Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time (Sept 17, 2025)

• First Reading – 1 Timothy 3:14-16: I write to you about how to behave in God’s household, the Church. I touch on the great mystery of faith, seen and proclaimed globally.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 111: I thank the LORD wholeheartedly among the righteous. His works are great and bring joy. His majesty, glory, and justice are eternal. He’s gracious and keeps his covenant, providing for us.
• Gospel – Luke 7:31-35: I liken this generation to fickle children; they rejected both John’s austerity and my outgoing nature. Despite your judgments, wisdom’s value is proven by its outcomes.

For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ 

Matthew 11:18-19

On Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings focus on how we live out our faith in daily life. St. Paul reminds us of the truth of the Gospel, and Jesus challenges the attitudes of the people of his time.

• The Mystery of Faith: St. Paul speaks about the mystery of how God saves us through Jesus. This reminds us to hold fast to the truth of the Gospel.
• Church as Family: St. Paul refers to the Church as the “household of God.” This shows the importance of living as a family united in Christ.
• God Made Known: Paul explains that Jesus was revealed in the flesh and lifted up in glory. Jesus brings the hidden things of God into the open.
• Resisting Worldly Judgments: In the Gospel, Jesus warns against being swayed by the judgments of the world. People often judge others without truly seeking to understand.
• Wisdom of God’s Plan: Jesus shows that wisdom comes from God’s plan, not human opinion. Those who follow God’s will are proven right in the end.
• Faith in Action: Both readings encourage us to put faith into practice. It is not enough to know the truth; we must live it out in our daily lives.

These readings call us to live with faith and wisdom in a world that often misunderstands God’s ways. We are reminded to trust in the truth of Jesus and to stay firm in the teachings of the Church.

On Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings remind us of the importance of living out our faith with trust, patience, and action. St. Paul speaks of the mystery of faith, while Jesus challenges the attitudes of those who judge quickly. Both readings call us to a deeper understanding of how we live as members of God’s family.

Trusting in the Mystery of Faith

On Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, St. Paul reminds us that the truth of Jesus is a great mystery. We may not understand how God works or why things happen the way they do. Yet, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even when it is not clear to us.

Faith requires us to accept that some things will remain beyond our understanding. St. Paul encourages us to hold on to the truth of Jesus, who was revealed in the flesh, preached to the world, and raised in glory. This mystery calls for faith and trust in what God has done through Jesus.

In our daily lives, we may face situations where we don’t see the full picture or understand why something happens. Just as St. Paul calls us to believe in the mystery of Christ, we are also called to trust in God’s presence, even when life is uncertain. Faith is believing without seeing, and that’s how we live as part of God’s household.

Avoiding Quick Judgments

The Gospel reading for Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 shows Jesus criticizing people for their quick judgments. Many judged both John the Baptist and Jesus based on outward appearances without understanding their missions. They were quick to criticize without looking deeper into God’s plan.

Jesus reminds us that it is easy to fall into the habit of judging others. We often jump to conclusions based on what we see or hear, without knowing the full story. But God sees things differently, and we should be slow to criticize and more eager to understand.

In our own lives, we can be tempted to make quick judgments about others or even about situations that confuse us. Jesus challenges us to step back and see things with more patience. On Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are called to seek God’s wisdom and resist the urge to be critical.

Faith in Action

Both the first reading and the Gospel of Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 call us to put our faith into action. St. Paul speaks of living as members of God’s household, while Jesus speaks of how wisdom is shown in the actions of those who follow God’s ways. Faith is not just something we believe in our hearts; it must also be something we live out in our choices.

To live as God’s household means more than just attending church or knowing the truth. It means acting in ways that show we belong to Christ. In the Gospel, Jesus emphasizes that wisdom is seen in the right actions of those who follow him. This wisdom becomes clear over time as we choose to live out our faith.

On Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are encouraged to think about how our actions show our faith. Are we treating others with kindness and patience? Are we living as part of God’s family, working together with the Church? These readings remind us that faith is lived out through what we do, not just what we say.

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As we reflect on the lessons from Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are reminded that faith is not only about believing but also about how we live and act. Trust in God’s plan, avoid quick judgments, and live out our faith in our daily choices. Through these practices, we grow closer to God.

Reflection Questions for Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1:

• How does trusting in the mystery of faith help me in difficult times?
• What areas of my life do I find hard to understand, and how can I trust God more?
• When have I judged someone too quickly without knowing their full story?
• How can I be more patient with others as Jesus asks in the Gospel?
• What actions in my life show that I am part of God’s household?
• How does living my faith look in my daily routine?
• Do I rely more on human opinions or God’s wisdom when making decisions?
• How can I better resist the temptation to judge others?
• What practical steps can I take to live out my faith in action?
• How can I show kindness and understanding to someone who challenges me?

Prayer

Lord, help us to trust in the mystery of your plan, even when we don’t understand. Give us patience in how we see others and guide our actions to reflect your love. May we live each day as part of your household. Amen.

Word On Fire: Embracing the Marginalized

In today’s reflection for Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Robert Barron reflects on the Gospel where Jesus is labeled “a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” He emphasizes that Jesus intentionally reached out to marginalized groups to bring them into the light of God’s love. The Church, described as the Mystical Body of Jesus, carries forward this mission by serving as a living representation of Christ’s will and love. Through Baptism, individuals become members of this collective body, sharing the task of bringing love and salvation to those in need, even when it contradicts societal norms.

What date is Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Wednesday September 17, 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 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Wednesday September 17, 2025 are:
First Reading – 1 Timothy 3:14-16: Church Guidance
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 111: Works of the Lord
Gospel – Luke 7:31-35: Unsatisfied Generation

What does St. Paul mean when he talks about the mystery of faith in the first reading for Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

St. Paul is reminding us that the truth of Jesus saving us is a great mystery. It means we need to believe even when we cannot fully understand everything.

How does the Church act as a family?

In the readings, Paul calls the Church the household of God. This shows that we are all part of one family, supporting and caring for each other in our faith.

What can we learn from St. Paul’s teaching on Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

St. Paul teaches us to hold on to the truth of Jesus and live as part of God’s family. This means living our faith in the world and staying united with the Church.

Why does Jesus criticize the people’s attitudes in the Gospel for Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Jesus points out that people are often quick to judge without thinking carefully. He reminds us not to be critical but to seek to understand God’s way.

What does it mean that wisdom is justified by her children?

It means that true wisdom is shown by its results. If we follow God’s plan, it will be clear that it was the right choice in the end.

Why does Jesus speak about the way people judge others?

Jesus is warning us about being too quick to judge. Instead, we should focus on following God’s wisdom, not what people think is right or wrong.

How do these readings help us in daily life on Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The readings remind us to live with faith and trust in God. We are called to put our faith into action and not just keep it to ourselves.

How can I apply the wisdom from Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 to my life?

We can apply this wisdom by trusting in God’s ways and not being swayed by the opinions of others. It also means treating others with kindness and patience, avoiding judgment.