Daily Mass Readings for Saturday of the 18th 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) - 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.
- First Reading (Cycle 2) - Habakkuk 1:12—2:4: O LORD, I question your silence toward the wicked and the faithless, while awaiting your response at my guard post. You answered, promising judgment and that the just shall live by faith.
- Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - 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.
- Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 9: The LORD judges with justice and governs with fairness, being a stronghold in times of distress. He does not forget those who seek him, and he remembers the cry of the poor.
- 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.
Themes for the Daily Mass Readings for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time
- Faith's Influence: The gospel demonstrates the significance of faith in achieving miraculous outcomes. The disciples' lack of faith is highlighted as an obstacle to healing.
- Divine Authority: Jesus' authority to cast out demons is showcased, emphasizing His power over spiritual forces of evil and His role as the Son of God.
- Persistence in Prayer: The theme of persistent prayer emerges as Jesus mentions the disciples' need for both faith and prayer to address challenging situations.
- Small Beginnings: The imagery of a mustard seed is used to emphasize how even a small amount of faith can lead to remarkable growth and transformative outcomes.
- Miracles as Signs: The passage illustrates miracles as signs that point to Jesus' identity and the divine reality, reinforcing the disciples' understanding of His nature.
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
Thoughts for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time
The gospel for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time highlights a remarkable episode where Jesus heals a boy possessed by a demon. The disciples had tried to heal the boy but were unable to do so. When the boy's father brings him to Jesus, the father expresses his faith but also acknowledges his doubts. Jesus' response, "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," is a powerful reminder of the potency of even the smallest amount of faith.
In a practical sense, this passage encourages us to nurture our faith, no matter how modest it may seem. Just like skills are honed through practice, our faith grows through consistent engagement with God's Word and prayer. This story underlines the effectiveness of unwavering faith in overcoming challenges. Instead of focusing on the enormity of the obstacles, the passage prompts us to focus on the boundless power of God that operates through our faith.
Furthermore, it's a reminder that faith isn't about mere words or external displays. The disciples' inability to heal the boy stems from their lack of faith, not their inability to perform miracles. Similarly, we're urged to cultivate a sincere and genuine faith that's rooted in a personal relationship with Christ.
Matthew 17:14-20 ultimately encourages us to believe that God can work wonders even when circumstances seem dire. This message offers an example of how faith can impact every aspect of our lives, from parenting to guiding the next generation. It emphasizes that even the smallest steps of faith can lead to significant transformations.
Prayer for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time
Dear Jesus, healer of all afflictions, grant us the faith to overcome life's challenges, no matter how daunting they may seem. Just as you moved mountains with a mustard seed of faith, empower us to trust in your divine grace and experience your love. Amen.
Homilies and Reflections for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time
Word On Fire: Embracing Unseen Faith
Bishop Robert Barron discusses faith's role in the Gospel for Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time. Our primary orientation, rooted in faith rather than reason, allows us to appreciate God's movement within conventional events. Trusting amidst uncertainty, we recognize God's continuous action, even from small beginnings, and Jesus' encouragement to have faith, however small, echoes the potential of the unseen.
USCCB Reflection: Faith's Role in Healing
In this USCCB video reflection, 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.
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