Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time
Wednesday October 15, 2025

Daily Mass Readings for Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
- First Reading – Romans 2:1-11: If you judge others while doing the same wrongs, you won’t escape God’s judgment. God’s kindness should lead to repentance; ignoring this stores up wrath for you.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 62: My soul finds rest in God alone, who is my rock and salvation. I won’t be disturbed, for my hope comes from Him. Trust in God, He is our refuge.
- Gospel – Luke 11:42-46: The Lord criticizes Pharisees for neglecting justice and love while focusing on minor rituals. They seek social honors but ignore true virtues. Scholars of the law also receive rebuke for burdening others without helping.
You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.
Luke 11:46
Themes for the Readings for Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
On Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings focus on God’s justice and warnings about hypocrisy. Paul reminds us that everyone is judged by God fairly. Jesus warns against putting rules before mercy and love.
- God’s Fair Judgment: Paul says God judges everyone equally, regardless of their background. He warns that no one can escape God’s judgment by pointing out the faults of others.
- Hypocrisy in Religious Life: Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for following the law outwardly but neglecting love and justice. He warns that focusing on external actions while ignoring the heart is dangerous.
- Warning Against Self-Righteousness: Paul warns against being quick to judge others. We must look at our own actions before judging someone else.
- Call to Mercy: Jesus tells the Pharisees that mercy is more important than strict rule-following. He teaches that we should prioritize helping others over keeping every little law.
- Accountability Before God: Both Paul and Jesus remind us that we will be held accountable for our actions. Our intentions and deeds will be judged by God alone.
- True Religion is Love: Jesus says true religion is not about rules, but love and justice. He challenges us to live with compassion and care for others.
These themes remind us of the importance of humility and love in our lives. The readings call us to self-reflection and a deeper understanding of God’s call for justice and mercy.
Reflection for Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1

On Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings challenge us to reflect on God’s judgment, mercy, and how we live out our faith. Paul and Jesus both call us to examine our actions, not just outwardly, but in our hearts. These reflections explore how we can live with humility, love, and mercy in light of these teachings.
God’s Judgment is Fair
In the first reading for Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Paul teaches us that God judges everyone fairly. No one is better or worse because of where they come from or what they have. God sees our hearts and actions, not just what we show on the outside.
Paul also reminds us that we cannot escape God’s judgment by pointing out the wrongs of others. Often, we think focusing on someone else’s faults can excuse our own. But Paul calls us to examine ourselves first and live according to God’s standards.
This message challenges us to live with humility. Instead of judging others, we should be aware that we will all face God’s fair judgment. We should live with love and kindness, knowing that no one is exempt from being judged by God.
Mercy Over Rules
In the Gospel reading for Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus speaks against strict rule-following without mercy. The Pharisees focused on keeping every little law but failed to show love and care for others. They were so concerned with appearing righteous that they ignored the needs of those around them.
Jesus teaches that mercy is more important than following every rule perfectly. While rules have their place, they should never be used to burden others or keep them from experiencing God’s love. When we focus too much on rules, we lose sight of what really matters—helping others and being merciful.
This reflection encourages us to examine how we practice our faith. Do we care more about rules, or do we make time to show mercy and help others? Jesus calls us to focus on love and justice, not just outward actions.
Humility in Our Actions
Both the first reading and Gospel of Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 call us to be humble in how we live. Paul warns us not to judge others, and Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for acting righteous while ignoring the deeper call to love. In both cases, the message is clear: outward actions are not enough if our hearts are not in the right place.
We may feel that following every rule or judging others makes us righteous, but God looks deeper. God sees our hearts and knows when we are acting for show or focusing too much on ourselves. True righteousness comes from living with humility and love, not from how well we follow rules.
This reflection helps us see that our actions should come from a place of humility. Instead of seeking to look good in front of others, we should seek to serve and love others as God asks. By focusing on love, mercy, and justice, we can live out the lessons of Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.
