Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Ephesians 4:32–5:8: Be kind and forgiving like Christ. Avoid immorality, impurity, and greed, as they lead to exclusion from God’s Kingdom. Don’t be deceived by false arguments; live as children of light.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 1: The person who avoids bad company and delights in God’s law is stable and prosperous. Unlike the wicked, who are fleeting, the just are watched over by God.
• Gospel – Luke 13:10-17: Jesus heals a crippled woman in a synagogue on the Sabbath. The synagogue leader criticizes him for healing on a day meant for rest. Jesus counters, arguing that if animals can be tended to on the Sabbath, then surely a suffering woman can be healed. The crowd supports Jesus.

Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath. And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect.

Luke 13:10-11

On Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings encourage Christians to show kindness, mercy, and gratitude in their daily lives. The First Reading from Ephesians and the Gospel from Luke both emphasize love, forgiveness, and trust in God’s healing power.

• Forgiving Others: In Ephesians, Paul urges us to forgive others, as God has forgiven us in Christ. This theme teaches that forgiveness leads to peace and strengthens our relationships with one another.
• Walking in Love: Paul calls Christians to live in love, following Christ’s example. This theme encourages us to show kindness and care for others, just as Jesus did.
• Imitating Christ’s Goodness: The reading from Ephesians reminds us to imitate Jesus in our actions and words. This theme helps us remember to act with kindness and goodness, reflecting Christ’s love.
• Rejecting Sin: Paul warns against sinful actions and encourages pure, holy living. This theme teaches that avoiding sin leads to a more faithful and loving life.
• Healing Power of Jesus: In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath, showing His care for those in need. This theme emphasizes that Jesus brings healing and compassion, even when others disapprove.
• True Sabbath Rest: Jesus shows that the Sabbath is for doing good, even if it challenges tradition. This theme calls us to use our time well, doing what is right and helping others.
• Living as Light: Paul tells Christians to live as “children of light.” This theme encourages us to reject darkness and instead bring light and goodness to the world.

These readings invite us to be kind, forgiving, and compassionate, just as Jesus and Paul taught. On Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are called to live out our faith with love and mercy.

On Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings invite us to live out our faith through kindness, compassion, and rest in God. By following Jesus’s example of love, forgiveness, and mercy, we learn how to bring His light to others and draw closer to God. Through each of these reflections, we see how ordinary actions filled with love can reflect God’s goodness and offer hope to those around us.

Bringing Christ’s Light to Others

On Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we see how important it is to bring Christ’s light to others. Acting with kindness, honesty, and respect allows others to see God’s goodness in us. When we live with love and joy, we reflect the love Jesus shows us, and this often becomes a first experience of faith for those around us.

Our actions can plant seeds of faith in others’ hearts. Sometimes, people may never hear about Jesus from a sermon or read about Him in a book, but they can come to know Him through how we treat them. Being kind and respectful, even when it’s difficult, allows God’s light to shine in the world. Our words and actions are more powerful than we often realize, as they may be the only way someone encounters Jesus.

As we live out this call, we are reminded to be mindful of how we act in our everyday lives. Reflecting Christ’s light doesn’t mean doing extraordinary things; it often means doing ordinary things with great love. This path of kindness and respect is how we help others encounter God, who is always inviting them to come closer.

Finding True Sabbath Rest in Service

The Gospel and first reading on Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us that true Sabbath rest is about focusing on God and serving others. Jesus healed a woman on the Sabbath, showing that honoring God doesn’t mean simply avoiding work, but instead means doing good. Serving others with a willing heart is part of true Sabbath rest.

God calls us to find rest in Him, which involves setting aside distractions and spending time in prayer and reflection. When we dedicate time to prayer, we open our hearts to hear God’s voice, which brings us peace. Serving others is another way we honor the Sabbath; by putting others before ourselves, we learn to see God in each person we meet.

This kind of rest goes beyond physical relaxation. True Sabbath rest invites us to a deeper connection with God and others. As we pray and serve, we focus on what truly matters and find peace that lasts. On the Sabbath, we are called to remember that loving God and others is the center of our faith, not just following rules.

