Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29: Despite Israel’s betrayal through idolatry, causing their downfall, they’re urged to remember God’s enduring love. Jerusalem mourns her children’s suffering but reassures them of God’s eventual salvation and lasting joy if they return to Him.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 69: The downtrodden are encouraged to find joy in seeking God, who listens to and supports the poor and oppressed. God’s promise is to restore and bless the land for those who love Him.
• Gospel – Luke 10:17-24: The disciples celebrated their power over demons. Jesus highlighted the greater joy of heavenly belonging. He praised the Father for revealing truths to the simple and affirmed the disciples’ blessed witnessing.

Lectionary Reference: 460

When this falls on October 2, the gospel for the Memorial of the Guardian Angels is used.

Upcoming dates: October 4, 2025, October 2, 2027, October 6, 2029, October 4, 2031, October 1, 2033

Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 

Luke 10:23

Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 highlights God’s mercy and the need for humility and trust. The readings emphasize God’s call for repentance and joy in His salvation.

• God’s mercy and love: The first reading from Baruch shows God’s deep love for His people, even in their sinfulness. He calls them to return to Him, offering hope and mercy despite their mistakes.
• Repentance and renewal: Baruch urges the people to acknowledge their sins and turn back to God. This shows that even in times of suffering, God invites us to start fresh with Him.
• The promise of salvation: Baruch reminds the people of the promise that if they return to God, He will bring them back to peace. This promise of restoration is a reminder of God’s constant call to repentance and salvation.
• Trust in God’s plan: The Gospel reminds us that true wisdom comes from trusting God’s plan. Jesus rejoices that God reveals His truth to those who are humble, rather than the proud or powerful.
• Joy in serving God: The disciples return full of joy because of the power they experienced in Jesus’ name. Their joy shows that serving God brings peace and happiness, beyond what the world can offer.
• Humility before God: Jesus praises the Father for revealing His wisdom to the humble and simple. This teaches us that to understand God’s will, we must be humble and open-hearted.

These themes show God’s call for repentance, humility, and joy in His mercy. On this day, we are reminded that God’s plan for us brings lasting peace and happiness if we trust in Him.

Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 offers us readings that focus on themes of repentance, humility, and the joy that comes from serving God. Baruch reminds the people of the need to return to God, while the Gospel highlights the joy of the disciples as they experience God’s power through their mission. These reflections help us better understand how to apply these messages to our daily lives.

Returning to God Brings Peace

In the first reading for Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Baruch speaks to a people who have turned away from God. Their suffering is a result of this distance from Him. Baruch reminds them that God is still merciful and is calling them back. He encourages them to turn away from sin and seek forgiveness.

This message of repentance is still important today. Whenever we stray from God, we also experience a kind of suffering. It may not always be obvious at first, but the further we go from God, the more we lose our peace and joy. Like the people in Baruch’s time, we are invited to turn back to God.

Turning to God means admitting our sins, seeking forgiveness, and changing our hearts. God’s mercy is endless, and He is always ready to welcome us back. When we return to Him, He leads us to true peace and joy. Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us that God’s mercy is greater than our failures and that He is always ready to lead us back.

Joy Comes From Serving God

The Gospel reading for Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 shows the disciples returning to Jesus full of joy. They had experienced God’s power working through them as they served others in His name. Jesus celebrates this joy, but He also points out that their real joy should be in knowing they are part of God’s kingdom.

This shows us that true happiness comes from following God and doing His will. The world often offers temporary happiness in material things or success, but these things do not last. The joy the disciples experienced was deeper because it came from serving God and trusting in Him.

We can find that same joy by living in faith and service. When we put our trust in God, we can find peace even in difficult times. Serving God and others leads to a joy that is much greater than anything the world can give. Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 teaches us that true happiness is found in living for God.

Humility Opens Our Hearts to God

Both the first reading and the Gospel for Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 highlight the importance of humility. In Baruch, we see the people called to humble themselves and turn back to God. In the Gospel, Jesus thanks God for revealing His truths to the humble, rather than the proud.

Humility means recognizing our need for God and being open to His will. When we are proud or think we know best, we close ourselves off from God’s guidance. But when we humble ourselves, we can hear His voice more clearly and follow His path. Jesus praises those with a childlike trust, showing us that humility is key to understanding God’s will.

In our own lives, we need humility to truly follow God. It can be easy to think we have everything figured out, but God’s ways are higher than our own. By humbling ourselves, we allow God to work in our lives and lead us to peace and joy. Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us that humility opens our hearts to God’s wisdom and love.

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Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourages us to return to God with humble hearts. The readings show us that true joy and peace are found in trusting Him and living according to His will. As we reflect on these themes, may we open our hearts to God’s mercy and guidance.

Prayer

Lord, help us turn our hearts back to You with humility and trust. Give us the strength to seek Your forgiveness and follow Your path. May we find joy in serving You and others, knowing that You are always with us. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I turn back to God in areas where I have strayed?
• What does it mean to find joy in serving God?
• How can I practice humility in my daily life to better understand God’s will?
• What steps can I take to trust in God’s mercy and His plan for me?

Preparing for Spiritual Battles

In this reflection for Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Robert Barron discusses the spiritual warfare that Jesus’ disciples, and by extension the Church, must engage in. He emphasizes that the true battle isn’t solely a physical or societal one but a spiritual confrontation with the devil.

The contrasting instructions given by Jesus at different times—initially encouraging complete dependence on God and later preparing them for a fight—highlight the multi-faceted nature of discipleship. While the disciples must trust in God, they are also called to be vigilant and ready to confront the challenges that come their way.

What date is Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Saturday October 4, 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 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Saturday October 4, 2025 are:
First Reading – Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29: Israel’s Fall and Hope
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 69: God’s Care for the Lowly
Gospel – Luke 10:17-24: Disciples’ Power and Revelation
When this falls on October 2, the gospel for the Memorial of the Guardian Angels is used.

Why does Baruch speak about suffering in the first reading for Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Baruch is reminding the people that their suffering comes from turning away from God. He encourages them to return to God, who will show them mercy and lead them back to peace.

What does it mean to return to God in the first reading?

Returning to God means turning away from sin and seeking forgiveness. It’s about trusting in His mercy and changing our hearts to follow Him more closely.

Why were the disciples so joyful in the Gospel for Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The disciples were joyful because they saw God’s power working through them as they served others. Their joy shows us that following God and doing His work brings peace and happiness.

What does Jesus mean by hiding things from the wise?

Jesus is saying that those who are proud or think they know everything may miss God’s truth. It is the humble and those with childlike trust who are open to God’s message.

What is the main lesson from the Gospel for Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The main lesson is that joy comes from serving God and trusting Him with a humble heart. Jesus shows us that true happiness is found when we put our faith in God and live according to His will.

How can we be more humble as seen in the readings?

We can be more humble by admitting that we need God and others in our lives. Humility is about recognizing that we don’t have all the answers and being open to learning from God.

How can the readings for Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 help us today?

The readings remind us that God is merciful and always ready to forgive. They show us that we can find true joy and peace by turning to Him, being humble, and trusting in His plan for our lives.

What is the connection between humility and understanding God’s will in the readings for Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The readings show that understanding God’s will requires a humble heart. When we are humble, we are more open to hearing God’s voice and following His path.