Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Ezra 9:5-9: Ezra confesses the long-standing guilt of his people and their leaders, acknowledging the punishments they’ve faced. He also recognizes recent mercy from God, including support from Persian kings to rebuild their holy place.
• Responsorial Psalm – Tobit 13: In exile, I still praise God and reveal His power to a sinful nation. He punishes but also shows mercy, controlling life and death. Praise Him, Israel, even when scattered among Gentiles.
• Gospel – Luke 9:1-6: Jesus empowers the Twelve to heal and cast out demons. He instructs them to travel light and depend on hospitality. They go, spreading God’s Kingdom and performing miracles.

Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

Luke 9:6

On Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings from Ezra and Luke show us the mercy of God and the mission of the disciples. Ezra acknowledges the sins of the people and how God still extends His mercy. In the Gospel, Jesus sends out the apostles to preach and heal.

• God’s mercy in forgiveness: In Ezra , we see the people’s sins, but also God’s mercy. Despite their unfaithfulness, God does not abandon them.
• Repentance and humility: Ezra leads the people in repentance. He shows the importance of being humble before God and seeking forgiveness.
• God’s continued help: Ezra speaks of God allowing a “remnant” to survive. This shows that even when people fail, God continues to help them rebuild.
• Jesus sends disciples: Jesus sends the apostles to preach the kingdom and heal the sick. This shows that followers of Jesus are called to spread His message.
• Travel light and trust: Jesus tells the disciples to take nothing with them. This teaches that they should trust God for what they need.
• The power to heal: Jesus gives the apostles power over sickness and evil spirits. This reminds us that God’s power is greater than any trouble or suffering.

These readings show the mercy of God and the mission He gives His people. They remind us that God forgives and calls us to serve, even when we have fallen short.

The readings for Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 invite us to reflect on God’s mercy and our mission as His followers. In both the first reading and the Gospel, we see examples of God’s faithfulness and His call to trust in Him. These reflections help us better understand how to apply these lessons to our own lives.

God’s Mercy for a Remnant

In the first reading for Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Ezra speaks about God allowing a small remnant of His people to survive. Even though the people had been unfaithful and sinned, God did not abandon them completely. He allowed some of them to return and rebuild their lives. This shows us that God’s mercy remains even when we fail.

When we feel like we’ve messed up or strayed from God, we can trust that He does not leave us. Just like He helped the remnant to rebuild, He helps us pick up the pieces after our mistakes. We may feel broken, but God can still work in our lives if we turn to Him.

God’s mercy is greater than our failures. Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us that even when we feel lost, we are never beyond God’s reach. He is always ready to help us rebuild our relationship with Him.

Called to Preach and Heal

In the Gospel for Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus sends His apostles out to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick. He gave them the mission to bring God’s message to others and to care for those in need. This reminds us that being a follower of Jesus means sharing His love with others.

Jesus’ instructions were simple: go and trust that God will take care of the rest. The apostles didn’t need extra supplies or money, just faith. This is a challenge for us, too. Sometimes, we hold back because we don’t feel ready or prepared, but Jesus calls us to act, trusting in God’s help.

Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 teaches us that spreading God’s message is part of our mission as Christians. We may not always know how it will turn out, but we are called to trust in God and do our part.

Trusting God’s Plan

Both the first reading and the Gospel for Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 show the importance of trusting God’s plan. Ezra and the Israelites were in a difficult situation, but they trusted that God would guide them through it. In the Gospel, the apostles went out with nothing but faith that God would provide what they needed.

Sometimes, we don’t understand how things will work out. We might feel like we don’t have enough strength, wisdom, or resources. But both readings show that when we trust God, He leads us where we need to go. The apostles didn’t need extra supplies, and Ezra didn’t need a perfect situation—what they needed was faith.

Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us to trust in God’s plan, even when we don’t have all the answers. If we have faith and follow His call, God will provide what we need. We just need to be willing to take the first step.

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Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us that God’s mercy is always available, and He calls us to serve others with trust in Him. Whether we are rebuilding after failure or stepping out in faith, God is with us, guiding and providing for us every step of the way.

Prayer

Lord, help us to trust in Your mercy and Your plan for our lives. Give us the courage to share Your message with others and to care for those in need. Strengthen our faith when we feel weak and guide us as we follow You each day. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How have you experienced God’s mercy in your life, like the remnant in the first reading?
• What holds you back from sharing your faith or serving others like the apostles?
• How can you grow in trust, like the apostles who were sent with nothing but faith?
• In what areas of your life do you need to trust God’s plan, even if you don’t see the outcome yet?

Word on Fire: We Are a Mission for the World

In this reflection for Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Bishop Robert Barron emphasizes that Christians are called to evangelize, not just focus on personal spirituality. Drawing from the Gospel, where Jesus sends out His disciples, he reminds us that, as members of the Church, we exist for the world. Like salt and light, we are meant to enhance and illuminate others. Pope St. Paul VI said the Church is a mission, not just something with a mission. One day, Christ will ask how we extended His kingdom.

USCCB Reflection: Trusting the Journey

This USCCB video reflection for Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time discusses Jesus instructing his disciples to go on a mission to heal the sick and spread the message of God’s kingdom. Jesus advises them to take nothing with them—not even basic provisions like food or money. The focus here is on trusting that the mission itself is guided by divine intent and that all necessities will be provided for. It suggests that fulfilling a mission in the name of Jesus requires trust and complete dependence on God’s guidance and provision. This teaching is framed as a valuable lesson for modern-day followers, challenging them to place their full trust in divine guidance.

What date is Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Wednesday September 24, 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 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Wednesday September 24, 2025 are:
First Reading – Ezra 9:5-9: Ezra’s Prayer
Responsorial Psalm – Tobit 13: Everlasting Praise
Gospel – Luke 9:1-6: Apostles Sent Forth

Why does Ezra talk about the people’s sins in the first reading for Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Ezra is asking for forgiveness for the wrongs the people committed. He reminds them that, even when they turn away from God, He still shows mercy.

What does Ezra mean by a “remnant” in the first reading?

The remnant is the small group of people who survive after a difficult time. It shows that God still cares for His people and helps them to rebuild.

What does God’s mercy teach us about our own lives?

It teaches us that no matter how much we fall short, God is always ready to forgive. This encourages us to never give up on seeking His mercy and trying to live better.

How can we relate to the repentance shown in Ezra’s prayer?

We can relate by being honest with God about our mistakes and asking for forgiveness. It reminds us to trust that God will forgive us when we turn back to Him.

Why did Jesus send the apostles out with no extra supplies in the Gospel for Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Jesus wanted the apostles to trust that God would provide what they needed. This teaches us to have faith in God’s care for us, even when we don’t know how things will work out.

What does it mean that Jesus gave the apostles power to heal?

Jesus gave the apostles the ability to heal sickness and cast out evil. This shows us that God’s power is greater than any sickness or suffering we face.

What can we learn from the apostles being sent out to preach?

We learn that Jesus calls His followers to share the good news with others. We can spread kindness and help those in need, just like the apostles did.

How can we apply the trust of the apostles to our lives?

We can apply it by learning to trust God when we face challenges. Just as the apostles trusted in God for everything, we too can rely on God in our daily needs.