Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
Friday September 12, 2025
Mercy and Clear Vision
On Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we hear readings that remind us about grace, trust, and honesty.
Paul gives thanks for the mercy of Christ. He remembers how God turned his weakness into strength and called him to serve. His words show that God can use anyone who is open to faith and love.
The psalm speaks about safety and joy in the Lord. It is a prayer of trust. The psalmist knows that God alone provides real peace and lasting blessings. This confidence in God helps us stay steady when life feels uncertain or hard.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses the image of the blind leading the blind. He warns against judging others while ignoring our own faults. This teaching is simple but powerful. We must look honestly at ourselves before trying to guide others.
On Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings remind us that God gives mercy, and we are called to live with humility and clear vision.
Daily Mass Readings for Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
- First Reading – 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14: Paul thanks Christ for giving him strength and mercy despite his past sins. Through grace, faith, and love in Christ, he was appointed to ministry.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 16: I seek refuge in the Lord, who guides and protects me. He shows me the path to life and joy in his presence, providing security and blessings forever.
- Gospel – Luke 6:39-42: Jesus teaches his disciples that they must first correct their own faults before trying to correct others. Clear your own vision before helping others with theirs.
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 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?
Luke 6:41
Themes for the Readings for Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 invites reflection on humility, mercy, and personal growth in faith. The first reading from 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14 shows St. Paul’s gratitude for God’s grace, while the Gospel from Luke 6:39-42 warns against judging others.
- Gratitude for Grace: St. Paul thanks Christ for giving him strength and calling him to serve despite his past. This reminds us that God’s mercy and grace can transform us and call us to new life.
- Humility Before God: Paul recognizes his past sins but acknowledges that God forgave him. This shows that admitting our weaknesses helps us grow closer to God.
- Avoiding Judging Others: In the Gospel, Jesus asks us not to judge others while we ourselves are not perfect. We are called to focus on improving our own lives first.
- Spiritual Blindness: Jesus compares a blind person leading another blind person to show the danger of lacking self-awareness. This encourages us to seek truth and clarity in our own hearts.
- Mercy Over Judgement: Both readings highlight the importance of showing mercy, as Paul received mercy from God. We are called to treat others with the same compassion and patience.
- Self-Examination: Jesus calls us to remove the “log” from our own eye before pointing out the “speck” in another’s. We are invited to regularly reflect on our own faults and seek forgiveness.
Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us of the need for humility, mercy, and self-awareness. By focusing on our own spiritual growth, we can become more like Christ and live out His teachings.
Reflection for Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 presents us with readings that invite us to reflect on God’s mercy, our need for humility, and the call to avoid judging others. Through St. Paul’s story of forgiveness and Jesus’ teaching on self-examination, we are encouraged to look inward, seek God’s grace, and treat others with compassion. These reflections explore these themes and how they apply to our daily lives.
God’s Mercy Has No Limits
In the first reading for Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, St. Paul reflects on how God forgave him, even though he had persecuted Christians. Despite his serious sins, God called him to a new life of service. This shows us that no one is beyond God’s mercy. God forgives even the worst mistakes when we are willing to turn to Him and ask for His help.
We may think that our past is too dark or that we’ve made too many bad choices for God to forgive us. But St. Paul’s story reminds us that God’s mercy is greater than any sin. He does not hold our past against us when we truly seek forgiveness. God’s grace can change our lives just as it changed St. Paul’s.
This message invites us to trust in God’s forgiveness and let go of any shame we may feel. If we turn to God with open hearts, He can help us become better and use our lives for His purpose. Just like Paul, we are never too far from God’s love and mercy.
Focus on Our Own Faults
In the Gospel for Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus warns us not to judge others because we all have our own faults. He tells us to work on our own sins first before worrying about what others are doing wrong. This calls us to practice humility and self-awareness.
We often find it easy to see the mistakes of others, but Jesus asks us to look at ourselves instead. We should focus on improving our own lives, because we are all in need of God’s mercy. When we recognize our own faults, we become more patient and understanding toward others.
This teaching from Jesus is a reminder to be humble in our relationships with others. If we are busy correcting our own faults, we will be less likely to judge others harshly. By focusing on our own growth, we can live more peacefully and show more kindness to those around us.
The Call to Humility
Both readings for Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us of the importance of humility. St. Paul acknowledges his own weaknesses and admits that without God’s grace, he would still be lost. In the Gospel, Jesus calls us to stop judging others and focus on our own lives first. Together, these messages highlight how much we need God’s help and how we should treat others with compassion.
Humility means recognizing that we are not perfect and that we need God’s mercy. Like St. Paul, we should not be afraid to admit our mistakes and accept God’s grace. Humility also helps us be more patient with others because we know we are all trying to improve.
Both St. Paul’s conversion and Jesus’ teaching on judgment invite us to let go of pride. When we realize our need for God and treat others with kindness, we grow in faith. Humility allows us to see ourselves clearly and to live in harmony with others.
Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us that God’s mercy is always available, no matter our past. It also encourages us to focus on our own faults rather than judging others. By embracing humility and seeking God’s help, we can grow in faith and become more patient and understanding in our relationships.
Prayer
Lord, help me to trust in Your mercy and forgive my past mistakes. Give me the humility to see my own faults and the patience to grow in Your grace. Guide me to treat others with kindness and compassion, as You have treated me. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- How can St. Paul’s story encourage you to trust in God’s mercy, no matter your past?
