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Daily Mass Readings for Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1

  • First ReadingRomans 11:29-36: God’s gifts and calling are unchanging. Through His mercy, He extends salvation to all, revealing His unfathomable riches, wisdom, and knowledge.
  • Responsorial PsalmPsalm 69: In my suffering, I seek God’s protection and respond with praise and thanksgiving, knowing He hears the poor and will restore and bless His people.
  • Gospel Luke 14:12-14: Jesus advises hosting meals for the underprivileged instead of friends and family, emphasizing the virtue of serving those who cannot repay, promising divine reward at the resurrection for such selfless acts.

Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. or you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.

Luke 14:13-14

Themes for the Readings for Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1

On Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings encourage us to reflect on God’s plan for salvation and how we treat others. In Romans, Paul reminds us that everything comes from God, and in Luke, Jesus teaches us to be generous without expecting anything in return.

  • God’s mercy for all: Paul speaks about how God’s gifts and call are meant for all people. Even when we turn away, God’s mercy remains, and He always offers a way back.
  • God’s wisdom and knowledge: Paul reflects on the greatness of God’s wisdom. His ways are beyond human understanding, and we are called to trust in His plan.
  • Humility in generosity: Jesus encourages us to invite those who cannot repay us. This teaches us to give without expecting anything back, humbling ourselves before others.
  • Caring for the poor: Jesus asks us to reach out to those in need. We are called to include the poor, the sick, and the forgotten in our lives.
  • God as the source of all: Paul reminds us that everything comes from God. We are created by Him, and all we do should give glory to Him.
  • Eternal reward, not earthly: Jesus talks about the reward for those who act with love and generosity. Instead of seeking praise in this life, we are to focus on eternal blessings.

These themes guide us in living as faithful followers of Christ. They remind us to trust in God’s mercy and live with humility and care for others.

Thoughts for Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1

On Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings guide us to reflect on the mercy, wisdom, and generosity of God. Paul reminds us that all things come from God, while Jesus teaches us to give without expecting anything in return. These reflections help us to see how we can live out these teachings in our daily lives, honoring God through humility, generosity, and love.

Everything Comes from God

In the first reading for Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Paul tells us that everything comes from God. God is the source of all life, wisdom, and goodness. We are created by Him, and everything we have is a gift. This reminds us to be humble and acknowledge that we are not self-made, but fully dependent on God.

Since everything comes from God, we should give glory to Him in all we do. Whether in our work, relationships, or service to others, we can offer these things to God. Living with this awareness changes how we see our everyday actions, helping us to remember that everything we do can honor God.

When we forget that all we have comes from God, it can lead to pride and selfishness. Paul’s message on Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 is a call to humility and gratitude. By recognizing God as the source of everything, we grow in our trust and thankfulness toward Him.

Giving Without Expecting in Return

In the gospel for Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus teaches us to invite those who cannot repay us. This is a challenge to our normal way of thinking. We often want to help people who can help us back. Jesus encourages a different approach—giving freely, without expecting anything in return.

When we invite those who cannot repay us, we imitate the generosity of God. God gives us life, love, and blessings, even though we cannot repay Him. In our daily lives, we can practice this kind of generosity by helping others, especially the poor or those who are overlooked, simply because it is the right thing to do.

This teaching of Jesus reminds us to avoid selfish motives in our good deeds. On Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are invited to love and serve with pure hearts. True generosity is shown when we give without hoping for a reward or recognition from others.

God’s Mercy and Generosity

Both the first reading and gospel on Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us of God’s mercy and generosity. In Romans, Paul explains how God is always merciful, offering a way back to Him, even when we fall away. God’s mercy never ends. In the gospel, Jesus teaches us to be generous to others, especially to those who cannot repay us.

God’s mercy to us is shown in how He gives freely and forgives freely. We don’t earn His love; it is given. In the same way, Jesus asks us to show mercy and generosity to others. When we give to those in need, we reflect the love and mercy God has shown to us.

These readings remind us that mercy and generosity go hand in hand. On Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are encouraged to show the same mercy and generosity to others that we have received from God. When we do, we share in God’s plan of love and salvation for the world.


As we reflect on the readings from Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are reminded of God’s constant mercy and love for us. We are called to respond with generosity and humility, giving freely and serving others. By doing this, we grow closer to God and reflect His goodness to those around us.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your mercy and the gifts You have given us. Help us to live humbly and generously, giving without expecting anything in return. May we trust in Your wisdom and offer all we do for Your glory. Guide us to reflect Your love to others each day. Amen.

Reflection Questions

  • How can I better recognize that everything I have comes from God?
  • Who in my life might need help without being able to repay me?
  • How does God’s mercy inspire me to show mercy and generosity to others?
  • In what ways can I give glory to God through my everyday actions?

Homilies and Reflections for Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1

USCCB Reflection: The Common Table of Humanity

In this USCCB video reflection for Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Msgr. James Vlaun shares a personal story about serving at a soup kitchen. A homeless man’s comment about the food being terrible reminds him of the shared humanity between the poor and the privileged. He reflects on how we are all poor, crippled, blind, or lame in some way. Christ invites us to unite in our common frailty at a table that brings us together as one. True hospitality should come from a place of love, not obligation or expectation.

Questions and Answers for Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1

What date is Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Monday November 3, 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 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Monday November 3, 2025 are:
First Reading – Romans 11:29-36: Mercy and Wisdom of God
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 69: Trusting in God’s Salvation
Gospel – Luke 14:12-14: True Hospitality Rewarded

What does Paul mean when he says everything comes from God in the first reading for Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Paul is teaching us that all things, including our abilities and blessings, come from God. We are reminded to be thankful and give glory to God in all things.

How can we trust in God’s plan when it’s hard to understand?

Paul reflects on God’s wisdom being beyond our understanding. Even when life is confusing, we should trust that God’s plan is for our good.

How does Paul’s message about God’s mercy apply to us?

Paul’s message teaches that no matter how far we stray, God’s mercy is always available. This reminds us to turn back to God when we make mistakes, knowing that He is always ready to forgive.

What can we learn from God’s wisdom and knowledge?

Paul reflects on God’s wisdom being beyond human understanding. This helps us to be humble and trust that God knows what is best for us, even when we don’t see the full picture.

Why does Jesus ask us to invite those who cannot repay us?

Jesus calls us to love and care for others without expecting anything in return. We learn the importance of helping others out of kindness, not for a reward.

How do we apply the lesson of humility from Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

We practice humility by not seeking attention or praise for our good deeds. Jesus asks us to act quietly and with love, serving others without expecting recognition.

What does Jesus mean by talking about eternal reward?

Jesus teaches us to look beyond earthly rewards. Instead of seeking praise from people, we should focus on the blessings that come from God.

Why should we care for the poor and the needy?

Jesus encourages us to love and care for those who cannot repay us. Reach out to the poor and needy, showing them God’s love through our actions.

How can we give glory to God in our daily lives?

We give glory to God by using our talents and blessings to serve others. Reminds us that everything we do should be for God’s honor.

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