family through obedience and love. Together, they invite us to live with both faith and action, honoring God in all we do.

On Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, the readings invite us to reflect on joyful worship, the meaning of family in God’s eyes, and how faith is shown through action. King David celebrates openly as he brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, showing that worship can be filled with joy and gratitude. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches that those who do God’s will are His true family, revealing that faith brings us together as brothers and sisters. These readings remind us that true faith is active, inviting us to live out God’s will in all that we do.

Worship with Joy and Celebration

On Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, the first reading describes King David bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem with joy. David dances and celebrates openly, honoring God with energy and enthusiasm. His actions show us that worship can be a time of joy and celebration, expressing love for God in a heartfelt and open way. David’s joy teaches us that worship is not just about quiet reverence but can also include moments of happiness and praise.

This scene reminds us that God invites us to celebrate His presence in our lives. Worship is an opportunity to thank God for His blessings, and we can do this with joy. King David’s dance reflects a sincere heart that rejoices in God’s closeness. When we approach worship with the same joy, we show God that we are grateful and excited to be near Him.

David’s example encourages us to bring our whole selves to worship. Whether we pray quietly or sing with joy, what matters is the love in our hearts. Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, calls us to think about how we honor God with our worship. By expressing our joy in God’s presence, we draw closer to Him in a way that is simple, honest, and full of love.

God’s Family Open to All

In the Gospel reading for Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, Jesus speaks about who belongs to His family. When He is told that His mother and brothers are waiting outside, He replies that those who do God’s will are His true family. This powerful statement shows that anyone who follows God’s ways can be part of Jesus’s family, regardless of background. Faith brings people together, making them brothers and sisters in God’s family.

Jesus’s words remind us that we are united with all believers, creating a family bound by love for God. This spiritual family is open to everyone who chooses to follow God’s will, making it a welcoming and inclusive community. We are called to treat others with kindness, just as we would with our own family members. In God’s family, our shared faith is what connects us deeply.

Belonging to God’s family is a special gift that brings love and support into our lives. We are encouraged to see each other as part of this family, knowing that God loves each of us equally. Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, invites us to appreciate the beauty of this spiritual family and to embrace each other with respect and care. Through faith, we are never alone because God’s family surrounds us with love.

Faith Shown Through Action

Both readings on Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, show that true faith is more than words; it’s something we live out through our actions. King David shows his faith through his joyful dance and generous blessings for the people. Jesus, too, emphasizes that those who do God’s will are His family, highlighting that true faith means actively following God’s way. Faith comes alive when it is expressed through kindness, worship, and obedience to God.

Faithful action is not about doing things for recognition, but out of love for God. King David celebrates with his whole heart, showing his love for God without worrying about appearances. Likewise, Jesus calls each of us to live in a way that reflects God’s love, making choices that align with His will. This means treating others with respect, helping those in need, and honoring God in our daily lives.

Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, encourages us to let our actions speak for our faith. Living faithfully helps us grow closer to God and gives a strong example to those around us. Through sincere worship, generosity, and kindness, we can make our faith visible to others and live as members of God’s family.

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These reflections call us to worship God with joy, recognize our belonging in His family, and live our faith in action. Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, challenges us to embrace each of these themes in our own lives. By doing so, we draw closer to God and build stronger bonds with one another.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for welcoming us into Your family. Help us to worship You with joy and to live out our faith in our daily actions. Teach us to love others as our brothers and sisters and to follow Your will always. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I bring joy into my worship of God?
• In what ways do I show that I belong to God’s family?
• How can I make my faith more active in my daily life?
• What does it mean to live as a brother or sister in Christ?

Belonging, Believing, Behaving: The 3 B’s of Faithful Being

In this reflection by Fr. Billy Swan, the order of priority in the development of faith is explored. Traditionally, it was believed that faith began with believing, followed by behaving, and finally belonging to a faith community. However, recognizing our belonging to God, who created and loves us, precedes believing and shapes our behaving. The reflection delves into biblical examples, including the Gospel for Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2. Faith in God’s claim on us leads to belief and behavior rooted in a living relationship with Him. Ultimately, the question is not “Who am I?” but “Whose am I?” as believers are marked by the sign of the cross and claimed by Christ.

What date is Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Tuesday January 27, 2026.

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 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Tuesday January 27, 2026 are:
First Reading  – 2 Samuel 6:12b-15, 17-19: Joyful Return of the Ark
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 24: Proclaiming God’s Majestic Entry
Gospel – Mark 3:31-35: True Kinship in God

What is the significance of David dancing before the Ark?

David’s dancing shows his joy and excitement as he brings the Ark, which represents God’s presence, into Jerusalem. His celebration teaches us that worship can be joyful and expressive, honoring God with our whole hearts.

Why does David offer sacrifices and bless the people?

David offers sacrifices to show respect and gratitude to God and then blesses the people with food and blessings. This generosity teaches us that true worship often leads us to share kindness and blessings with others.

What does the Ark of the Covenant represent?

The Ark of the Covenant symbolizes God’s holy presence among His people. By bringing it into Jerusalem, David shows respect and reverence for God, reminding us to approach God with awe and respect.

What can I learn from David’s reverence for the Ark?

David’s respect for the Ark reminds us to honor God’s presence in our lives with care and reverence. This means treating sacred things with respect and being mindful of God’s place in our hearts.

Why is joyful worship important in the reading?

David’s joyful worship shows that celebrating God can be filled with happiness and gratitude. It reminds us to approach worship with joy, expressing our love for God openly and freely.

How does Jesus define His family in the Gospel reading?

In the Gospel, Jesus says that His true family includes those who do God’s will. This shows that obedience and faith bring us into close relationship with Jesus, even stronger than family ties.

What does Jesus mean when He says that anyone who does God’s will is His family?

Jesus means that all who follow God’s will are spiritually connected to Him as His family. This opens the idea of family to include everyone who lives in obedience to God’s word.

How can I belong to God’s family?

We belong to God’s family by following His will and living out our faith. This involves loving God, obeying His commands, and showing kindness to others.

How can I put faith into action, as shown in the readings?

Putting faith into action means living out God’s will in our choices, actions, and relationships. Like David and Jesus, we show faith by expressing love, respect, and kindness to others.