Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Romans 15:14-21: I commend you for your goodness and knowledge, but remind you of the Gospel’s duty, seeking to spread Christ’s message to places where His name is yet unknown.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 98: Sing a new song for God’s marvelous acts; He has triumphed and shown His justice and steadfast love, revealing salvation to all, prompting joyous praise worldwide.
• Gospel – Luke 16:1-8: A rich man’s steward, accused of wasting his employer’s resources, is about to lose his job. He cleverly reduces the debts of his master’s debtors to secure future favors from them. Surprisingly, the rich man praises the dishonest steward for his shrewdness. Jesus notes that the worldly are wise in their dealings.

And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.

Luke 16:8

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

The readings for Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 offer practical insights into faith, responsibility, and commitment. Paul speaks about spreading the message of Christ, while the Gospel encourages wise and thoughtful management of resources.

• Sharing the Gospel message: Paul speaks of his mission to bring the Gospel to those who haven’t heard it yet. His commitment reminds us of the call to share Christ with others, especially those who may feel distant from God.
• Acting wisely in daily life: Jesus’ parable praises a steward’s cleverness in handling a difficult situation. This theme reminds us to be thoughtful and wise, considering the best ways to handle our resources and responsibilities.
• Taking responsibility for actions: The steward in the Gospel recognizes the need to act responsibly when his position is at risk. This example encourages us to take ownership of our actions and decisions, especially in difficult situations.
• Being faithful to God’s call: Paul is committed to fulfilling the mission God has given him, without seeking recognition. This dedication invites us to stay true to God’s call in our lives, even if it goes unnoticed by others.
• Planning ahead with purpose: The steward’s actions demonstrate foresight, as he plans for his future needs. This highlights the importance of thinking ahead and preparing wisely, keeping our spiritual journey in mind.
• Trusting God to work through us: Paul expresses confidence that God will continue to work through him in his mission. We are reminded to trust that God can use us, with all our strengths and weaknesses, to share His message and love.

These themes in the readings for Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourage us to act responsibly, think ahead, and faithfully serve God’s purpose in all we do. They invite us to live intentionally, focused on serving God and others through our daily actions.

On Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we’re invited to reflect on themes of humility, dedication, and trust in God’s guidance. Through Paul’s example of humble service and the parable of the steward’s wisdom in planning, these readings teach us about focusing on our mission with humility and commitment. In following God’s call and making choices with purpose, we can grow closer to God’s will and deepen our faith.

Serving with Humility and Dedication

Paul’s dedication to his mission is clear; he works to spread the Gospel without seeking praise or credit for himself. His focus is fully on fulfilling God’s purpose, knowing that the glory of the message is what matters, not his own recognition. On Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, this reminds us that the work we do for God often happens quietly, without fanfare, but it is deeply valued by Him.

When we are dedicated to God’s calling, we may not receive visible rewards, and sometimes our efforts may go unseen by others. However, as Paul shows, our commitment is not about gaining approval but about faithfully following Christ’s call. This helps us remember that when we act with humility, we are imitating Jesus, who served without seeking recognition.

In our own lives, we can reflect on where we are called to serve with humility. Whether it is at work, home, or within the community, each of us can ask God for the strength to be dedicated to His mission, even when it’s challenging or unnoticed. Our dedication can be a quiet, powerful witness to those around us.

Planning with Wisdom and Purpose

In the Gospel parable, Jesus tells of a steward who carefully considers his future, taking action that prepares him for what’s ahead. Though his situation may seem unique, Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 helps us see the lesson here: foresight is important in our lives, especially when it comes to our relationship with God. Just as the steward plans wisely for the future, we too are called to think about where our choices today will lead us.

Foresight isn’t just about making plans for our own comfort; it’s about being intentional with our spiritual lives and making decisions that align with God’s will. The Gospel challenges us to ask if our actions today will help us stay close to God or distract us from Him. This thoughtful planning applies to our spiritual habits, relationships, and how we use our time and talents.

