Thursday, October 22, 2026
Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
First Reading — Ephesians 3:14–21
Ephesians 3:14–15 — Paul kneels in prayer before God the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its name.
Ephesians 3:16–17 — Paul prays that believers will be strengthened through the Holy Spirit and that Christ will dwell in their hearts through faith.
Ephesians 3:17–18 — Rooted and established in love, God’s people are called to understand the immeasurable greatness of Christ’s love.
Ephesians 3:19 — Paul desires that believers experience Christ’s love, which surpasses human understanding, and be filled with God’s fullness.
Ephesians 3:20–21 — God is able to accomplish far more than we could ever ask or imagine through His power working within us. Glory belongs to Him through Christ and His Church forever.
Paul reminds first-century believers that God’s power was already working within them through the Holy Spirit. Their strength and spiritual fullness came through Jesus Christ.
Responsorial Psalm — Psalm 33:1–2, 4–5, 11–12, 18–19
Response: The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Psalm 33:1–2 — Rejoice in the Lord and praise Him with joyful music. Giving thanks to God is fitting for those who live righteously.
Psalm 33:4–5 — God’s Word is trustworthy, and His works are faithful. He loves justice and righteousness, and His goodness fills the earth.
Psalm 33:11–12 — The Lord’s purposes endure forever, throughout every generation. Blessed are the people who belong to Him.
Psalm 33:18–19 — God watches over those who honor Him and trust in His mercy. He delivers them from death and sustains them through difficult times.
Alleluia — Philippians 3:8–9
Paul considers everything else worthless compared with knowing Jesus Christ. His desire is to belong to Christ and be found righteous through faith in Him.
Gospel — Luke 12:49–53
Luke 12:49 — Jesus declares that He came to bring fire upon the earth and expresses His desire for that fire to be kindled.
Luke 12:50 — Jesus speaks of a baptism He must undergo, referring to the suffering and death that await Him.
Luke 12:51 — Jesus explains that His coming will not produce immediate earthly peace but division.
Luke 12:52 — Even within a household of five people, some will believe while others will oppose them.
Luke 12:53 — Jesus warns that His message will divide families, including fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, and other close relatives.
Jesus prepares His first-century disciples for the opposition that would accompany His ministry and the proclamation of God’s Kingdom. Following Him would sometimes require choosing faithfulness to God over family expectations.
Kingdom Connection
Today’s readings reveal the spiritual power of God’s Kingdom and the challenges faced by those who first received the Gospel.
Paul tells first-century believers that Christ was already dwelling in their hearts through faith, and God’s power was already working within them.
Jesus warned His disciples that His message would bring division, even among members of the same family.
As the Gospel spread throughout Israel and to the Gentiles, people faced a decision concerning Jesus Christ and the New Covenant.
God’s Kingdom was being revealed through Christ, bringing new spiritual life to believers while challenging the religious traditions and expectations of their generation.
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