24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

On the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we learn about the importance of forgiveness. We are called to forgive others as God forgives us. God’s mercy is a gift, and He rejoices when we turn back to Him. To truly follow Jesus, we must leave behind our old ways and embrace a new life guided by His love and mercy.

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

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

Mass Readings for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

See resources, homilies, and more for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A readings here.

First Reading – Sirach 27:30-28:7: Release anger and forgive others to ensure your own sins are forgiven, recalling death and God’s commandments as motivations to cease sinning and live in peace.
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 103: Celebrate the Lord’s generous mercy; He forgives sins, heals, and does not hold grudges, treating us with love far greater than our actions deserve.

Second Reading – Romans 14:7-9: Our lives and deaths are dedicated to the Lord, reflecting Christ’s dominion over both the living and the dead, for whom he died and rose.
Gospel – Matthew 18:21-35: Jesus teaches about unlimited forgiveness through a parable where a king forgives a servant’s large debt. The servant then harshly demands a small debt from another, leading to his punishment.

Mass Readings for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

See resources, homilies, and more for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B readings here.

First Reading – Isaiah 50:5-9A: God supports me, so I face opposition without shame or fear, confident that no one can prove me wrong.
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 116: I rejoice in God’s kindness as He listens and saves me from death, allowing me to live in His presence.
Second Reading – James 2:14-18: Claiming faith without action is useless. True faith is demonstrated through caring deeds, not just words.

Gospel – Mark 8:27-35: Jesus challenges His followers to recognize Him as the Messiah and teaches about self-denial and the hardships of following Him, promising life to those who sacrifice for His sake.

Mass Readings for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

See resources, homilies, and more for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C readings here.

First Reading – Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14: God told Moses about Israel’s idolatry and planned to destroy them, but Moses reminded God of His promise to the patriarchs, and God relented.

Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 51 I ask God for mercy and a clean heart. I promise to praise Him, knowing He accepts a humble and repentant spirit.
Second Reading – 1 Timothy 1:12-17: I thank Christ for His mercy and grace, saving me, the worst sinner, to show His patience and offer eternal life to believers. Honor and glory to God forever.
Gospel – Luke 15:1-32: Jesus tells parables about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son to show God’s joy in finding and welcoming back the lost, emphasizing repentance and forgiveness.

More About Lectionary Cycles

Learn more about the difference between a Bible and a Lectionary, how the Lectionary is arranged, and translations of the Bible used at Mass.

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