Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
I Must Be On My Way
Liturgical Cycle: C | Lectionary Cycle: I
Introduction
Absolute trust in God should be a basic characteristic of every Christian. Remember that Jesus died for us and God did not stop him, for he loves us very much. In the difficulties and trials of life, we should not lose our serenity, for God is with us and he cares.
Apparently, sympathetic Pharisees warn Jesus that Herod may kill him. Jesus replies that he has already faced evil spirits and will continue on his way to Jerusalem, “I must continue on my way”, where death awaits him “today, tomorrow, and the next day,” that is, soon. Are we people marked by courage? Let us pray to the Lord for strength.
Opening Prayer
Lord God,
to have an aim, a purpose,
a sure destiny to go to,
even at the cost of sacrifice and pain,
is very reassuring in all its uncertainty.
Keep us going on our way in faith and trust,
without fear or hesitation,
for we are sure that nothing can harm us
and that no prison made by human hands or minds
can deprive us from the inner freedom
which you have given us
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (26b) Save me, O Lord, in your mercy.
Do you, O GOD, my Lord, deal kindly with me for your name's sake;
in your generous mercy rescue me;
For I am wretched and poor,
and my heart is pierced within me.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your mercy.
Help me, O LORD, my God;
save me, in your mercy,
And let them know that this is your hand;
that you, O LORD, have done this.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your mercy.
I will speak my thanks earnestly to the LORD,
and in the midst of the throng I will praise him,
For he stood at the right hand of the poor man,
to save him from those who would condemn his soul.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.
Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
At that time, some Pharisees approached Jesus and warned him:
“Leave this place and go on your way, for Herod wants to kill you.”
Jesus said to them:
“Go and tell that fox my answer: ‘I drive out demons and heal today, tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my course!’
Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and for a little longer; for it would not be fitting for a prophet to be killed outside Jerusalem.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I wanted to gather your children as a hen gathers her brood under her wings? But you refused!
From now on, you will be left with your temple. You will not see me again until you say,:
“Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord!”
Prayers of the Faithful
– For all who are persecuted for their faith, that Jesus may give them the strength to remain faithful, we pray:
– For couples whose roads in marriage passes through difficult moments, that their love may not fail, we pray:
– For all of us, that through questions, doubts and difficulties God may help our faith grow, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
your Son Jesus accepted
to go all the way to his destiny
of suffering and death
because he believed in your love.
By this bread and this wine
keep us believing in your victory
over evil and death
and let them become for us
the source of strength and courage
in our struggle for all that is good.
We ask you this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
we overcome evil with your Son
when we opt for integrity and truth,
for patience and forgiveness.
Keep us going on our way
And strengthen in us the conviction
that the reality of evil and sin
within us and in the world
can never be victorious,
for all that is good cannot die
since your Son rose from the dead,
and he is our Lord forever.
Blessing
We must be on our way with the Lord, consistently, even in the difficulties of life. We know our goal: love of God and of people, and nothing should stop us. We know we are in the hands of God. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTIONS
30 October 2025
Luke 13:31-35
Today’s Gospel gives us a rare glimpse into the heart of Jesus—his courage in the face of danger, and his deep compassion for Jerusalem.
Not all Pharisees were enemies of Jesus. Some actually came to warn him of Herod’s plans to eliminate him. This reminds us that we must avoid painting people with prejudices. Even in groups often opposed to Jesus, there were those who admired him and even tried to protect him. Faith challenges us to look beyond stereotypes and to seek the good in every person.
Second, we hear Jesus’ fearless reply. He calls Herod a “fox”—a symbol of slyness, destructiveness, and worthlessness. Jesus was not afraid. His mission was guided by the Father and would not be restricted by political threats. Do our fears and concerns prevent our mission from reaching people and places?
Finally, Jesus laments over Jerusalem. His love for his people is rejected. There is no wound deeper than rejected love. Jesus knew that pain, and he still knows it today when people close their hearts to him. Yet his cry is not one of anger, but of sorrowful love.
This passage urges us to reflect: Are we letting fear or societal pressures divert us from God’s way? Do we turn away from or overlook the love that Jesus continually extends to us? Just like Jerusalem, we might occasionally resist His call. However, Jesus's love and desire to bring us near never cease.
May we have the courage to put God’s will above all else, and the humility to welcome his love. Then we will find the peace that no earthly power can take away.
Prophetic Courage of Christ
Jesus refuses to cow down to the threats from Herod, for he is totally centered on his Father and the mission given to him. And he knows that no one can harm him until the “hour” comes. Such confidence comes from an absolute and radical trust in his Father’s love and submission to His will. Paul invites us to face the challenges and dangers around us by putting on God’s armor: of truth, justice, zeal, faith, salvation, and the word of God. In other words, Paul’s invitation is to “put on Christ” (Rom 13:14) and “have the mind of Christ” (Phil 2: 5) which ensures that we live and respond to the challenges like he did. We can only receive such armor as God’s Grace; we cannot manufacture it on our own. Hence, “pray at all times” to receive Christ’s Spirit. In prayer, we grow into Christ's image and likeness.
Luke 13:31-35
Call to be prophets
The Gospel presents Jesus lamenting over Jerusalem. Can we visualise a God crying for his people? So to say, even God remains helpless when man rejects God’s saving grace! Warnings about the impending torture and crucifixion do not prevent Jesus from continuing his ministry of healing the wounded humanity and driving out the demons. Jerusalem stands for God’s beloved people and likens Himself to a mother hen longing to gather her chicks under her wings, but He mourns their refusal.
The evangelist shows us a side of God that doesn't abandon his people in peril and also demonstrates His profound empathy for those who turn away from Him. Jesus embodies the prophetic tradition of the Old Testament, confronting the powers of the world while remaining focused on His divine purpose. His lament over Jerusalem highlights the city's historical resistance to prophets and the ultimate rejection of the Messiah.
Pope Francis's homilies consistently focus on invoking prophetic courage in the faceof adversity. He calls the Church to go to the peripheries, where people are suffering and need healing. This attitude aligns with Jesus’ in the Gospel—He goes forward, not shying away from conflict or hardship but embracing it with love and mercy.
In today’s world, we witness similar resistance to the Gospel message in various forms, from societal injustices to global crises like war, poverty, and environmental destruction. The Pope calls us to be courageous in responding to these challenges, always asking ourselves what Jesus would do if he were in our situation. He did not avoid suffering but confronted it with compassion and truth.