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.

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 touch on several interrelated themes that are central to understanding the texts and their implications for faith and practice:

1. God’s Transcendence and Immanence: In the first reading from 1 Kings, Solomon reflects on the nature of God as both transcendent and immanent. He acknowledges God’s greatness and questions whether God can truly dwell on earth, highlighting the tension between God’s infinite nature and His presence in the physical world.
2. The Power and Purpose of Prayer: Solomon’s prayer at the temple dedication emphasizes the importance of prayer as a means of communication with God. He implores God to listen to the prayers offered in the temple and to respond with forgiveness and faithfulness to His covenant.
3. Hypocrisy and Authenticity in Religious Practice: The Gospel of Mark deals with the issue of hypocrisy in religious life. Jesus criticizes the Pharisees and scribes for their focus on external rituals and traditions while neglecting the true essence of their relationship with God.
4. The Primacy of God’s Commandments Over Human Traditions: In His confrontation with the Pharisees and scribes, Jesus emphasizes the supremacy of God’s commandments over human traditions. He points out how their practices, such as declaring possessions as qorban, actually contradict and nullify God’s commandments.
5. The Heart’s Orientation Towards God: Jesus quotes Isaiah to highlight the discrepancy between outward expressions of piety and the true orientation of the heart. He challenges the listener to examine whether their external religious practices genuinely reflect a heart oriented towards God.
6. The Relationship Between Divine Law and Human Interpretation: The Gospel passage invites reflection on how human interpretation and tradition can sometimes overshadow or distort the original intent of divine law. This theme encourages a discerning approach to understanding and practicing one’s faith.

These themes collectively invite a deeper reflection on the nature of God, the authenticity of one’s religious practice, and the balance between divine commandments and human traditions in the life of faith. They are particularly pertinent for homilies, discussions, or reflections that aim to address the nature of true worship and the importance of aligning one’s heart and actions with God’s will.

As we delve into the readings for Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we find ourselves confronted with profound questions about the nature of our relationship with God and the authenticity of our religious practices. The Gospel, from Mark 7:1-13, particularly challenges us to examine the depth of our faith beyond mere external observance.

Jesus, in His encounter with the Pharisees and scribes, brings to light the tension between human traditions and God’s commandments. The Pharisees and scribes question Jesus about His disciples not following the traditional handwashing rituals. Jesus responds not by dismissing the ritual itself but by critiquing the Pharisees’ and scribes’ understanding and practice of faith. He accuses them of hypocrisy, quoting Isaiah: “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” Here, Jesus emphasizes that the essence of faith and worship lies in the heart’s orientation towards God, not merely in external actions.

This message in the Gospel resonates with the first reading from 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30, where Solomon, standing before the newly built temple, acknowledges the transcendence of God. Solomon understands that no temple can contain the entirety of God’s presence, yet he pleads for God to hear the prayers made in that sacred space. This juxtaposition of God’s immensity and His intimate involvement in our lives poses a striking parallel to Jesus’ teaching in the Gospel. It suggests that while God is beyond our full understanding and containment, He desires a close, personal relationship with each of us, one that is authentic and heart-driven.

In our contemporary context, these readings challenge us to reflect on our own religious practices. Are we, like the Pharisees, more focused on external rituals and traditions, sometimes at the expense of the true spirit of God’s commandments? Do our religious activities reflect a genuine relationship with God, or are they mere formalities that we observe?

Jesus’ criticism of the Pharisees for valuing human traditions, such as declaring possessions as qorban, over caring for their parents, underscores a key aspect of authentic faith: it must lead to love and compassion, aligning with God’s commandments. This is not to say that traditions and rituals are unimportant; rather, they should be expressions of a deeper, inner commitment to God and His teachings.

As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How can we ensure that our faith is not just a series of outward rituals but a true reflection of a heart that seeks to honor, love, and obey God? In our journey of faith, may we strive for an authenticity that harmonizes our external practices with the internal disposition of our hearts, always aligning ourselves with God’s will and His profound love for us.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, guide our hearts to true worship beyond rituals. May our actions reflect Your love and commandments, uniting our outward practices with an inner devotion to Your will. Help us to live authentically in Your grace. Amen.

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 is the central theme of the Gospel reading for Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The central theme is the contrast between heart-centered faith and mere outward observance of religious traditions.

How does the first reading for Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 complement the Gospel?

The first reading complements the Gospel by emphasizing God’s transcendence and the importance of sincere prayer, aligning with the Gospel’s focus on authentic worship.

What lesson can we learn from Jesus’ interaction with the Pharisees in the Gospel for Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

We learn the importance of prioritizing God’s commandments over human traditions and the necessity of heart-felt devotion in our religious practices.

How can the readings for Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 be applied in daily life?

These readings inspire us to examine our own faith practices, ensuring they are expressions of a genuine relationship with God and not merely ritualistic.

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

Jesus criticizes them for their hypocrisy and for placing human traditions above God’s commandments, especially in matters of heart and compassion.

What is the significance of Solomon’s prayer in the first reading of Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Solomon’s prayer signifies the recognition of God’s immensity and the desire for God to be intimately involved in the lives of His people through prayer and presence.

Can the teachings in the readings for Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 guide modern Christian communities?

Yes, these teachings can guide communities to focus on authentic worship, align their practices with God’s will, and live out their faith with genuine compassion and love.

What does the term ‘qorban’ mean in the Gospel of Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

‘Qorban’ refers to a practice where property is dedicated to God, which Jesus criticizes as an example of adhering to tradition over the commandment to honor and support one’s parents.

How should we approach our religious traditions in light of the Gospel for Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

We should approach traditions as means to deepen our relationship with God, ensuring they are coupled with a sincere heart and aligned with God’s commandments.