Wednesday of of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Nothing Satisfies You
Liturgical Cycle: C | Lectionary Cycle: I
Introduction
We hear today the core of St Paul’s first letter to Timothy. The Church is the community of the living God that makes Christ visible to the world. At a time when Christians had no temples or churches, he speaks of the living Church, the body of the faithful, which must bear witness to the truth. Then he quotes a hymn in honor of Christ, who is at the core of our faith, for the truth is Christ present in the community. Is Christ visible in the Church? Is he credible in us as a community?
Luke compares those who reject Christ and God’s prophets to spoiled children. Jews, and later the pagans for whom Luke writes, see John the Baptist and Jesus and the things they say and do, but they do not recognize these signs.
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
you call your Church to be
an open house,
a community of welcome
in which people can encounter your Son.
Let your Son continue in us
his deadly struggle against all evil
and turn death and suffering
into springs of life and joy.
May thus the world believe
that he is alive among us
and that he is the Lord who lives for ever.
First Reading
Christian Mystery and False Teachers
I give you these instructions, though I hope to see you soon.
If I delay, you will understand how you should conduct yourself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
How truly magnificent is the mystery of our religion:
He was shown in the flesh,
vindicated in the spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed to the Gentiles
believed in throughout the world,
taken up in glory!
Responsorial Psalm
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
Majesty and glory are his work,
and his justice endures forever.
He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;
gracious and merciful is the LORD.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
He has given food to those who fear him;
he will forever be mindful of his covenant.
He has made known to his people the power of his works,
giving them the inheritance of the nations.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life,
you have the words of everlasting life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Jesus said to the crowds:
“What comparison can I use for the people? What are they like?
They are like children sitting in the marketplace about whom their companions complain:
‘We piped you a tune
and you wouldn’t dance;
we sang funeral songs
and you wouldn’t cry.’
Next, came the Son of Man, eating and drinking; and you say, ‘Look, a glutton for food and wine, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
But the children of Wisdom always recognize her work.”
Prayers of the Faithful
– For us the People of God, that we may be more aware that we, all and each of us, are the living Church of Christ, we pray:
– For our Christian communities, aware that we are not perfect, that we may support one another in mutual understanding and in one love of Christ, we pray:
– For ourselves, that we may be in his world the sign of God’s constant care, holiness and goodness, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
show what you can do
with frail and limited people.
Through the body and blood of your Son,
unite us and bring us to life
as a community of faith and love.
Make us hunger and thirst
for your kingdom of justice and peace,
that we may reveal to the world
the face of your own Son,
Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
you have invited us
to come to your house
and to feel at home.
Through the eucharistic body of your Son,
build yourself a house among us
made not of wood or concrete
but of living, human stones,
in which everyone is welcome
and in whom dwells Jesus Christ,
your Son and our Lord for ever. Amen.
Blessing
May we be the community of the living God that makes Christ visible to the world? How far are we still from that ideal? May God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit
Lk 7:31-35
Dancing to the Divine Tune
What do children's games have to do with the kingdom of God? In Jesus' parable, the children are disappointed because no one joins their musical medley. They complain that at weddings, no one dances or sings, and at funerals, it’s the same. This echoes Ecclesiastes 3:4, which says there's a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. The scribes and Pharisees opposed John the Baptist and Jesus due to jealousy and spiritual blindness.
Understanding when God speaks to us becomes easier when we approach everyone with a humble heart, seeing the divine in the lives of all individuals, regardless of their background or status. By keeping an open mind, we allow ourselves to hear God's messages through various people and circumstances.
What makes us spiritually dull and slow to hear God's voice? Like Jesus' time, our age is often marked by indifference and contempt for heavenly matters. Indifference dulls our ears to God's voice and the good news of the Gospel. Only the humble of heart can find joy in God's grace and favour.
Let's consider expanding our circle of friends and acquaintances beyond those who are traditionally accepted and respected by society. As Christians, we should strive to break free from societal norms and reach out to those in need, such as street children or homeless individuals. It may seem challenging, but embracing this idea aligns with the radical life project proposed by Jesus. Are we willing to take the leap and respond to this call?
Have we experienced the joy of the Gospel? "Lord, open my ears to hear the good news of your kingdom and set my heart free to love and serve you joyfully."
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17 September 2025
Nothing Satisfies You
The Gospel often shows us that we human beings are hard to please. Jesus Himself said: “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep” (Lk 7:32). Nothing satisfies us. We are always looking for something different, something better, as if life were a menu where we can order whatever we like. Yet the truth is, joy does not come from having everything, but from learning to value what we already have. Today, ask yourself: do I appreciate the people God has placed in my life, or do I always focus on what is missing? Do I see the glass half full or half empty?
There is also the temptation to criticize everything. Some people meddle in matters they don’t even understand, spreading negativity wherever they go. But constant criticism makes us bitter and alone. Remember, even Jesus was criticized—His words, His actions, even His silence! Yet He never let criticism stop Him from doing the will of the Father. If we follow Him, we too must learn not to fear criticism, but to walk forward with courage.
The way forward is the gift of wisdom. Wisdom allows us to savor life, to taste its beauty and its challenges without resentment. Life is short; it is not meant to be wasted on bitterness. Every day God sends us people and situations that can help us grow, if only we receive them with humility and gratitude.
Let us ask the Holy Spirit for the wisdom to recognise the blessings already present, to resist the urge to criticise, and to live with grateful hearts. Only then will we discover that in Christ, life is already full.