Wednesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time

Daily Mass Readings for Wednesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time

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.

• First Reading (Cycle 1) - Tobit 3:1-11a, 16-17a: Tobit and Sarah, both burdened by sorrow and abuse, offer prayers to God, seeking relief from their hardships. Their pleas are answered by the sending of the angel Raphael, who restores Tobit's sight and frees Sarah from the demon tormenting her, ultimately leading to marriage.
• First Reading (Cycle 2) - 2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12: Paul writes to Timothy, reminding him to nurture the gift of God, to boldly testify for the Gospel, and to endure hardships with the strength provided by God, affirming his confidence in God's ability to protect and fulfill His promises.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 25: A plea for guidance and deliverance is made to the Lord, expressing trust and reliance on His mercy, compassion, and righteousness, seeking His teaching and protection for the humble who seek His ways.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 123: With humble dependence, the psalmist directs their gaze and hope towards the Lord, recognizing His authority and longing for His mercy and compassion.
• Gospel - Mark 12:18-27: The Sadducees question Jesus about the concept of resurrection, presenting a hypothetical scenario involving marriage and multiple spouses. Jesus responds by affirming the reality of resurrection and explaining that in the resurrected state, people will be like angels and no longer experience marriage, emphasizing the power of God and His eternal nature.

Themes for the Daily Mass Readings for Wednesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time

• Belief in the Resurrection: The passage explores the question of whether there is life after death. Some religious groups, like the Sadducees, did not believe in the resurrection. The theme highlights the importance of faith and the hope of an afterlife.
• Misinterpretation of Scripture: The religious leaders misinterpret the Scriptures to challenge Jesus. However, Jesus corrects their understanding and reveals their lack of knowledge. This theme warns against misusing or misinterpreting religious teachings and emphasizes the need for proper understanding.
• God's Power and Sovereignty: Jesus reminds the religious leaders that God is the God of the living and not just the dead. This theme emphasizes God's power over life and death and his ultimate authority over all things.
• Faith and Trust in God: Jesus encourages faith in God's promises and the hope of resurrection. This theme emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's plans and having faith in his promises, even when faced with difficult questions or doubts.

Thoughts for Wednesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time

In Mark 12:18-27, the gospel for Wednesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, we encounter a conversation between Jesus and some religious leaders known as the Sadducees. They approach Jesus with a question regarding marriage in the afterlife. This passage presents two significant themes: misunderstanding Scripture and belief in the resurrection.

First, let's explore the theme of misunderstanding Scripture. The Sadducees, despite their knowledge of the Scriptures, fail to grasp the true meaning behind God's words. They misinterpret the teachings and use them to challenge Jesus. It serves as a reminder to us that simply possessing knowledge of the Scriptures is not enough. We must strive to comprehend the deeper truths and apply them to our lives with wisdom and discernment. We should approach Scripture with humility, seeking guidance from trusted sources, such as the Church, to help us understand the intended message. This theme invites us to avoid the dangers of misinterpreting the Scriptures and instead embrace a genuine understanding that aligns with God's intentions.

The second theme is belief in the resurrection. The Sadducees did not believe in life after death, and they tried to undermine Jesus' teachings on this subject. However, Jesus responds with divine authority, highlighting the truth of the resurrection. He explains that in the resurrection, people will be like angels and will live in eternal communion with God. This conversation teaches us that the resurrection is an essential aspect of our faith as Catholics. It assures us that our lives do not end with death but continue in a transformed and everlasting existence with God. Our belief in the resurrection gives us hope, especially in times of difficulty and loss. It reminds us to live with the knowledge that our actions in this life have eternal consequences.

As we reflect on this passage, we are encouraged to deepen our understanding of Scripture, seeking guidance from the Church and remaining open to the Holy Spirit's teachings. Let us strive to avoid misinterpreting the Word of God and humbly embrace the true meaning and message behind the Scriptures. Moreover, let us firmly hold onto our belief in the resurrection, finding solace in the hope it offers us. May this passage inspire us to live faithfully, trusting in God's promises, and eagerly anticipating the eternal life that awaits us in the loving presence of our Heavenly Father.

Prayer for Wednesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time

Heavenly Father, grant us the wisdom to understand your Word correctly and the humility to seek guidance from your Church, that we may grow in our knowledge of you. Strengthen our belief in the resurrection, O Lord, and fill us with hope, knowing that our lives are secure in your eternal love. Amen.

Word on Fire: Resurrection and Heavenly Bodiliness

In his reflection for Wednesday of the 9th week in ordinary time, Bishop Robert Barron discusses Jesus' response to the Sadducees' conundrum regarding resurrection. Jesus dismisses their question and emphasizes that in heaven, our bodiliness will be enhanced to such an extent that we will intimately and powerfully relate to others, experiencing a fullness of life as God is the God of the living, not the dead.

USCCB Reflection: A Path to God's Love and Guidance

This is a video reflection by the USCCB for Wednesday of the 9th week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1. The reflection emphasizes the importance of prayer in our daily lives, following the example of the psalmist, and how it fills us with God's love and guides us on the path of life.