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Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 : Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13

Like a stream is the king’s heart in the hand of the LORD;
wherever it pleases him, he directs it.

All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes,
but it is the LORD who proves hearts.

To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Haughty eyes and a proud heart–
the tillage of the wicked is sin.

The plans of the diligent are sure of profit,
but all rash haste leads certainly to poverty.

Whoever makes a fortune by a lying tongue
is chasing a bubble over deadly snares.

The soul of the wicked man desires evil;
his neighbor finds no pity in his eyes.

When the arrogant man is punished, the simple are the wiser;
when the wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.

The just man appraises the house of the wicked:
there is one who brings down the wicked to ruin.

He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor
will himself also call and not be heard.

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 119:1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44

R. (35) Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Blessed are they whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the LORD.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
The way of truth I have chosen;
I have set your ordinances before me.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Give me discernment, that I may observe your law
and keep it with all my heart.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Lead me in the path of your commands,
for in it I delight.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
And I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

Alleluia : Luke 11:28

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are those who hear the word of God
and observe it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Luke 8:19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him
but were unable to join him because of the crowd.
He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside
and they wish to see you.”
He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers
are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

Message from the Readings

Today’s readings proclaim a challenging and liberating truth:
Belonging to God is not about status, lineage, or appearance — it is about listening to His Word and living it.
• Proverbs reminds us that God weighs the heart, not outward actions.
• The psalm teaches us to seek God’s guidance with sincerity.
• Jesus reveals that true family in God’s Kingdom is formed by obedience and discipleship.
The message is clear: Hearing God’s Word is not enough — it must shape how we live, act, and love.

 Reflection for the Day

The Gospel scene is striking.
Mary and Jesus’ relatives arrive, but the crowd is too large for them to reach Him. When Jesus is told His family is outside, He responds:
“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”
This is not a rejection of His earthly family — it is an expansion of the family of God.
Jesus is teaching that:
• Faith is not inherited.
• Holiness is not automatic.
• Relationship with Him is not based on proximity, but obedience.
To belong to Jesus is to listen deeply and respond faithfully.
Proverbs reinforces this truth:
• God directs the heart of kings.
• He values justice over ritual.
• He condemns pride, dishonesty, and selfishness.
• He listens to the cry of the poor — and warns that those who ignore them will not be heard.
Psalm 119 gives us the posture we need:
“Give me discernment… Lead me in the path of Your commands.”
To act on God’s Word, we must first understand it, delight in it, and allow it to transform us.
Today’s readings invite us to three movements:

1. Examine your heart honestly.
   Let God reveal what needs to change.
2. Seek understanding of His Word.
   Ask for discernment, not just knowledge.
3. Live the Gospel actively.
   Let your actions prove your discipleship.
   Let today be a day of listening, responding, and belonging more deeply to Christ.

Prayer for Today

Lord Jesus, teach me to hear Your Word with an open heart and to act on it with courage.
Remove pride, selfishness, and fear. Give me discernment to walk in Your ways and compassion to hear the cry of the poor.
Make me part of Your family through obedience, love, and faithfulness.
Amen.