Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8: Enjoy your youth but know that you’ll face God’s judgment. Remember your Creator before old age sets in and life’s pleasures fade. Ultimately, everything is vanity.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 90: God’s perception of time differs from ours, making Him a timeless refuge. He controls life and death, urging us to gain wisdom by acknowledging our mortality. He’s asked to bless our endeavors.
• Gospel – Luke 9:43b-45: Jesus tells his disciples he will be handed over to men, but they don’t grasp the message. The meaning is intentionally hidden from them, and they’re too fearful to ask for clarification.

Lectionary Reference: 454

Upcoming dates: September 26, 2026, September 30, 2028, September 28, 2030, September 25, 2032

On Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, the readings offer important lessons about life, time, and understanding. The first reading from Ecclesiastes reflects on youth, aging, and the meaning of life. The Gospel of Luke shows Jesus warning His disciples about His upcoming suffering and death.

• Value of Youth: The reading from Ecclesiastes encourages young people to enjoy their youth, but reminds them to be aware that God will judge their actions. This teaches that while life has joys, we must live with responsibility.
• Inevitability of Aging: Ecclesiastes also speaks about the reality of growing older. It points out that everything in life is temporary and that people should remember God before old age comes.
• The Shortness of Life: Both readings highlight how quickly life passes. Ecclesiastes emphasizes that time is fleeting, and Jesus in the Gospel reminds His disciples of the coming events in His life.
• Understanding God’s Plan: In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples that He will suffer, but they do not understand. This shows that even though we may not always understand God’s plan, it is still unfolding.
• Importance of Remembering God: The reading from Ecclesiastes urges people to remember God before the difficulties of life overwhelm them. It stresses the need to focus on God throughout all stages of life.
• Jesus’ Prediction of His Suffering: Jesus predicts His suffering, and His disciples are confused. This reveals that sometimes we struggle to grasp difficult truths, but they are part of God’s will.

The readings from this day remind us of the importance of living with awareness of both the joys and limits of life. They also call us to trust in God’s plan, even when we do not fully understand it.

On Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings from Ecclesiastes and the Gospel of Luke offer important lessons about time, trust, and keeping God at the center of our lives. Ecclesiastes reflects on the fleeting nature of youth and life itself, while the Gospel shows Jesus preparing His disciples for what they do not yet understand. These reflections invite us to think about how we live each day with God’s presence and plan in mind.

Remembering God in Every Stage of Life

The reading from Ecclesiastes on Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 urges us to remember God before life’s difficulties become overwhelming. It paints a picture of how aging brings challenges that limit what we can do. By reminding us to focus on God in every stage of life, the reading shows that we should build a strong relationship with Him while we have the strength and ability to do so.

In our youth, it’s easy to get distracted by the excitement and activities of life. We can forget that time moves quickly, and one day our strength will fade. Ecclesiastes encourages us to make God our priority now, before the hardships of aging slow us down.

This call to remember God is not just about later in life. It is a reminder to focus on Him in all stages of life—whether we are young, middle-aged, or older. If we make God the center of our lives now, we will have a solid foundation when times of difficulty come.

Trusting God’s Plan, Even When We Don’t Understand

In the Gospel for Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Jesus tells His disciples that He will suffer, but they do not understand what He means. Jesus is preparing them for what is to come, but they cannot grasp the full meaning yet. This shows us that sometimes, God’s plan unfolds in ways that are hard for us to understand.

Like the disciples, we often face situations where we don’t see the full picture. We may wonder why things happen the way they do or question the challenges in our lives. But even when we don’t have the answers, God’s plan is still at work.

We can learn from the disciples’ experience. Even though they didn’t understand, they stayed close to Jesus and continued to follow Him. In the same way, we should trust God and keep our faith, knowing that His plan is unfolding, even when it is unclear to us.

Life Passes Quickly: Make It Count

Both the reading from Ecclesiastes and the Gospel for Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us that life passes quickly. Ecclesiastes points out that time moves fast, and the joys and strength of youth don’t last forever. Jesus, in the Gospel, talks about the events that are soon to happen in His life, showing that time is leading toward something important.

These readings help us realize that life is not as long as we often think it is. Each day is a gift, and we should make the most of the time we have. Living with a sense of urgency, not in a rushed way, but with purpose, can help us focus on what really matters.

If we live in a way that centers on God and follows His teachings, we will use our time wisely. We won’t waste our days on things that don’t last but will focus on what brings us closer to Him.

The readings for Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us that life is short, challenges will come, and God’s plan is always at work, even when we don’t fully understand it. By remembering God in all stages of life, trusting His plan, and making the most of our time, we can live with purpose and faith.

Prayer

Lord, help us to live each day with You at the center of our lives. Remind us to trust in Your plan, even when we do not understand it. Guide us to use our time wisely and focus on what truly matters. We place our lives in Your hands. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I remember God more in my daily life before difficulties arise?
• What steps can I take to trust God’s plan, especially when I don’t understand what is happening?
• How does the shortness of life affect the way I make decisions?
• What are some ways I can keep God at the center of every stage of my life?

The Challenge of Understanding Jesus

This USCCB video reflection for Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time explains that people are amazed by the miracles Jesus performs, but they often struggle to understand his words.

We need to not only admire the deeds but also to listen and act on Jesus’ teachings. God’s words strike to the heart and can be a guide for how to live today.

What date is Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Saturday September 26, 2026.

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 odd numbered years see Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Saturday September 26, 2026 are:
First Reading – Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8: Fleeting Youth and Judgment
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 90: God’s Time and Mercy
Gospel – Luke 9:43b-45: Jesus’ Mysterious Warning

What does Ecclesiastes say about youth in the first reading for Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The reading encourages young people to enjoy their youth but also reminds them that God will hold them accountable for their actions. This teaches us that even while we enjoy life, we must live responsibly and keep God in mind.

Why does Ecclesiastes talk about aging?

The reading describes how aging brings difficulties and challenges. It is a reminder to remember God while we are still able to, before old age limits our ability to act.

What does remembering God mean in the reading from Ecclesiastes?

It means that we should keep God in our hearts and minds throughout all stages of life, especially before life’s difficulties overwhelm us. This encourages us to build a strong relationship with God while we can.

Why did the disciples not understand Jesus in the Gospel for Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The disciples were confused because they did not fully grasp what Jesus meant when He spoke about His upcoming suffering. Sometimes, God’s plans are hard for us to understand, but we are still called to trust in Him.

How can we apply the readings for Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 to our lives?

These readings teach us to live wisely, be aware of the passing of time, and trust in God’s plan even when we do not understand it. They remind us to focus on God both in our youth and as we grow older.

How does Jesus’ prediction of His suffering relate to our live?

Jesus predicts His suffering, showing that difficult moments are part of God’s plan. We can apply this by trusting God in our own struggles, knowing that His will is being fulfilled even in hardship.

What is the message about the shortness of life?

Both readings remind us that life is short and time passes quickly. This calls us to live with purpose and keep God at the center of our lives.