Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – 1 Timothy 6:13-16: Beloved, I charge you before God and Christ to maintain the commandment untarnished. Await the return of Jesus, the eternal King of kings and Lord of lords, deserving of all honor.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 100: All lands, sing joyfully to the LORD and serve Him with gladness. Know He is God, who made us and tends us. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, for His kindness endures forever.
• Gospel – Luke 8:4-15: Jesus tells a parable about a sower’s seeds falling on various grounds. He later explains to his disciples that the seed represents the word of God and elaborates on how different people respond to it, some producing abundant fruit through perseverance.

But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.

Luke 8:15

Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourages us to reflect on God’s glory, steadfast faith, and the conditions needed for faith to grow. The readings from Timothy and Luke call us to stand firm in our beliefs, nurture our spiritual lives, and recognize God as the true King.

• God’s Eternal Glory: In 1 Timothy, we hear about God’s majesty and power over all. This reminds us to honor God’s greatness and recognize Him as the source of all life and authority.
• Faith and Perseverance: Paul urges Timothy to stay strong in his faith until the end. We are called to hold firmly to our beliefs, especially when challenged, trusting that God is with us.
• Hearing and Receiving: In the parable of the sower, Jesus speaks of those who truly listen and accept the Word. We are invited to be open to God’s teachings, letting them take root deeply within us.
• Guarding Against Distractions: Jesus describes the different ways that distractions can pull people away from the Word. This theme reminds us to be cautious of worldly concerns that can weaken our relationship with God.
• Bearing Good Fruit: Jesus’ parable shows that a healthy, receptive heart produces good fruit. When we nurture our faith and live according to God’s word, we grow spiritually and positively impact others.
• Recognizing God as King: Paul emphasizes that God alone is the ruler of all. This theme encourages us to submit to God’s authority and remember that His kingdom is everlasting.
• Cultivating a Good Heart: Jesus describes the “good soil” that allows faith to grow. We are called to cultivate hearts that are open, patient, and ready to act on God’s word.

These themes from Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us of the importance of strong faith, deep listening, and preparing our hearts to receive God’s Word. By reflecting on these messages, we grow closer to God and help bring His goodness into the world.

The readings for Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us of God’s greatness, the need to stay focused on His word, and the importance of nurturing a faithful heart. Through Paul’s words to Timothy and Jesus’ parable of the sower, we are invited to reflect on God’s majesty and our role in making room for His teachings. These reflections offer guidance on keeping faith strong amidst distractions and living in a way that honors God.

Honoring God’s Majesty and Power

In the reading from 1 Timothy on Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Paul describes God’s majesty, highlighting His eternal power and authority over all. God’s greatness is a call to remember that everything we have—our life, our faith, and our blessings—comes from Him. Recognizing God’s majesty encourages us to approach Him with respect, humility, and gratitude.

Honoring God’s power means making room for His guidance in our daily lives. When we pause to reflect on His majesty, it becomes easier to trust Him, even in difficult moments. Knowing that God is over all creation helps us remember that His plan for us is rooted in love and wisdom. This trust grows as we acknowledge Him as our ultimate source of strength and support.

On Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are reminded that honoring God isn’t just about words or feelings. It means choosing to follow His ways, making decisions that reflect His love, and living in a way that points others to Him. By recognizing God’s authority over all things, we deepen our faith and live in a way that honors His greatness.

Avoiding Distractions from the Word

In the Gospel for Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus describes how the worries and distractions of life can choke out faith, like weeds crowding a plant. These distractions can pull us away from God, taking our focus off His word and filling our hearts with worries or desires that don’t bring peace. Jesus uses this example to show how important it is to stay focused on what matters most—our relationship with God.

Every day, we face distractions from God’s word: worries about work, plans for the future, and the constant pull of material things. Jesus invites us to step back from these distractions and take a clear look at where our attention is going. If we allow these concerns to fill our hearts, it becomes harder to feel God’s presence and harder to live with faith.

Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us to be cautious and guard our hearts against anything that pulls us away from God. We are called to make time for prayer, listen to God’s word, and focus on what brings us closer to Him. By letting go of unneeded worries and staying open to His voice, we can keep our faith strong and our relationship with God steady.

Nurturing a Heart Ready to Receive

Both readings for Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 emphasize the need for a heart that is ready and open to God’s word. In the Gospel, Jesus describes how a good and fertile heart allows faith to grow and bear fruit, while in Timothy, Paul calls us to live in a way that honors God. Together, these readings encourage us to be like “good soil,” making room for faith to take root in our lives.

Preparing a heart ready to receive God’s word involves patience, prayer, and a willingness to let God shape us. Just as soil needs preparation to grow crops, our hearts need nurturing to grow in faith. This can mean spending time in prayer, reflecting on God’s teachings, or even letting go of distractions and fears that keep us from trusting Him fully.

On Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are invited to consider how we can better prepare our hearts to receive God’s word each day. By choosing to be open, patient, and willing to grow, we allow faith to thrive within us. As our faith deepens, we are more able to share God’s love with others and live in a way that reflects His goodness.

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Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 calls us to recognize God’s power, avoid distractions, and prepare our hearts to receive His word. By staying rooted in faith and keeping our lives open to His guidance, we grow closer to Him and reflect His love to others. May we carry these lessons into our daily lives, seeking to honor God in all we do.

Prayer

Lord, help us to honor Your greatness and live with a faith that is open and strong. Guide us to avoid distractions that pull us away from You. Prepare our hearts to receive Your word and help us to bear fruit that brings others closer to You. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I honor God’s greatness more fully in my daily life?
• What distractions might be keeping me from focusing on God’s word?
• How can I prepare my heart to be more receptive to God’s teachings?
• What small steps can I take to keep my faith strong and growing?

Order of Preachers: Are We Listening?

In a reflection from The Order of Preachers for Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Sr. Ruth Anne Henderson shares insights on the parable of the sower from the Gospel of Luke. She emphasizes the difference between hearing and truly listening. Many hear Jesus’ words, but few actively listen and reflect, leading to a fruitful life. Sr. Ruth Anne reminds us that to bear fruit, we must listen with patience and endurance, committing ourselves to understanding and living out God’s word. True listening requires effort and reflection, not just passive hearing.

What date is Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Saturday September 20, 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 Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Saturday September 20, 2025 are:
First Reading – 1 Timothy 6:13-16: Solemn Charge
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 100: Joyful Worship
Gospel – Luke 8:4-15: Parable of Sower

What does it mean to honor God’s glory in the first reading for Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

In 1 Timothy, we are called to recognize God’s majesty and authority over all creation. Respecting God as the source of life and our ultimate guide.

Why does Paul encourage Timothy to stay strong in his faith?

Paul encourages Timothy to persevere in faith, even through challenges. Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us to hold on to our beliefs and trust that God’s strength will support us.

Why is God referred to as King?

Paul describes God as the ruler over all to emphasize His eternal power and authority. The first reading invites us to submit to God’s authority and honor Him as the true King of our lives.

What is the meaning of the parable of the sower in the Gospel for Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The parable of the sower explains how different people receive God’s Word. It encourages us to be like the “good soil” that accepts and lives by God’s teachings.

How can distractions weaken our faith?

Jesus describes how distractions can choke or scatter the seeds of faith. We are reminded to stay focused on God, avoiding worries and temptations that can pull us away.

What does it mean to bear good fruit?

In the parable, Jesus speaks of good fruit as the result of a strong, growing faith. By living according to God’s Word, we can impact others positively.

How do we prepare our hearts to receive God’s Word?

To receive God’s Word, we need open hearts that are patient and ready to act. This means letting go of worries and welcoming God’s guidance fully.

How does the parable encourage us to grow in faith?

The parable of the sower shows how faith grows best in open and ready hearts. We need to nurture our faith and keep our hearts focused on God’s word.