Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Ephesians 4:7-16: Christ gives gifts to his people to build up the Body. Through truth and love, we grow into maturity in him, no longer deceived, but united and growing together in love.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 122: The people rejoice to go to the Lord’s house in Jerusalem, where all Israel gathers to give thanks and justice is administered through the house of David.
• Gospel – Luke 13:1-9: Jesus warns that those who don’t repent will perish. He tells a parable about a fig tree that, though barren, is given one last chance to bear fruit before being cut down.

For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?

Luke 13:7

On Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings focus on growth in faith and the need for repentance. The first reading from Ephesians talks about the unity of the body of Christ and growing to full maturity. The Gospel from Luke emphasizes the call to repent and bear fruit.

• Unity in the Body: Paul calls Christians to be united in faith and knowledge of Christ. This unity helps the whole Church grow and stay strong.
• Gifts from Christ: Christ gives each person different gifts to serve the Church. These gifts help the Church grow and fulfill its mission.
• Maturing in Faith: Paul encourages believers to grow in their faith and understanding of Christ. This maturity helps us avoid being misled by false teachings.
• Repentance and Change: In the Gospel, Jesus urges people to repent and change their ways. Without repentance, we cannot grow in holiness.
• Bearing Fruit: Jesus uses the image of a tree that does not bear fruit to warn us. We must live fruitful lives by following His teachings.
• Patience and Second Chances: Jesus shows that God is patient, giving us chances to repent and change. But we should not delay, as we do not know when our time will come.

The themes in these readings call us to grow in faith and live according to God’s plan. They remind us that unity, repentance, and using our gifts are important parts of our journey with Christ.

The readings for Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 invite us to reflect on the importance of unity, repentance, and spiritual growth. Paul calls for Christians to be united in faith and knowledge of Christ, while Jesus emphasizes the need for repentance and bearing fruit. These themes guide us in living a faithful and fruitful Christian life.

Unity in Faith and Knowledge

In the first reading for Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Paul calls Christians to be united in faith and knowledge of Christ. This unity helps the whole Church grow and stay strong. When believers come together in faith, they can support each other and avoid being led astray by false teachings.

Paul emphasizes that everyone has different gifts, but they should be used for the good of the whole Church. When each person contributes, the Church becomes more solid, like a body working together in harmony. Unity makes the Church stronger and helps it fulfill its mission to spread the Gospel.

For us, this means we are all part of one community in Christ. We must work together, respecting each other’s gifts, to build up the Church. When we are united in faith and knowledge of Christ, we grow stronger as a whole.

The Call to Repentance

In the Gospel for Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Jesus talks about repentance and change. He calls people to turn away from sin and live in a way that pleases God. Repentance is a key part of growing in holiness and following Christ.

Jesus uses the example of a tree that does not bear fruit. Without repentance, we are like that tree, not producing anything good for the kingdom of God. Repentance leads us to change our ways and live according to God’s will, allowing us to bear good fruit.

This message applies to our lives because we all need to examine our hearts and see where we need to repent. Repentance is not just about feeling sorry; it is about turning back to God and making real changes. Without repentance, we cannot move forward in our relationship with God.

Growing Toward Full Maturity

Both the first reading and the Gospel for Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 focus on the need for growth. Paul speaks of growing in maturity as Christians, while Jesus calls us to bear fruit, which requires spiritual growth. Both readings remind us that we are called to grow in faith, not stay where we are.

Paul encourages the believers to grow in their knowledge of Christ so they can avoid being misled by false ideas. Growth in faith helps us become more like Christ, strengthening the Church as a whole. It takes effort to mature, but it is necessary for our spiritual journey.

In the Gospel, Jesus uses the image of a fruitless tree to show what happens when we do not grow. A tree that doesn’t bear fruit is cut down, just as we cannot continue in our old ways and expect to be spiritually alive. Growth and change are essential to living a faithful Christian life. We must open our hearts to God’s guidance so we can grow toward maturity and bear the fruit He desires.

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The readings for Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us that our journey with Christ requires unity, repentance, and growth. As members of the Church, we are called to work together, turn from sin, and continually grow in our faith. May we respond to these calls and live lives that bear good fruit.

Prayer

Lord, help us to grow in our faith and knowledge of you. Give us the courage to repent and change our ways when we fall short. May we work together in unity, using our gifts to serve the Church and bear good fruit in our lives. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I contribute to unity within my Church community?
• What areas of my life need repentance and change?
• How am I using the gifts God has given me to build up the Church?
• What does it mean for me to bear fruit in my daily life?

Word on Fire: Surrender to God’s Grace

In his reflection for Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Bishop Robert Barron explains the parable of the fig tree. The tree represents people who bear no spiritual fruit by resisting God’s grace. Instead of resisting, we are called to surrender to God, allowing His grace to bring life and fruitfulness. Barron emphasizes the urgency of repentance, noting that resisting God leads to lifelessness and spiritual emptiness. God’s grace gives life, but if we continue to resist, we may run out of time to change.

What date is Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Saturday October 24, 2026.

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 odd numbered years see Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Saturday October 24, 2026 are:
First Reading  – Ephesians 4:7-16: Growing in Christ’s Body
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 122: Rejoicing in Jerusalem
Gospel – Luke 13:1-9: The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

What does it mean to be united in the body of Christ in the first reading for Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Being united in the body of Christ means that we are all connected as believers. Each person has different gifts, but we work together as one to build up the Church.

How do the gifts from Christ apply to my life?

Christ gives everyone different abilities to help others and serve the Church. We are called to use our talents to support the Church and spread His message.

How do I know what my gift is?

Pray and ask God to show you how you can serve others. Look for ways you naturally help others or feel called to support the Church.

Why does Paul warn against being misled?

Paul warns that without growing in faith, we can easily be confused by false teachings. Maturity in faith helps us stay on the right path.

How do I apply the message of unity to my daily life?

We apply unity by working together with others in the Church, even if we have different roles or gifts. It means supporting one another as we grow in faith.

What does Jesus mean by repentance in the Gospel of Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Repentance means turning away from our sins and choosing to follow God’s way. It is a necessary step to live a life that pleases God.

How can I bear fruit in my life like the tree?

We bear fruit by living according to Christ’s teachings and showing love and kindness to others. Doing good works is how we show that our faith is alive.

Why does Jesus talk about second chances?

Jesus talks about second chances because God is patient and wants us to repent. However, we should not wait too long, as we do not know how much time we have.

Why is it important to grow in faith as mentioned in Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Growing in faith helps us understand more about Christ and live according to His teachings. This keeps us from being confused by false ideas or beliefs.