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Daily Mass Readings for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1

  • First ReadingRomans 1:16-25: The Gospel is powerful for the salvation of believers, revealing God’s righteousness. God’s wrath is aimed at those who reject evident truths about Him, leading to their own downfall. Despite claiming wisdom, they became foolish, worshiping creatures over the Creator.
  • Responsorial PsalmPsalm 19: The heavens and the firmament announce God’s glory. Day and night convey knowledge, and their message is heard throughout the earth and the world’s ends.
  • Gospel Luke 11:37-41: Jesus dines with a Pharisee and doesn’t wash before eating. Jesus criticizes the Pharisee for focusing on external cleanliness while neglecting inner morality. He advises giving alms for true cleanliness.

Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil.

Luke 11:39

Themes for the Readings for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1

On Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, the readings focus on faith, truth, and inner purity. St. Paul warns against turning away from God, while Jesus challenges outward appearances that hide inner sin.

  • Faith in the Gospel: St. Paul says that the Gospel is God’s power to save. True faith is shown by believing in the message of Jesus.
  • Rejecting Idols: The first reading warns about people who worship false gods. Idolatry happens when people choose to honor created things over the Creator.
  • God’s Wrath against Sin: St. Paul speaks about God’s anger toward sin. He says that turning away from the truth leads people into darkness.
  • Inner Purity: In the Gospel, Jesus speaks against only cleaning the outside of the cup. He teaches that what matters is being clean inside, in our hearts.
  • The Danger of Hypocrisy: Jesus warns the Pharisees not to focus only on looking good. He says that their hearts should be pure, not just their actions.
  • True Worship: St. Paul calls for honoring God as the Creator. Worship must come from a heart that knows and loves God, not from empty rituals.

These themes remind us to keep our faith strong and our hearts pure. God calls us to true worship, avoiding idolatry and hypocrisy in our daily lives.

Reflection for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1

On Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings invite us to examine our hearts and reflect on our relationship with God. St. Paul speaks about the dangers of turning away from God, while Jesus challenges the Pharisees to focus on inner purity. These passages encourage us to live with integrity, reject hypocrisy, and keep God at the center of our lives.

Worship the Creator, Not Created Things

In the first reading for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, St. Paul tells us that some people turned away from God and began to worship created things instead of the Creator. They chose to honor what they could see and touch rather than the one true God. Paul’s warning still applies to us today. It can be easy to focus on material things like money, success, or even other people instead of keeping God at the center of our lives.

When we allow created things to take first place in our hearts, we lose sight of God’s place as the Creator. Paul reminds us to stay focused on the source of all good things—God Himself. Worldly things may give temporary satisfaction, but only God can give us lasting peace and purpose.

On Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are invited to examine our hearts. Are there things that distract us from God? We can pray for the grace to refocus on Him and let go of anything that takes us away from worshiping the Creator.

Focus on the Heart, Not Just Appearances

In the Gospel reading for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus speaks to the Pharisees, who cared too much about how they looked to others. They were concerned about outward cleanliness and following rules, but they didn’t focus on the state of their hearts. Jesus warns them that it’s not enough to look good on the outside if the inside is full of selfishness or pride.

This lesson is important for us too. It can be tempting to show others that we are doing the right things—going to Mass, praying, or helping others—while neglecting our inner relationship with God. Jesus calls us to look deeper and make sure that our hearts are clean and pure, not just our actions.

On Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus reminds us to focus on our hearts. We need to examine our thoughts and intentions, not just our outward actions. It’s our inner life that matters most to God.

Rejecting Hypocrisy and Embracing Authentic Faith

Both the first reading and the Gospel for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 highlight the importance of living with sincerity. Paul warns against turning away from God and following false idols, which can be seen as a form of hypocrisy—claiming to honor God while giving our hearts to other things. Similarly, Jesus speaks against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who acted righteous on the outside but neglected true holiness in their hearts.

Hypocrisy keeps us from growing in our relationship with God. When we act one way in public but have a different attitude in private, we are not living with honesty. Paul and Jesus both call us to reject this kind of false living and to embrace a faith that is true inside and out.

On Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are reminded that God sees our hearts. He desires that our faith be genuine, not just for show. We can ask for the grace to live with integrity and to let our faith shine in all parts of our lives, both seen and unseen.


The readings for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us to put God first and to live with honesty and sincerity. They challenge us to look beyond appearances and focus on our hearts. As we reflect on these messages, may we grow in faith and live with true devotion to God.

Prayer

Lord, help us to keep our hearts focused on You. Guide us to reject the distractions of this world and to live with sincerity and faith. Cleanse our hearts and minds so that our actions may flow from a place of true love and devotion. Amen.

Reflection Questions

  • Are there things in my life that I have placed above God?
  • Do I sometimes focus more on appearances than on the state of my heart?
  • How can I live more sincerely in my faith, without hypocrisy?
  • In what ways can I honor God as the Creator in my daily life?

Homilies and Commentaries for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1

The Value of Almsgiving

In his reflection for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Bishop Robert Barron explains that almsgiving is essential because we are all connected as members of the Mystical Body. By giving to those in need, we recognize our shared responsibility for one another. Almsgiving is also tied to the works of mercy, which Catholics are called to practice daily.

Bishop Barron emphasizes that belief in God deepens through moral action, and by showing love through giving, we strengthen our faith and grow in friendship with God.

Questions and Answers for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1

What date is Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Tuesday October 14, 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 Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Tuesday October 14, 2025 are:
First Reading – Romans 1:16-25: Gospel and Wrath
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 19: Heavenly Declaration
Gospel – Luke 11:37-41: Dining Rebuke

What does Paul mean when he talks about the power of the Gospel?

Paul teaches that the Gospel is the message that brings people to salvation. He reminds us that believing in this message is how we receive God’s grace and strength in our lives.

Why does Paul warn about idols in the first reading for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Paul warns that people sometimes turn to created things instead of honoring God. When we place anything above God, it harms our relationship with Him.

What does Paul mean by God’s wrath against sin?

Paul is saying that sin separates us from God and leads us to a bad path. He warns us to avoid sin and stay close to God’s truth.

Why is worshiping the Creator important in these readings?

Paul stresses that we should worship the Creator, not created things. We are called to focus our hearts on God alone and not get distracted by worldly things.

What does Jesus mean when He talks about cleaning the inside of the cup in the Gospel for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Jesus is telling us that we need to focus on our hearts and not just our outward actions. He challenges us to make sure our hearts are good and pure, not just our appearances.

Why does Jesus criticize the Pharisees?

Jesus points out that the Pharisees care too much about how they look and not enough about their hearts. He warns against acting righteous while ignoring our inner lives.

How can I avoid being a hypocrite like the Pharisees?

To avoid hypocrisy, focus on your inner life, not just how you act in front of others. Be honest with ourselves and live with integrity.

How do I apply these readings to my life?

The readings for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us to have strong faith and keep our hearts pure. We should live our faith sincerely, not just for appearances, and always honor God above all else.

Faith, Sincerity, and True Worship

On Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings focus on faith, sincerity, and the importance of pure worship. In the first reading, Paul warns against turning away from God and worshiping false idols. He explains that people who reject God’s truth end up in darkness. This serves as a reminder for us to keep our faith in God and to avoid putting our trust in material things or idols that can distract us from Him.

In the Gospel, Jesus dines with a Pharisee and rebukes him for focusing too much on external cleanliness while ignoring the condition of his heart. Jesus teaches that what matters most is inner purity, not just outward appearances. He tells the Pharisee that giving alms and focusing on what’s inside is the key to true cleanliness.

Both readings challenge us to reflect on our relationship with God. The first reading calls us to keep God at the center of our lives, while the Gospel reminds us to focus on inner purity and sincerity, not just on outward actions. We are called to live with integrity, ensuring our faith matches our actions and our hearts are truly devoted to God.

On Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are encouraged to live with sincerity, put God first, and focus on true worship that comes from the heart, not just external rituals.

Your Turn

Reflect on the readings for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1. Are there areas in your life where you focus on appearances more than your inner faith?

Consider how you can make your worship more sincere and focused on God. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

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