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Week 28 of Ordinary Time

Saturday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Saturday, October 17, 2026

Gospel for October 17, 2026.

Verse of the day

About today

Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, was taken to Rome under Trajan and wrote along the way to the churches. He begged them not to hinder his martyrdom, and he spoke of the Eucharist as the flesh of Christ and of the bishop as a sign of unity. His memorial is 17 October. Those letters remain a map of the early Church on the road to martyrdom. Ask today for a love of the Church that is willing to be wheat ground for the bread of Christ, and for unity that costs something.

Original – Prayer on Fire.

Gospel

Mass Lectionary · Gospel

Luke 12:8–12

I say to you: Everyone who will have confessed me before men, the Son of man will also confess him before the Angels of God. But everyone who will have denied me before men, he will be denied before the Angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of man, it will be forgiven of him. But of him who will have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. And when they will lead you to the synagogues, and to magistrates and authorities, do not choose to be worried about how or what you will answer, or about what you might say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you, in the same hour, what you must say.”

Prayer on Fire Gospel Lesson

He has just said not to fear those who kill the body. He now says what fearless faith looks like in public.

Where this sits

This is the public test that follows the warning about hypocrisy.

Owning him

Acknowledging him before others is met by his acknowledging them before the angels. Denial is met by denial.

The Spirit

A word against the Son of Man can be forgiven. Calling the Spirit's work the work of Satan will not. That belongs beside the Beelzebub charge. It is not an ordinary doubt. When you are hauled before synagogue and ruler, do not prepare a speech. The Spirit will give it in the hour.

What to take

Own him out loud. Trust the Spirit for the words. Managing the defense is another way of fearing the audience.

Original – Prayer on Fire

Gospel of the Day · Text: Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV) · Mass Lectionary · Gospel

The Mass of Saint Ignatius of Antioch may also use this Gospel. (John 12:24–26)

Optional memorial Gospel

John 12:24–26

Amen, amen, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it yields much fruit. Whoever loves his life, will lose it. And whoever hates his life in this world, preserves it unto eternal life. If anyone serves me, let him follow me. And where I am, there too my minister shall be. If anyone has served me, my Father will honor him.

Not the weekday Gospel of the day · Text: Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV) · John 12:24–26

Weekday Gospel · Luke 12:8–12

Today's Prayers

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