Resources, Prayers, Games, and Lesson Plans
More Thoughts and Reflection Questions
Quotes and Social Media Graphics
Mass Readings for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- First Reading - Hosea 6:3-6: The people are called to return to the Lord with genuine knowledge of Him, emphasizing the importance of sincere repentance and prioritizing a heartfelt relationship with God over mere external rituals or sacrifices.
- Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 50: God desires genuine praise and a heartfelt relationship rather than mere ritual sacrifices. He assures the upright of His saving power and willingness to rescue them in times of distress when they call upon Him.
- Second Reading - Romans 4:18-25: Abraham had unwavering faith in God's promises, serving as an example for believers to trust in God's faithfulness and have their faith credited to them as righteousness.
- Gospel - Matthew 9:9-13: Jesus invites Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him and share a meal with other sinners, signifying Jesus' mission to call sinners, extend His mercy to them, and offer them the opportunity for reconciliation.
Themes for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
The themes of God's mercy and call to sinners, repentance and returning to God's love and mercy, and faith and trust in God's promises are beautifully interwoven throughout the readings for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A. These readings convey the message of God's compassionate love, His desire for our repentance and reconciliation, and the importance of unwavering faith in His promises.
- God's mercy and call to sinners: Hosea urges the people to return to God, highlighting His compassionate and forgiving nature, while Matthew portrays Jesus extending mercy to Matthew, a tax collector, and exemplifies Jesus' mission to call sinners, extending mercy to them, and offering them the opportunity for transformation and reconciliation.
- Returning to God's love: Hosea 6:3-6 reminds us to prioritize genuine knowledge of God over external rituals, seek forgiveness with a contrite heart, and actively turn away from sinful ways to embrace His mercy and love.
- Faith and trust in God's promises: Romans 4:18-25 highlights Abraham's unwavering belief in God's promise to make him the father of many nations despite the odds. This theme encourages us to have unwavering faith in God, even in challenging circumstances, and reminds us to place our confidence in His promises, including His promise of mercy, salvation, and eternal life.
See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A.
Resources for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Divine Mercy Chaplet
The Divine Mercy Chaplet, with its focus on God's mercy and the call to sinners, aligns with the readings for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A. It invites us to seek forgiveness, trust in God's promises, and respond to His call, echoing the themes of repentance, mercy, and transformation found in the readings.
Homilies and Reflections for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
The Conversion of Matthew
In this homily for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, Bishop Robert Barron discusses the conversion of St. Matthew and the significance of his response to Jesus' call. Matthew's decision to leave his occupation as a tax collector and follow Jesus symbolizes a deep shift in his life, leading to a closer relationship with the Lord.
Follow Me
In another homily for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, Bishop Robert Barron focuses on the conversion of St. Matthew. As Jesus calls him, Matthew leaves his former occupation as a tax collector and experiences a significant change, embracing a new life of intimacy with Jesus and responding to His invitation.
More Thoughts for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
The Call to Return
In the first reading from Hosea 6:3-6, the prophet Hosea urges the people to turn back to the Lord. Despite their past unfaithfulness, God desires their repentance and reconciliation. It teaches us that true worship goes beyond outward rituals and sacrifices; it requires a genuine knowledge of God and a contrite heart. This reading reminds us of the importance of seeking reconciliation with God, embracing His mercy, and prioritizing a heartfelt relationship with Him.
The Gospel reading from Matthew 9:9-13 tells the story of St. Matthew's call by Jesus. Jesus, in His infinite mercy, reaches out to Matthew, a tax collector who was considered a sinner in society. Matthew responds by leaving behind his old way of life and following Jesus. This encounter with Christ brings about a profound change in Matthew's life, as he embraces a deeper and more fulfilling relationship with the Lord.
Both the first reading and the gospel highlight the boundless mercy of God. They assure us that no one is beyond God's mercy and love, regardless of their past mistakes or societal status. These passages inspire us to reflect on our own need for repentance and conversion. They encourage us to turn away from our old ways, seek forgiveness from God, and respond to His invitation with faith and trust.
Responding to God's Call
The readings invite us to respond to God's call just as Hosea and Matthew did. We are called to rise from our attachments to worldly things and follow Jesus. This response requires faith and trust in God's love and plan for our lives. By doing so, we can experience a deeper relationship with Him, discovering true fulfillment and joy that comes from a life centered on His teachings.
As we contemplate the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, let us reflect on the mercy of God and our response to His call. We are reminded to seek reconciliation, embrace God's invitation, and trust in His boundless mercy. May we have the courage to leave behind our old ways, follow Jesus, and experience the transformative power of His love in our lives.
Reflection Questions for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- In Hosea 6:3-6, God calls the people to return to Him and prioritize genuine knowledge of Him over external rituals. How can we ensure that our worship is not just outward observance but stems from a sincere and contrite heart?
- The call of St. Matthew in Matthew 9:9-13 reveals the limitless mercy of God. How does this story inspire you to trust in God's mercy and believe that no one is beyond His love?
- Reflecting on your own life, are there areas where you need to seek repentance and turn back to God's mercy? How can you actively pursue reconciliation with God and others?
- St. Matthew responded to Jesus' call by leaving behind his former way of life and following Him. Are there attachments to worldly things that hinder your response to God's call? How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus and prioritize Him above all else?
- Consider instances in your life where you have experienced God's mercy and transformation. How can you extend that same mercy and love to others, especially those who may be marginalized or considered outcasts by society?
- How can you respond to God's call with faith and trust, embracing a higher and richer life of intimacy with Him? What practical steps can you take to align your life with His teachings and follow Jesus more closely?
- As you contemplate God's boundless mercy, consider how you can be an instrument of His mercy in the world. How can you extend forgiveness, compassion, and love to those around you, reflecting God's mercy to others?
Leave a Reply