5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time reminds us that faith should lead to action. In all three years, the readings show how God calls people to serve. Isaiah is forgiven and sent. Paul tells how he was called to preach. The disciples leave everything to follow Jesus. God invites each person to take part in His work.

Light and mission are key themes. Jesus says we are the light of the world. We are called to shine through good deeds, kindness, and faith. When we live this way, others see God through us. This Sunday invites us to trust God’s call and share His love with the world.

Click on the appropriate year below to see resources, themes, homilies, and more. See how to determine the correct year.

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

Mass Readings for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

See resources, homilies, and more for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A readings here.

• First Reading – Isaiah 58:7-10: By sharing with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed, and clothing the naked, one finds healing and God’s presence. Helping others brings light in darkness.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 112: A good person is kind, honest, and generous. He trusts in God and is steady, not fearing bad news. He helps the poor and is honored forever.
• Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 2:1-5: I came to you with fear and weakness, focusing only on Jesus Christ. My message showed the Spirit’s power, so your faith would be in God’s power, not human wisdom.
• Gospel – Matthew 5:13-16: Jesus told his disciples to be the salt and light of the world, showing their good works to others to glorify God in heaven.

Mass Readings for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

See resources, homilies, and more for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B readings here.

• First Reading – Job 7:1-4, 6-7: Job laments life’s hardships, comparing his suffering to a laborer’s toil and a slave’s longing for relief. His nights are restless, his days joyless, feeling his life fleeting like the wind.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 147: Praise the Lord for His kindness and mercy. He restores and unites, heals the brokenhearted, and knows all creation intimately. He uplifts the humble, humbling the wicked.
• Second Reading –1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23: Preaching the gospel is my entrusted duty, not a ground for pride. My reward lies in sharing it freely, adapting to serve all, with the hope of sharing in its blessings.
• Gospel – Mark 1:29-39: Jesus healed Simon’s mother-in-law at her home. That evening, many sick and demon-possessed were brought to him; he healed them, not allowing demons to speak. Seeking solitude, Jesus prayed in the early morning. Urged by his followers, he continued his mission, preaching and exorcising demons throughout Galilee.

Mass Readings for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

See resources, homilies, and more for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C readings here.

• First Reading – Isaiah 6:1-2A, 3-8: Isaiah saw the Lord on His throne, felt unworthy, but was cleansed by a seraphim. When God asked for a messenger, Isaiah offered to go.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 138: I will thank and praise God for His kindness and truth. He answers me and gives me strength. All will praise Him for His great glory and enduring kindness.
• Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 15:1-11: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day. He appeared to many, including me. By God’s grace, I preach, and you believed.
• Gospel – Luke 5:1-11: Jesus told Simon to fish in deep water. They caught so many fish that their nets almost broke. Simon, James, and John were amazed. Jesus said they would now catch people. They left everything to follow him.

Lookup Other Liturgical Dates in the Lectionary

The Bible is the full collection of sacred books, including both the Old and New Testaments. It can be read in any order for study, prayer, or personal growth. The Lectionary is a book of selected Bible readings used at Mass. It follows a set schedule that helps the Church hear important parts of Scripture during the year. Each reading in the Lectionary has a lectionary number, which helps people find readings for a specific day.

The Lectionary is arranged by Sundays, weekdays, and special feasts. It also follows the Church’s liturgical seasons, such as Advent, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time. Each season has its own theme and focus. For example, the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time features readings that show the light of Christ working through His followers. The Sunday readings follow a three-year cycle based on the Gospels of Matthew (Year A), Mark (Year B), and Luke (Year C). The Gospel of John is used in special seasons.

How to Determine the Liturgical Year

The liturgical cycle is a three-year sequence of A, B, and C.

• 2024 is Year B
• 2025 is Year C
• 2026 is Year A
• 2027 is Year B
• 2028 is Year C
• 2029 is Year A
• 2030 is Year B
• 2031 is Year C
• … and so on

The 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time speaks about being a light for others. In Year A, Jesus tells His followers they are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This means Christians are called to make a difference. Even small acts of love and service can help others see God.

In Year B, Jesus heals many people and then leaves to pray. He shows the balance between helping others and staying close to God. Peter’s mother-in-law is healed, and she begins to serve right away. This reminds us to serve others with joy and energy.

In Year C, Peter listens to Jesus and casts his net again. The catch is huge. Peter feels unworthy, but Jesus still calls him. Peter and the others leave everything and follow Him. God often calls regular people to do His work.

The 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time reminds us to listen, serve, and trust.

The readings for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time show us that we all have a role in God’s plan. We are called to act with love, to serve others, and to trust when God asks us to follow. Take time to read and think about the Scripture passages. Notice how Jesus speaks to people, heals them, and then sends them to help others.

Think about how you can be a light this week. Is there someone you can serve or encourage? Ask yourself how these readings speak to your own life. Please share your thoughts or experience in the comment section. We can all learn from each other.