SUNDAY OF THE TWENTY-SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C)
SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: AUGUST 31, 2025
MEMORIAL OF SAINTS JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA AND NICODEMUS AND SAINT RAYMOND NONNATUS, CARDINAL | AUGUST 31ST | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saints Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, and Saint Raymond Nonnatus | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-august-31st/)
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | The Angelus of Pope Leo XIV, LIVE from St. Peter’s Square | August 31, 2025 | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-176/
JUBILEE OF HOPE 2025: JUBILEE PRAYER | Link to the prayer of the Jubilee of Hope 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/08/the-jubilee-prayer/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family!
Today, Sunday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time, we thank the good Lord for the gift of this day and for successfully bringing us to the end of the month of August! Gracious and loving Father, we thank You for carrying us through this month of August. You have been our guide in moments of uncertainty, our strength in times of weakness, and our joy in days of gladness. As we stand at the close of this month, we lift up to You all our experiences, the victories and the struggles, the lessons learned and the blessings received. Purify our hearts from every worry of yesterday and renew our spirits for the days ahead. As we close this month, we place our hopes for September in Your hands: may it be a month of peace, growth, and deeper faith. Surround our families with Your protection, bless the work of our hands, and keep us always close to You. With grateful hearts, we proclaim that You are our God yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.🙏🏾
As we come to the end of this month of August, and welcome in the new month of September, we entrust our lives, our plans, our fears, and our dreams into God’s loving hands. We pray that the coming month will be filled with divine blessings, new opportunities, and the strength to overcome every challenge that may come our way. We pray and celebrate with those marking birthdays, anniversaries, new jobs, weddings, and other joyful milestones this August. With special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, we pray for all those experiencing challenges in their marriages, may God grant them healing, strength, peace and love. May this be a month of peace for the anxious, healing for the sick, comfort for the brokenhearted, and provision for the needy. As we walk through the days ahead, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ go before us, the love of God surround us, and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit guide every decision we make. May this month bring us closer to holiness, deeper in faith, and stronger in hope. In all things, may God’s name be praised. Amen🙏🏽
On this feast day, we humbly pray for the poor and those in need, for persecuted Christians, for those who fight for truth, peace and justice, and we continue to pray for justice, peace, love, and unity in our families and our divided and conflicted world. With special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we continue to humbly pray for the well-being and safety of all parents, grandparents and the elderly. For the sick and dying, especially those who are suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We continue to pray for all families and for the safety and well-being of our children and children all over the world, especially those beginning the new school year. May God grant them the courage to face new challenges and wisdom to make good choices. We pray for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding and for God’s guidance and protection upon them during this school year and always. We pray for safe travels, to and from school. We also pray for all teachers, staff and parents, and guardians. May the good Lord provide for those in need. For all those who are marginalized in our society, the poor and the needy. We pray for the Church, the Clergy, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, the Cardinals, Bishops, all Priests, that they be sanctified in their ministry to God’s people. We pray for persecuted Christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world suffering from political and religious unrest. For those who are imprisoned, especially those who are unjustly imprisoned. We pray for those who fight for truth, peace and justice. And we continue to pray for justice, peace, love, and unity in our families and our world. May God protect us all and keep us safe and united in peace, love and faith. Amen 🙏🏽
We remember in prayer all who began this journey of life with us but are no longer here. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died, that the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” ~ Matthew 5:4
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son & the Holy Spirit forever & ever. Amen🙏🏽
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
Through the intercession of St. Joseph, we pray for all fathers, workers and all those who labour in this world. May the Lord bless the work of their hands and may God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of the Ordinary Time. Wishing us all and our loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and grace-filled month of August.🙏🏽
LIST OF ALL NOVENAS | Month of August | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/list-of-all-novenas-august/
COMMON CATHOLIC PRAYERS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/common-catholic-prayers/
PRAYER FOR THE BEGINNING OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/prayer-for-the-beginning-of-a-new-school-year/
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Sunday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time | August 31, 2025
Reading 1: Sirach 3:17–18, 20, 28–29
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 68:4–5, 6–7, 10–11
Reading 2: Hebrews 12:18–19, 22–24a
Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7–14
Gospel Reading ~ Luke 14:1, 7–14
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
“On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. ‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, “Give your place to this man,” and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, “My friend, move up to a higher position.” Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.’ Then he said to the host who invited him, ‘When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us the way of true discipleship through humility and generosity. Jesus is a guest at a banquet hosted by a leading Pharisee. According to the Gospel, He was invited because the Pharisee and his confreres wanted to take a close look at Him; they wanted to get a grip on Him. At the banquet, He notices how people rush to claim the most honored seats. This simple scene reveals the deeper tendency of human pride to seek recognition, status, and self-promotion. But Jesus turns the values of the world upside down: greatness in God’s Kingdom is not about exaltation but about humility. Those who grasp at honor will be humbled, but those who choose humility will be lifted by God Himself. Jesus also expands the lesson by telling His host not to invite only those who can repay him but to extend kindness to the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. True charity seeks nothing in return; it reflects God’s own love, which is given freely and abundantly.
