Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Colossians 1:21-23: Through Christ’s death, you are reconciled to God and made holy. Stay strong and grounded in your faith, holding onto the hope of the Gospel.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 54: God is my protector and sustainer. I ask for His help and offer Him my praise and sacrifice, trusting in His goodness and strength.
• Gospel – Luke 6:1-5: Jesus defends his disciples’ actions on the Sabbath by recalling David’s example and declares that the Son of Man has authority over the Sabbath, challenging the Pharisees’ interpretation of the law.

While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them.

Luke 6:1

Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 presents readings that remind us of the importance of faithfulness and trust in God’s guidance. The First Reading from Colossians speaks of reconciliation through Christ, while the Gospel from Luke highlights Jesus as Lord of the Sabbath.

• Reconciliation through Christ: Paul reminds the Colossians that through Jesus, they have been reconciled to God. This theme encourages us to remain firm in our faith, trusting that Christ brings us back to God.
• Faithfulness to the Gospel: Paul urges the believers to stay strong in their faith. This theme highlights the importance of holding onto the teachings of Christ, no matter the challenges.
• Jesus as Lord: In the Gospel, Jesus declares Himself the Lord of the Sabbath. This theme shows that Jesus has authority over all things, including religious practices.
• Human Need Over Ritual: Jesus allows His disciples to pick grain on the Sabbath. This theme teaches that human need and mercy are more important than strict observance of rules.
• God’s Mercy: The readings show that God is merciful and patient. This theme reminds us to rely on God’s mercy rather than our own strength.
• Living in Hope: Paul speaks of the hope we have in Christ. This theme encourages us to keep our hope alive, knowing that God is faithful.

Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 calls us to reflect on our faithfulness and trust in Christ. These readings remind us to focus on Christ’s teachings and His mercy as we live out our faith.

Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 presents us with readings that call us to reflect on our relationship with Jesus. Paul reminds us of the importance of staying close to Christ, while the Gospel shows us that mercy should guide our actions. These reflections explore themes of faithfulness, mercy, and hope, helping us to apply these lessons to our daily lives.

Staying Close to Jesus

On Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Paul reminds us that before knowing Christ, we were far from God because of our sins. Sin separates us from God and takes us away from the love and peace that come from being close to Him. But through Jesus, we are reconciled and brought back to God. This is a gift that we should never take for granted.

Staying close to Jesus means recognizing the times when we have drifted away and making the choice to return to Him. Paul encourages us to keep our focus on Jesus, holding firm to our faith, and trusting in His love and forgiveness. When we stay close to Jesus, we experience the peace and security that only He can give.

Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 calls us to reflect on our relationship with Jesus. Are we staying close to Him, or have we allowed ourselves to drift away? This reflection invites us to renew our commitment to following Jesus and staying close to Him every day.

Mercy Over Rules

In the Gospel for Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus allows His disciples to pick grain on the Sabbath because they are hungry. The Pharisees see this as breaking the Sabbath law, but Jesus knows that their need for food is more important than strict rule-following. He teaches us that showing mercy and meeting human needs are more important than rigidly sticking to rules.

This story reminds us that rules and traditions should not be followed blindly, especially when they prevent us from helping others. Jesus shows us that mercy, compassion, and love should always guide our actions. We should not be so focused on the rules that we forget to care for the people around us.

Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourages us to examine how we live out our faith. Do we prioritize mercy and love, or are we more concerned with following rules? Jesus challenges us to put mercy first, just as He did.

Faith and Hope in Christ

A common theme in the readings for Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 is the importance of faith and hope in Christ. Paul speaks about staying strong in faith and holding onto the hope that comes from the Gospel. The Gospel shows us Jesus caring for His disciples, meeting their needs, and reminding us that He is always with us.

Faith and hope are what keep us going, especially when life is hard. Paul reminds us that our faith in Jesus should be unshakable, no matter what happens. This faith gives us hope, knowing that Jesus will never leave us and that He has a plan for our lives.

On Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are encouraged to deepen our faith and hope in Christ. When we trust in Jesus, we find strength and comfort, knowing that He is with us every step of the way. This reflection invites us to renew our faith and hold onto the hope that comes from following Jesus.

---

Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 invites us to examine how we live out our faith. Through these reflections, we are encouraged to stay close to Jesus, prioritize mercy, and hold onto the hope that comes from following Christ. May these lessons inspire us to grow deeper in our faith and trust in the Lord.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help us to stay close to You in all we do. Teach us to show mercy to others and to live with hope in our hearts. Strengthen our faith each day, and guide us as we follow Your path. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can you stay close to Jesus in your daily life and strengthen your relationship with Him?
• Are there times when you focus more on following rules than showing mercy and love to others?
• How can you let faith and hope in Christ guide you during challenging times?
• In what ways can you reflect Jesus’ mercy and compassion in your interactions with others?

Rethinking the Sabbath

In this reflection for Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Robert Barron discusses Jesus’ claim that he is the “Lord of the sabbath,” which was a groundbreaking declaration within the context of Jewish law. Jesus often healed or allowed his disciples to pick grain on the sabbath, actions considered violations by traditional Jewish standards.

By claiming dominion over the sabbath, Jesus repositions this deeply ingrained religious practice, stating that it should serve humanity, not the other way around. Bishop Barron points out that Jesus is reorienting the focus from ritual observance to the broader aim of the kingdom of God.

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

The next date is Saturday September 6, 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 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

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

The Mass readings for Saturday September 6, 2025 are:
First Reading – Colossians 1:21-23: Reconciliation and Faith
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 54: God My Helper
Gospel – Luke 6:1-5: Sabbath Controversy

Why does Paul talk about being alienated from God in the first reading for Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Paul is reminding the people that they were once far from God because of sin. Through Jesus, they are brought back to God. This helps us see how important it is to stay close to Jesus.

What does Paul mean by staying firm in faith in the first reading?

Paul wants us to hold onto our faith in Jesus no matter what. This means trusting in Jesus and not letting anything shake our belief in Him.

How can we stay strong in faith as Paul advises?

We can stay strong by praying, reading the Bible, and trusting in Jesus. Keeping our focus on Jesus helps us remain faithful even in hard times.

Why is hope mentioned in the first reading for Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Paul speaks of hope because it is a key part of our faith in Jesus. Having hope helps us stay strong in our faith, knowing that Jesus is always with us.

Why did Jesus let His disciples pick grain on the Sabbath?

Jesus allowed it because He knew that their need for food was more important than following the rule. This teaches us that showing mercy is more important than sticking to rules.

What does it mean that Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath?

It means that Jesus has authority over all things, including religious rules. We should follow Him and trust His guidance over anything else.

How can we apply the readings for Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 to our lives?

The readings remind us to trust in Jesus and His teachings. We should focus on being faithful to Jesus and showing mercy to others.

What should we learn from the Gospel reading for Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

We should learn that mercy and human need are more important than just following rules. Jesus wants us to show love and compassion to others.