Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30: Solomon, before the LORD’s altar, acknowledges God’s uniqueness and mercy, questioning if God can dwell on earth. He pleads for God to hear prayers made at the temple, forgive, and maintain His covenant with the faithful.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 84: My soul yearns for the Lord’s courts, where even sparrows find a home. Blessed are those in His presence, preferring a day there over thousands elsewhere.
• Gospel – Mark 7:1-13: Jesus was confronted by Pharisees and scribes about his disciples eating without following traditional handwashing rituals. He accused them of hypocrisy, quoting Isaiah: outwardly honoring God while their hearts were distant. Jesus criticized them for valuing human traditions over God’s commandments, exemplified by their practice of declaring possessions as qorban to avoid supporting their parents, thereby nullifying God’s word in favor of tradition.

Lectionary Reference: 330

Upcoming dates: February 10, 2026, February 8, 2028, February 12, 2030, February 10, 2032

You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. 

Mark 7:13

The readings for Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reflect God’s presence and our response to His commandments. The themes encourage faithfulness, reverence, and a deeper understanding of true worship.

• God’s Presence Among Us: Solomon acknowledges that God is beyond the temple yet still listens to His people. This shows that God is near to those who call on Him in humility.
• Reverence in Worship: The Gospel warns against empty rituals and emphasizes honoring God with sincere hearts. Worship is meant to draw us closer to God, not to impress others.
• Obedience to God’s Commands: Jesus criticizes putting human traditions above God’s law. True obedience seeks to follow God’s will, not human approval.
• Prayer as Relationship: Solomon’s prayer shows trust in God’s care for His people. Prayer is a way to connect with God and ask for His guidance.
• The Danger of Hypocrisy: Jesus warns against saying one thing and doing another. Actions must match words to reflect genuine faith.
• God’s Unchanging Faithfulness: Solomon praises God for keeping His promises. This reminds us that God is always faithful, even when we fail.

The readings challenge us to examine how we live out our faith. They invite us to worship God with sincerity and to trust in His faithfulness.

The readings for Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 invite us to reflect on the nearness of God, the sincerity of our worship, and the importance of obedience. They remind us that faith is about our relationship with God and living in a way that honors Him. These reflections help us consider how we respond to God’s presence and His teachings in our daily lives.

God Is Near to His People

In the first reading for Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Solomon prays during the dedication of the temple. He acknowledges that God is far greater than any temple or creation but still listens to the prayers of His people. Solomon’s words remind us that God’s greatness does not separate Him from us. He is near to those who call on Him with faith and humility.

This theme is a comforting truth for us. Even though we cannot fully understand God, we know He hears us. Solomon trusted that God would listen to the prayers offered in the temple, and we can trust God to listen to us today, no matter where we are.

When we pray, we are reminded of how much we need God. It is an act of humility to turn to Him and ask for help. Like Solomon, we can acknowledge our dependence on God and trust that He will answer in His time and way.

Worship from the Heart

The Gospel for Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 shows Jesus challenging the Pharisees. They focused on rituals and traditions while neglecting the deeper purpose of worship. Jesus taught that honoring God must come from the heart. Worship is not about following rules to look good; it is about loving God sincerely.

This message reminds us to examine how we approach worship. Do we go through the motions without thinking, or do we give God our full attention? True worship helps us grow closer to God. It is not about impressing others but about giving Him the love and respect He deserves.

When we worship with sincere hearts, we allow God to work in our lives. Jesus’ teaching invites us to look beyond appearances and focus on what really matters: a deep, honest relationship with God.

Obedience and Faithfulness

Both the first reading and the Gospel for Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 highlight the importance of obedience. Solomon praises God for His faithfulness and calls on the people to stay faithful in return. In the Gospel, Jesus warns against following human traditions instead of God’s commandments. These readings remind us that obedience is about doing God’s will, not just following human expectations.

Faithful obedience is an act of trust in God. It shows that we believe His ways are good and that we want to follow Him. Solomon trusted God to fulfill His promises, and Jesus called people to focus on what God commands, not on what people might think.

We can reflect on how we obey God in our daily lives. Are we faithful in following His teachings, even when it is hard? These readings encourage us to stay close to God by trusting His word and living it out with integrity.

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The themes in these reflections encourage us to deepen our faith and live with greater humility and sincerity. As we pray and reflect, may we grow closer to God and follow His ways with trust and love.

Prayer

Lord, You are near to those who call on You. Help us to worship You with sincere hearts and to follow Your commands with love and trust. Teach us to stay faithful to You in all that we do. Guide us as we grow in our relationship with You. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How do you acknowledge God’s presence in your daily life?
• Is your worship focused on loving God or impressing others?
• Are there human traditions or habits that distract you from following God’s commands?
• How can you grow in obedience to God this week?

Word on Fire: Beyond Ego

Bishop Robert Barron, in his reflection on Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, emphasizes the disparity between the Pharisees’ actions and the essence of love. He critiques their hypocrisy, shown in their neglect of parental honor under the guise of religious devotion. Barron highlights that authentic love transcends self-centered desires, focusing instead on the genuine good of others. This love is an act of will, aiming for the betterment of others rather than self. This reflection calls us to move beyond our ego, embracing a love that genuinely seeks and acts for the good of others.

What date is Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Tuesday February 10, 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 Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Tuesday February 10, 2026 are:
First Reading  – 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30: Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 84: Longing for God’s Presence
Gospel – Mark 7:1-13: Jesus Rebukes Empty Rituals

What does Solomon’s prayer teach us about God in the first reading for Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Solomon’s prayer shows that God is beyond anything we can build or imagine, yet He hears us when we pray. It reminds us to approach God with respect and trust in His care for us.

Why is prayer important, as seen in Solomon’s prayer?

Prayer is important because it helps us talk to God and seek His help and guidance. Solomon’s prayer shows us to trust that God listens and cares for us.

How does Solomon’s prayer show God’s faithfulness?

Solomon praises God for keeping His promises to His people. This reminds us that God always stays true to His word, even when we fall short.

Why did Jesus criticize the Pharisees in the Gospel for Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Jesus criticized the Pharisees for following human traditions while ignoring God’s commandments. This teaches us to focus on what God asks of us, not on outward appearances or rules made by people.

What does it mean to honor God with our hearts?

To honor God with our hearts means to worship Him sincerely, not just with words or actions that lack meaning. It calls us to love Him deeply and to let that love guide our lives.

How can we avoid hypocrisy like Jesus warned about?

We can avoid hypocrisy by making sure our actions match our beliefs. This means living out our faith honestly and not pretending to be better than we are.

What can we learn about traditions from the Gospel for Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Gospel teaches that traditions should never replace God’s commandments. Traditions are helpful when they lead us closer to God, but they should never become more important than His teachings.

What does the Gospel teach about human traditions?

The Gospel shows that human traditions can become a distraction if they take priority over God’s law. It encourages us to always place God first in our choices and actions.

How can we apply these readings for Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 to our daily lives?

We can focus on worshiping God with sincerity, following His commandments, and avoiding empty actions. These readings encourage us to live with honesty and trust in God’s faithfulness.

Why is it important to examine our worship?

It is important to examine our worship to make sure it is sincere and focused on God. This helps us grow in faith and love for Him.