Wednesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Genesis 21:5, 8-20a: Abraham, under Sarah’s insistence, sends Hagar and Ishmael away. When they’re in distress, God reassures Hagar and promises to make a great nation of Ishmael.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 34: God hears and saves the distressed poor. Those who respect and seek the Lord lack nothing, for God encamps around them, offering prosperity and life.
• Gospel – Matthew 8:28-34: Jesus arrives in the region of the Gadarenes, where two possessed men approach Him. The demons within them recognize Jesus as the Son of God and plead to be cast into a nearby herd of swine. Jesus grants their request, and the entire herd rushes down a steep hill into the sea and drowns. The people of the city, filled with fear, beg Jesus to leave their region.

What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?

Matthew 8:29

The readings for Wednesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 focus on trust in God and His faithfulness to His promises. Both the first reading and the Gospel illustrate God’s care, even in difficult situations, and His power over everything, even evil.

• God’s Care for the Vulnerable: God provides for Hagar and her son, Ishmael, even in the desert. This shows that God watches over those who are vulnerable or abandoned.
• Trust in God’s Promises: Abraham trusts that God will fulfill His promise to make Ishmael a great nation. This reminds us that even when things seem hopeless, God keeps His word.
• God’s Power Over Evil: Jesus drives demons from the possessed men, showing His power over evil. This reveals that God has authority over all things, including the forces of darkness.
• Compassionate Mercy: God hears Hagar’s cries for her son and provides water for them. God’s mercy reaches all who call out to Him in their distress.
• Testing and Faith: Abraham’s faith is tested when he sends Hagar and Ishmael away, but he trusts in God’s care. Faith sometimes requires sacrifice and courage.
• Rejection of God’s Works: The people of the town ask Jesus to leave after He drives out demons. Sometimes people resist God’s work out of fear or misunderstanding.
• Hope in Hard Times: Hagar finds hope when God reveals a way for her and her son to survive. Even in difficult times, God opens new paths.

The readings for Wednesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us that God is close, guiding and protecting us even in the darkest times. Through trust, prayer, and faith, we can see His presence and care.

The readings for Wednesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reveal God’s deep care for His people, His power over all forces, and the importance of our trust in His plan. Through the story of Hagar and Ishmael, we see God’s compassion for the vulnerable, while in the Gospel, Jesus’ authority over evil shows His power to protect. Each theme in these readings encourages us to rely on God and live with faith, even in the most uncertain moments.

God’s Care for the Vulnerable

In the first reading for Wednesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we see Hagar and her son, Ishmael, alone and struggling in the desert. Hagar has lost hope, yet God responds with compassion and provides for them in their time of need. God’s care in this moment shows us that He is especially close to those who feel abandoned or forgotten. He listens to Hagar’s distress and gives her the help she needs to continue.

This story reminds us that God does not turn away from those in difficult situations. He watches over those who are vulnerable and in need. For us, this means that when we face times of weakness or feel overlooked, we can trust that God is aware of our struggles and ready to support us. Even when things seem hopeless, God finds ways to reach us and offer the help we need.

Just as God provided for Hagar, He calls us to have the same care for others. We can look out for people who are struggling and offer them kindness and support. When we help others, we show them the love and compassion that God has shown to us.

God’s Authority Over Evil

In the Gospel reading for Wednesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus drives demons out of two possessed men. This event reveals God’s power over evil and everything that threatens us. Jesus approaches the men without fear, showing that nothing is too strong for Him. His authority over evil shows us that God can protect us from anything harmful and has control over all things.

Jesus’ power in this story can give us peace. Evil exists in the world, and we sometimes face things that make us afraid or that we do not fully understand. However, God’s authority reassures us that He is greater than all these things and that we are not alone in facing them. Jesus’ actions remind us that we can turn to God for protection, trusting that He has the strength to overcome any difficulty.

This story also calls us to rely on God’s strength instead of our own. When we try to handle challenges without God’s help, we may find ourselves overwhelmed. But when we place our confidence in God, we have a foundation that can never be shaken. Through prayer and trust, we invite God’s presence into our struggles and rely on Him to guide us.