As we reflect on the readings for Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are reminded of the importance of humility and love in our daily lives. God calls us to look beyond rules and judgments and to focus on showing mercy to others. Let us continue to live out these lessons with hearts open to God’s guidance.
Prayer
Lord, help us to live with humility and love. Teach us to focus on mercy and kindness over strict rules. Guide our hearts so we can see others with compassion and avoid judgment. May we serve you faithfully by loving others as you have loved us. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- How can you avoid judging others and focus on your own actions?
- In what ways can you show more mercy and kindness in your daily life?
- Do you ever feel more focused on following rules than helping others? How can you change that?
- What does it mean to you that God judges everyone fairly and equally?
Homilies and Commentaries for Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Living as Missionary Disciples
In the USCCB video reflection for Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Dr. Jem Sullivan talks about the dangers of judging others and the call to live as missionary disciples of Jesus. She explains that when we experience God’s love and mercy, we are transformed and called to share that love with others.
As missionary disciples, we are invited to live with charity, patience, and kindness. The reflection encourages us to grow in friendship with Jesus and reflect His love in our actions and judgments.
Questions and Answers for Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
What date is Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
The next date is Wednesday October 15, 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 Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.
What are the Mass readings for Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
The Mass readings for Wednesday October 15, 2025 are:
First Reading – Romans 2:1-11: No Escape from Judgment
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 62: Trust in God
Gospel – Luke 11:42-46: Woes to Pharisees
What does Paul mean by judgment in the first reading for Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
Paul reminds us that God judges everyone fairly. We should not judge others harshly because we are also imperfect.
How does the first reading apply to our lives?
Paul’s message calls us to focus on our own actions before criticizing others. It encourages us to show kindness and understanding.
Why does Jesus criticize the Pharisees in the Gospel reading for Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
Jesus criticizes the Pharisees because they focus too much on outward actions. They follow the rules but ignore love and justice.
How can we avoid being like the Pharisees?
We should focus on loving others and helping those in need. It is more important to be kind and caring than to follow every small rule.
What does Jesus mean when he talks about burdens?
Jesus says the Pharisees make life hard for others by adding too many rules. We should not add extra pressure on others but instead try to help them.
How can the Gospel reading for Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 change how we live?
We can learn to focus on what matters most: loving others and being just. Jesus teaches that mercy is more important than following rules perfectly.
What is the main lesson of Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
The main lesson is to avoid hypocrisy. God sees our hearts and cares more about our love and mercy than how well we follow rules.
Why is judgment mentioned in both readings for Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
Both Paul and Jesus remind us that we will be judged fairly by God. They call us to be humble and avoid judging others too quickly.
How can we practice what the readings for Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 teach?
We can practice by showing more love and mercy in our daily lives. We should focus on helping others rather than finding their faults.
True Faith Requires Humility and Mercy
On Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings urge us to reflect on humility, judgment, and mercy. In the first reading, Paul reminds the Romans that God judges everyone fairly. He warns against pointing out the flaws of others without examining our own actions. God’s judgment is impartial, and no one can escape it by focusing on the mistakes of others. This teaches us to focus on our own behavior and to live with humility and kindness.
In the Gospel, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for being overly concerned with outward appearances while neglecting inner virtues like love and justice. He rebukes them for focusing on minor details of the law while ignoring the bigger picture—helping others and showing mercy. Jesus teaches that true faith is not about strict rule-following but about a heart that shows mercy and care for others.
Both readings challenge us to avoid hypocrisy. Paul urges us to stop judging others and instead focus on living rightly ourselves. Jesus calls us to show mercy and compassion, not just to follow rules for the sake of appearances. True faith is about living justly and showing love.
On Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are reminded that our actions should reflect inner purity and humility. Faith should be lived with love and mercy, not just through outward rituals.
Your Turn
Reflect on the readings for Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1. How do you avoid judging others and focus on your own actions?
Consider how you can show more mercy in your daily life. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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