Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Romans 13:8-10: Love one another, as this alone fulfills the law’s commandments, doing no harm to others and encompassing all that the law requires.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 112: The man who reveres the LORD and follows His commands will be blessed, with his generosity and justice bringing enduring honor and light.
• Gospel – Luke 14:25-33: Jesus explains the commitment required to be His follower. He uses strong language to stress the priority of loyalty to Him over family ties. Jesus also highlights the need for personal sacrifice. He uses two examples—a builder calculating costs and a king contemplating war—to illustrate the importance of planning and readiness to give up everything to be His disciple.

If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:26

The readings for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourage us to reflect on love, commitment, and the cost of following Jesus. St. Paul speaks of love as the heart of all commandments, while Jesus calls us to prioritize discipleship above all else. Together, these themes inspire us to deepen our commitment and align our lives more closely with God’s will.

• Love Fulfills the Law: Paul teaches that love sums up all commandments. When we love others, we are naturally led to keep God’s laws, as love prevents us from causing harm to others.
• Counting the Cost: Jesus urges followers to consider the sacrifices required to be His disciples. This theme reminds us that true discipleship often means giving up comfort and convenience to follow Christ fully.
• Letting Go of Attachments: Jesus calls His followers to leave behind anything that hinders them. This theme shows that to grow in faith, we may need to leave behind habits, possessions, or priorities that distract us from Christ.
• Living Out Selflessness: Paul’s message about love encourages us to think of others’ needs before our own. Selflessness is key to building a community rooted in love and respect, just as Jesus modeled.
• Obeying Through Love: The call to love fulfills God’s commandments. This theme emphasizes that love naturally moves us to act with compassion and care, aligning us with God’s will.
• The Cost of True Faith: Jesus speaks of carrying one’s cross as a mark of true discipleship. This theme reflects that real faith involves courage and commitment, especially when it demands sacrifices or personal challenges.

The readings for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 challenge us to live fully as disciples of Christ. Through love, selflessness, and trust, we can find the courage to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, no matter the cost.

On Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings call us to reflect on love, commitment, and self-sacrifice. Paul reminds us that love sums up the commandments, guiding our actions and intentions toward others. Jesus, in the Gospel, explains that true discipleship means willingly letting go of attachments and embracing the challenges of following Him. Together, these reflections show us how the path to God involves love, dedication, and surrender, all of which deepen our faith.

Love Fulfills the Commandments

In the reading from Romans on Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Paul teaches that love fulfills all of God’s commandments. When we live with genuine love, we naturally choose actions that reflect kindness, respect, and compassion toward others. Love itself becomes a guide, leading us to do what is good and avoid harm.

Paul’s words show us that following the commandments is more than just following rules. Rather, it’s about the intention behind our actions. Loving others as we would want to be loved means we avoid hurting them and seek their well-being. This way, love keeps us close to God’s will, as God’s commandments are grounded in the love He has for us and asks us to share with each other.

Living this way in our daily lives brings us peace and stronger relationships. When we focus on loving our neighbors, we can see how our faith calls us to go beyond simply avoiding wrongdoing. It invites us to actively do good, making choices that build trust, kindness, and respect with everyone we encounter.

Letting Go of Distractions

Jesus’ words in the Gospel reading for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us that following Him may mean letting go of things that hold us back. In asking His followers to carry their cross and set aside anything that interferes with faith, Jesus invites us to focus on what truly matters. While our lives may be busy, Jesus calls us to ask whether our habits or possessions are helping us grow closer to God or taking us further from Him.

This theme can be challenging because it asks us to look at our daily routines and choices. What are the things that occupy our time and attention? Are there areas in our lives where we may be clinging too tightly to comfort, status, or control? Jesus knows that when we let go of these, we find a deeper freedom to embrace His way of life.

When we prioritize our faith, we make room for a closer relationship with God and a more peaceful heart. With less focus on worldly things, we have more time to care for others and to serve. Jesus’ message reminds us that a life centered on Him leads us to greater joy and purpose, even if it means giving up some comforts along the way.

