Daily Mass Readings for Wednesday of the 26th 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. When this falls on October 2, the gospel for the Memorial of the Guardian Angels is used.
- First Reading (Cycle 1) - Nehemiah 2:1-8: While serving wine to King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah appeared sad because Jerusalem was in ruins. After explaining, he requested permission to rebuild it. The king granted Nehemiah's wishes, recognizing God's favor on him.
- First Reading (Cycle 2) - Job 9:1-12, 14-16: Job acknowledges God's unparalleled power and wisdom, admitting that challenging Him is futile. He lists God's incredible acts like moving mountains and controlling celestial bodies. Doubting a direct interaction, Job feels small and insignificant.
- Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 137: In Babylonian exile, the Israelites mourned, longing for Zion. Their captors mockingly asked for songs of their homeland. The psalmist vows never to forget Jerusalem, preferring silence over forgetting.
- Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 88: The psalmist questions if God performs miracles for the dead and if they praise Him. He feels forsaken, seeking God's attention and questioning His apparent distance.
- Gospel - Luke 9:57-62: Jesus emphasizes the commitment required to follow Him. While many express willingness, He points out that true discipleship might mean forgoing comforts, delaying personal duties, and having undivided attention to God's mission.
Themes for the Daily Mass Readings for Wednesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time
- Cost of Discipleship: Those who express a desire to follow Jesus are informed about the challenges they might face. This theme highlights the sacrifices and difficulties associated with true discipleship.
- Unwavering Commitment: Jesus speaks of the need for unwavering commitment, likening it to a plowman who shouldn’t look back. This emphasizes the forward focus required in spiritual dedication.
- Priority of Spiritual Duty: Jesus emphasizes that proclaiming the Kingdom of God should come before other duties, even those that seem obligatory like burying the dead. This stresses the preeminence of spiritual obligations.
- Immediate Response: When called, there's an urgency in the required response. This theme suggests that following Jesus requires immediate action and prioritization.
No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.
Luke 9:62
Reflection for Wednesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time
In the gospel for Wednesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Luke 9:57-62, several individuals express their desire to follow Jesus, but they present conditions or voice concerns. Jesus offers pointed responses to each. This exchange provides insights on the demands and challenges of discipleship relevant for contemporary Catholics.
First, when one person states his intention to follow Jesus "wherever you go," Jesus replies about having no place to lay his head. This highlights the sacrifices and unpredictability that can come with true discipleship. For today's Catholics, it's a reminder that a committed religious life might not always be comfortable or convenient.
Second, when another person asks to first go and bury his father, Jesus responds with "Let the dead bury their own dead." While seemingly harsh, the message is about prioritizing the spiritual over the conventional obligations. It prompts modern Catholics to consider what they might be placing ahead of their spiritual commitments and to reevaluate those priorities.
Third, the individual who wants to first say goodbye to his family is told, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." This speaks to commitment and forward focus. For Catholics, it underlines the importance of being steadfast in faith without being tethered to past hesitations or regrets.
Throughout these interactions, the central theme is the total commitment Jesus demands from his followers. It's not a part-time endeavor, and there might be times when personal, societal, or familial obligations clash with spiritual ones.
Luke 9:57-62 challenges us to recognize and embrace the sacrifices of discipleship, to prioritize spiritual commitments, and to maintain a forward-focused, unwavering commitment to their faith journey.
Prayer for Wednesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time
Holy Spirit, strengthen our resolve to follow the path of discipleship, even when faced with challenges or distractions. Help us to keep our focus on the call of Christ, moving forward without hesitation or regret. Amen.
Homilies and Reflections
Word on Fire: Priority of Following Jesus
In this reflection for Wednesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Robert Barron discusses the challenge of truly following Jesus as presented in today's Gospel. When Jesus tells a man to "Follow me," the man requests to first bury his father. Jesus' unexpected response, suggesting the man prioritize following Him over even this profound familial duty, is jarring. Bishop Barron emphasizes that Jesus isn't dismissing the importance of family obligations but rather highlighting that dedication to Him must be paramount. The central theme is the totality of commitment Jesus requires from His disciples, even when faced with other significant responsibilities.
USCCB Reflection: Embracing the Gift of Prayer
This USCCB video reflection for Wednesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time explains that prayer, as highlighted in the catechism, is a gift of God's grace and a conversation between us and God. Instead of seeing it as an obligation or a set ritual, it should be recognized as a way to grow in knowledge and love of God. Common misconceptions about prayer are addressed, emphasizing that it's not just about concentrating the mind or mere words. Prayer is an intimate movement by the Holy Spirit that reminds us of God's love and presence in our daily lives.
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