Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time
Saturday August 9, 2025

Daily Mass Readings for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
- First Reading – Deuteronomy 6:4-13: Hear, O Israel, love the LORD with all your heart, soul, and strength. Teach these words to your children and remember the LORD’s gifts. Fear Him, serve Him, and never forget what He has done.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 18: O LORD, my strength, my rock, my fortress, you are my deliverer. I praise you and am safe from my enemies. May you be blessed, for you’ve shown kindness to David forever.
- Gospel – Matthew 17:14-20: A man sought Jesus to heal his possessed son, but the disciples failed to cure him. Jesus rebuked the demon and cured the boy, explaining that faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can make anything possible.
Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
Matthew 17:20
Themes for the Readings for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 calls us to reflect on God’s love and the strength of faith. The readings from Deuteronomy and Matthew remind us to trust God fully and to live in obedience and faith.
- Loving God Above All: We are called to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. This command from Deuteronomy reminds us that love for God should guide every part of our lives.
- Trusting in God’s Power: Jesus teaches that faith can move mountains. This is a reminder that nothing is impossible with faith in God’s power.
- Guarding Against Forgetfulness: Deuteronomy warns not to forget the Lord who rescued His people. We are urged to remember God’s works and not let daily life distract us from Him.
- Living in Obedience: God calls His people to live in obedience to His commands. Obedience brings us closer to God and strengthens our relationship with Him.
- Importance of Prayer and Faith: In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus highlights faith and prayer as essential to overcoming challenges. This encourages us to grow in prayer and deepen our trust in God’s help.
- Strength Through Faith: Jesus shows that even a small amount of faith has great power. This inspires us to have confidence, even when our faith feels small.
These readings for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us to love, trust, and obey God. By doing so, we open our hearts to God’s strength and live in peace.
Reflection for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
The readings for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 invite us to deepen our love and trust in God. Deuteronomy calls us to love God fully, while Jesus reminds us that faith, even small, can do amazing things. These reflections help us explore what it means to love God, trust His strength, and remember His constant presence in our lives.
Loving God with All Our Heart, Soul, and Strength
In the reading from Deuteronomy for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are told to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. This command reminds us that our love for God should come before everything else. Loving God in this way means giving Him our full attention and allowing Him to guide every part of our lives.
To love God with all our heart, soul, and strength means more than feelings or words. It is a call to live each day with God as our priority. This love is shown through our choices, how we treat others, and the time we give to prayer. When we love God fully, it changes our actions, guiding us to choose what pleases Him in all things.
This teaching from Deuteronomy calls us to look honestly at our own lives. Are we really giving God first place? Are we letting Him guide our thoughts, words, and actions? By loving God fully, we live with peace and purpose, knowing that our lives are built on a strong foundation of faith and trust in Him.
Faith that Can Move Mountains
In the Gospel reading for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus tells His disciples that faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can move mountains. He is showing us that with faith in God’s power, nothing is impossible. Jesus teaches that true faith is not based on how big or small it is but on our confidence in God’s strength to help us.
This lesson encourages us to bring all our challenges to God with trust. Sometimes, we may feel like our faith is small or weak. Jesus reminds us here that even a little faith is enough when we believe in God’s power. When we face things that seem impossible, we can hold onto this teaching, knowing that God is with us and that faith can bring His help into every part of our lives.
Faith calls us to rely on God’s strength rather than our own. By trusting in Him, we open our lives to His help and wisdom. This teaching encourages us to turn to God in all things, even when our faith feels small. Through faith, we can face our challenges with hope, knowing that God’s power is greater than any difficulty.
Remembering God’s Presence and Power
Both Deuteronomy and the Gospel readings for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 call us to remember God’s presence and power in our lives. In Deuteronomy, God’s people are warned not to forget the Lord and all He has done. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches about faith and the power that comes with remembering God’s strength. Together, these readings encourage us to keep God at the center and trust in His help.
Forgetting God can happen when we focus too much on our own lives and worries. These readings remind us to stay connected to Him, knowing that He is with us and is our source of strength. Remembering God’s love and help gives us peace and confidence, especially when life feels difficult or uncertain. By remembering Him each day, we open our hearts to His guidance.