Counting the Cost of Discipleship

Both Paul and Jesus speak to the cost of following God’s path on Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1. Jesus explains that anyone wanting to follow Him must understand the challenges that come with discipleship. Paul, likewise, shows us that the path of love and service to others asks us to choose kindness and selflessness over our own interests. Following Jesus requires more than just a willingness to hear His words—it demands action and commitment.

Counting the cost means being realistic about the sacrifices involved. Jesus uses strong language to remind His followers that true discipleship isn’t easy. Sometimes it may involve taking risks, stepping out of our comfort zones, or facing opposition. Just as building a tower requires planning, following Jesus requires us to recognize the dedication needed to stay faithful when times are difficult.

But when we embrace the cost, we grow in our faith and find a strength we might not have known before. As we follow Jesus, we discover that each sacrifice we make brings us closer to a deeper sense of purpose and joy. Counting the cost reminds us that the journey with Christ is worth every step, leading us to a richer life both now and forever.

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As we consider the teachings on Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we’re invited to re-examine how we love, what we hold onto, and how much we’re willing to give in following Christ. By focusing on love and letting go of what holds us back, we grow closer to God and His purpose for our lives. May we ask for strength to respond fully to this call, loving deeply and living faithfully.

Prayer

Lord, help us to love with open hearts and to put others before ourselves. Give us courage to let go of anything that takes us away from You. May we follow You with joy, ready to serve in all that we do. Guide us in every choice, leading us closer to You each day. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• In what ways can I deepen my love for others as Paul describes?
• What attachments might I need to let go of to follow Jesus more closely?
• How does the idea of “counting the cost” apply to my daily walk with God?
• When have I felt that God was asking me to give something up for the sake of my faith? How did I respond?

The Heart of Discipleship

This USCCB video reflection for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time points out that Jesus challenges us to renounce our possessions, highlighting a commitment to God above all. This doesn’t mean abandoning everything literally but adopting an attitude where God is prioritized over personal gain. It’s a gradual process of placing God and others at the forefront of our lives, replacing self-centeredness with a God-centered existence. This spiritual shift towards God is not meant to deprive us of joy; rather, it’s a path to true freedom and love. Embracing this approach isn’t easy, but Jesus supports us in this endeavor, guiding us to live a life rooted in love and service.

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

The next date is Wednesday November 5, 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 Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

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

The Mass readings for Wednesday November 5, 2025 are:
First Reading – Romans 13:8-10: Love Fulfills the Law
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 112: Blessings of Righteousness
Gospel – Luke 14:25-33: The Cost of Discipleship

What does Paul mean by saying that love fulfills the law in the first reading for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Paul teaches that love is the heart of all commandments. When we truly love others, we naturally follow God’s laws by avoiding harm and choosing compassion.

What is Paul’s message about the commandments?

Paul’s message is that all commandments are summed up in loving others. When we love our neighbors, we live in a way that respects God’s laws and avoids harm.

How can I apply the theme of selflessness?

Selflessness can be shown in small daily actions, like listening to others, offering help, or forgiving someone. Paul’s message teaches that selfless love is central to our faith.

How does love lead to obeying God’s commandments?

When we live with love, we naturally follow God’s laws because love prevents us from harming others. Paul teaches that love fulfills all the commandments by guiding our actions in the right way.

Why does Jesus emphasize giving up everything to follow Him in the Gospel for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Jesus is asking us to put Him first, above all possessions and relationships. He wants us to avoid being overly attached to things that may keep us from fully following His path.

How does Jesus’ message about carrying one’s cross apply to us?

Jesus reminds us that true discipleship involves sacrifice and self-denial. This teaching encourages us to accept challenges and hardships in faith, trusting that God will be with us.

Why does Jesus ask His followers to consider the cost of discipleship?

Jesus wants us to understand that following Him fully may require sacrifices. By counting the cost, we prepare ourselves to live with faith and dedication, even when it is challenging.

What does it mean to “leave everything behind” for Jesus?

Leaving everything behind means letting go of anything that distracts us from God. This might mean giving up certain habits, pursuits, or material possessions if they keep us from following Jesus.

How can we strengthen our commitment to Jesus in light of Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

We can strengthen our commitment by deepening our prayer life, reading Scripture, and choosing to put Jesus at the center of our decisions. Taking these steps helps us grow closer to Christ and live more faithfully.