Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15a: I saw a man measuring Jerusalem, but an angel revealed that walls won’t be needed; God’s fire will encircle it. Rejoice, for God will dwell among us, attracting many nations.
• Responsorial Psalm) – Jeremiah 31: The Lord, who once scattered Israel, will gather and guard them like a shepherd. He will redeem them, turning their sorrow into joy, as they come to enjoy His blessings.
• Gospel – Luke 9:43b-45: Jesus tells his disciples he will be handed over to men, but they don’t grasp the message. The meaning is intentionally hidden from them, and they’re too fearful to ask for clarification.

Lectionary Reference: 454

Upcoming dates: September 27, 2025, September 25, 2027, September 27, 2031, September 24, 2033

Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.

Luke 9:44

On Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the readings from Zechariah and Luke offer us much to reflect on. Zechariah’s vision of God’s presence and the Gospel of Luke’s focus on the mystery of Jesus’ suffering encourage us to think about God’s plan for us and His constant care.

• God’s protective presence: In Zechariah, God promises to be a “wall of fire” around His people. This shows how God protects and surrounds us, even when we may not see it.
• God’s joyful promise: Zechariah speaks of rejoicing because God will come to dwell with His people. This reminds us that God desires to be close to us and that His presence brings joy.
• Mystery of suffering: In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus speaks of His coming suffering, but the disciples do not understand. This shows that God’s plans sometimes include suffering that we may not fully grasp.
• Human confusion and fear: The disciples were afraid to ask Jesus what He meant about His suffering. This highlights how we can struggle to understand God’s will and may sometimes fear asking questions.
• God’s care for all nations: Zechariah tells of many nations joining God’s people. This shows that God’s care extends to all people, not just one group.
• Trusting God’s plan: Both readings remind us that God has a plan, even when we don’t understand it fully. We are called to trust Him and His wisdom.

These themes remind us that God is always with us, even when we don’t understand His ways. We can take comfort in His protection and guidance as we continue to follow Him in faith.

Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 offers us readings from Zechariah and the Gospel of Luke that invite us to reflect on God’s presence, the mystery of suffering, and the importance of trusting His plan. These themes remind us that God is near, even when we do not fully understand His ways. Through these reflections, we can better appreciate how God works in our lives.

God’s Presence Brings Joy

In the first reading for Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Zechariah speaks about rejoicing because God will come to dwell with His people. This message is a reminder that God desires to be close to us, and His presence is a source of joy. Just as the people in Zechariah’s time rejoiced in this promise, we too are called to rejoice in knowing that God is always near us.

God does not want to be distant. He wants to walk with us in our daily lives. His presence is not just for special moments or places but in every moment. When we understand this, it brings us a sense of peace and happiness, knowing that we are never alone.

Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 helps us reflect on the joy of God being with us. We are invited to open our hearts to His presence, trusting that wherever we are, He is there too. This is what fills our lives with real joy, not because everything is perfect, but because God is with us.

The Mystery of Suffering

In the Gospel for Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus talks about His upcoming suffering, but the disciples do not understand. This reminds us that sometimes God’s plans involve suffering that we cannot fully grasp. Jesus knew what He had to face, and He accepted it, even though it was difficult for the disciples to understand.

There are times in our own lives when we face suffering or difficult situations. We may wonder why these things happen, just like the disciples did. The readings from Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 show us that suffering can be part of God’s plan, and even though we do not always understand it, we are called to trust.

Jesus’ example teaches us that suffering is not the end. It is part of a larger plan that leads to something greater. By accepting our own struggles with faith, we follow Jesus’ path, trusting that God’s will is at work, even when we don’t see the whole picture.

Trust in God’s Plan

Both the first reading from Zechariah and the Gospel for Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 call us to trust in God’s plan, even when it is not clear. In Zechariah, God promises to come and be with His people, bringing protection and joy. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of His suffering, which the disciples do not understand. Both readings show that God is always working for our good, even when His ways are hidden from us.

Trusting in God’s plan can be difficult, especially when things do not go the way we expect. Just like the disciples, we may struggle to understand why certain things happen. Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourages us to let go of our fear and confusion and to trust that God knows what He is doing.

God is always with us, protecting us and guiding us. Even when we cannot see how things will work out, we can be sure that His plan is always for our good. Trusting Him allows us to live with peace, knowing that God is in control.

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As we reflect on the readings from Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are encouraged to rejoice in God’s presence, accept the mystery of suffering, and trust His plan, even when it is not clear to us. By doing so, we grow in faith, trusting that God is always with us, guiding and protecting us.

Prayer

Lord, help us to trust You even when we do not understand. Teach us to find joy in Your presence and strength in times of suffering. May we always turn to You with confidence, knowing that Your plan is good and that You are always near. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I find joy in knowing that God is always present in my life?
• What struggles in my life do I need to offer to God with trust?
• Why is it sometimes difficult to understand God’s plan, especially in times of suffering?
• How can I grow in faith by trusting that God is guiding me, even when I don’t see the whole picture?

God’s Love in the Cross

In his reflection for Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Bishop Robert Barron explains that Jesus’ crucifixion is not just a result of human evil, but also part of God’s will. Jesus’ mission was to defeat death and extend God’s mercy to all, even in the darkest places.

The cross reveals God as heart-broken love, going to the greatest lengths to save humanity, just as a parent would go anywhere to rescue a child. Through the cross, we see the ultimate expression of God’s love and mercy.

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

The next date is Saturday September 27, 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 Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

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

The Mass readings for Saturday September 27, 2025 are:
First Reading – Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15a: Zechariah’s Vision
Responsorial Psalm – Jeremiah 31: Shepherd’s Care and Redemption
Gospel – Luke 9:43b-45: Jesus’ Mysterious Warning

Why does Zechariah talk about God being a wall of fire in the first reading for Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Zechariah describes God as a wall of fire to show how He protects His people. This reminds us that God surrounds us and keeps us safe, even when we feel unsure.

What does it mean when Zechariah says God will come to live with His people?

Zechariah speaks of God coming to be with His people. This shows us that God wants to be close to us and is always near, especially in our daily lives.

What does Zechariah’s message mean for us today?

Zechariah’s message teaches us that God is always near, protecting and guiding us. We can find comfort in knowing that God cares for all people and wants to be with us.

Why did the disciples not understand Jesus when He talked about His suffering in the Gospel for Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The disciples did not understand what Jesus meant about His suffering. This teaches us that sometimes God’s plan can be hard to understand, but we are still called to trust Him.

Why were the disciples afraid to ask Jesus questions?

The disciples were afraid to ask Jesus more about His suffering. This shows that fear and confusion can keep us from seeking understanding, but we should still bring our questions to God.

How can we apply these readings to our lives?

We learn that trusting God, even when we don’t fully understand, is important. We are reminded to lean on God’s protection and ask for help in times of confusion or fear.

What is the connection between the readings from Zechariah and Luke?

In both readings for Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we see that God’s plan involves both protection and suffering. This helps us see that God is with us in all moments, whether joyful or challenging, and we are called to trust Him always.