Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time (Aug 16, 2025)

• First Reading – Joshua 24:14-29: Joshua gathers the tribes of Israel and urges them to serve the LORD sincerely, rejecting other gods. The people affirm their allegiance to the LORD, recounting His miracles and protection. Joshua warns of God’s jealousy and sets a covenant, marking it with a stone.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 16: I find refuge in the LORD, my inheritance. Guided by His counsel and undisturbed with Him at my side, He shows me the path to life and eternal delight.
• Gospel – Matthew 19:13-15: Children were brought to Jesus for blessings. The disciples tried to stop them, but Jesus insisted on welcoming them, saying the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as the little ones.

Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray.

Matthew 19:13

The readings for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 include Joshua 24:14-29 and Matthew 19:13-15. These passages offer many themes to reflect on. Here are six themes based on these readings:

• Faithfulness to God: Joshua calls the people to be faithful to God and reject other gods. This theme emphasizes the importance of loyalty to God alone.
• Commitment: Joshua challenges the people to commit to serving the Lord. It highlights the need to make a firm decision to follow God.
• Choice and Consequences: Joshua warns the people about the consequences of their choices. This theme shows that choosing God brings blessings, while rejecting Him leads to negative outcomes.
• Legacy of Leadership: Joshua’s leadership and his death are noted. This theme reminds us of the importance of good leaders who guide us in faith.
• Blessing of Children: Jesus welcomes and blesses the children. This theme highlights the value and importance of children in the eyes of God.
• Humility and Trust: Jesus teaches that we must be like children to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This theme emphasizes the need for humility and trust in God.

Reflecting on these themes can deepen our understanding of the readings. They help us see the importance of faithfulness, commitment, and humility in our lives.

The readings for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 offer deep insights into our faith journey. In Joshua 24:14-29, we hear about faithfulness and the importance of our choices. In Matthew 19:13-15, Jesus teaches us about humility, trust, and the value of children. These themes call us to reflect on our relationship with God and how we live out our faith.

Faithfulness and Commitment to God

In the first reading for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Joshua speaks to the people about their need to be faithful to God. He calls them to reject other gods and serve the Lord with all their hearts. This message is clear: loyalty to God must be complete and unwavering.

Joshua challenges the people to make a firm decision to follow God. He understands that commitment is not something that can be halfway. Serving the Lord requires dedication and a clear choice to turn away from anything that pulls us away from Him.

Joshua’s call to faithfulness is a reminder for us, too. We face many distractions and temptations in life. Joshua’s words urge us to examine our own commitment to God and to renew our dedication to serve Him fully and faithfully.

Choice and Consequences

Joshua’s warning to the people about the consequences of their choices is a key theme in the first reading for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1. He makes it clear that choosing to serve God brings blessings, while rejecting Him leads to negative outcomes. This theme underlines the importance of our decisions in our relationship with God.

Joshua wants the people to understand that their actions have real effects. Choosing God means life and blessings, but turning away from Him can bring trouble and suffering. This is a truth that applies to us as well.

Our choices every day affect our closeness to God. By choosing to follow Him and keep His commandments, we open ourselves to His blessings. Ignoring His call can lead us away from His grace. Joshua’s message is a powerful reminder to choose wisely and stay close to God.

Humility, Trust, and the Blessing of Children

In the Gospel reading for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus welcomes and blesses the children. This action shows their value in God’s eyes. Jesus emphasizes that we must be like children to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, which teaches us about humility and trust.

Children are humble and trusting by nature. Jesus uses them as an example to show what our attitude should be towards God. We need to trust God completely and humble ourselves before Him.

Jesus’ blessing of the children also highlights their importance. In a world that often overlooks the value of children, Jesus’ actions remind us that they are precious and worthy of love and care. By being humble and trusting like children, we too can receive God’s blessings and enter His Kingdom.

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The reflections on the readings for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 guide us to think deeply about our faith. Joshua’s words and Jesus’ actions call us to faithfulness, wise choices, and humility. As we meditate on these themes, let us strive to live out our commitment to God each day.

Prayer

Lord, help us to be faithful to You and make wise choices in our lives. Teach us to be humble and trusting like children. May we always value Your blessings and follow Your path. Amen.

Word On Fire: Childlike Qualities and Spiritual Connection

Bishop Robert Barron’s reflection for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time emphasizes the childlike quality that Jesus says should characterize those who belong to the kingdom of heaven. Children, according to Bishop Barron, don’t hide the truth and act in harmony with their nature, mirroring stars, flowers, or animals. They can lose themselves in simple joys without concern for others’ reactions. Being childlike doesn’t mean being unsophisticated or childish; it’s about being rooted in what God wants us to be. Bishop Barron cites Thomas Aquinas, described as “childlike” and “innocent,” as an example of this pure connection to one’s God-given purpose.

USCCB Reflection: Rejecting False Gods

This USCCB video reflection for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time brings attention to the difference between false gods and the God of Jesus Christ. False gods are not limited to ancient deities but extend to modern obsessions with consumption, wealth, power, and fear. These false idols deceive us into thinking we need more, creating harm to others and the environment. The fear leads to suspicion, hate, and division. The reflection calls for a rejection of these false gods, urging us to follow the example of Joshua and to recognize the love and peace found in the one true God.

What date is Monday of the Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Saturday August 16, 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 Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Saturday August 16, 2025 are:
First Reading – Joshua 24:14-29: Joshua’s Covenant with Israel at Shechem
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 16: Inheritance in God
Gospel – Matthew 19:13-15: Jesus Blesses Children

Why does Joshua ask the people to choose whom they will serve in the first reading for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Joshua wants the people to make a clear choice to follow God. This shows their commitment and loyalty.

What does Joshua mean by rejecting other gods?

He means not to follow or worship false gods. They should only worship the one true God.

How does Joshua’s leadership help the people?

Joshua guides the people in faith. He sets a good example and leads them to follow God.

What are the consequences of not following God, according to Joshua?

Not following God leads to negative outcomes. Choosing God brings blessings.

Why is it important to be faithful to God alone?

Being faithful to God keeps us on the right path. It helps us live a life that pleases Him.

How can we show commitment to serving the Lord?

We can pray, read the Bible, go to Mass, and follow God’s commandments.

What does Jesus say about children in the Gospel for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Jesus welcomes and blesses the children. He says we must be like them to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Why does Jesus say we should be like children?

Children are humble and trust easily. Jesus wants us to have the same humility and trust in God.

How can we apply the readings for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 to our lives today?

We can choose to follow God, reject false idols, and trust in God with childlike faith.

What is the main message of the readings for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The main message is to be faithful to God and follow His ways. It encourages commitment to serving the Lord.