Today in the Church

Saturday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Today, Saturday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, the Church continues our journey through this season of growth and reflection. Ordinary Time is not a period of spiritual stagnation, but a steady season where we walk alongside Jesus in His daily ministry, learning from His words and deeds. As we approach the end of the week, the liturgy invites us to look beyond the immediate awe of Christ’s miracles and prepare our hearts for the mystery of His redemptive sacrifice. The readings for today remind us of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of remembering our Creator in the days of our youth and throughout our lives. By grounding ourselves in the wisdom of Ecclesiastes and the challenging words of the Gospel, we are encouraged to fix our eyes on the eternal, finding in Christ the anchor for our souls as we navigate the rhythm of our daily lives.

In today’s Gospel from Luke, we see a striking contrast between the crowd’s amazement at Jesus’ miraculous power and His own focus on the path of the Cross. While the people are captivated by His deeds, Jesus directs His disciples toward a reality that is difficult to grasp: the Son of Man is to be handed over to men. This is a moment of profound mystery. The disciples, limited by their human expectations of what the Messiah should be, fail to understand the necessity of His suffering. The text tells us that the meaning was hidden from them, and they were even afraid to ask for clarity. This fear often resonates with us today. It is easier to follow a miracle-worker than a suffering servant. The Church invites us to consider our own hesitation when it comes to the 'hard sayings' of the Gospel. We often prefer the consolations of faith—the moments where we feel God’s power in our lives—while overlooking the call to join in the sacrifice of Christ. Jesus does not spare His disciples from the truth, even if it is painful. He invites them, and us, to move past the superficial wonder of His ministry and enter into the deeper, transformative reality of His Paschal Mystery. To understand the heart of Jesus, we must be willing to walk with Him not just in the glory of the miracles, but into the vulnerability of the Cross, trusting that it is the ultimate path to salvation.

No special fasting or abstinence requirement

No abstinence requirement

• 1.Spend ten minutes in quiet, silent reflection today, asking God to help you understand the parts of your faith that you find confusing or difficult.
• 2.Practice detachment by intentionally letting go of a small convenience today, offering your small sacrifice in union with the suffering of Christ.
• 3.Reflect on the temporary nature of earthly things by writing down one thing you are grateful for today that will last into eternity.

Why does the Church call this period of the liturgical calendar 'Ordinary Time'?

Green is used during Ordinary Time and symbolizes Christian life, growth, and hope.