The Call to Faith and Trust

The readings for Wednesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 invite us to deepen our faith and trust in God’s plan. Abraham shows his faith when he follows God’s direction regarding Hagar and Ishmael, even though it is a hard decision. He trusts that God will take care of them, despite the unknown. Abraham’s example encourages us to put our confidence in God, especially when we do not fully understand what is happening in our lives.

The Gospel story also calls us to faith. The townspeople witness Jesus’ power over evil but respond with fear, asking Him to leave. This reaction warns us of how fear can block our faith. Instead of being afraid, we are invited to open our hearts to God’s presence and to trust that He has authority over all things. Faith requires us to step forward with trust, even when we do not see the whole picture.

Both readings show us that faith means letting go of control and trusting in God’s guidance. When we put our faith in God, we allow Him to work in our lives and provide for us in ways that we might not expect. Whether we face uncertainty, fear, or hardship, we can rely on God, knowing He is always with us and will lead us through every situation.

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Reflecting on the readings for Wednesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we see God’s love, power, and trustworthiness at work in all situations. God calls us to trust Him, especially when life is difficult, and to rely on His strength rather than our own. May these reflections help us grow in faith and deepen our trust in God’s presence in our lives.

Prayer

Loving Father, thank You for caring for us in every need and for Your power over all that could harm us. Help us to trust You completely, even when things are hard to understand. Increase our faith, and let us rest in Your love and protection. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How does God’s care for Hagar and Ishmael encourage me to trust Him in my own difficulties?
• When I face things that make me afraid, how can I rely on God’s strength?
• How can I better respond to God’s power instead of letting fear or doubt take over?
• What is one way I can show care and kindness to someone who feels alone or abandoned?

USCCB Reflection: The Saints and the Cry of the Poor

This USCCB video reflection for Wednesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time emphasizes the role of saints as God’s masterpieces who radiate faith and love for Jesus Christ. The reflection highlights the importance of loving and serving the poorest of the poor, both materially and spiritually, as God listens to their cries and desires to bring them liberation and healing. The saints exemplify a deep love for Jesus by drawing close to the marginalized and outcasts, recognizing their worth in God’s eyes.

What date is Wednesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Wednesday July 2, 2025.

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. For even numbered years see Wednesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Wednesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Wednesday July 2, 2025 are:
First Reading – Genesis 21:5, 8-20a: Hagar, Ishmael, and God’s Promise
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 34: God’s Assurance to the Fearful and Poor
Gospel – Matthew 8:28-34: Jesus Heals Two Demon-Possessed Men

What does God’s response to Hagar show us in the first reading for Wednesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

God’s response to Hagar shows that He listens to those in need. When we are troubled or feel alone, we can trust that God hears us and will help us find a way forward.

Why is Abraham willing to send Hagar and Ishmael away?

Abraham trusts God even when he has to let go of Hagar and Ishmael. This teaches us to put our trust in God, especially when we face hard decisions.

How can we apply the story of Hagar and Ishmael to our own lives?

Hagar’s experience shows us that God cares for everyone, especially those who feel abandoned or lost. We can trust that, even in difficult times, God will guide us and provide what we need.

What message does God’s care for Ishmael send us?

God’s care for Ishmael shows that His love includes all people. It encourages us to treat everyone with respect, knowing that God loves each person.

How can we respond when we feel abandoned or lost?

Hagar’s story shows that God hears us, even in our lowest moments. When we feel alone, we can turn to God, knowing He cares deeply for us and will help us.

What does Jesus casting out demons teach us in the Gospel for Wednesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

When Jesus drives out the demons, it shows His authority over evil. This reminds us that God’s power is stronger than anything that could harm us.

Why do the townspeople ask Jesus to leave?

The townspeople are afraid after they see what Jesus has done. This shows us that people sometimes fear God’s power and may push away what they do not understand.

How can these readings help us handle fear?

The readings for Wednesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 show us that we can rely on God’s strength. Even when we feel afraid, God is with us and can handle any challenge.

What can we learn about faith from these readings?

Abraham and Hagar show us what it means to trust in God’s plan. Their faith reminds us that God is working for our good, even when we do not understand His ways.

What is one key message from the Gospel reading for Wednesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

A key message from the Gospel reading is that Jesus has power over all things, even forces of evil. This calls us to trust in Jesus and invite His help when we face struggles in life.