Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1

• First Reading – Genesis 13:2, 5-18: Due to growing wealth and ensuing strife, Abram and Lot part ways. Lot chooses the fertile Jordan Plain. God then promises Abram the land and countless descendants.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 15: A virtuous life includes walking blamelessly, being just, truthful, respectful, refusing usury and bribery. Those living this way shall find peace.
• Gospel – Matthew 7:6, 12-14: Jesus warned against giving holy things to those who won’t appreciate them, advised treating others kindly, and emphasized choosing the narrow path that leads to life.

How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.

Matthew 7:14

On Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings highlight several key themes. These themes help us understand important lessons about faith and how to live our lives according to God’s will.

• Wealth and Strife: Abram and Lot’s growing wealth causes conflict. They decide to part ways to keep peace between them.
• Choosing Wisely: Lot chooses the fertile Jordan Plain, but Abram trusts God and stays in Canaan. This shows the importance of trusting God’s plan.
• God’s Promise: God promises Abram countless descendants and land. This reassures Abram of God’s faithfulness and blessings.
• Respect for the Holy: Jesus warns against giving what is holy to those who won’t appreciate it. This teaches us to value and respect sacred things.
• Golden Rule: Jesus advises treating others as we want to be treated. This simple rule helps us live in harmony with others.
• Narrow Path: Jesus emphasizes choosing the narrow path that leads to life. This means following God’s ways, even when it’s hard.

These themes remind us of the importance of faith, trust, and making good choices. They encourage us to live according to God’s will and treat others kindly.

Trusting God’s Plan

On Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we read about Abram and Lot. Their wealth had grown so much that it caused problems. To solve this, Abram let Lot choose where to live first. Lot chose the fertile Jordan Plain, but Abram trusted God and stayed in Canaan.

This story shows us the importance of trusting God’s plan. Abram had faith that God would take care of him. He didn’t choose based on what looked best but on trust in God’s promise. This is a lesson for us to have faith even when things seem uncertain.

God then promised Abram countless descendants and land. This promise reassured Abram and strengthened his faith. It reminds us that God’s promises are sure and trustworthy. We should rely on God’s promises in our lives.

Respect and Kindness

In the Gospel reading on Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus gives important advice. He warns against giving what is holy to those who won’t appreciate it. This teaches us to value and respect sacred things in our lives.

Jesus also teaches the Golden Rule: treat others as you want to be treated. This simple but powerful rule helps us live in peace with others. It encourages us to be kind and fair in our dealings with people.

Choosing the narrow path that leads to life is another lesson from Jesus. It means following God’s ways, even when it’s hard. This path may be difficult, but it leads to true life and happiness with God.

Living God’s Way

The readings on Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us to trust in God, respect what is holy, and treat others well. Abram’s trust in God, even when it wasn’t easy, is a strong example for us. We should strive to follow God’s ways in our own lives.

By living according to God’s teachings, we choose the narrow path that leads to life. It may not always be the easiest choice, but it is the right one. God is with us, guiding and helping us along the way.

Let us reflect on these lessons and ask God for the strength to follow His path. May we always trust in His promises and live in a way that honors Him.

Prayer

Dear God, help us to trust in Your plan and promises. Guide us to respect what is holy and treat others with kindness. Strengthen us to choose the narrow path that leads to true life. Amen.

Word on Fire: Love, Freedom, and the Reality of Hell

In the gospel for Tuesday of the 12th week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the question of who will be in heaven or hell arises, with varying perspectives presented by figures like Origen and St. Augustine. Bishop Robert Barron approaches the issue by highlighting two fundamental truths: God’s love and human freedom. God’s love is all-encompassing, and no act can make Him stop loving us. However, we possess the freedom to accept or reject His love. Turning toward God’s love opens us up, while turning away from it brings pain and resistance. The agony experienced in hell is the consequence of resisting divine love, much like a spelunker emerging into sunlight after being accustomed to darkness.

USCCB Reflection: Living by the Golden Rule

In this USCCB video reflection for Tuesday of the 12th week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we hear that the scripture passage reminds us not to give pearls to swine or dogs, which can be difficult to understand. Jesus guides us on how to treat others, emphasizing the Golden Rule found in various traditions. If we all practice kindness, generosity, and gentleness towards one another, the world would be transformed.

We must let go of anger, jealousy, and retaliation, treating every person as we would like to be treated. It may seem challenging, but we can strive to embody God’s teachings. Imagine a world where we forgive and refrain from holding grudges. Let us make the decision to live by these principles, aligning our actions with God’s will.

What date is Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Tuesday June 22, 2027.

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 Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Tuesday June 22, 2027 are:
First Reading – Genesis 13:2, 5-18: Abram and Lot Separate
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 15: Living in God’s Presence
Gospel – Matthew 7:6, 12-14: The Narrow Path to Life

Why did Abram and Lot separate?

Abram and Lot separated because their wealth caused problems. Their servants were fighting over the land and resources. To keep peace, Abram let Lot choose where to go, and they went different ways.

Why did Lot choose the Jordan Plain?

Lot chose the Jordan Plain because it looked fertile and good for his animals. He chose based on what looked best for his needs.

What can we learn from Abram’s choice?

Abram trusted God instead of choosing the best-looking land. This shows us the importance of faith in God’s plan. We should trust God even when things don’t look perfect.

What did God promise Abram after Lot left?

God promised Abram that he would have countless descendants and land. This promise showed that God was with Abram and would bless him.

What does “do not give what is holy to dogs” mean in the Gospel?

This means we should respect and value holy things. We shouldn’t give sacred things to people who won’t appreciate or respect them.

What is the Golden Rule that Jesus taught?

The Golden Rule is: treat others as you want to be treated. This simple rule helps us live kindly and fairly with others.

What does Jesus mean by the “narrow path”?

The “narrow path” means following God’s ways, which can be difficult. This path leads to true life and happiness with God.

How can we apply the readings on Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 to our lives?

We can apply these readings by trusting God, respecting holy things, treating others kindly, and choosing God’s ways. These actions help us live according to God’s will.

Why is trust in God important according to Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Trust in God is important because it shows faith in His plan. Abram’s trust led to God’s blessings, and our trust in God can guide us through difficult times.

How does treating others kindly relate to the readings on Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Treating others kindly relates to Jesus’ teaching of the Golden Rule. By following this rule, we live in a way that honors God and promotes peace.