Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Haggai 1:1-8: God chides the people of Judah for neglecting to rebuild His house while focusing on their own comforts. He urges them to reconsider their priorities and rebuild the temple for His glory.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 149: Sing praises to the LORD, for he delights in his people. Rejoice and express this joy through dance and music. The faithful should celebrate, for this glorifies God.
• Gospel – Luke 9:7-9: Herod hears varying rumors about Jesus, attributing him to John the Baptist, Elijah, or an ancient prophet. Confused and intrigued, especially since he had John beheaded, Herod seeks to see Jesus.

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead

Luke 9:7

On Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings from Haggai and the Gospel of Luke invite reflection on important themes related to faith and our response to God. These themes encourage us to evaluate our priorities, recognize God’s work in our lives, and seek to understand His will more deeply.

• God’s Call to Action: In Haggai, God urges the people to rebuild His temple. This highlights the importance of responding to God’s call and putting His work first.
• Misplaced Priorities: Haggai points out that the people focus on their own homes while God’s house lies in ruins. This calls us to examine if we are prioritizing our own needs over God’s mission.
• Awareness of God’s Presence: The Gospel shows Herod wondering about Jesus, but not understanding who He is. This theme encourages us to seek a deeper understanding of Jesus and not just be curious from a distance.
• Listening to God’s Prophets: Both readings emphasize the role of God’s messengers. Haggai speaks God’s word to the people, and Jesus fulfills the prophecies, reminding us to listen to God’s chosen voices.
• Seeking True Understanding: Herod hears about Jesus but is confused by rumors. We are called to seek the truth about Jesus through faith and trust, not just through what others say.
• Rebuilding with Purpose: God commands the people to rebuild the temple, but not for themselves. This teaches us that our work should be done with the purpose of glorifying God, not for selfish gain.

Reflecting on these themes for Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 helps us to see where our faith can grow. They remind us that God’s will should guide our actions and that we must continually seek to understand and follow Him.

On Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings from Haggai and the Gospel of Luke challenge us to examine our faith, priorities, and how we listen to God’s voice. Through these passages, we are called to reflect on whether we are truly putting God first, seeking the truth about Jesus, and responding to His messengers. These reflections help us apply the lessons from the readings to our daily lives.

Prioritizing God’s Mission Over Our Own

On Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the reading from Haggai shows how the people of Israel were focused on building their own homes while the temple of God was left in ruins. God calls them out, reminding them that their priorities are misplaced. They cared more about their personal comfort than the work God had for them.

This is a challenge for us, too. It is easy to get caught up in our own concerns—our jobs, our families, our homes—and forget that God has work for us to do. He asks us to make His mission a priority, just like He asked the people in Haggai’s time to rebuild His temple.

We can reflect on how we spend our time and resources. Are we investing them in things that bring us closer to God and His purpose for our lives? Or are we more focused on our own comfort and success? God calls us to put Him first, trusting that He will provide for our needs.

Seeking the Truth About Jesus

In the Gospel reading for Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Herod is curious about Jesus. He has heard many rumors about who Jesus is, but he doesn’t know the truth. Herod’s confusion shows us that it is not enough to just hear about Jesus from others—we must seek to know Him for ourselves.

It’s common for people to hear different ideas about who Jesus is, but we are called to go beyond what others say. Our faith must be built on a personal relationship with Jesus, not just secondhand information. We find the truth about Him through prayer, scripture, and following His teachings.

We can ask ourselves if we are actively seeking the truth about Jesus. Are we trying to grow closer to Him each day? Or are we content to rely on what others say? Jesus invites us to know Him personally, and that requires effort and faith on our part.

Listening to God’s Messengers

Both readings on Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us of the importance of listening to God’s messengers. In Haggai, God speaks to the people through the prophet, urging them to rebuild the temple. In the Gospel, we see that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecies, and John the Baptist also played a key role in preparing the way for Jesus.

God uses messengers throughout history to guide His people. Sometimes these messengers are prophets, and other times they are the people God puts in our lives to speak truth to us. The challenge for us is to be open to hearing God’s voice through them, even when it is not easy.

We can reflect on how we respond to those who speak God’s word. Are we listening with open hearts? Or are we too focused on our own plans and ideas? God’s messengers call us to something greater—His plan for our lives. We must be ready to hear and respond to their message.

---

The readings for Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us that God calls us to reorder our lives according to His will. Whether through prioritizing His mission, seeking Jesus with faith, or listening to His messengers, we are invited to grow in our relationship with Him. Let us ask for the grace to live out these truths in our daily lives.

Prayer

Lord, help me to put You first in all things. Open my heart to seek the truth about Your Son, Jesus, and guide me to listen to Your messengers. Give me the strength to follow Your will each day and trust in Your plan for my life. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• What are some areas in my life where I might be placing my own priorities ahead of God’s mission?
• How can I seek a deeper, personal understanding of Jesus, rather than relying on what others say?
• In what ways have I heard God speaking to me through His messengers, and how have I responded?
• How can I make more time in my life to focus on God’s will and His work?

Word on Fire: Jesus’ Kingdom and Worldly Power

In Bishop Robert Barron’s reflection for Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, he discusses how political rulers, like Herod and Pilate, are portrayed negatively in the New Testament. Jesus is seen as a threat because His kingdom is different from the corrupt and violent ways of worldly rulers. When Jesus says His kingdom is not of this world, He means it is not ruled by sin and selfishness, but by justice, peace, and love. Barron reminds us that Jesus’ mission involves reshaping the world according to God’s way, not the world’s.

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

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

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

The Mass readings for Thursday September 25, 2025 are:
First Reading – Haggai 1:1-8: Rebuild the Temple
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 149: God’s Joy in His People
Gospel – Luke 9:7-9: Herod’s Curiosity

What does the reading from Haggai teach us about priorities in the first reading for Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

In Haggai, God tells the people they are putting their own needs before His. This teaches us to check our priorities and make sure we are putting God first in our lives.

Why is God upset with the people in Haggai?

God is upset because the people are focusing on their own homes while His temple is in ruins. This reminds us that we need to take care of our spiritual duties and not only focus on ourselves.

How can we apply the message of Haggai to our daily lives?

We can apply it by examining where we spend our time and resources. If we are focusing too much on material things, we can ask God to help us shift our focus to Him.

How can we better understand God’s will like the people in Haggai were asked to do?

We can better understand God’s will by praying, reading scripture, and listening to God’s guidance in our lives. It’s important to make time for God and listen to Him.

What does the rebuilding of the temple mean for us today?

The rebuilding of the temple shows the need to put effort into our spiritual lives. Just as the people were called to rebuild, we are called to grow closer to God and strengthen our faith.

Why is Herod curious about Jesus in the Gospel reading for Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Herod hears about Jesus and is confused about who He is. This shows that some people are curious about Jesus but don’t understand His true importance.

What can we learn from Herod’s reaction to Jesus in the Gospel?

Herod is curious but does not seek a deeper understanding. We learn that we should not just be curious about Jesus but truly seek to know and follow Him.

How can we listen to God’s messengers in our lives?

We can listen by paying attention to those who teach God’s word, such as priests and church leaders. God often speaks through others to guide us.