Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection September 17, 2025
Wednesday – 24th Week in Ordinary Time
17th September 2025 (Wednesday)
Psalter: Week 4
Readings of the Day
First Reading: 1 Timothy 3:14-16
Beloved: I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
Psalm 111:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6, (R. 2a)
R/. Great are the works of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Your word, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of eternal life.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: Luke 7:31-35
At that time: Jesus said, “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the market-place and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’ For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Wednesday – 24th Week in Ordinary Time
Main Point: Often, the real problem is not the reality but the perspective on the reality. Put on the perspective of Love, and then you will see everything with a world of difference
1. It is natural that everyone wishes that the realities change as they wish and prefer. But nature and life have their own rhythm and rules, and it does not change according to our likes and dislikes.
2. In fact, it is our optic that must change. As we see the reality, we will speak and act. Perspective and mindset are very important. A negative outlook negativises everything, even the best positive.
3. Many are so stubborn and do not accept others’ opinions or ideas. They want all others to play and dance to their own tunes. They understand and interpret things according to their convenience and for their advantage. They always have something to blame and nothing can really satisfy them.
4. This was precisely the case with the Pharisees and scribes. They rejected John the Baptist because he was too austere and exigent with a demanding message of repentance and conversion.
5. They rejected Jesus too because he was too flexible and compassionate, especially the despised and condemned lot, with a disconcerting and forgiving mission of love and reconciliation, faith and a transformed life.
6. The problem was neither John the Baptist nor Jesus, but it was themselves. They were not open to seeing and accepting the truth and the call for conversion. Their obstinacy barricaded them within their own prejudiced perspectives. They lacked the wisdom of God to discern rightly and to change humbly. In our times, too, such closed people are numerous!
7. It is in this context, as the first reading exhorts us, that we must constantly remind ourselves that we are the Church of the living God, who is the pillar and foundation of truth. Therefore, we must behave fittingly.
My Practice: Our negative perspectives often blind and constrict us from being responsive and responsible. Love endows us with a positive perspective and makes us joyfully charitable