At the banquet, the parable Jesus spoke to them on the surface about the seating arrangements at wedding feasts. The parable presupposes the situation where guests are not assigned a seat but choose their own seat. Some people who think more of themselves than they should find a place of honour as near as possible to the married couple, what is called, ‘the top table’. The parable suggests that this is a risky strategy because they may find themselves being asked to go further down the line. On the contrary those who are low key about themselves and who take a corresponding low key seat may find themselves being invited to take what would be considered a more honourable place. In the parable, Jesus is depicting a scene that would have been very recognizable at the time. People could imagine it happening. The parable talks about humility and our relationship with God. That is hinted at in the very short comment Jesus makes following on from the parable, ‘everyone who exalts himself, will be humbled (by God), and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted (by God}’. The parable then is calling on us to humble ourselves before God, rather than exalt ourselves before God. It is probably true to say that ‘humility’ is a virtue that is not really in vogue today. Maybe that is because humility can easily become identified with attitudes that are not humility at all. Humility is certainly not putting ourselves down or denying or making little of our gifts and abilities. It is not about pretending that we do not have some gift when in fact we do. Real humility is about truth, the truth about ourselves, and the truth about our relationship with God. Humility is first of all, clarity and honesty about ourselves, the gifts and talents we have, and the gifts we don’t have, our limitations. Humility is also about the truth of our relationship with God. We recognize that the gifts, the abilities, the strengths we have are ultimately gifts from God. They do not make us boastful but grateful and responsible, recognizing that those gifts have been given to us for the service of others. Those who exalt themselves, in the language of today’s Gospel reading, are those who are so full of their own abilities and virtues that they lose sight of their ultimate dependence on God. Humility calls on us to recognize who we truly are – God’s creatures who have been greatly blessed and gifted by God and who are completely dependent on Him for everything.
Humble people are honest with themselves and with others about who they are. They also acknowledge that whatever abilities they possess have been given to them by God. Thanksgiving to God rather than self-congratulations is the response of the humble person to the ways that they have been graced and gifted. Our Blessed Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus, exemplifies the virtue of humility in the opening words of her Magnificat prayer, ‘My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for the Almighty has worked marvels for me. Holy is His name’. The Blessed Virgin Mary knew that she was greatly favoured, but she also acknowledged that this was due to God alone and not to herself. The Blessed Virgin Mary did not attempt to be less than she was. She recognized the truth of her own life and she proclaimed it publicly. She did not pretend to be more than she was either. This is the criticism that Jesus has of some of his fellow guests in today’s Gospel reading. He criticizes them for their tendency to seek the best seats at table. Rather than acknowledging the ways God has already honoured them, they go in search of honour from others. Humble people recognize not only their own truth but the truth of others as well. They acknowledge the gifts of others and rejoice in them. They are open to the ways that the Lord is working in the lives of others.
The First Reading from Sirach echoes the same wisdom: “My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.” The wise person does not seek what is beyond their strength but lives in reverence before God. Humility is not weakness but strength, the strength to entrust oneself to God’s will and to live without pride. Just as water quenches fire, so humility and charity atone for sins. Humility is a virtue that is not spoken about much today. It tends to get a negative press when it is spoken about. Humility can be identified with being what is often termed a ‘shrinking violet’, retreating into the shadows until called forth, selling ourselves short. That, of course, is a caricature of humility. The term humility comes from the Latin word ‘humus’, meaning earth or ground. Humility, in that sense, is about keeping our feet on the ground; it is the virtue of being honest and real. To be humble is to recognize our own truth and the truth of others.
The Responsorial Psalm gives us hope: “God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.” The Lord is Father of the orphan, defender of the widow, and shelter for the forsaken. When we serve the lowly, we reflect God’s heart. He who raises up the poor promises us a share in His justice and joy.
