Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Hebrews 10:32-39: Remember your early trials and how you stood strong, even joyfully accepting loss for a greater, lasting possession. Maintain your faith and perseverance to receive God’s promise.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 37: Trust in the Lord and do good; He secures and delights in your righteous path. Though you may stumble, He upholds you, offering refuge and salvation from adversity.
• Gospel – Mark 4:26-34: Jesus taught using parables about the Kingdom of God. He compared it to a seed growing mysteriously, producing crops without human understanding, and to a mustard seed, small when planted but growing into a large plant offering shelter. He used parables to teach, explaining them privately to his disciples.

Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 

Mark 4:28

On Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the readings focus on themes of faith, perseverance, and the growth of God’s kingdom. The first reading from Hebrews encourages believers to stay strong and hold onto faith, while the Gospel from Mark uses parables to describe how God’s kingdom grows quietly and steadily.

• Endurance in Faith: The first reading speaks of enduring hardships for the sake of faith. Believers are reminded to hold on through trials, trusting in God’s promises.
• Confidence in God’s Promises: Hebrews urges us to remain confident in God’s promise of eternal life. Trust in His faithfulness gives strength during difficult times.
• Patience in Waiting: The Gospel parables about seeds emphasize patience, as God’s kingdom grows slowly, often unseen. Just as seeds take time to sprout, God’s work unfolds in His time.
• Small Beginnings with Great Impact: Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a mustard seed, which starts small but grows large. This shows that even small acts of faith can have a big effect over time.
• God’s Kingdom is Hidden but Growing: The parable of the seed growing on its own highlights how God’s kingdom advances quietly. We may not always see the results, but we can trust that God is at work.
• Faith That Leads to Reward: The first reading speaks of staying faithful for the sake of a future reward. God calls believers to live with hope, trusting that faith will be rewarded in the end.

These themes from Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, encourage us to stay committed in faith, trust in God’s promises, and recognize that even small acts of faith contribute to God’s kingdom. They remind us that perseverance, patience, and trust allow us to grow closer to God and help His kingdom to grow.

On Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the readings guide us to reflect on themes of trust, patience, and the value of small acts of faith. The first reading from Hebrews reminds us of God’s promise of eternal life and encourages us to trust in His faithfulness, especially during hard times. The Gospel parables show us that God’s kingdom often grows quietly, in ways we may not immediately see. These reflections help us find strength in trusting God’s plan and encourage us to live out our faith in small, meaningful ways.

Confidence in God’s Promise

On Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the first reading from Hebrews encourages us to trust in God’s promise of eternal life. It reminds believers that even in hard times, confidence in God brings hope and strength. This confidence helps us remain steady, knowing that God is faithful to His word.

Trusting in God’s promises means we are not alone in our struggles. When we place our confidence in Him, we rely on His strength rather than our own. This trust allows us to face life’s difficulties with patience and peace, as we look forward to the fulfillment of God’s promise of eternal life.

Faith in God’s faithfulness gives meaning to our daily challenges. When we believe in His promises, we live with a deeper sense of hope, even when life feels uncertain. Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, encourages us to stay strong in faith, holding on to the hope that God’s promises will be fulfilled.

The Quiet Growth of God’s Kingdom

In the Gospel reading for Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, Jesus shares the parable of the seed growing on its own. This parable shows us that God’s kingdom grows quietly and steadily, often without our awareness. The farmer plants the seed, and it grows by itself over time, reminding us that God’s work often takes place in unseen ways.

This parable teaches us that we do not always need to see immediate results to know that God is at work. Just as the seed grows underground before sprouting, God’s kingdom advances in quiet and hidden ways. We are encouraged to trust that God is building His kingdom, even when we do not see the full picture.

Living in faith means trusting that God’s plans are unfolding, even when we cannot measure the results. Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, calls us to be patient, knowing that God’s work is taking place in ways beyond our understanding. Our role is to stay faithful and let God handle the growth, trusting that His kingdom is advancing.

