Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – 1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-49: Brothers and sisters, question not how the dead are raised. Like a seed must die to produce a new plant, so too our corruptible bodies will be raised incorruptible. The earthly precedes the heavenly; we shall bear the heavenly image.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 56: I know God is with me and I trust His promises without fear. I am committed to fulfilling vows and thank offerings to God, who has saved me from death, so I can walk in His light.
• Gospel – Luke 8:4-15: Jesus tells a parable about a sower’s seeds falling on various grounds. He later explains to his disciples that the seed represents the word of God and elaborates on how different people respond to it, some producing abundant fruit through perseverance.

But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.

Luke 8:15

Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 brings us lessons on faith, transformation, and staying open to God’s word. The readings from 1 Corinthians and the parable of the sower in Luke encourage us to reflect on the resurrection, the condition of our hearts, and the fruits of true belief.

• Transformation in Resurrection: Paul describes how our bodies are sown perishable but raised imperishable. This theme highlights God’s promise that life is changed through resurrection, encouraging us to hold onto hope beyond physical death.
• Earthly vs. Spiritual Life: Paul contrasts the natural body with the spiritual body. This reminds us that while we live in a physical world, we are also called to focus on spiritual growth and preparing for eternal life.
• Listening with Openness: In the Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the importance of receiving the Word with a receptive heart. Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reminds us to be open to God’s message, allowing it to take root and grow within us.
• Guarding Against Distractions: Jesus describes how life’s distractions and worries can choke out faith. This theme calls us to be mindful of anything that may pull us away from God and to focus on what helps our relationship with Him.
• Bearing Fruit Through Faith: Jesus explains that good soil produces an abundant harvest. When we nurture our faith and let God’s Word grow in us, we become able to bear fruit and positively impact those around us.
• Hope in the Resurrection: Paul speaks of resurrection as a new beginning. Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 encourages us to see death not as an end but as the start of a new, eternal life with God.
• Preparing the Heart for Faith: Jesus’ parable reminds us that a healthy heart is needed for the Word to grow. This theme challenges us to clear away obstacles, like resentment or doubt, to make space for God’s Word to thrive.

These themes from Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 encourage us to deepen our faith, remain open to God’s guidance, and live with hope in the resurrection. By nurturing our hearts and focusing on spiritual growth, we stay connected to God’s promises.

The readings for Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 call us to focus on lasting spiritual growth, to nurture our faith, and to overcome obstacles that hinder our relationship with God. Through Paul’s words to the Corinthians and Jesus’ parable of the sower, we are encouraged to set our hearts on eternal life, become “good soil” for God’s Word, and be mindful of distractions. These reflections invite us to prepare our hearts to receive God’s guidance and grow in faith.

Living for the Spiritual and Eternal

In 1 Corinthians, Paul contrasts the natural body with the spiritual body, reminding us that our physical existence is temporary while our spiritual life is eternal. For Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, this theme calls us to see beyond the temporary concerns of the world and focus on our relationship with God, which prepares us for eternal life. This reflection invites us to prioritize faith, prayer, and service, cultivating our spiritual life.

Our natural bodies are bound to change, grow weak, and eventually pass away. However, our spiritual lives—our connection to God and to one another—are what last. Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 encourages us to grow in love, humility, and gratitude, qualities that nourish our spiritual bodies. By doing so, we strengthen the parts of us that are meant for eternal life.

As we move through life, it’s easy to get wrapped up in physical concerns, whether about our health, success, or possessions. Paul’s reminder helps us keep a balanced perspective, encouraging us to remember that the spiritual parts of us are what truly matter. By investing in our spiritual growth, we are choosing what will last forever.

Nurturing Faith to Bear Good Fruit

In the Gospel, Jesus explains that good soil produces an abundant harvest, showing that a healthy and open heart leads to strong faith. Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 encourages us to examine our own “soil”—the state of our hearts and minds—and ask if we’re nurturing our faith in ways that allow it to flourish. When we are like good soil, open to God’s word, our lives become fruitful, and we are able to spread love, patience, and kindness to those around us.