Walking in Love and Forgiveness

Another theme from Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 is the call to walk in love and forgiveness. In the first reading, Paul encourages us to forgive others as Christ has forgiven us. This reminds us that showing mercy to others is essential to living like Jesus. When we forgive, we let go of resentment and make space for love.

Jesus demonstrates this in the Gospel as He heals the woman, showing compassion despite criticism. By prioritizing mercy over rigid rules, Jesus shows that love is more important than anything else. Our faith calls us to forgive and to choose compassion, even when it’s hard or when others don’t agree.

Walking in love and forgiveness isn’t always easy, but it is part of following Christ. Each time we choose to forgive, we strengthen our relationship with God and others. In our daily lives, when we face challenges, we can remember that Jesus calls us to love, to let go of anger, and to bring peace to those around us.

---

Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reminds us that the call to follow Jesus is practical and personal. Whether through simple acts of kindness, finding true rest in God, or choosing forgiveness, these teachings help us live out our faith daily. As we seek to bring Christ’s love to others, may we walk in His light and love more fully each day.

Prayer

Lord, help us bring Your light to others through our kindness and love. Guide us to find true rest in You and serve others with joy. May we walk in forgiveness, just as You forgive us, and live each day as children of Your light. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I bring the light of Christ to others through my words and actions?
• In what ways can I experience true Sabbath rest by focusing on God and serving others?
• How does forgiveness make space for love and peace in my relationships?
• What are some ways I can imitate Jesus’s compassion and mercy in my daily life?

Word on Fire: Miracles

In this reflection for for Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Robert Barron highlights a story from Craig Keener’s book, “Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts,” to demonstrate that miracles still happen today. He recounts the case of Ed Wilkinson’s son, who had two holes in his heart. After a prayer service and on the day of the scheduled surgery, the holes in the boy’s heart were found to have inexplicably closed. Bishop Barron uses this modern example to illustrate that the miraculous acts ascribed to Jesus in the Gospel continue in present times.

What date is Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Monday October 26, 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 Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Monday October 26, 2026 are:
First Reading – Ephesians 4:32–5:8: Living as Light
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 1: Way of the Just
Gospel – Luke 13:10-17: Sabbath Healing

Why does Paul warn against sin in the first reading for Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Paul warns against sin because sin leads us away from God. By choosing goodness over sin, we stay close to God and set an example of faith for others.

What does it mean to forgive as God forgives?

Forgiving as God forgives means letting go of anger and resentment. We forgive others because God forgives us every time we ask for mercy, and this helps us show love and kindness to everyone.

How can we walk in love like Jesus?

Walking in love like Jesus means treating people with kindness and patience. It means looking for ways to help and comfort others, even when it’s hard.

What does it mean to live a pure life according to the first reading for Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Living a pure life means avoiding actions that lead us away from God. It means keeping our hearts and minds focused on what is good, helping us grow closer to Him.

What does it mean to imitate Christ’s goodness?

To imitate Christ’s goodness means trying to act and think like Jesus. We can do this by being gentle, patient, and forgiving in our daily lives.

What does Paul mean by living as children of light?

Living as children of light means rejecting sin and doing what is good and right. It means shining God’s goodness and love in our lives, showing others a better way to live.

Why did Jesus heal on the Sabbath in the Gospel for Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Jesus healed on the Sabbath to show that helping people is more important than strict rules. This reminds us that love and kindness should always guide our actions.

How does the Gospel show the healing power of Jesus?

The reading shows Jesus’s healing power through the story of a woman He helps. It reminds us that Jesus wants to heal us spiritually and physically and always cares for us.

How can we apply true Sabbath rest in our lives?

True Sabbath rest is about focusing on God and serving others. We can do this by spending time in prayer, helping those in need, and setting aside distractions to focus on God’s peace.

How can we bring light to the world as Christians?

We bring light by acting with kindness, honesty, and respect. When we live with love and joy, others see God’s goodness in us, and this can help guide them toward faith.