30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

• First Reading – Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18: God, just and impartial, listens to the cries of the oppressed and the humble, ensuring their prayers are answered and justice is swiftly delivered.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 34: The Lord consistently supports the righteous and the needy, delivering them from trouble and ensuring their praises. Those who seek His protection will not be condemned.
• Second Reading – 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18: Facing life’s end, I have remained faithful and anticipate the promised reward. Despite abandonment, the Lord empowered me to spread His word, and He will deliver me to His kingdom.
• Gospel – Luke 18:9-14: Jesus teaches that genuine humility, not self-righteousness, leads to justification before God, as shown through a parable contrasting a Pharisee and a repentant tax collector.

The readings for 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C focus on God’s mercy for the poor and the humble. In the first reading we are told that God hears those who cry out in pain. And the psalm echoes this sentiment. In the second reading Paul speaks of feeling deserted by all those around him, but the Lord stood by him. In the gospel Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.

The themes for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C bring important lessons for our lives. They help us understand how to approach God and live faithfully.

• God Hears the Humble: God listens closely to those who are humble and oppressed. In the first reading, we learn that God does not ignore their pleas; instead, He ensures justice for them.
• Value of Humility: Humility is key to being right with God. The Gospel shows that self-righteousness is not the way to God’s heart, but humility and repentance are.
• Faithfulness Rewarded: Staying true to God’s way leads to eternal rewards. In the second reading, even though others abandoned him, Paul is confident that God will bring him safely into His kingdom because of his faithfulness.
• Strength in Trials: God provides strength in difficult times. Paul speaks about being deserted by friends but supported by the Lord, highlighting that God helps us through our trials.
• Prayer from the Heart: Sincere prayer is more valued by God than boastful displays. The Gospel contrasts the prayers of two men, teaching us that a simple, heartfelt prayer is better than one filled with self-praise.

These themes for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C guide us on how to approach our relationship with God and with others. They encourage us to be humble, sincere, and steadfast in our faith.

See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.

First or Last? A Lesson Plan on Humility

or those exploring the theme of humility in the readings for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, the lesson plan “First or Last: A Lesson Plan on Humility” offers practical activities and discussions. This resource provides valuable insights and tools to help understand and teach the importance of being humble in our faith journey. It is especially helpful for those teaching youth groups or Sunday school classes.

Finish the Race

In Bishop Robert Barron’s homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, he focuses on the second reading from Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy, highlighting it as one of the last writings from Paul. Bishop Barron emphasizes the metaphor of life as a “libation,” suggesting that like Paul, we should see our lives as being poured out or emptied in service to others, rather than filled with personal gains. He contrasts cultural notions of filling life with material goods to true Christian fulfillment found in self-giving love and service.

This homily encourages living a life modeled after Jesus, who also emptied himself for the sake of humanity, teaching that the essence of Christian life is to pour oneself out in love for others.

Humility Before God

In this week’s readings for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, we are taught the value of humility and the danger of self-righteousness. The Gospel presents two men: a Pharisee and a tax collector. The Pharisee boasts about his good deeds, believing he is better than others, especially the tax collector. In contrast, the tax collector stands at a distance, not even willing to raise his eyes to heaven, and humbly asks for God’s mercy. Jesus tells us it is the tax collector, not the Pharisee, who goes home justified before God.

Pharisees were held in high esteem in Jewish culture. Tax collectors, on the other hand, were collaborators with the Romans. They also cheated people to increase their earnings. So they were despised. So for Jesus to tell this story where the Pharisee is the “villain” and the tax collector is the “hero” is a complete reversal of how these roles were perceived.

Jesus is showing us that it is not social status which matters in the eyes of God. He cares about how our hearts are oriented. We must remember that everything we are and have comes from God. And we are all in need of God’s mercy. When we start thinking that praying and following the rules somehow earn us a special place in the Kingdom of God, then we are relying on our own efforts instead of trusting in God.

This lesson is clear: God favors a humble heart. It’s not our achievements or status that bring us closer to God, but our recognition of our own faults and our need for His mercy.

Listening to the Humble

The first reading from Sirach reinforces this message, reminding us that God is just and does not show favoritism. He listens to the pleas of the oppressed and the humble. This is a call for us to trust in God’s justice and to approach Him with a humble heart, especially when we feel most downtrodden or overlooked by the world.

