Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 19 October 2025
First Reading: Exodus 17: 8-13
Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some men for us and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” (9)
The passage here describes the Lord’s intervention in the Israelites’ life. But before this passage it is written that the Israelites had begun to grumble and complained about the lack of water at Rephidim. (Ex 17: 1-8) It is not a surprise then that in the very place they grumbled, they were attacked! Yet the Lord sends them an intercessor in Moses. It is the obedience and bravery of Joshua that is commendable here, as he obediently goes into battle for the Israelites!
There are two parallels here. The first is Moses as intercessor who prefigures Jesus Christ for us. And Joshua as the obedient and courageous warrior, prefigures Christ who bears our cross and fights our battle too! We thank the Lord Jesus Christ for the same.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 121: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (1-2)
As Moses was atop the hill with his hands raised, the Israelites saw him praying and gained victory. Alleluia, Amen!
Second Reading: Second Timothy 3: 14 – 4: 2
All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. (16-17)
St. Paul is urging his companion Timothy, and he also extends this directive to us! In the previous verses he describes the “people in the last times”! (3:1-9) Then he tells us to “Avoid them!” As a blueprint for our foundation, St. Paul recommends us to read the scriptures and follow the teachings even as we face the trials in this tumultuous world.
We ask the Lord Jesus to help us navigate the troubled waters. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Alleluia: Hebrews 4: 12
Alleluia, Alleluia!! Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 18: 1-8
“Will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (7-8)
In the previous verses, Jesus preaches a parable to his disciples about the unjust judge and the widow. Even though the Judge is unjust, yet he acts in a just manner because of the persistence of the widow. Likewise, Christ questions us whether we will persist in the faith even when faced with unjust situations! It is the Lord who sees all and knows all, the just and the unjust! The Lord brings justice to the chosen people.
Lord help us persist in the faith, even in unfair situations. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
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