Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time
Monday February 24, 2025

Daily Mass Readings for Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
- First Reading – Sirach 1:1-10: All wisdom comes from the Lord, created before all things. God knows wisdom fully and has generously shared her with all creation, especially with those He loves.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 93: The Lord is King, clothed in strength and splendor. He has established the world firmly, and His throne has stood from eternity. His commands are reliable, and His house is holy forever.
- Gospel – Mark 9:14-29: Jesus healed a boy possessed by a mute spirit after his disciples failed to cast it out. The boy’s father asked for help, and Jesus delivered the boy. Jesus explained that such spirits require prayer to be driven out.
Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”
Mark 9:24
Themes for the Readings for Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
On Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the readings encourage trust in God and humble prayer. They highlight the importance of wisdom and faith in dealing with life’s challenges.
- Source of Wisdom: The reading from Sirach reminds us that all wisdom comes from God. It shows how God’s wisdom is beyond human understanding and is present in all creation.
- God’s Power: The Gospel shows that nothing is impossible for God. Jesus’ ability to heal teaches that we must have faith in His power even when things seem difficult.
- Humility in Prayer: In the Gospel, the father of the possessed boy shows humility by asking Jesus for help. This reminds us that we must admit our weakness and ask for help in our struggles.
- Faith in Action: Jesus says that faith can do great things. He encourages us to trust in Him and believe that our faith, even if small, can bring change.
- Need for Prayer: Jesus teaches that some problems can only be solved through prayer. This shows how important it is to rely on prayer to overcome obstacles.
- Wisdom and Creation: Sirach teaches that wisdom has been with God from the beginning of creation. This reminds us that wisdom is a gift from God that guides us through life.
These readings show us the importance of trusting in God’s wisdom and power. Through faith and prayer, we can find strength and guidance in life’s challenges.
Reflection for Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
The readings for Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 offer us deep lessons about wisdom, humility, and faith. In the first reading, Sirach reminds us that all wisdom comes from God, while the Gospel highlights the importance of turning to Jesus in humility and trusting in His power. These reflections will explore how we can apply these themes to our own lives.
Wisdom as a Guide Through Life
In the first reading for Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Sirach teaches us that wisdom has been with God since the beginning of creation. This shows us that wisdom is not something humans can make on their own. It is a gift from God that has always existed. We are invited to seek this wisdom to guide our choices and actions.
This reminder encourages us to trust in God’s wisdom rather than rely only on our own understanding. In difficult moments, we often don’t know what to do. But God’s wisdom is always available to help us see the right path. We need to be open to His guidance, especially when life is confusing or hard to manage.
The wisdom that Sirach speaks of helps us not only in big decisions but in the daily challenges of life. It helps us live in a way that is pleasing to God and good for those around us. When we seek wisdom, we grow in understanding, patience, and kindness. By trusting that this wisdom comes from God, we find strength to live well each day.
Humility in Asking for Help
In the Gospel reading for Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we see a father asking Jesus to heal his son. He does not pretend to be strong. Instead, he humbles himself and admits his need. This act of humility shows us that we, too, must be willing to ask for help when we are weak or struggling.
Humility is important in our spiritual life. We cannot grow if we do not admit our need for God’s help. When we try to rely only on ourselves, we often fail. But when we turn to God, like the father in the Gospel, we find the strength we need to face our problems.
Humility also teaches us to ask for help from others. Sometimes God’s help comes through people around us—family, friends, or community. Like the father in the Gospel, we should not be afraid to reach out and admit when we need support. Humility opens the door to healing, both spiritually and in our relationships.
Faith Overcomes Doubt
Both the first reading and the Gospel for Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us of the power of faith. In Sirach, we learn that all wisdom comes from God, and in the Gospel, we see Jesus perform a miracle when the father puts his trust in Him. Faith is at the center of these stories. It shows us that when we trust in God, even difficult things can change.
Sometimes, we face moments of doubt. The father in the Gospel struggled with doubt, but he still asked Jesus for help. This teaches us that even when we are unsure, we can still turn to God. We may not have perfect faith, but God still listens and helps us when we bring our doubts to Him.
Faith doesn’t always mean knowing everything will turn out how we expect. It means trusting that God is in control. Both the wisdom of Sirach and the healing in the Gospel show us that God’s plan is greater than our own. When we trust in His wisdom and power, we find the strength to keep going, even when life feels uncertain.
