Friday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time (Aug 1, 2025)

• First Reading – Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37: The Lord instructed Moses about the festivals, including Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, Day of Atonement, and Booths, with specific rituals and assemblies.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 81: Play music and celebrate the feasts as commanded by God, who led us out of Egypt and forbids the worship of other gods.
• Gospel – Matthew 13:54-58: Jesus taught in his hometown, but the people were offended and questioned his wisdom. Due to their lack of faith, he performed few miracles there.

A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.

Matthew 13:57

On Friday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings come from Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37 and Matthew 13:54-58. These readings offer insights into various aspects of faith and practice.

• Observance of Feasts: Leviticus instructs about different holy days. It reminds us of the importance of setting aside time for God.
• Sabbath Rest: The readings from Leviticus include commands about the Sabbath. They teach us the value of rest and worship.
• Offerings to God: Leviticus discusses various offerings. These offerings are acts of worship and gratitude to God.
• Jesus Rejected: In Matthew, Jesus is rejected by His hometown. It shows how people can be blind to the truth, even when it is right in front of them.
• Lack of Faith: Jesus’ rejection highlights a lack of faith. It reminds us to trust in Jesus and His teachings.
• God’s Appointed Times: Leviticus lists specific times for celebrations. It shows that God has a plan and schedule for everything.

The themes from Friday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourage us to trust in God’s plan and to dedicate time to worship and rest. They remind us that faith is essential in recognizing Jesus and His works.

The readings for Friday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 offer valuable lessons about our faith. Leviticus teaches us about holy days and offerings, while Matthew shows how Jesus was rejected by His own people. Let’s reflect on these important themes.

Observing God’s Holy Days

Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37 talks about the different holy days God wants His people to observe. These feasts are times for the community to come together and remember God’s blessings. Observing these holy days helps us focus on God’s presence in our lives.

In our busy lives, it is easy to forget about setting aside special times for God. The holy days in Leviticus remind us that we need regular moments to worship and give thanks. These times of worship help strengthen our faith and bring us closer to God.

By following the example in Leviticus, we learn the importance of honoring God with our time. Setting aside special days for worship and rest allows us to reconnect with God and with each other. It is a way to show our gratitude and faithfulness.

Jesus Rejected in His Hometown

In the Gospel for Friday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus returns to His hometown, but the people there reject Him. They cannot accept that someone they know could be so special. This rejection shows how familiarity can breed contempt and close our hearts to the truth.

Jesus’ experience in His hometown teaches us about the challenges of faith. Sometimes, we may face rejection or doubt from those closest to us. It reminds us to stay strong in our belief, even when others do not understand.

The people in Jesus’ hometown missed out on His blessings because of their lack of faith. This story encourages us to keep our hearts open to Jesus and His teachings. We should not let doubt or familiarity blind us to the truth of His message.

Faith in the Face of Doubt

In Matthew 13:54-58, Jesus returns to His hometown and teaches in the synagogue. Despite His wisdom and miracles, the people question His authority. They ask, “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” and refuse to believe in Him.

This passage teaches us about the difficulty of faith when faced with familiarity and doubt. The people of Jesus’ hometown could not see beyond their limited view of Him. They missed the opportunity to receive His blessings because they could not open their hearts to the truth.

We can apply this lesson by examining our own hearts and removing any doubts that hinder our faith. We should strive to see Jesus for who He truly is and not let our preconceptions limit our belief. By keeping our hearts open, we can fully experience the blessings that come from faith in Jesus.

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The readings for Friday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 teach us about honoring God’s holy days, the need for rest, and the importance of faith. By reflecting on these lessons, we can grow stronger in our relationship with God. Let us take these teachings to heart and apply them in our lives.

Prayer

Dear Lord, help us to honor Your holy days and find rest in You. Give us the strength to keep our faith, even when it is hard. May we always seek Your presence and follow Your teachings. Amen.

Word On Fire: The Power of Jesus’ Word

From Bishop Robert Barron for Friday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1. Jesus is the personal and perfect embodiment of God’s transformative speech. Pope Benedict XVI describes how Jesus’ word has a face, making it audible and visible through his person. The Gospels consistently portray Jesus’ words as powerful, leading to miraculous acts like raising Lazarus from the dead. Just as all of Jesus’ acts are like words, all his words are like acts, reflecting his divine nature. As the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church bears the privilege of spreading Jesus’ Word to the world, continually unleashing its power throughout history until his return.

What date is Friday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Friday August 1, 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 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Friday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Friday August 1, 2025 are:
First Reading – Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37: The Festivals of the LORD
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 81: Rejoice in Worship
Gospel – Matthew 13:54-58: Jesus Rejected in His Hometown

What are the holy days mentioned in the first reading for Friday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The holy days mentioned in Leviticus 23 include the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of Weeks. These are special times for worship and remembrance of God’s blessings.

What is the purpose of the offerings mentioned in Leviticus 23?

The offerings are acts of worship and gratitude to God. They show our thankfulness and dedication to Him.

How can we make offerings to God in our lives?

We can make offerings to God through our prayers, good deeds, and by giving our time and resources to help others. These acts show our love and faithfulness to God.

Why are specific times for celebrations important in Leviticus 23?

Specific times for celebrations help the community come together to worship and remember God’s blessings. It shows that God has a plan and a schedule for everything.

How can we follow the example of celebrating holy days from Leviticus 23?

We can follow this example by setting aside special times for worship and reflection in our own lives. Celebrating holy days helps us stay connected to God and remember His blessings.

Why did the people in Jesus’ hometown reject Him in the Gospel for Friday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The people in Jesus’ hometown rejected Him because they couldn’t believe someone they knew could be so special. They were too familiar with Him to see His true identity.

What can we learn from Jesus being rejected in His hometown?

We learn that faith can be challenging, especially when others doubt us. It reminds us to stay strong in our belief in Jesus, even when faced with rejection.

How can we apply the lesson of faith from Matthew 13:54-58 to our lives?

We can apply this lesson by keeping our hearts open to Jesus and His teachings. We should trust in Him and not let doubt or familiarity close our hearts.