As we reflect on this reading, we can think about the areas in our lives that need more careful attention and planning. By putting God’s priorities first, we can shape our choices to reflect His values, preparing us to meet whatever lies ahead with faith and trust.

Trusting in God’s Guidance for Our Mission

Both the first reading and the Gospel highlight the importance of being guided by God’s purpose. Paul relies on God to give him the strength and wisdom needed to carry out his mission, knowing that he cannot do it alone. On Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we see this reliance on God as a reminder that true fulfillment comes when we trust His guidance in our lives.

The steward in the Gospel also makes choices to secure his future, showing that sometimes, stepping forward with a wise plan is a necessary part of following God. However, it is God who provides the wisdom and courage needed to take these steps, especially when we face difficult or unclear situations. Placing our trust in Him, even in small matters, helps us stay aligned with His will.

Reflecting on these readings, we are encouraged to ask God for guidance in our daily decisions. Trusting in His support, we can approach our mission with confidence, knowing that He will help us fulfill our purpose with clarity and strength. Our task is to remain faithful, listening for His voice in our hearts as we journey forward.

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Reflecting on Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we see how our dedication to God’s mission shapes our actions and our faith. When we serve with humility, plan wisely, and trust God’s guidance, we move forward in our journey with hope and confidence. Let us pray to follow these values, allowing God’s purpose to guide us daily.

Prayer

Lord, help us serve You humbly and to live each day in dedication to Your will. Guide us to make wise choices and rely on You for strength. Let our actions reflect Your love, and may our lives be a witness to Your truth. We trust in Your guidance always. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I serve others humbly, even when recognition is not given?
• What steps can I take today to make wise decisions with my time and gifts?
• Where in my life do I need to trust God’s guidance more deeply?
• How do my current goals and actions reflect God’s purpose for me?

Word on Fire: Taking Action in Faith

In this reflection for Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Bishop Robert Barron explores Jesus’ unusual praise of a dishonest steward. Jesus does not condone the steward’s immoral actions but instead highlights his determination to act decisively in a difficult situation. The parable challenges us to examine our spiritual lives, recognize our weaknesses, and take action to grow closer to God. Bishop Barron encourages us to renew our prayer life, deepen our worship, and repair any broken relationships, urging us to honestly assess and strengthen our faith through committed action.

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

The next date is Friday November 7, 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 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

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

The Mass readings for Friday November 7, 2025 are:
First Reading – Romans 15:14-21: Gospel to the Gentiles
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 98: God’s Saving Power
Gospel – Luke 16:1-8: The Shrewd Steward

Why does Paul talk about sharing the Gospel with those who haven’t heard it in the first reading for Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Paul’s mission was to spread Christ’s message to new communities. This reminds us to look for opportunities to share God’s love with others, especially those who may not yet know Him.

How can we apply Paul’s focus on serving God without seeking credit?

Paul shows that his goal is to serve, not to gain recognition. We can learn from Paul’s example to focus on fulfilling our mission with humility, trusting that God values our work even if it is unnoticed by others.

What is meant by trusting God to work through us?

Paul trusts that God is working through him, despite any challenges. We are encouraged to rely on God’s strength, knowing that He can help us accomplish His work in our lives.

What does Paul’s example show us about confidence in our mission?

Paul’s confidence comes from his faith that God is with him. When we trust God, we find the strength and courage to pursue the purpose He has set for us.

What is the main message of the steward in Jesus’ parable in the Gospel for Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The steward uses wisdom to handle a crisis. The message is to use our resources and time responsibly, considering how our actions align with our faith.

What does the steward’s planning teach us?

The steward carefully plans his next steps, making sure he is prepared. This teaches us to think about how our choices today impact our future, using our time and talents wisely.

How can we be wise like the steward in the Gospel?

Being wise like the steward means taking time to think through our actions and consider their impact. This wisdom is about making choices that serve God and others well.

Why is responsibility emphasized in these readings?

Both Paul and the steward are responsible in different ways. Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us that responsibility is essential, whether in fulfilling God’s call or wisely managing what we have been given.