Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time

When this falls on August 29, the gospel for the Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist is used.

• First Reading – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11: You have learned from God to love one another and already practice this. We encourage you to continue growing, live peacefully, mind your own business, and work with your hands.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 98: The Lord has done wonderful things, bringing victory. All of creation rejoices as He comes to judge the earth with justice and fairness for all people.
• Gospel – Matthew 25:14-30: A master entrusts talents to three servants. The first doubles his five talents, the second his two. The third buries his one out of fear. Upon return, the master rewards the faithful, condemns the unproductive, and emphasizes responsible stewardship.

A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one – to each according to his ability.

Matthew 25:14-15

On Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings invite us to reflect on how we live our faith. St. Paul and Jesus challenge us to grow in love and be faithful in our tasks.

• Brotherly Love: Paul urges us to love one another more and more. This is important because love builds up the community.
• Living Quietly: Paul encourages us to live quietly and mind our own affairs. This means focusing on our responsibilities without unnecessary drama.
• Honest Work: Paul says to work with our hands. Honest work helps us support ourselves and sets a good example for others.
• Use of Talents: Jesus’ parable in the Gospel talks about using our talents wisely. God gives us gifts, and we should use them well.
• Faithfulness: The parable also highlights being faithful in small things. This faithfulness is important because it shows our dedication to God.
• Accountability: The parable shows that we are accountable for our actions. God will ask us how we used the gifts and opportunities He gave us.

Reflecting on these themes can help us grow in our Christian life. Let’s strive to love more, work honestly, and be faithful in all we do.

On Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings invite us to reflect on how we live our lives and use the gifts God has given us. St. Paul and Jesus both provide valuable lessons on living quietly, being accountable, and using our talents wisely. These reflections aim to help us understand and apply these teachings in our daily lives.

Living Quietly

On Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, St. Paul encourages us to live quietly and mind our own affairs. He advises us to focus on our own responsibilities and not get caught up in unnecessary drama. This teaching is simple but important for our daily lives.

Living quietly means avoiding gossip and unnecessary arguments. It means doing our work without seeking attention or praise. By doing this, we can lead a peaceful and productive life.

When we mind our own affairs, we respect others’ privacy and boundaries. This builds trust and harmony in our community. It allows everyone to do their part without interference.

This message from St. Paul reminds us to focus on what truly matters. By living quietly and responsibly, we set a good example for others. We show that a simple and dedicated life is valuable.

Accountability to God

The parable in the Gospel for Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 teaches us about accountability. Jesus tells the story of servants given talents by their master. Each servant must account for how they used what was given to them.

This parable shows that we are accountable for our actions. God has given each of us gifts and opportunities. He expects us to use them wisely and not waste them.

When the master returns, he asks each servant to explain how they used their talents. Some servants are praised for their efforts, while one is punished for doing nothing. This teaches us that God will judge us based on how we used our gifts.

We should reflect on how we are using our time, talents, and resources. Are we making the most of what God has given us? By being accountable, we honor God and fulfill our purpose.

Using Our Gifts Wisely

On Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus’ parable emphasizes the importance of using our gifts wisely. The master in the story gives his servants talents and expects them to make good use of them. This story encourages us to recognize and develop our own gifts.

Using our gifts wisely means not hiding them or being afraid to use them. The servant who buried his talent out of fear was condemned. This shows that we should not be idle or neglect our responsibilities.

God has given each of us unique abilities and opportunities. We are called to use them for the good of others and to glorify God. This means being active and diligent in our efforts.

The parable teaches us that God rewards those who are faithful with what they have been given. By using our gifts wisely, we contribute to God’s kingdom. We show our gratitude and faithfulness to God through our actions.

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Reflecting on the lessons from Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 can help us grow in our Christian life. St. Paul and Jesus teach us to live quietly, be accountable, and use our gifts wisely. Let us strive to apply these teachings, leading lives that honor God and benefit our community.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help us to live quietly and focus on our responsibilities. Teach us to use the gifts You have given us wisely and to be accountable for our actions. May our lives reflect Your love and faithfulness. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can you live more quietly and focus on your own responsibilities?
• Are you using the gifts and talents God has given you wisely and for the good of others?
• In what ways can you be more accountable for your actions and choices in daily life?
• How can you encourage others to recognize and use their own gifts for God’s glory?

Investing Spiritual Gifts

In Bishop Robert Barron’s reflection on the Gospel for Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, he discusses the parable of the talents. He emphasizes that God grants us abilities and resources not just for personal use, but to share and invest in the world.

Bishop Barron notes that Jesus often drew from the business world for his parables, and he believes the message here is simple: if we want to enrich our spiritual lives, we have to give away what we’ve received. Holding onto these gifts without sharing them leads to stagnation.

What date is Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Saturday August 30, 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 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Saturday August 30, 2025 are:
First Reading – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11: Growing in Love and Simplicity
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 98: Rejoicing in God’s Reign
Gospel – Matthew 25:14-30: Faithful Stewardship
When this falls on August 29, the gospel for the Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist is used instead.

What does St. Paul mean by living quietly in the first reading for Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Living quietly means focusing on our responsibilities and avoiding unnecessary drama. St. Paul encourages us to mind our own affairs and work diligently.

Why does Paul tell us to work with our hands?

Paul advises us to work with our hands to support ourselves and set a good example. Honest work helps us live quietly and responsibly.

How can we apply the message of living quietly to our lives?

We can apply this message by avoiding gossip and unnecessary conflicts. Focus on doing our work and respecting others’ boundaries.

What is the main lesson from Jesus’ parable about the talents in the Gospel for Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The main lesson is to use the gifts and opportunities God gives us wisely. We should not be idle but actively use our talents for good.

How does the parable show accountability?

In the parable, the master returns and asks the servants to explain how they used their talents. This shows that we are accountable to God for our actions.

What happens to the servant who did nothing with his talent?

The servant who did nothing with his talent is punished. This teaches us that we should not waste the gifts and opportunities God gives us.

What does it mean to be faithful in small things?

Being faithful in small things means doing even the smallest tasks well and with dedication. It shows our commitment to God and our responsibilities.

Why is it important to use our talents?

Using our talents is important because it honors God and helps others. It also helps us grow and develop our abilities.

How can we know if we are using our gifts wisely?

We can know we are using our gifts wisely by seeing positive results and feedback from others. We should also reflect on whether our actions align with God’s teachings.

What is the overall message of the readings for Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The overall message is to live quietly, be accountable, and use our gifts wisely. These teachings help us live a life that honors God and benefits our community.