Nurturing our faith requires regular time in prayer, listening to God’s word, and letting His teachings shape our actions. Just as good soil needs care to be ready for planting, our faith grows when we actively take care of it. We have to remove distractions or bad habits that might choke out our faith, making space for God’s word to grow within us.

Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 invites us to let our faith bear fruit, not just in our personal lives but in how we interact with others. Faith that grows strong in good soil naturally flows outward, impacting our families, communities, and workplaces. When we cultivate a heart ready to receive God’s word, we become a source of light and encouragement to others.

Overcoming Obstacles to Faith

Both the reading from 1 Corinthians and the parable in Luke highlight the need to overcome obstacles that keep faith from growing. Paul describes how our physical existence can distract us from spiritual growth, while Jesus explains how worries, temptations, and worldly concerns can crowd out God’s word. Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reminds us to be mindful of these obstacles and work to keep them from blocking our relationship with God.

Life is full of distractions, such as worries about the future, pressures to succeed, and the demands of daily life. These can pull us away from God, filling our minds with concerns that leave little room for faith. By staying aware of these obstacles, we can make intentional choices to focus on God’s word and stay connected to Him.

Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 encourages us to let go of what hinders our faith. When we choose to place our trust in God and His plan, we gradually learn to face challenges with courage and peace. In letting go of distractions, we free our hearts and minds to be transformed by God’s word, growing in faith that sustains us and brings us closer to Him.

---

Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reminds us that our faith requires care and attention to bear lasting fruit. By focusing on the eternal, letting God’s Word root deeply within us, and removing obstacles, we draw closer to the life God calls us to live. May these reflections inspire us to grow spiritually and share God’s love with others.

Prayer

Lord, help us to focus on the things that last, to open our hearts to Your Word, and to let go of what distracts us. Guide us to become good soil, ready to receive Your message and grow in faith. May our lives bear fruit that reflects Your love. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• What steps can I take to focus more on spiritual growth than on worldly concerns?
• Are there distractions in my life that keep me from fully receiving God’s Word?
• How can I nurture my faith daily to help it grow and bear fruit?
• What obstacles do I need to let go of to strengthen my relationship with God?

Word On Fire: Unpacking the Parables

In today’s reflection for Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Robert Barron delves into the purpose of Jesus’ parables, as outlined in the Gospel. According to Jesus, parables serve to grant knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God to some, while confounding others. The parables challenge conventional religious beliefs and societal expectations, essentially flipping preconceived notions on their head. They serve as a unique teaching tool that forces the listener to rethink their spiritual perceptions. Bishop Barron stresses the importance of paying close attention to the lessons these intriguing stories offer.

What date is Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Saturday September 19, 2026.

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 odd numbered years see Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Saturday September 19, 2026 are:
First Reading – 1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-49: Resurrection Explained
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 56: Trust in God
Gospel – Luke 8:4-15: Parable of Sower

What does Paul mean by spiritual body in 1 Corinthians in the first reading for Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

In 1 Corinthians, Paul describes a difference between the earthly body and the spiritual body. While our current bodies are temporary, our spiritual bodies will last forever with God in the resurrection.

How does Paul describe the resurrection?

Paul explains resurrection as a transformation from the natural to the spiritual. Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 encourages us to see death not as an end but as a beginning of new life with God.

How does the parable of the sower in the Gospel for Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 relate to daily life?

The parable of the sower in the Gospel teaches about how we receive God’s Word. Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 invites us to consider if our hearts are open to faith, making space for God’s teachings to grow in us.

Why are some types of soil unproductive in the parable?

In the parable, some soil is too rocky, thorny, or hard for the seed to grow. This represents how distractions, worries, or a lack of understanding can weaken our faith, reminding us to be aware of anything that pulls us away from God.

What does bearing fruit mean in this context?

Bearing fruit means allowing faith to grow in us in a way that shows in our actions. On Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are encouraged to live with kindness, patience, and love, so others may see God’s presence in us.

Why is it important to be good soil?

Jesus explains that good soil allows faith to grow and flourish. Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reminds us to keep our hearts open and ready to receive God’s Word, preparing ourselves to live according to His guidance.

What does this mean for the spiritual journey?

We need from God’s Word each day. Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 encourages us to seek God’s presence daily, filling our hearts with His guidance and love.