Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection February 25, 2025
7th Week in Ordinary Time
25th February 2025 (Tuesday)
Psalter: Week 3
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Isaiah 56:1, 6-7
Thus says the LORD: Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed. The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, ministering to him, Loving the name of the LORD, and becoming his servants– All who keep the sabbath free from profanation and hold to my covenant, Them I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer; Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar, For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.
Psalm 84:3, 4,5 and 10, 11 (R.)
R/. How lovely is your dwelling-place, Lord, mighty God!
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. I have chosen and consecrated this house, says the Lord, that my name may be there for ever.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel: John 4:19-24
The Samaritan woman said to Jesus, “Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Tuesday – 7th Week in Ordinary Time
Main Point: To desire to be great is not wrong. But what are the means that we seek to pursue and obtain this greatness, is the real issue
Today’s word of God focuses on the theme of greatness. Who is great? How does one become great? What is true greatness? First of all, the greatness that Jesus teaches and proposes is unlike the greatness of the world.
For the world, to be great means to be first, to be placed over others, and to exercise power to command them. It also means to be associated with big and important people, that is to have an “elite circle”. To be great is to feel and display one’s importance.
Thus, often worldly greatness is understood in terms of importance, power, position, status, domination, commandability, influencing, controlling, and leading others. In this way, greatness is not necessarily connected to the character and virtue of the person.
But Jesus challenges this idea of greatness. He proposes a new one. It is to be first by being “the last and the servant of all”. In other words, to be great is to be humble and serviceable. True greatness consists in humility and service. That is why Jesus says, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all”.
It is also to receive even the small, insignificant people, associate with them, and treat them with respect. That is why Jesus says, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me”. A child generally indicates vulnerability and insignificance. To be great also means to be prepared to walk the way of the cross and suffer like Jesus.
The first reading from Sirach gives us some more concrete details about greatness. It is “to serve the Lord”. It is to “stand in justice and fear”. It is to “prepare oneself for trials, remain undisturbed in adversity, patient when tested in the crucible of humiliation”. It is to be “sincere and steadfast of heart”. It is to “incline one’s ear and receive the word of understanding”.
True greatness waits on God with patience. It clings to him and never forsakes him. To be great is to “fear the Lord” always and in everything. Thereby those who fear the Lord would trust the Lord, hope for good things, and love him.
My Practice: Whatever happens, those who are great would not turn away from the Lord. Rather they would be steadfast in his mercy. And they will be wise in all their ways.