Remembering God keeps us focused on what truly matters. By keeping our faith alive, we are reminded that God can help us overcome anything. When we remember God’s presence, we find peace and strength to live each day, trusting that He is with us and will never leave us alone.
As we reflect on the readings for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are reminded to place God at the center of our lives. With love and faith, we can face any challenge and live each day with purpose, trusting that God is always with us, guiding us in all things.
Prayer
Lord, help me to love You with all my heart, soul, and strength. Strengthen my faith, even when it feels small, and guide me to remember Your presence in my life each day. May I trust in Your strength and walk in Your love always. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for me to love God with my whole heart, soul, and strength?
- How can I strengthen my faith and trust in God’s power in my daily life?
- In what ways do I tend to forget God’s presence and help in my life?
- How can I show my love and trust for God in my choices and actions?
Homilies and Commentaries for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Faith’s Role in Healing
In this USCCB video reflection for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus encounters a distressed father seeking healing for his son. The father’s plea highlights faith’s significance, as he shares how the disciples couldn’t heal the boy. Jesus admonishes their lack of faith, then heals the boy before his grateful father and astonished disciples.
This narrative prompts reflection on discipleship and living with faith. Jesus offers a relationship rooted in trust in God’s love and power. The Catechism reveals faith as a divine gift, fostering our Christian journey through openness to grace. This faith empowers us to embrace life’s spiritual and human adventures, responding to God’s love with a heart full of trust.
Questions and Answers for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
What date is Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
The next date is Saturday August 9, 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 Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.
What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
The Mass readings for Saturday August 9, 2025 are:
First Reading – Deuteronomy 6:4-13: Love and Obedience
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 18: Love for the Lord
Gospel – Matthew 17:14-20: Faith Heals
Why does the first reading for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 ask us to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength?
This command is a reminder to keep God at the center of everything we do. It teaches us to place God above all else, letting our love for Him shape our lives.
What does it mean to not forget the Lord in Deuteronomy?
Forgetting the Lord means living as though He is not part of our lives. Deuteronomy calls us to remember all God has done and to keep Him in mind each day.
How does the first reading teach us to be thankful?
Deuteronomy reminds us that God has given us everything. Being thankful means recognizing His gifts and remembering to honor Him in return.
How can we love God with our whole heart as Deuteronomy says?
We love God with our whole heart by making Him our first priority. This means giving time to prayer, serving others, and choosing God’s way each day.
What does Deuteronomy mean by obeying God’s commands?
Obeying God’s commands means living according to His teachings. This obedience brings us closer to God and strengthens our relationship with Him.
Why does Jesus say that faith can move mountains in the Gospel for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
Jesus teaches that even a small faith can lead to great things. This lesson calls us to trust in God’s power, knowing that He can help us through any challenge.
How can we grow in faith as Jesus talks about in the Gospel?
Faith grows through prayer and practice. By asking God for help and trusting Him more, we can strengthen our faith each day.
What is the connection between faith and action in these readings for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
These readings show that true faith involves both belief and action. We live out our faith by trusting God, following His commands, and letting His love guide us.
Why does Jesus focus on prayer and faith in facing challenges?
Jesus teaches that prayer and faith are essential for overcoming life’s struggles. This reminds us to turn to God in difficult times, believing that He can help us.
How can these readings for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 help us trust God more?
These readings remind us that God is always with us and that faith can overcome anything. By remembering His power and love, we can feel stronger and trust Him more.
Trusting in God’s Strength and Love
Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us to love God fully and to trust in His power. In the first reading, God commands His people to love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength. This love is not just about words but about making God the center of our lives. It is shown through our actions, prayers, and the way we treat others.
The Gospel highlights the power of faith. Jesus tells His disciples that even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. This means that no challenge is too big when we trust in God. When we rely on Him, we find strength to face difficulties and peace in uncertain times.
Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 also calls us to remember God’s presence. The readings remind us not to forget what God has done for us. Remembering His blessings helps us stay close to Him and strengthens our faith. Trusting in God’s love and power brings hope and peace into our lives.
Your Turn
Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 invites us to think about our love and trust in God. Are we putting Him first in our lives? Do we trust that even small faith can bring great change?
Share your thoughts in the comments. Let’s encourage one another to love God fully, trust in His strength, and grow in faith each day.
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