Sunday Liturgy: October 26, 2025

Texts taken from the Missal “On Your Word” September-October 2025

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) – 2nd week, psalter

First Reading

From the Book of Sirach (Sir 35:15b-17, 20-22a)

The Lord is a judge, and with him there is no partiality.
He is not partial to the detriment of the poor, but he listens to the prayer of the oppressed.
He does not overlook the orphan’s supplication, nor the widow’s, when she pours out her lament.
Whoever helps them is received favorably; their prayer reaches to the clouds.
The prayer of the poor pierces the clouds
nor does he rest until it has arrived;
he does not relent until the Most High intervenes
and rendered satisfaction to the righteous
and restored equity.

The Word of God.

Commentary on the First Reading

Last Sunday we focused on the importance of praying with persistence. Today the text from Sirach reminds us that God does not look at who offers the prayer, but it is certain that his scale is different from ours: God begins with the lowly and the poor: “The Lord is a judge, and with him there is no partiality. He is not partial to the detriment of the poor, but he listens to the prayer of the oppressed… their prayer reaches to the clouds…,” as we will also be invited to pray in the psalm: “The poor cry out and the Lord hears them… he delivers them from all their distress.”

The blessedness of the poor, in fact, does not lie in being poor, but in the fact that God is on their side, hears their cry, and delivers them at the proper time. This is where their blessedness lies, which Jesus embraced fully, in order to confound the strong and powerful and exalt the humble.

Second Reading

From the Second Letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to Timothy (2 Tm 4:6-8, 16-18)

My child, I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time has come for me to depart this life. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now all that remains for me is the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the just judge, will award me on that day; not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing with love. At my first defense in court, no one came to my aid; everyone abandoned me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it; and so I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil and bring me safely to heaven, into his kingdom; to him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Word of God.

Commentary on the Second Reading

After persecuting Christians, Paul became a witness to the Gospel of Jesus through his life and his words. Near the end, he writes to Timothy: “I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time has come for me to leave this life. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now all that remains for me is the crown.” If we reflect on the path Paul traveled, we can perceive how he allowed himself to be changed by living in God’s presence: “The Lord stood by me and gave me strength.” This awareness of God’s companionship gave Paul the strength to face challenges, certain that a crown of glory awaited him: “The Lord will rescue me from every evil and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.” This testimony challenges each of us to ask ourselves whether our life is a race toward Christ or, on the contrary, a frantic pursuit of useless things that do not bring us closer to the Lord.

Gospel

From the Gospel according to Luke (Lk 18:9-14)

At that time, Jesus told this parable to some who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray: one was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing, prayed like this to himself: ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like other people, thieves, unrighteous people, adulterers, nor even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and pay tithes on all that I possess.’ But the tax collector, standing at a distance, did not even dare to raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying: ‘O God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you, this man, unlike the other, went home justified, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

The word of the Lord.

Commentary on the Gospel

Last Sunday, through the widow, Jesus explained to us the importance of praying without ceasing. Today we are shown that it is not enough to “ask”; it is not enough to pray if this act does not spring from a sincere heart: “Two men went up to the temple to pray: one was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.” What Jesus criticizes is the “presumption of being righteous,” of always being in the right: “The Pharisee, standing, prayed like this to himself: ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like other people... nor even like this tax collector.’ But the tax collector, standing at a distance, did not even dare to raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying: ‘O God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’” Jesus concludes by saying that “unlike the other, this man went home justified.” Before looking outside ourselves, let us learn to look within ourselves, where in the temple of our hearts there are always a “Pharisee” and a “tax collector” trying to pray and guide our choices. It is up to us to listen to the better part.