Gospel: September 10, 2025
September 10, 2025 (Wednesday)
23rd Week in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 3 / (Green)
Ps 145:2-3, 10-11, 12-13ab
The Lord is compassionate toward all his works.
1st Reading: Colossians 3:1-11
So then, if you are risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on earthly things. For you have died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, reveals himself, you also will be revealed with him in glory. Therefore, put to death what is earthly in your life, that is immorality, impurity, inordinate passions, wicked desires and greed, which is a way of worshiping idols. These are the things that arouse the wrath of God. For a time, you followed this way and lived in such disorders. Well then, reject all that: anger, evil intentions, malice; and let no abusive words be heard from your lips. Do not lie to one another. You have been stripped of the old self and its way of thinking; to put on the new, which is being renewed, and is to reach perfect knowledge, and the likeness of its creator. There is no room for distinction between Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, foreigner, slave or free, but Christ is all, and in all.
Gospel: Luke 6:20-26
Then, looking at his disciples, Jesus said, “Fortunate are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. Fortunate are you, who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Fortunate are you, who weep now, for you will laugh. Fortunate are you, when people hate you, when they reject you and insult you and number you among criminals, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. Remember, that is how the ancestors of the people treated the prophets. But alas for you, who have wealth, for you have been comforted now. Alas for you, who are full, for you will go hungry. Alas for you, who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Alas for you, when people speak well of you, for that is how the ancestors of the people treated the false prophets.
Reflection:
“Fortunate are you…”
Saint John of the Cross joined Saint Teresa of Avila in the pursuit of a reform of the Carmelite order. Their proposal of a simpler, more austere life was not welcomed by many, and so some Carmelite superiors sought to suppress the reform. They went as far as imprisoning John in a tiny cell and subjecting to physical punishment. Yet, in the desperate conditions Saint John of the Cross remembered the version of the Beatitudes presented in Luke’s Gospel and he leapt for joy. “Fortunate are you, when people hate you, when they reject you and insult you and number you among criminals, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy.” Jesus says that prophets are often treated badly, as their message is unsettling and unwelcome. As of old, so it is today, that those who challenge injustice or speak Christ’s name may face rejection or, in some parts of the world, torture, imprisonment or death. Their reward will be great in heaven. May Christ’s words help us to work for justice and in the name of the Lord, even if the way is difficult.
