Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 26 October 2025
First Reading: Sirach 35: 12-14, 16-18
Give to the Most High as he has given to you, and as generously as you can afford. For the Lord is the one who repays, and he will repay you sevenfold. (12-13)
He will not show partiality to the poor; but he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged. (16)
We Thank the Lord God for his mercy and justice! We in turn are commanded to give as God has given us! Let us begin with what we have and wherever we are at! Let us open our hearts and eyes to opportunities in our daily lives!
We ask the Lord God, the Holy Spirit, to help us discern the opportunities when we must extend his mercy to those around us! The Lord listens to the one who is wronged – therefore, let us not be discouraged even if we face trials. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 34: 2-3, 17-18, 19, 23
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (17-18)
Amen!
Second Reading: Second Timothy 4: 6-8, 16-18
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (7)
These famous words of St. Paul are followed by his witnessing the faith. He explains that at his first trial there was no one to support him, yet it was the Lord alone who rescued him. (16-18) He encourages us to fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith.
Let us fight through our prayers and when needed, use our words! Let us take on our faith and complete the tasks ahead of us. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Alleluia: Second Corinthians 5: 19
Alleluia, Alleluia! In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 18: 9-14
He told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt. (9)
Through this parable, Jesus reminds us that we cannot exalt ourselves before God! We cannot merit Heaven by our good deeds alone! God cannot be bribed or fooled! It is only through the Lord God’s mercy, that we can inherit the divine pastures! Even as Christ has commanded us to love our neighbours, (Mt. 22: 36-40) we cannot use those acts of service to boast about ourselves! -The whole meaning of the service is then destroyed. Our Father in heaven knows every little thought or action, hence we do not need to parade our good deeds to him or others. “But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Mt. 6: 3,4) The world seems to be practicing right the opposite of: “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” (Mt. 6:1)
Let us shine a beacon of light for people stumbling about following the “trends” of this age! Yet we know there are many unknown and unsung souls at the service of the downtrodden, who don’t subscribe to the ‘selfie culture’! Let us seek to encourage those quiet heroes and support their work in whatever manner we can. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
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