Thursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – 1 Timothy 4:12-16: Stay dedicated to your calling, setting an example in all things, and focus on teaching and personal growth, as this will benefit both you and those who follow your guidance.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 111: The Lord’s works are just and eternal, and wisdom begins with reverence for Him. His faithfulness, justice, and praise last forever.
• Gospel – Luke 7:36-50: A sinful woman weeps at Jesus’ feet, washing them with her tears and anointing them with perfume. Jesus forgives her sins, explaining that her great love shows she has been forgiven much. He teaches that those who are forgiven more, love more, and tells her to go in peace.

So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.

Luke 7:47

On Thursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the readings from 1 Timothy 4:12-16 and Luke 7:36-50 offer important lessons for Christian life. These passages focus on how we live our faith, treat others, and respond to God’s love.

• Example in Faith: Paul encourages Timothy to be an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. This shows that our actions and words should reflect our Christian faith at all times.
• Perseverance in Teaching: Timothy is urged to persist in teaching and living the Gospel. The importance of perseverance is key in helping others grow in faith.
• Forgiveness of Sins: In the Gospel, Jesus forgives the sinful woman who shows great love. This highlights how Jesus’ mercy reaches all who seek forgiveness with sincere hearts.
• Love and Repentance: The woman’s love for Jesus is expressed through her acts of humility and repentance. Her actions remind us that love grows when we recognize how much we are forgiven.
• Avoiding Judgement: Simon, the Pharisee, judges the woman harshly because of her past. Jesus teaches that we should not judge others, for we all need mercy.
• Living in Grace: Paul encourages Timothy to immerse himself in the faith to benefit himself and others. This call to live fully in grace is echoed in how the woman in the Gospel is transformed by her encounter with Jesus.

The themes from these readings call us to be witnesses of faith and love in our daily lives. They also show us the importance of repentance and how Jesus’ mercy can change our hearts.

On Thursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the readings from 1 Timothy and the Gospel of Luke invite us to reflect on themes of love, humility, forgiveness, and leading by example. St. Paul’s guidance to Timothy and the actions of the sinful woman in the Gospel provide valuable lessons for how we live out our faith. These reflections help us consider how we respond to God’s mercy and how our actions can reflect His love to others.

Love Shown Through Humility and Repentance

On Thursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the Gospel focuses on a woman who shows great love for Jesus by her humble actions. She washes His feet with her tears and dries them with her hair. This act of humility and love is her way of showing repentance for her sins. She recognizes the weight of her past mistakes, but more importantly, she knows that Jesus can forgive her.

Her love grows as she experiences forgiveness. This teaches us that when we truly repent and seek God’s mercy, our hearts are opened to love even more deeply. The more we understand how much we have been forgiven, the more we are capable of loving others and God.

Thursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 invites us to reflect on our own need for repentance. Like the woman, we should approach Jesus with humility, knowing that no sin is too great for His forgiveness. In return, our love for Him will deepen, and we will find ourselves changed by His mercy.

Leading by Example in Faith

In the first reading for Thursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, St. Paul urges Timothy to be an example in faith, love, and purity. Timothy’s role is to guide others by living out the Gospel in his daily life. His actions should reflect his faith so that others can see what it means to follow Jesus.

This lesson speaks to all of us. We are called to lead others not just through words, but through our actions. Whether at work, in our families, or in our communities, our lives should point others toward Christ. People often notice our kindness, patience, and love more than our words.

Thursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourages us to think about how our actions can inspire others. Are we living in a way that shows the love of Christ to those around us? By being an example, we can help others see the goodness of following Jesus.

The Power of Mercy and Forgiveness

Both the first reading and the Gospel for Thursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 emphasize the importance of mercy and forgiveness. In the Gospel, Jesus forgives the sinful woman who expresses her love and repentance through humble actions. In the first reading, St. Paul tells Timothy to remain faithful and dedicated to his calling, which includes teaching others about the mercy of God.

These readings remind us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s mercy. Whether we have made small or large mistakes, Jesus offers us forgiveness when we come to Him with sincere hearts. This mercy not only frees us from sin but also gives us the strength to forgive others.

On Thursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are reminded to be both recipients and givers of mercy. Just as Jesus shows us compassion and forgiveness, we should extend the same kindness to those around us. In a world where people often judge each other harshly, we are called to be merciful and patient.

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Thursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, calls us to live with humility, seek forgiveness, and be examples of Christ’s love in our daily lives. The readings show that God’s mercy is always available to those who turn to Him. Let these reflections inspire us to deepen our love for God and share His grace with others.

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

1. How does the woman in the Gospel inspire you to show humility and repentance in your own life?
2. What does it mean for you to lead others by example in faith, as St. Paul advises Timothy?
3. When have you experienced God’s mercy in a powerful way?
4. How can you grow in love by recognizing how much you have been forgiven?
5. Are there areas of your life where you need to seek forgiveness and healing?
6. In what ways can your daily actions reflect Christ’s love to others?
7. How can you avoid judging others and instead show mercy, as Jesus did with the sinful woman?
8. How can you encourage others to deepen their faith by living as an example of Christ’s love?
9. How do you stay focused on prayer and Scripture, like St. Paul encourages Timothy to do?
10. What steps can you take to be more forgiving toward others in your relationships?

Prayer

Lord, help us to come to You with humble hearts, seeking Your forgiveness. Teach us to be examples of faith and love to others. Strengthen us to live out our faith each day and to share Your mercy with all who need it. Amen.

Order of Preachers: Do You Really See?

Fr. Michael Champlin reflects on the Gospel for Thursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2. He explains that the woman in the story is not Mary Magdalene but a woman with a bad reputation. Jesus sees her beyond her sins and forgives her because she shows great love. Fr. Mike encourages us to look deeper at the people around us, seeing their inner beauty, pain, and needs, just as Jesus sees the true heart of the woman who sought forgiveness.

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

The next date is Thursday September 18, 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 Thursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

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

The Mass readings for Thursday September 18, 2025 are:
First Reading  – 1 Timothy 4:12-16: Stay True to Your Calling
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 111: The Great Works of the Lord
Gospel – Luke 7:36-50: Forgiveness and Love

Why does St. Paul tell Timothy to be an example in the first reading for Thursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

St. Paul wants Timothy to lead others by showing what it means to live as a Christian. We learn that our actions can inspire others to follow Jesus.

How can I be an example in faith like Timothy?

You can be an example by speaking kindly, acting with love, staying true to your beliefs, and avoiding sin. This reading reminds us that how we live our daily lives can help others see the goodness of God.

What does it mean to live in grace like St. Paul encourages Timothy?

Living in grace means staying close to God through prayer, good deeds, and following the teachings of Jesus. By doing this, we help ourselves and others grow in faith.

Why is Jesus forgiving the sinful woman so important in the Gospel for Thursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Jesus’ forgiveness shows that no one is beyond God’s mercy. We see that when we are sorry for our sins, Jesus welcomes us with love and forgives us.

What can we learn from the sinful woman’s actions?

Her actions teach us that showing love and repentance is important. We should approach Jesus with humility and trust in His mercy.

How should we respond when others make mistakes?

We should avoid judging others and remember that we all need forgiveness. The Gospel teaches us to be kind and understanding, just as Jesus was with the sinful woman.

How can I apply these readings for Thursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 to my life?

You can apply these readings by striving to be an example of Christian love, seeking forgiveness when needed, and not judging others. These themes call us to live our faith actively and with a loving heart.