Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time
Saturday October 11, 2025

Daily Mass Readings for Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
Luke 11:27-28
Themes for the Readings for Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
On Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we reflect on the readings from Joel 4:12-21 and Luke 11:27-28. These readings call us to recognize God’s presence, justice, and the importance of listening to His Word.
- God’s Judgment: Joel speaks of God gathering the nations for judgment. This reminds us that God will judge all people, and we must be ready to account for our lives.
- Trust in God’s Protection: Joel mentions God being a refuge for His people. This theme shows that we can trust God to protect and defend us in difficult times.
- Abundance of God’s Blessings: Joel describes the mountains dripping with new wine and the hills flowing with milk. This points to the fullness of blessings that come from following God.
- God’s Presence in Our Lives: Joel shows how God is in the midst of His people. We are reminded that God is always with us, guiding and caring for us.
- Obedience to God’s Word: In the Gospel, Jesus highlights the importance of hearing and keeping the Word of God. Obedience brings us closer to God and leads to true happiness.
- True Blessedness: Jesus teaches that true blessedness comes not just from honoring His mother, but from obeying God’s Word. This shows that our relationship with God is more important than anything else.
These readings for Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 challenge us to trust in God’s justice and blessings while living in obedience to His Word. We are invited to reflect on how we live out our faith and stay close to God.
Reflection for Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1

On Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings invite us to reflect on trusting God, living out His Word, and understanding true blessedness. In Joel, we see God as our refuge and protector. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches that hearing and keeping God’s Word brings us closer to Him and leads to real happiness.
Trusting God as Our Refuge
In the reading from Joel on Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are reminded that God is a refuge for His people. A refuge is a place of safety, and this image of God shows us that He is our protection in difficult times. When life gets hard, we can turn to God and know that He will shelter us.
We all face challenges that make us feel overwhelmed. Joel’s message tells us that we are not alone in these moments. God is with us, offering His strength and care. No matter how tough things seem, we can trust that God will help us through.
This reading invites us to trust in God’s presence in our lives. Instead of relying only on ourselves, we can depend on God to defend and guide us. He is the refuge we need when life feels too heavy to carry.
The Importance of Obedience
In the Gospel reading for Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus emphasizes the importance of hearing and keeping God’s Word. Listening to God’s Word is the first step, but we must also act on it. Obedience is what brings us closer to God and leads us to true happiness.
It is easy to hear God’s teachings and not let them change us. But Jesus reminds us that true faith means living out what we learn. When we obey God, we grow in our relationship with Him and find the peace and joy that come from doing what is right.
This Gospel challenges us to ask ourselves if we are not just hearing God’s Word, but also keeping it in our hearts and actions. Obedience may not always be easy, but it is the path that leads to a deeper connection with God. Jesus wants us to live in a way that reflects His teachings.
True Blessedness
The theme of blessedness appears in both the first reading from Joel and the Gospel of Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1. In Joel, we see God blessing His people with abundance. The mountains drip with wine, and the hills flow with milk. This image shows how God’s blessings overflow for those who are faithful to Him.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of true blessedness. While people praise His mother for being the one who bore Him, Jesus points out that real blessedness comes from hearing and keeping God’s Word. This teaches us that our closeness to God depends on how we live our lives in obedience, not just our relationship to others.
Both readings remind us that God’s blessings are given to those who follow His ways. True blessedness comes from living a life rooted in God’s Word. When we follow Him, we experience the fullness of the blessings He has for us.
As we reflect on the readings for Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are reminded of God’s protection, the importance of obedience, and the blessings that come from following Him. Let us continue to trust in God, live according to His Word, and seek true blessedness in our daily lives.
Prayer
Lord, help us trust You as our refuge and strength. Guide us to hear and follow Your Word in all that we do. Grant us the grace to live faithfully each day and receive the blessings You have promised to those who love and obey You. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- How can you better trust God to be your refuge in difficult times?
- Are you actively living out the teachings you hear from God’s Word?
- In what areas of your life is God calling you to deeper obedience?
- How do you understand true blessedness, and how can you seek it in your daily life?
Homilies and Commentaries for Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
The Kingdom Comes First
In his reflection for Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Bishop Robert Barron explains that Jesus redefines the idea of blessedness. When a woman praises Jesus’ mother, He responds that those who hear and obey God’s Word are truly blessed. Jesus places the kingdom of God above social structures like the family, emphasizing that the new community of believers takes priority.
Bishop Barron notes that when family is given too much importance, it can become dysfunctional. Jesus calls His followers to make God’s kingdom their first concern, even above family obligations.
Questions and Answers for Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
What date is Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
The next date is Saturday October 11, 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 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.
What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
The Mass readings for Saturday October 11, 2025 are:
First Reading – Joel 4:12-21: Judgment in Jehoshaphat
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 97: The Lord’s Glory and Justice
Gospel – Luke 11:27-28: True Blessedness
What does the gathering of the nations for judgment mean in the first reading for Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
It means that God will bring all people together to judge them based on their actions. We are reminded to live good lives and follow God’s ways because He will judge us in the end.
How should we understand God being a refuge?
It means that God will protect those who trust in Him, especially in difficult times. We can turn to God for help and strength whenever we face struggles.
What is the meaning of the blessings of new wine and milk?
The wine and milk represent the good things that come from following God. These blessings remind us that God provides for His people and rewards those who are faithful.
How can we apply the message of judgment to our lives?
We should reflect on how we live and ask ourselves if we are following God’s commandments. We can prepare for God’s judgment by making good choices and seeking forgiveness when we fail.
How can the idea of God as a refuge help us in daily life?
We can trust that God is with us when life is hard, offering us comfort and strength. Knowing God is our refuge gives us peace, even in tough situations.
What does it mean that God is in the midst of His people?
It means that God is always with His people, guiding and helping them. We can take comfort knowing that God is near and involved in our lives.
Why does Jesus say that hearing and keeping God’s Word is important in the Gospel for Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
Jesus teaches that listening to God’s Word and living it out is the path to true happiness. Obeying God brings us closer to Him and helps us live in the right way.
What does true blessedness mean?
True blessedness comes from living according to God’s Word, not from any special human relationship. Jesus points out that what matters most is how we live our lives in obedience to God.
How can we follow the call to hear and keep God’s Word?
We can start by reading the Bible, praying, and listening to God’s teachings. Then, we should try to live out what we learn by being kind, honest, and faithful in our everyday actions.
What should we focus on when thinking about God’s blessings?
We should remember that God’s blessings go beyond material things and include peace, joy, and the strength to live faithfully. When we follow God, we receive His care and the good things He wants to give us.
Trusting God and Obeying His Word
On Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings remind us of God’s justice and the importance of obedience. The first reading from Joel describes how God will judge the nations, offering protection to His people while punishing those who oppose Him. It emphasizes that God will always be with His people, ensuring their safety and future blessings. This is a call to trust in God’s protection and justice, especially in times of uncertainty.
In the Gospel reading, Jesus responds to a woman who praises His mother, saying that true blessedness comes from hearing and obeying God’s Word. Jesus teaches us that obedience to God is more important than earthly honor. This reminds us that following God’s commands and living in accordance with His teachings brings true fulfillment and joy.
Both readings stress the importance of living in alignment with God’s will. Trusting in God’s justice and protection strengthens our faith, while obedience to His Word deepens our relationship with Him. This is a call to focus on God’s kingdom above all else.
On Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are reminded to trust in God’s protection, live in obedience to His Word, and seek true blessings by following His guidance.
Your Turn
Reflect on the readings for Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1. How do you experience God’s protection in your life?
Consider how you can be more obedient to God’s Word. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comment section below.
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