Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection July 27, 2025
Sunday – 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
27th July 2025 (Sunday)
Psalter: Week 1
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Genesis 18:20-32
In those days: The Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.” So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” And the Lord said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” Again he spoke to him and said, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” He said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.”
Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8 R.(3a)
R/. On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord
Second Reading: Colossians 2:12-14
Brethren: Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. You have received the spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, Abba! Father!
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: Luke 11:1-13
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Sunday – 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Main Point: Praying is experiencing a situation of lack and need, trusting in God’s power and mercy, depending on Him and pleading for His positive response
1. Today’s word of God focuses on the power of “prayer of intercession”. Abraham in the first reading intercedes on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah. He pleads for God’s mercy to spare them from destroying on account of their sinfulness.
2. He enters into a “holy bargain” with God not to destroy all at least for the sake of ten good souls. Sadly, not even ten good souls are found!
3. In the second reading, we have Jesus himself who intercedes for us to the Father. His is the greatest prayer of intercession because he intercedes not only by his word but also by his very self-immolation. By this, he obtains the remission of sins, reconciliation and salvation.
4. In the gospel too, Jesus emphasizes the importance of prayer. He teaches us how to pray, giving us the most sublime prayer, ‘Our Father’. It is not just one prayer among many, not a prayer like many others. It is the model prayer that teaches us the real spirit of prayer.
5. We learn some essential features of true prayer. They are spiritual primacy, intimacy, trust, perseverance and altruism. Unfortunately, in the case of a good number, praying is mostly listing out our needs and submitting our various applications to God. We do not rule out this aspect of ‘asking God for help and favours’.
6. No doubt that Jesus himself taught and encouraged us, saying, “Ask, it shall be given. Knock, it shall be opened to you. Seek and you will find it”. But what is important is that our prayer should not become just a list of petitions. Prayer should not be just need-based or favour-oriented seeking.
7. Rather, all our prayer should be permeated by a sense of primacy to God and intimacy with Him. He is the first and the greatest in our life. We give first place to Him. We grow in an intimate relationship with him. His will and His kingdom become our highest normative principles.
8. With a sense of primacy and intimacy, we must place our total trust in Him, with a profound sense of dependence and abandonment. We trust and entrust because He is a good and loving Father who always cares for us. Even the earthly fathers who can be wicked are so good toward their children, how much more caring will be our heavenly Father who is infinitely good.
9. Another significant feature of true prayer is perseverance. We shall not expect instant results. We shall not demand quick favours. Our petitions may be reasonable and valid. But at times our prayers may not be answered. We may not receive the favours requested. Even then, can we be patient and steady?
10. If spiritual primacy, intimacy, trust and perseverance are what solidify a prayer, it is altruism that beautifies and dignifies a prayer. “Other-orientedness”, praying for others is what is seen in Abraham’s bargain of intercession or Jesus’ expiation for our sins. When our prayer becomes more and more self-directed and self-interested, then it loses its merit and value.
My Practice: Jesus assured, “Ask, and it will be given”. But he did not say, “Whatever and all that you ask, will be given”. Especially He never promised all material favours. Instead, it is the unfailing abundance of the Holy Spirit.