Similarly, in the second reading, Paul exhibits a profound trust in the Lord during his trials. Despite feeling abandoned by his friends, he remains faithful, trusting that the Lord will rescue him and bring him safely into His heavenly kingdom.

These readings challenge us to examine our own attitudes in prayer and in our interactions with others. They invite us to approach God and our communities with humility and faith, trusting in God’s justice and mercy rather than our own righteousness.

In our daily lives, we are often tempted to judge others like the Pharisee did. However, the Gospel urges us to focus instead on our own need for God’s mercy and to pray for a heart that seeks God’s forgiveness sincerely.

Prayer

Lord, teach us to be humble. Help us to seek Your mercy with sincere hearts and to trust in Your justice. May we live our faith genuinely, always aware of our own need for Your grace.

• How do I approach God in my prayers? Do I focus more on my achievements or on asking for His mercy?
• When have I felt judged like the tax collector? How did it change my view on treating others?
• Do I trust in my own strength and look out for myself? Or do I believe that if I let go of power that God will care for me?
• Are there individuals or groups of people whom I look down upon?
• What steps can I take to develop a more humble approach to my faith and interactions with others?
• How can Paul’s trust in God during his trials inspire me in my own difficulties?
• In what ways can I actively show mercy and understanding to those who are often judged unfairly?

The music selections for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C beautifully reflect the themes of humility, justice, and the mercy of God, as seen in the readings. These songs range from pleas for God’s presence and guidance to joyous affirmations of His light and justice in our lives. The lyrics encourage worshippers to seek a deeper connection with God, recognizing our need for His grace while celebrating the divine love that welcomes all, regardless of our shortcomings. The melodies are designed to uplift the spirit and foster a sense of community and belonging among the congregation.

• Always
• Be With Me Lord
• Christ Be Our Light
• Come to Jesus
• Come to the Feast
• Come to the Water, I Will Run to You
• Eye Has Not Seen
• From the Inside Out
• Gather Us In
• God of Justice
• I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
• Keep Me Safe O God
• Love Divine
• Only This I Want
• Rightful Place
• The Cry of the Poor
• There Is a Longing
• Salvation Is Here
• Simple Gifts
• There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
• Your Grace Is Enough

As music directors and musicians, you play a crucial role in enhancing the worship experience through these selections. I encourage you to explore these songs and consider how they can be integrated into your services. Feel free to experiment with different arrangements and perhaps add some of your favorite hymns that resonate with the themes of humility and divine mercy. Your choices can greatly influence the congregation’s engagement and reflection on the scripture.

Share your experiences and suggestions in the comments so we can all learn and grow in our ministry.

What date is the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

The next date is Sunday October 26, 2025.
For other years see the links below:
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

What are the Mass readings for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

The Catholic Mass readings for Sunday October 26, 2025 are:
First Reading – Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18: Justice from Above
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 34: The Lord Saves the Needy
Second Reading – 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18: Faithful to the End
Gospel – Luke 18:9-14: True Humility Rewarded

What does it mean when they say God is ‘impartial’ in the first reading for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

It means God treats everyone equally. He listens to all people, no matter their status or wealth, especially those who are humble and honest.

What is the ‘crown of righteousness’ mentioned in the second reading for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

The ‘crown of righteousness’ is a symbol of the eternal life and happiness that God promises to those who love and serve Him faithfully.

Why did Paul feel abandoned, and what can we learn from his experience?

Paul felt abandoned because his friends did not support him during his trial. We can learn that even in loneliness, God is with us and gives us strength.

What can we do when we feel alone or abandoned like Paul?

We can pray to God for strength and trust that He is always with us. We should also seek support from our community and friends.

How can we practice humility according to the Gospel for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

We can practice humility by recognizing our faults and asking God for forgiveness. We should also avoid judging others and thinking we are better than them.

How does the parable in the Gospel for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C relate to our daily life?

The parable teaches us to approach God with a humble heart, not boasting about our good deeds. It reminds us to be sincere in our relationship with God and others.

Why are the prayers of the oppressed heard quickly, as mentioned in the first reading for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

Because God has special care for those who suffer and are treated unfairly. He listens closely to them and acts to bring them justice.

How can we ensure our prayers are sincere and heartfelt?

We can ensure our prayers are sincere by honestly sharing our thoughts and feelings with God. We should pray regularly and focus on our relationship with Him, not just on what we need.