As we reflect on the readings for Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are reminded that God’s wisdom and strength are always available to us. Whether through humble prayer or strong faith, we can turn to Him in our times of need. By embracing these lessons, we grow closer to God and more open to His guidance in our lives.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the gift of wisdom that guides us through life. Help us to trust in Your strength and to humbly ask for help when we struggle. Strengthen our faith so that we can face life’s challenges with confidence in You. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- How can you seek God’s wisdom in your daily decisions?
- In what areas of your life do you need to ask for help from God or others?
- What doubts or struggles are you facing that you need to bring to God in faith?
- How can you grow in humility and trust like the father in the Gospel?
Homilies and Commentaries for Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
USCCB Reflection: Hope Through Healing
In this USCCB video reflection for Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Msgr. James Vlaun shares the story of a father’s despair over his son’s suffering and how Jesus’ healing brings hope. He explains how healing, like in the Gospel, spreads hope to others. When one person is healed, it impacts the whole community. The message encourages us not to give in to despair but to seek healing and inspire others through our own transformation. Healing is contagious, offering hope to all.
Questions and Answers for Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
What date is Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
The next date is Monday February 24, 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 Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.
What are the Mass readings for Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
The Mass readings for Monday February 24, 2025 are:
First Reading – Sirach 1:1-10: The Source of All Wisdom
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 93: The Lord is Clothed in Majesty
Gospel – Mark 9:14-29: Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by a Spirit
What does Sirach teach us about wisdom in the first reading for Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
The reading from Sirach teaches that all wisdom comes from God. This reminds us that we should seek God’s guidance in all things because He knows everything.
How does the Gospel reading show the importance of faith?
In the Gospel, Jesus shows that faith can lead to healing and change. It teaches us that even when things seem impossible, we should trust God and believe that He can help us.
What does it mean that wisdom has been present since the beginning?
Sirach explains that wisdom has always been with God from the start of creation. This shows that God’s wisdom is always available to guide us through life.
How does the first reading from Sirach help us understand God’s wisdom?
Sirach teaches that God’s wisdom is beyond what humans can fully understand. This encourages us to trust God’s wisdom, even when we do not understand everything.
Why is prayer important in the Gospel for Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
Jesus explains that some problems need prayer to be overcome. This reminds us that we must keep praying, especially when we face challenges that seem too big to handle.
How can we apply the lesson of humility from the Gospel?
The father in the Gospel shows humility by admitting his need for help. This reminds us to be humble in our own lives and ask for help from God and others when we are struggling.
How can we strengthen our faith based on the readings for Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
The readings encourage us to pray and trust in God. We can strengthen our faith by praying more and asking God for help when we need it.
What does the healing in the Gospel tell us about God’s power?
The healing in the Gospel shows that nothing is too difficult for God. We can apply this to our lives by trusting that God can help us in our toughest situations.
Trust, Humility, and Faith
The readings for Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 focus on trusting God, seeking His wisdom, and relying on prayer. They remind us that God’s guidance is always available to us, especially in times of need.
In the first reading, Sirach teaches that all wisdom comes from God. This wisdom has existed from the beginning of creation and is a gift we can rely on for making choices in life. By trusting in God’s wisdom, we can face challenges with patience and confidence, knowing He will show us the right path.
The Gospel reading shows a father asking Jesus to heal his son. This story highlights the importance of humility. The father admits his weakness and asks for help, showing us that we, too, must turn to God and others when we face struggles. Humility opens the way to healing and help.
Faith is another key theme in the readings. Jesus tells the father that faith can bring great change. Even when the father struggles with doubt, he still trusts Jesus. This shows us that we can turn to God even when our faith feels small or uncertain. God listens to us and can work in our lives when we trust Him.
The readings also remind us of the power of prayer. Jesus teaches that some challenges can only be overcome through prayer. This calls us to make prayer a regular part of our lives as a way to stay close to God and seek His help in all things.
Your Turn
Take time to read and reflect on these scriptures. Think about how you can turn to God in humility, faith, and prayer when you face challenges.
Have you experienced moments when God’s wisdom or power helped you through a struggle? Share your thoughts in the comments. Let’s encourage one another as we grow in faith together!
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