Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9: In a moment of stillness, God’s powerful word, like a warrior, brought judgment. Nature was transformed to save God’s children, providing a miraculous path and reason for praise.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 105: Praise and glory to the Lord for his marvelous deeds. He struck down the firstborn in Egypt, leading His people out with joy and fulfilling His promise to Abraham.
• Gospel – Luke 18:1-8: Jesus emphasized the importance of persistent prayer through a parable. He described a persistent widow who, despite the judge’s initial reluctance, succeeded in obtaining justice due to her unyielding requests. This judge, indifferent to God or people, acted only to avoid further annoyance. Jesus contrasted this with God’s response to His chosen ones, assuring that God will swiftly deliver justice to those who persistently call on Him. He concluded, questioning if such persistent faith would be found when the Son of Man returns.

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.

Luke 18:1

On Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the readings remind us of God’s power, protection, and call to persistence in faith. These themes encourage believers to trust, pray, and stay strong, knowing God cares for those who seek Him sincerely.

• God’s Powerful Help: The reading from Wisdom shows God’s power as He rescues His people. This points to God’s constant help and protection for those who trust Him.
• Persistence in Prayer: In the Gospel, Jesus teaches about the need to pray without giving up. This reminds us that God values perseverance and hears our prayers, even if the answer seems delayed.
• Faithfulness in Waiting: Jesus praises those who stay faithful as they wait for answers. This theme calls us to trust that God will answer at the right time and in the right way.
• Strength in Trials: Both readings reflect God’s support for His people during difficult times. It reminds us that challenges are opportunities to rely more on Him.
• Justice for the Oppressed: The widow in the Gospel story shows how God cares for the lowly and answers cries for justice. This shows God’s love and compassion for those who are suffering.
• Hope in God’s Promise: The first reading reveals how God’s promises to His people give them strength. It encourages believers to hold onto hope, knowing God’s promises are always fulfilled.

On Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, these themes encourage us to place our trust in God’s care. Through patience, prayer, and faith, we grow closer to God and trust in His unfailing love.

The readings for Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, invite us to reflect on God’s power, our call to faithful waiting, and the importance of perseverance. Through the book of Wisdom, we see God’s mighty protection over His people, a reminder of His care. In the Gospel, Jesus calls us to stay faithful in prayer, even when answers are delayed, showing that perseverance brings us closer to God and strengthens our trust. Together, these readings provide hope and guidance for facing life’s challenges with faith.

God’s Power and Protection

In the reading from Wisdom for Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, we see God protecting His people in a dramatic way. This reminds us of His strength and care for those who trust Him. God’s power isn’t distant or limited. Instead, it actively guards and rescues His people, even when they face difficult situations.

Trusting in God’s power can change how we face our challenges. Just as He defended His people long ago, He will defend us now. This reading calls us to remember that God’s strength is never far from us. When we call on Him, He is ready to give help, support, and protection.

God’s power also encourages us to be brave. Knowing we are not alone allows us to face our struggles with hope. Like the people in Wisdom, we can rely on God’s constant care. In times of worry or hardship, we can remember that God is our protector, leading us forward and never abandoning us.

Faithful in Waiting

In the Gospel reading for Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, Jesus praises those who stay faithful as they wait for answers to their prayers. This shows us that God cares deeply about our persistence and that He values our faith, especially when answers aren’t immediate. Jesus encourages us to keep trusting that God’s timing will be perfect, even if it’s different from our own.

Waiting for answers can be hard, and we may be tempted to give up or feel frustrated. However, God wants us to keep seeking Him and believing that He hears us. Staying faithful in waiting builds our trust in God’s goodness and reminds us that He knows what is best for us.

This Gospel teaches that faithfulness in waiting isn’t passive. Instead, it involves active prayer and hope. When we continue in prayer and trust during times of delay, we grow stronger in our faith. Jesus reassures us that God values our efforts to stay close to Him and will reward those who seek Him with steady hearts.