Small Acts with Great Purpose

Both the reading from Hebrews and the Gospel parables on Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, show us the value of small acts of faith. The mustard seed in Jesus’s parable is tiny, yet it grows into something much larger. This is a reminder that even small steps in faith can have lasting impact when we trust in God’s power.

God does not need grand gestures to accomplish His plans; He values the small acts of kindness, love, and service that we offer. Every small effort to live our faith contributes to God’s kingdom, like planting seeds that He will grow over time. This teaches us that each act of love, no matter how small, can be part of something much greater.

By focusing on small acts of faith, we remain humble and steady. We trust that God will use our efforts to bring about His purposes. Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, encourages us to live faithfully in small ways, confident that God sees and values every act done in His name.

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Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, invites us to deepen our confidence in God’s promises, to recognize the quiet growth of His kingdom, and to trust that even our small acts of faith can make a difference. By living with patience and trust, we allow God to work through us, helping His kingdom grow.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the promise of eternal life and Your steady presence. Help us to trust in Your work, even when we cannot see it. Guide us to live out our faith in small ways, knowing that You will use them for Your kingdom. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I strengthen my confidence in God’s promises?
• In what areas of my life do I need to be more patient and trust God’s timing?
• How does the parable of the mustard seed remind me of the importance of small acts of faith?
• What small ways can I share my faith and trust that God will use them for good?

Word on Fire: God’s Work in Small and Gradual Ways

In Bishop Robert Barron’s reflection for Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the parable of the mustard seed is explored. The reflection highlights how God tends to work in small and gradual ways, often operating quietly and subtly, away from the spotlight. It references C.S. Lewis, emphasizing that God entered history in a humble manner and established European Christianity through a handful of believers.

The reflection encourages us not to fear small actions prompted by God, as even the tiniest step can have a profound impact when guided by faith. It urges us to sow the seed and trust in God’s mercy and providence, regardless of the attention we receive.

USCCB Reflection: Finding God’s Wisdom in Everyday Seeds

This USCCB video reflection for Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 celebrates the everyday miracle of seed planting. It likens this process to the Kingdom of God, emphasizing practical images from the Gospel. From paper cups on windowsills to vast fields, the growth of seeds reflects God’s love unfolding.

The reflection underlines faith, trust in God’s nurturing, and the timing of harvest, paralleling the farmer’s journey. Even small efforts can yield abundance in God’s Kingdom. It encourages us to let the seeds God has planted in us bear a rich harvest in His time.

What date is Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Friday January 31, 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 Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Friday January 31, 2025 are:
First Reading  – Hebrews 10:32-39: Faith and Perseverance
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 37: Trust and Salvation in the Lord
Gospel – Mark 4:26-34: Mysterious Kingdom Growth

What does it mean to endure in faith?

Enduring in faith means staying committed to God even when life is hard. It involves trusting in God’s promises, especially when we face challenges or hardships.

Why is confidence in God important in the first reading?

Confidence in God’s promises gives strength and hope. It helps believers stay steady, knowing that God will fulfill His promises.

Why does the reading talk about a future reward for faith?

The future reward gives believers hope and strength to stay faithful. It reminds us that living in faith will lead to eternal life and blessings in God’s kingdom.

What do the parables of the seeds teach us?

The parables of the seeds teach us that God’s kingdom grows slowly and often unseen. Just as seeds take time to grow, God’s work in our lives and in the world unfolds over time.

Why does Jesus compare the kingdom of God to a mustard seed?

Jesus uses the mustard seed to show that small beginnings can lead to great things. Even small acts of faith can have a big impact and help God’s kingdom grow.

What can we learn from the hidden growth of the seed?

The hidden growth of the seed reminds us that God is always working, even when we do not see the results. We can trust that God is at work, building His kingdom in ways we may not understand.

How can I apply the theme of patience from the Gospel?

The theme of patience teaches us to trust in God’s timing. Just as seeds take time to grow, we should be patient in our faith journey, knowing that God’s work will happen in His time.

How can small acts of faith make a difference?

Small acts of faith, like kindness and love, contribute to the growth of God’s kingdom. Each small effort helps spread God’s love and reflects His presence in the world.