Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection September 12, 2025
Friday – 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
12th September 2025 (Friday)
Psalter: Week 3
Readings of the Day
First Reading: 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 11 (R. see 5a)
R/. It is you, O Lord, who are my portion.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary; without dying you won the martyr’s crown beneath the Cross of the Lord.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: Luke 6:39-42
At that time: Jesus told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Friday – 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
Main Point: Today, we have many blind guides who cannot see the right way but misguide others in the wrong way. We need to follow the Lord, the supreme Guide, to walk the right way
1. The Lord tells us in the gospel, “One who is blind cannot guide another blind”. The contextual reference is to the scribes and Pharisees. They are really blind guides because they cannot see their own defects.
2. They are so self-righteous that they are eager to judge and blame others. In Jesus’ own terms, they are quick to ” see the speck in the eye of the other, while they are blind to the log in their own eye”.
3. The whole point is if I am blind to my own imperfections, how can I see those of others?” Not only this. I have no right or moral authority to criticise others. Further, the log in my own eye blocks and blurs my sight.
4. In other words, self-righteousness leads one to self-pride and blindness to one’s own faults. On the other hand, it will also lead one to be prejudiced toward others, and consequently to judge them wrongly or mislead them. It results in double standards in attitude and judgment.
5. We can understand this better in the light of the wise teaching of St Francis de Sales. As he remarks, we are often eager to accuse others even for the slightest mistake, but to excuse ourselves even for the greatest blunder. We clamour for justice so sternly in the neighbour’s house, while we plead for mercy in our own house.
6. In contrast to the Pharisees and scribes who are blind guides and teachers, we have Paul in the first reading. He is so humble and honest to admit his own unworthiness in his previous life before his conversion. He readily confesses that he was a blasphemer, persecutor, and opponent. But God graciously took him to His side through faith in Christ and by the love and power of him.
7. It is his humility against the self-righteousness of the Pharisees and scribes, his authenticity contrary to their hypocrisy, his love for Christ contrary to their hatred, his love for the people contrary to their concern toward, his compassion contrary to their prejudice and judgment, that makes him a clear-sighted guide and teacher to the people about Christ.
My Practice: Charity demands that we should always guard against prejudice and false judgment, and misguidance.