The Call to Persevere

A theme that runs through both the first reading from Wisdom and the Gospel for Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, is the call to persevere. In Wisdom, God’s people endure hardships but receive His protection. In the Gospel, Jesus shows us that even when answers are delayed, we should continue to pray and trust in God’s goodness. Perseverance means choosing faith even when we can’t see the end of a challenge.

God doesn’t always remove obstacles right away, but He promises to be with us through them. Both readings show that God is faithful to those who trust Him and seek His help. Perseverance in faith strengthens us and makes us more able to face future struggles. By staying firm, we also become examples to others of God’s love and care.

This call to persevere encourages us not to let go of hope. In times when life seems difficult or prayers seem unanswered, we can remember the examples in these readings. Through perseverance, we grow closer to God, learn to rely on His strength, and discover that He is always faithful to those who do not give up.

---

Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, teaches us that God is always with us, offering strength, guidance, and love. As we trust in His power, wait patiently for His timing, and persevere in faith, we can grow closer to Him. These reflections encourage us to rely on God in all situations, trusting that His care never fails.

Prayer

Lord, help us to trust in Your strength and protection each day. Teach us to be patient in waiting and to persevere in prayer. May we always seek You with steady hearts and find peace in knowing that You are with us. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How does reflecting on God’s power help me face my own challenges?
• When have I found it difficult to wait for an answer to my prayers?
• What steps can I take to persevere in faith when I feel discouraged?
• How can these readings encourage me to rely more on God in my daily life?

Word on Fire: The Power of Persistent Prayer

In his reflection for Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, Bishop Robert Barron highlights Jesus’ parable of the persistent widow to show the importance of constant prayer. He reminds us that relying on our own strength in spiritual battles against darkness and division leads to failure. When we instead rely on God’s strength and pray persistently, we find victory. God promises to hear and respond to those who call out to Him. This message emphasizes that persistent prayer brings us the courage and power we need for life’s challenges.

What date is Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Saturday November 15, 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 Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Saturday November 15, 2025 are:
First Reading – Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9: The Warrior from Heaven and the Miraculous Deliverance
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 105: Rejoice in the Wonders of the Lord
Gospel – Luke 18:1-8: The Persistent Widow and the Unjust Judge

What does the first reading for Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 teach about God’s power?

Wisdom shows God using His strength to protect and rescue His people. It teaches us that God is always able to help us when we face challenges and that we can trust His power in all things.

How does the first reading help us understand hope?

God has always cared for His people and helped them. This gives us hope because we know that God is constant and will never abandon us.

How does this Gospel for Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourage us to pray?

Jesus tells a story that shows the importance of not giving up in prayer. This teaches us that even if answers seem slow, we should keep praying and trust that God is listening.

Why does Jesus focus on the widow’s persistence?

Jesus points to the widow’s persistence to show us how God values faithfulness and dedication. This story encourages us to be steady in our faith and not to lose hope, knowing that God will answer us at the right time.

What lesson about justice can we take from these readings for Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Gospel shows that God hears the cries of those who seek justice, like the widow who refuses to give up. This teaches us that we should stand up for what is right and trust that God is a defender of justice.

What does this Gospel tell us about God’s timing?

God’s timing is different from ours, but it is always good. We learn that we should trust that God will act at the right time, especially when we pray persistently.

How do these readings help us when we are struggling?

Both readings remind us that God helps His people in difficult times. This encourages us to lean on God when we face struggles and know that He is close to us.

Why is patience important in these readings for Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

In the Gospel, Jesus teaches that patience is needed when we pray and wait for answers. This tells us that we must trust God’s timing and stay strong, even if answers seem delayed.

How can these readings make us stronger in faith?

These readings for Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, remind us of God’s protection and love, which help us grow in trust. By remembering God’s power and faithfulness, we can feel encouraged to deepen our faith and rely on Him in all things.