Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Colossians 1:1-8: Paul and Timothy greet the faithful in Colossae, giving thanks for their faith, love, and the growth of the Gospel among them, as shared by Epaphras.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 52: I trust in God’s mercy forever. I am like an olive tree in His house. I will always thank Him and proclaim His goodness before His faithful people.
• Gospel – Luke 4:38-44: Jesus healed Simon’s mother-in-law and many others with diseases and demons. Despite the crowds wanting him to stay, he insisted on spreading the good news of God’s Kingdom to other towns.

At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. 

Luke 4:40

Here are some themes for Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1. The readings from Colossians and the Gospel of Luke provide lessons for our faith and daily lives. Let’s reflect on these themes to grow in our understanding and love for God.

• Faithfulness in Ministry: Paul praises the Colossians for their faith and love. He highlights the importance of being faithful in serving God and others.
• Hope in Heaven: Paul reminds the Colossians of their hope in heaven. This hope should guide and strengthen them in their journey of faith.
• Healing Power of Jesus: In the Gospel, Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law. This shows Jesus’ care for the sick and His power to heal.
• Service to Others: After being healed, Simon’s mother-in-law immediately serves others. This teaches us to serve others with love and gratitude.
• Proclaiming the Good News: Jesus moves on to preach in other towns. He is committed to spreading the message of God’s kingdom.
• The Spread of the Gospel: Paul talks about how the Gospel is spreading and bearing fruit. The message of Jesus reaches many people and changes lives.
• Community of Believers: Paul mentions the love and support within the community of Colossians. A strong community of believers helps each other grow in faith.

Reflecting on these themes can help us live our faith more fully. Let’s strive to apply these lessons in our lives and share God’s love with others.

The readings for Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 offer valuable lessons for our faith journey. Through the healing of Simon’s mother-in-law, Paul’s message to the Colossians, and Jesus’ commitment to preaching, we learn about the importance of service, community, and spreading the Gospel. These reflections help us apply these lessons to our daily lives.

Serving with Love and Gratitude

In the Gospel reading for Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we see Jesus healing Simon’s mother-in-law. After being healed, she immediately gets up and starts serving those around her. This simple act of service teaches us a lot about how we should respond to God’s blessings.

When we receive God’s help, it is natural to feel thankful. Simon’s mother-in-law shows us that we should express our gratitude through actions. Serving others is a way to show our thanks to God for the blessings we receive.

This story also reminds us that service is an important part of our faith. We are called to help those around us, just as Jesus helps us. By serving others with love and gratitude, we live out our faith in a practical and meaningful way.

Building a Strong Community of Believers

In the first reading for Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Paul speaks to the Colossians about their strong community. He praises them for their love and support for each other. This strong community helps everyone grow in their faith.

A supportive community is important for our spiritual growth. When we are surrounded by people who share our beliefs, we find encouragement and strength. The love and support of a faith community help us stay committed to our beliefs, even during difficult times.

Paul’s message to the Colossians encourages us to build and maintain strong communities of faith. We can do this by participating in church activities, supporting each other in prayer, and working together to serve those in need. A strong community of believers is a blessing that helps each of us grow closer to God.

Spreading the Message of God’s Kingdom

In the readings for Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we see a focus on spreading the Gospel. Paul talks about how the message of Jesus is spreading and bearing fruit. In the Gospel, Jesus moves on to other towns to preach. He is committed to spreading God’s message to as many people as possible.

This commitment to spreading the Gospel is a key part of our faith. Jesus’ example shows us the importance of sharing the Good News with others. We are called to continue His mission by spreading the message of God’s love and kingdom.

We can spread the Gospel in our daily lives by living out our faith in simple ways. This can include acts of kindness, sharing our faith with friends and family, and supporting mission work. By following Jesus’ example and Paul’s encouragement, we help the message of Jesus reach more people and change more lives.

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Reflecting on the readings for Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we see clear examples of service, community, and spreading the Gospel. These themes guide us in our daily walk with God. Let us take these lessons to heart and apply them in our lives, growing in faith and love.

Prayer

Lord, help us to serve others with love and gratitude, build strong communities of faith, and spread Your message. Guide us to follow Jesus’ example each day. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can you show gratitude to God through acts of service to others?
• In what ways can you help build and strengthen your faith community?
• How do you share the message of God’s love with others in your daily life?
• What can you learn from Jesus’ example of commitment to spreading the Gospel?

The Central Mission

Bishop Robert Barron’s reflection for Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 emphasizes the importance of evangelization. Jesus declares His mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God, a mission that continues through us.

With many identifying as “none” in religious affiliation, the need for evangelization is urgent. Vatican II, St. Paul VI, and St. John Paul II highlighted that the Church exists for this mission. Evangelization is the Church’s central work, around which everything else revolves. The reflection stresses the critical role of bringing people to Christ.

Jesus’ Healing and Mission

The USCCB video reflection for Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 highlights Jesus revealing Himself as the Son of God through healing. Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law and many others, showing His divine power.

Luke’s simple account emphasizes Jesus’ identity and mission. Jesus’ healing continues today, especially through the sacraments. We are called to have faith in His healing love and mercy, just as those in the Gospel did. May we receive Jesus’ healing touch in our lives.

What date is Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Wednesday September 3, 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 Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Wednesday September 3, 2025 are:
First Reading  – Colossians 1:1-8: Growth in Faith and Love
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 52: Trusting in God’s Mercy
Gospel – Luke 4:38-44: Healing, Preaching, and Authority

What is the main message of Colossians 1:1-8 for Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Paul praises the Colossians for their faith, love, and hope. He encourages them to continue growing in their knowledge of God’s grace.

How can we apply the lesson of faithfulness from Colossians 1:1-8 to our lives?

We can stay faithful by regularly praying, reading the Bible, and helping others. Being consistent in these actions helps us grow closer to God.

What does the hope in heaven mean?

Hope in heaven means looking forward to eternal life with God. This hope gives us strength and purpose in our daily lives.

What does Paul mean by the Gospel bearing fruit?

The Gospel bearing fruit means that people are accepting the message of Jesus and it is changing their lives. This encourages us to share the Good News with others.

How can we be part of the community of believers?

We can be part of the community by attending Mass, participating in church activities, and supporting each other in faith. A strong community helps us grow together in Christ.

What can we learn from Jesus healing Simon’s mother-in-law in the Gospel for Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

We learn that Jesus cares about our physical and spiritual health. He is always ready to help us when we are in need.

How can we follow the example of Simon’s mother-in-law?

After being healed, she immediately served others. We can follow her example by using our health and abilities to help those around us.

Why did Jesus move on to other towns to preach?

Jesus moved on to spread the message of God’s kingdom to as many people as possible. He shows us the importance of sharing God’s love with everyone.

What role does prayer play in the readings for Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Prayer is essential for staying connected to God and growing in faith. Both Paul and Jesus show the importance of praying for guidance and strength.

How can we spread the Gospel message in our daily lives?

We can spread the Gospel by living out our faith, sharing our beliefs with others, and being examples of God’s love. Small acts of kindness and words of faith can make a big difference.