Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Romans 8:1-11: Those who live by the Spirit in Christ Jesus are free from sin and death. The Spirit brings life, peace, and righteousness, while living by the flesh leads to death and hostility toward God.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 24: The Lord owns the earth and everything in it. Those with pure hearts and clean hands will receive blessings and stand in God’s presence, seeking Him with longing hearts.
• Gospel – Luke 13:1-9: Jesus warns that suffering is not a sign of guilt but calls for repentance. He shares a parable about a fruitless fig tree, showing God’s patience and the need for change.

There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none.

Luke 13:6

On Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the readings call us to reflect on God’s mercy and the call to live according to the Spirit. The first reading from Romans speaks of the freedom in Christ, and the Gospel from Luke highlights the need for repentance and bearing fruit in our lives.

• Freedom from sin: Paul explains in Romans that, through Jesus, we are no longer condemned by sin. We are called to live a new life, walking in the Spirit rather than the flesh.
• Life in the Spirit: Paul contrasts living by the Spirit with living by the flesh. He teaches that those who live by the Spirit will find true life and peace.
• Call to repentance: In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus warns that without repentance, we will perish. We must turn away from sin and seek God’s mercy while we still have time.
• Patience of God: The parable of the fig tree shows that God is patient with us. He gives us time to change and bear fruit, but there is also urgency in using that time well.
• Bearing fruit: Jesus stresses the need to bear good fruit in our lives. If we do not produce the good fruits of love and righteousness, we risk being cut off.
• Urgency of conversion: Both readings emphasize that we cannot delay our conversion. We must choose today to live according to the Spirit and produce the fruits of a holy life.

The themes of this day remind us that God gives us the gift of freedom from sin through Christ. We are called to respond by living in the Spirit, repenting, and bearing fruit in our lives.

The readings for Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 invite us to reflect on how we live our lives in relation to God’s Spirit and His call to repentance. Paul reminds us of the importance of living by the Spirit, while Jesus teaches the need to bear good fruit and respond to God’s patience with true conversion. These reflections help us see how we can apply these lessons to our everyday lives.

Life in the Spirit

In the first reading for Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Paul speaks about living by the Spirit versus living by the flesh. He explains that living by the flesh means following our selfish desires, which leads to spiritual death. But living by the Spirit brings true life and peace, because we are following God’s way instead of being controlled by sin.

Paul wants us to understand that it is only through the Spirit that we can be truly free. The Spirit of God changes our hearts, helping us to live in a way that pleases God. When we live by the Spirit, we experience peace because we are no longer trapped by sin.

The challenge for us is to choose this life in the Spirit every day. We must turn away from selfishness and open our hearts to God’s Spirit. As we do, we will find a deeper sense of peace and direction in our lives. This is what Paul invites us to in Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1: to live not for ourselves, but for God.

Bearing Good Fruit

In the Gospel reading for Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus teaches about the need to bear good fruit. He uses the example of a fig tree that isn’t producing fruit. The owner of the tree wants to cut it down, but the gardener asks for more time to care for it and help it grow. This shows us that God is patient, but He still expects us to produce good fruits in our lives.

Bearing good fruit means showing love, kindness, and mercy to others. It means living out our faith in concrete actions that reflect God’s goodness. Jesus warns that if we don’t bear good fruit, we risk being cut off, just like the fig tree.

We are called to examine our lives and ask if we are producing the fruits of love and righteousness. God gives us the time and the help we need, but we have to respond. Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us that our faith must lead to action, and that our lives should show the good fruits of following Jesus.

The Call to Repent

A third theme that connects the first reading and the Gospel for Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 is the call to repent and turn away from sin. Paul tells us that life in the flesh leads to death, while life in the Spirit leads to peace and freedom. In the Gospel, Jesus stresses that without repentance, we will perish, just like those who were cut off unexpectedly. Both readings call us to a change of heart.

Repentance means recognizing where we have gone wrong and asking God for forgiveness. It means turning away from the things that separate us from Him and choosing to follow His ways. In the Gospel, Jesus shows us that we need to act now, and not wait until it’s too late.

God is patient and merciful, giving us the time we need to change. But we must use that time wisely. Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us that our lives are meant to change for the better, and that repentance is the first step on that journey.

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Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 challenges us to examine how we are living our faith. Are we guided by the Spirit, and are we bearing the fruit of love and goodness? God is patient, but He also calls us to take action and change our hearts. Let us strive to live by the Spirit and produce the good fruit that God desires.

Prayer

Lord, guide me by Your Spirit each day. Help me to turn away from sin and to choose what is good. Teach me to live a life that bears fruit in love, kindness, and mercy. May my heart always be open to Your call. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• In what areas of my life am I living by the flesh instead of by the Spirit?
• How can I better bear the fruit of love and kindness in my everyday actions?
• Where do I need to repent and ask for God’s forgiveness in my life?
• How am I using the time God has given me to grow and change for the better?

God’s Desire for Our Conversion

In a USCCB video reflection for Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Dr. Mark Delmonico explains that God does not seek to punish but desires everyone to turn to Him and live. Reflecting on Paul’s message about living by the Spirit, and Jesus’ parable of the fig tree, Delmonico highlights that God’s call is to conversion, not condemnation. He reminds us that God wants us to bear good fruit, filled with love and righteousness. Misunderstanding God as vengeful leads us away from His true desire for our salvation and peace.

What date is Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Saturday October 25, 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 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Saturday October 25, 2025 are:
First Reading  – Romans 8:1-11: Life in the Spirit
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 24: Seeking the Face of God
Gospel – Luke 13:1-9: The Call to Repentance

What does it mean to live by the Spirit in the first reading for Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Paul talks about living by the Spirit. This means following God’s way and not letting sin control us. It means listening to the Holy Spirit in our hearts and choosing to do what is right and good.

Why is there no condemnation in Christ?

Those who are in Christ are not condemned. This means that Jesus has freed us from the punishment of sin. By believing in Him and following His ways, we are forgiven and given a new life.

What is the difference between living by the flesh and living by the Spirit?

Living by the flesh means following sinful desires. Living by the Spirit means doing what God wants and living a holy life. The difference is that one leads to death, and the other leads to life.

How do I know if I am living by the Spirit?

Living by the Spirit means living in peace and choosing to follow God’s will. If we are focused on doing what pleases God and are at peace with others, we are living by the Spirit.

What does the parable of the fig tree mean in the Gospel reading for Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Jesus tells the story of a fig tree that is not producing fruit. This is a reminder that God wants us to change our lives and do good. If we do not change, we risk missing out on the life God offers us.

Why does Jesus warn about perishing without repentance?

We will perish without repentance. This means that if we don’t turn away from sin and ask for forgiveness, we could be separated from God. Repentance is necessary to come back to God and live a life of grace.

What does it mean to bear fruit in our lives?

Bearing fruit means living a life that shows love, kindness, and righteousness. It is not enough to just avoid sin; we must also do good in the world. God wants us to live in a way that helps others and brings them closer to Him.

Why does God give us time to repent?

God gives the tree more time to grow. This shows that God is patient with us and gives us chances to repent. He does not want anyone to be lost, but we must use this time wisely and change our hearts.

Why is there urgency in Jesus’ message?

We cannot wait to repent and change our lives. There is an urgency because we do not know how much time we have. We should always be ready and live in a way that pleases God.