Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection October 02, 2025
Thursday – 26th Week in Ordinary Time
02nd October 2025 (Thursday)
Psalter: Week 2
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12
In those days: All the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. The Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the meaning, so that the people understood the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go on your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went on their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11 (R. 9ab)
R/. The precepts of the Lord are right; they gladden the heart.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. The kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the Gospel.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: Luke 10:1-12
At that time: The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the labourer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Thursday – 26th Week in Ordinary Time
Main Point: God always watches over us, guards us against all the evil attacks. The guardian angels are concrete testimonies of God’s abiding care for us. He will never abandon us unguarded
1. 02 October, we celebrate the memory of the guardian angels. It is believed that God has assigned a guardian angel to the care of each of us. This shows the personal attention and care that God nurtures for everyone.
2. We are not just numbers for God. We are not one among many, but each one counts for God and in His providential care. Jesus says, “In heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father in heaven”. This clearly indicates that the guardian angels are in intimate communion and service of God. Thus, they can effectively work on behalf of us.
3. The guardian angels’ primary duty is to guard us. This implies that they are ever watchful over us to protect us from the snares and assaults of the evil one. They take care that we are not lost. They assist us and supply the necessary strength to combat evil.
4. This is what we hear in Exodus 23. 20-23: Behold, I send an angel before you, to guard you on the way. “The angel will go before you and bring you into the enemies, so that God will blot them out”. Besides, “he will also bring you to the place which I have prepared”.
5. Thus, the guardian angel also accompanies us on our way to the Lord. He guards that we are not easily distracted and deviated from the right path. He will also lead us to our eternal destination. He directs and orients us to reach that destination, to “enter the kingdom of heaven”, by helping us to “become like little children”.
3. Therefore, from our part, we are exhorted to “give heed to him and hearken to his voice, not to rebel against him”. In fact, our obedience and adherence are not so much to this or that particular guardian angel, but to God who guards us through them. It is God Himself who is acting through them. That is why,8on I 8 God affirms, “for my name is in him”.
4. Today, we also remember with reverence, admiration, and gratitude the great Mahatma Gandhi on his birthday. He deserves our homage because he, too, was like a guardian angel for the mother India, who was languishing like a little child under the British bondage. His selfless sacrifices and unswerving dedication brought freedom to enslaved India. Let us not only admire him but also imitate him and, in turn, become ourselves the guardians and custodians of our dear mother India
My Practice: The fact that we are guarded personally by a guardian angel should make us deeply grateful to God for His meticulous concern for us amidst our human fragilities and precarity. We should also become more responsible by being more receptive and cooperative, to be guarded and guided