- In what areas of your life do you need to focus on your own growth instead of judging others?
- How can humility help you build stronger and more compassionate relationships?
- What steps can you take to seek God’s grace and let go of shame or guilt from past mistakes?
Homilies and Commentaries for Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Avoiding Hypocrisy
This USCCB reflection for Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 explains that Jesus uses the word “hypocrite” to describe those who focus on others’ faults while ignoring their own. Jesus condemns this lack of charity and urges people to first examine their own weaknesses.
Hypocrisy is rooted in a failure to love others as Christians should. The reflection reminds us that Jesus invites us to a deeper conversion, calling us to reflect on our lives and show love and patience toward others before judging them.
Resources
The First Letter to Timothy: Strength Through Grace
In 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14, Paul reflects on his calling and the mercy of Christ. This letter, written to guide a young leader, stresses that ministry is rooted in God’s grace rather than personal merit. Paul, once a persecutor, is now an apostle by God’s mercy. His story highlights that no past sin is greater than the love of Christ.
The wider letter encourages Timothy to stay faithful and strong in his role. Paul reminds him that Christian leadership requires reliance on God’s strength, not human effort. On Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, this reading shows how grace transforms weakness into service.
Psalm 16: Refuge in the Lord
Psalm 16 celebrates trust and security in God. The psalmist proclaims that joy, safety, and life are found in God’s presence. This theme runs through the whole psalm, which is a prayer of confidence. It reflects the covenant bond, where God offers blessing and the faithful respond with devotion and trust.
The larger message of Psalm 16 is that God alone is the source of true security. Wealth or power cannot compare with the path God sets before his people. On Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, this psalm reminds us to rest in God’s protection.
The Gospel of Luke: Clear Vision First
In Luke 6:39-42, Jesus warns his disciples about judging others before examining themselves. The Gospel of Luke often emphasizes mercy, humility, and living in community. Here, Jesus calls his followers to self-awareness and repentance before guiding others. The image of the blind leading the blind shows the danger of ignoring personal faults.
This passage fits within Luke’s larger message of discipleship. True followers of Christ must live with integrity, humility, and mercy. They are called to guide others, but only after allowing God to shape their own hearts. On Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, this Gospel challenges us to seek clear vision.
Social Media Graphics and Bulletin Artwork
If you would like an image to be made available as a specific product (card, poster, mug, etc.) or as an extra high resolution image for personal use just post a comment about what you want and we will create a link to our online store for you.
Seeing Clearly Before Helping
This striking image for Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 captures the call of Jesus to first look within before guiding others.
It is now available for download to use in your parish bulletins, newsletters, or teaching resources. Add it to your materials to inspire reflection on humility, self-awareness, and the Gospel message.
Paid subscribers may download a large copy this digital artwork without watermarks, suitable for use in bulletins, social media, newsletters, etc., free of charge by clicking here. You must be logged in as a paid subscriber to access the file.
Only current paid subscribers have the rights to use the artwork.
Questions and Answers for Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
What is the main lesson from the first reading for Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
The first reading shows that God forgives even our worst sins and calls us to serve Him. St. Paul shares how God’s grace changed his life, which teaches us that no one is beyond God’s mercy.
Why does St. Paul talk about his past sins?
Paul talks about his past to show how far God’s mercy can reach. His example helps us see that God can forgive us too and call us to a better life, no matter our past mistakes.
What does Jesus mean by asking not to judge others in the Gospel for Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
Jesus tells us not to judge others because we all have faults. Instead of focusing on others’ sins, we should work on fixing our own.
How can we apply Jesus’ warning about spiritual blindness?
Jesus’ teaching about the blind leading the blind shows that we need to be aware of our own weaknesses. We should seek to grow in understanding before we try to guide others.
What is the “wooden beam in your eye” that Jesus talks about?
The “wooden beam in your eye” means our own sins or faults that we often ignore. Jesus is asking us to focus on our own behavior and actions before criticizing others.
Why is mercy important in the readings for Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
Both St. Paul and Jesus show us that mercy is key to living as God wants. God gives us mercy, and we should do the same for others, instead of judging them.
How can we show humility based on the readings for Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
We can show humility by admitting our own faults and asking God for help to improve. St. Paul’s example reminds us that recognizing our weaknesses is the first step to change.
Trusting in Mercy and Growing in Humility
Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us of the unlimited mercy of God and the importance of humility in our lives. In the first reading, St. Paul reflects on how God forgave him, even though he once persecuted Christians. This shows that no one is beyond God’s forgiveness. When we seek His mercy, He welcomes us with love and gives us the chance to begin again.
The Gospel teaches us not to judge others. Jesus calls us to focus on our own faults before pointing out the mistakes of others. This helps us grow in humility and kindness. Instead of criticizing others, we are reminded to reflect on our own actions and work on improving ourselves.
Both readings highlight how much we need God’s grace in our daily lives. St. Paul’s story and Jesus’ teaching remind us to approach others with compassion and patience. By letting go of judgment and seeking God’s help, we can live in peace and grow in our faith. Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourages us to trust in God’s mercy and to treat others with love and understanding.
Your Turn
Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 challenges us to reflect on God’s mercy and our need for humility. How can you let go of judgment and focus on your own growth?
Spend some time reflecting on the readings. Share your thoughts in the comments. How have you experienced God’s mercy in your life? What steps can you take to build more compassionate relationships with others? Your reflections could inspire others to embrace God’s grace and live with kindness.
Leave a Reply