Mass readings for Saturday, 25 October 2025

 

🙏 Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father,
You have set us free in Christ, and you call us to live in the Spirit, not the flesh. Open our hearts, cleanse our hands and purify our hearts, that we may ascend your holy mountain and bear fruit worthy of the Gospel. Grant us courage to examine our lives honestly, to repent where we fail, and to grow in love and service. For we ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

✔️ Readings

• First Reading: Romans 8:1-11 — “There is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” Catholic Gallery+2Catholic Online+2

• Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 24: 1b-2, 3-4ab, 5-6 — “The earth is the Lord’s … Who shall ascend the mountain of the Lord?” Catholic Online+1

• Gospel: Luke 13:1-9 — The parable of the fig tree: a tree given time to bear fruit or get chopped down. Catholic Gallery

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🧐 Simple Explanation & Application (with dark humour)

First Reading (Romans 8:1-11):
Paul tells us: if we’re “in Christ Jesus”, there’s no condemnation. So yes — you may have screwed up (again), but the Lord’s saying: “I’ve got you.” He frees you from the “law of sin and death”. The lesson: Stop living like you’re your own judge in a horror movie where you’re always guilty. Walk according to the Spirit, not the flesh (yep, your inner zombie-sin wants you to stay buried).
Application: When you’re tempted to beat yourself up for past sins — remember: the verdict is “not guilty” in Christ. Now go bear fruit instead of being a spiritual corpse.

Psalm (Psalm 24):
“The earth is the Lord’s… Who shall ascend the mountain of the Lord? … the clean of hands and pure of heart.” The image: You want access to God’s inner sanctum? It’s not about being flawless like Superman; it’s about living honestly, letting go of vanity and deceit.
Application: In your daily life (work, social media, relationships) ask: Am I coming before God with clean hands and a sincere heart? Or am I hiding behind filters, lies, self-justification?

Gospel (Luke 13:1-9):
Jesus hears about some tragedies and says: “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Then He tells the fig tree story: a tree that’s produced nothing for years… the owner says “cut it down”; the gardener pleads for one more year, gives it manure, sees if it bears fruit.
Dark humour twist: You don’t want to be that fig tree—planted, looked at, judged… and found fruitless. God’s the owner, you’re the tree, and time is ticking.
Application: Reflect: What fruit am I (not) producing? Kindness? Mercy? Faith lived out? If you keep saying “next year” to your spiritual promises, the gardener might lose patience. But good news: He’s still giving you manure (grace), so make the year count.

✝️ Closing Prayer

Loving God,
We thank you for your mercy, which casts out condemnation, and for the grace that nurtures our growth. Increase in us the life of the Spirit, that we may produce the fruit of faith, hope and love in our daily lives. Help us not to procrastinate our spiritual conversion, but to act now, for your glory and for the good of our neighbour. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

🔗 Sources

• First Reading & Gospel details: Catholic Gallery – Daily Mass Readings 25 Oct 2025. Catholic Gallery

• Confirmed First Reading: USCCB site. USCCB+1

• Psalm: Catholic.org Daily Reading 25 Oct 2025. Catholic Online