Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Genesis 11:1-9: The people tried to build a great tower, but God confused their language and scattered them across the earth.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 33: God sees and knows all people from his throne. He thwarts human plans, but his will endures. Happy are the people chosen by him.
• Gospel – Mark 8:34-9:1: Jesus said that following him requires self-denial and carrying one’s cross. He warned that saving one’s life means losing it, but those who give their lives for him will be saved. He also spoke of the coming of God’s Kingdom.

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.

Mark 8:35

On Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the readings come from Genesis 11:1-9 and Mark 8:34-9:1. These passages highlight themes of pride, unity, sacrifice, and discipleship. The message reminds us of the importance of following God’s will and living with humility.

• Pride and Rebellion: The people in Genesis tried to build a tower to reach heaven, showing their pride. God scattered them, showing that pride leads to division and confusion.
• God’s Power Over Plans: The story of Babel shows that human plans can never succeed if they go against God’s will. God’s plan always prevails, even if humans try to go their own way.
• True Discipleship: Jesus says in the Gospel that we must deny ourselves and carry our cross to follow Him. Being a disciple means letting go of our selfish desires and following God’s path.
• Sacrifice for the Gospel: Jesus teaches that those who lose their life for His sake will save it. Sacrifice is necessary to live according to the Gospel.
• Seeking Eternal Life: Jesus warns that gaining the whole world is worthless if we lose our soul. This calls us to focus on eternal life, not worldly success.
• God’s Judgment: Jesus speaks about the Son of Man coming with glory to judge. This reminds us that we are accountable to God for our choices.

On this day, we are reminded of the importance of following God’s will, even when it requires sacrifice. The readings show us that pride leads to confusion, but humble obedience brings us closer to God’s plan.

On Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings from Genesis and the Gospel of Mark call us to reflect on important themes like pride, worldly success, and following God’s will. These readings remind us that relying on ourselves and seeking personal gain lead to confusion and loss. Instead, Jesus teaches us to surrender to God’s plan, even when it requires sacrifice, and to focus on the things that bring us closer to Him.

Pride Leads to Confusion

In the first reading of Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the people try to build a tower to reach heaven. They want to make a name for themselves and show their greatness. This is an example of human pride, where people think they don’t need God and can achieve anything on their own. But God sees their pride and confuses their language, causing division and scattering them across the earth. Their plan fails because it is based on pride, not on God’s will.

Pride often leads to confusion and separation in our own lives too. When we put ourselves first and try to control everything, we end up disconnected from others and from God. Relationships break down, and we lose our sense of direction. The Tower of Babel story reminds us that pride always leads to disorder and confusion. It shows us that only God’s plan will stand firm.

In contrast, humility brings clarity and unity. When we acknowledge that we need God and seek His will, we find peace and direction. We don’t try to build our own towers but instead trust in God’s guidance. The lesson from Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 calls us to avoid the trap of pride and rely on God in everything we do.

The Value of Our Soul

In the Gospel of Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus asks a challenging question: what good is it to gain the whole world but lose your soul? This is a powerful reminder that the things of this world are temporary, and they are not worth more than our eternal life. Jesus wants us to think about where we are placing our priorities. Are we focused on success, money, and worldly achievements, or are we thinking about our soul and our relationship with God?

The people in the first reading also thought that building a tower would make them successful and powerful. But in the end, their plans collapsed because they left God out. Just like in the Gospel, we see that worldly success is meaningless if we lose our soul in the process. The things we work so hard for in this life will pass away, but our soul will last forever.

On Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are reminded to focus on what really matters. We should ask ourselves if we are putting our energy into things that lead us closer to God or into things that only serve our own desires. Jesus calls us to choose eternal life over temporary gains, to treasure our soul more than the world.

The Cost of Following God’s Will

Both readings on Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 show that following God’s will requires sacrifice. In the first reading, the people wanted to build a tower to make themselves great, but God’s will was different. They had to let go of their plan, and they were scattered when their pride was stopped. This shows that sometimes, our plans may not align with what God wants for us. We have to be willing to surrender our own desires to follow Him.

In the Gospel, Jesus talks about denying ourselves and taking up our cross. This is another call to let go of our selfish desires. Following Jesus is not always easy; it involves making sacrifices and choosing God’s path over our own. Jesus is clear that we can’t follow Him while clinging to our own way of doing things. Just like in the first reading, we are called to surrender our pride and trust in God’s plan.

On Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are reminded that living according to God’s will comes with a cost, but it also brings true life. When we let go of our plans and trust in God, we find the peace and purpose we are looking for. The readings challenge us to ask ourselves if we are willing to make the sacrifices needed to truly follow God.

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The readings for Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 challenge us to examine our priorities and reflect on how we are living our lives. Pride and selfish desires can lead us away from God, but humility and obedience to His will bring us closer to Him. As we reflect on these themes, we are called to trust in God and follow His path, knowing that true life comes from Him.

Prayer

Lord, help us to put aside our pride and follow Your will. Give us the strength to take up our cross and trust in Your plan. Help us to see the value of our soul and seek what is eternal over what is temporary. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• Where am I letting pride get in the way of following God’s will?
• What worldly things am I putting ahead of my relationship with God?
• How can I better accept the sacrifices that come with following Jesus?
• In what ways can I focus more on eternal life rather than temporary success?

USCCB Reflection: The Cost of Discipleship

In this USCCB video reflection for Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Dr. Jem Sullivan speaks about Jesus’ call to discipleship. Jesus teaches that following Him requires self-denial and taking up the cross. This message goes against what society says about happiness, which often promotes self-centeredness. Dr. Sullivan reminds us that true happiness comes from living for others, through love, sacrifice, and compassion. The Lenten season invites us to embrace this path of sacrificial love, following Jesus’ example, and trusting in God’s presence and love each day.

What date is Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Friday February 21, 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 Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Friday February 21, 2025 are:
First Reading  – Genesis 11:1-9: The Tower of Babel
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 33: Blessed Are the People Chosen by God
Gospel – Mark 8:34-9:1: The Cost of Following Jesus

What is the main lesson from Genesis 11:1-9 on Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The main lesson is that human pride leads to division. God scatters the people when they try to build the Tower of Babel, teaching us that we should not try to live without God.

Why did God stop the people from building the tower?

God stopped them because they were acting out of pride and trying to make themselves great. This shows that God wants us to rely on Him, not on our own power.

How can I avoid the pride shown in the first reading?

We avoid pride by remembering that all we have comes from God. We learn to rely on God’s wisdom, not our own plans.

What does Jesus mean by carrying our cross in the Gospel for Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Carrying our cross means accepting difficulties and making sacrifices to follow Jesus. Jesus calls us to give up selfishness and follow His example.

Why does Jesus say losing our life is saving it?

Jesus teaches that when we give up selfish desires and live for Him, we gain eternal life. True happiness comes from following God’s will.

How can I apply the message of the Gospel from Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

You can apply the message by putting God first in your life and letting go of worldly things. Jesus reminds us to focus on our relationship with God above all else.

What does Jesus say about gaining the world?

Jesus warns that gaining the world is worthless if it costs your soul. He reminds us that spiritual wealth is more important than material success.

How can I follow Jesus more closely?

To follow Jesus more closely, you can deny selfish desires and choose God’s way, even when it’s hard. Jesus calls us to take up our cross and follow Him.