Monday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

Daily Mass Readings for Monday of the 12th 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) - Genesis 12:1-9: God instructs Abram to leave his homeland, promising him a great nation, blessings, and land for his descendants. Following God's command, Abram embarks on his journey.
• First Reading (Cycle 2) - 2 Kings 17:5-8, 13-15a, 18: Assyria besieges and captures Samaria, leading to the Israelites' deportation. This punishment is attributed to Israel's persistent sin and idolatry, despite prophetic warnings to uphold God's laws. Only Judah remains.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 33: The nation whose God is the LORD is blessed. God, from heaven, watches those who respect and hope in Him, offering them protection and sustenance. Their hope rests in His kindness.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 60: There is a plea to God, who seems to have abandoned and afflicted His people, to mend their land and aid them in battle, as human assistance is deemed worthless.
• Gospel - Matthew 7:1-5: Jesus advises his disciples not to judge others, as they will be judged by the same measure they use. He encourages them to first examine their own faults before pointing out the speck in their brother's eye, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and humility.

Themes for the Daily Mass Readings for Monday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

• Non-Judgment and Mercy: Jesus instructs His disciples not to judge others, emphasizing the importance of showing mercy and extending grace rather than condemning or criticizing.
• Hypocrisy and Self-Reflection: Jesus cautions against hypocrisy and highlights the need for self-reflection before pointing out the faults of others. He encourages His followers to examine their own lives and address their shortcomings first.
• The Standard of Judgment: Jesus reminds His disciples that the measure with which they judge others will be used to judge them, emphasizing the importance of fairness, empathy, and understanding in our interactions with others.
• Removing the Plank from One's Eye: Jesus uses a vivid metaphor to illustrate the importance of addressing our own faults before attempting to correct others, warning against a hypocritical attitude that focuses on the shortcomings of others while ignoring our own.
• Humility and Personal Growth: Jesus encourages His disciples to cultivate humility and engage in personal growth by acknowledging and addressing their own faults. This promotes a mindset of self-improvement and fosters healthy relationships with others.
• Restoring and Helping Others: The passage implies that once we have dealt with our own faults, we are better equipped to help others with their struggles. It underscores the importance of approaching others with love, understanding, and a desire to restore and support them.

Thoughts for Monday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

In the gospel for Monday of the 12th week in Ordinary Time, Jesus addresses the issue of judgment and the tendency to criticize or condemn others. He admonishes his followers not to be quick to judge, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of judgment. Jesus warns that the measure by which we judge others will be applied to us in return. He challenges his listeners to examine their own shortcomings before focusing on the faults of others.

Using a vivid illustration, Jesus compares a speck in someone else's eye to a log in one's own eye. He highlights the hypocrisy of attempting to remove a minor fault in another person while being blind to one's own glaring flaws. Jesus urges self-reflection and self-awareness, emphasizing the importance of addressing one's own shortcomings before attempting to help others.

This passage serves as a reminder of humility and self-examination. Jesus calls us to refrain from passing harsh judgments on others and instead focus on our own areas of growth. By recognizing and addressing our own faults, we develop a greater capacity for understanding, empathy, and genuine concern for others. Only then can we offer meaningful support and guidance, free from hypocrisy.

As we reflect on this passage, let us cultivate a spirit of humility and self-awareness. May we refrain from rushing to judgment and instead seek to understand and empathize with others. Let us prioritize self-reflection and the removal of our own shortcomings before attempting to help others. By doing so, we can foster a community of compassion, understanding, and growth.

Prayer for Monday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

Heavenly Father, grant us the wisdom to see the faults within ourselves before attempting to address those of others, so that we may truly embody the love and compassion taught by your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.