The Second Reading from Hebrews lifts our eyes higher, reminding us that we are not gathered before a fearful mountain of fire and storm, but before the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. Through Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant, we have access to this eternal banquet. His blood speaks more eloquently than that of Abel it speaks mercy, reconciliation, and love. The call to humility and generosity is not simply moral advice; it is our path into the eternal feast of heaven. The second reading today speaks of everyone in the church, all the baptized, as a first born and a citizen of heaven. We are called to relate to others within the church as citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, acknowledging that they are often far holier than we would normally give them credit for. Every human being is an image of God, whether they are baptized or not. The humble person recognizes this profound truth and relates to others accordingly.
Reflecting on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are invited to ask ourselves: Do I live with humility, or do I seek recognition and honor from others? Do I give freely without expecting anything in return, especially to those who cannot repay me? Am I willing to serve the poor and the forgotten, knowing that my true reward is with God? The Gospel challenges us to let go of pride and to embrace a life of selfless love. Humility opens us to God’s grace, while charity draws us closer to His heart. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to remain faithful and live with humility, as we continue to serve Him in spirit and in truth. 🙏🏽
Lord Jesus, You teach us that true greatness comes through humility and service. Free us from pride and selfish ambition, and help us to serve with a generous heart. Teach us to see You in the poor, the broken, and the forgotten, and to love without expecting reward. May we find our place at Your eternal banquet, where the lowly are lifted high, and where Your mercy is our everlasting joy. Amen. 🙏🏾
MEMORIAL OF SAINTS JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA AND NICODEMUS AND SAINT RAYMOND NONNATUS, CARDINAL ~ FEAST DAY: AUGUST 31ST: Today, the Church honors three holy witnesses of faith: Saints Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus (Patrons of funeral directors and pallbearers), courageous disciples who lovingly cared for the Body of Jesus after the Crucifixion; and Saint Raymond Nonnatus (Patron of expectant mothers, midwives, infants, and those falsely accused), a cardinal and Mercedarian friar whose heroic charity led him to ransom slaves and endure torture for the Gospel. Their lives remind us that holiness takes many forms bold witness in times of fear, tender care for Christ and His Church, and sacrificial love for those in captivity and suffering. Through their intercession, we pray today for the souls of the faithful departed and for all who mourn. We lift up expectant mothers, newborn babies, obstetricians, and midwives, asking for safe deliveries and the protection of life. We pray for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from cancer and terminal illnesses. We remember gardeners, farmers, and cabdrivers in their daily labor. We ask for peace, love, and unity in marriages, families, and throughout the world. We also pray for our Holy Father, bishops, clergy, and religious, for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, for persecuted Christians, for the conversion of sinners, and for the strength of all the faithful to remain steadfast in hope.
Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | August 31st | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com
( Direct link to the detailed history of Saints Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, and Saint Raymond Nonnatus | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-august-31st/)
SAINTS JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA AND NICODEMUS: The Gospels tell us that after the death of Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus stepped forward in courage and reverence to bury the Lord. Joseph, a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin who had awaited the Kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate to request the Body of Christ. Nicodemus, who once sought Jesus at night to understand His teachings, brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes an offering of love and together they laid Jesus in the tomb.
Both men had been cautious disciples, hesitant to reveal their faith publicly, but at the darkest hour they showed extraordinary courage and devotion. Their act fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy that the Messiah would be buried among the rich (Isaiah 53:9). Tradition honors them as patrons of funeral directors and pallbearers, reminding us of the Christian duty of mercy toward the dead.
PRAYER: God of compassion, through the witness of Saints Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, teach us to love and serve Christ with courage, especially when it is costly. May their example inspire us to reverence the Body of Christ in the Eucharist and in our brothers and sisters. Amen. 🙏🏾
SAINT RAYMOND NONNATUS, CARDINAL (1204–1240): Born in Catalonia, Spain, Raymond’s life began with tragedy his mother died during childbirth, and he was delivered by caesarean section, earning him the name Nonnatus (“not born”). Drawn to prayer from an early age, he joined the Mercedarian Order, founded to ransom Christians enslaved by Muslim captors. As Master General of the Order, Raymond personally freed hundreds of captives.
When his funds were exhausted, he offered himself in exchange for others’ freedom. Imprisoned and tortured, he continued to preach Christ, converting many even when his captors cruelly padlocked his lips to silence him. Eventually ransomed, Raymond returned to Spain, where Pope Gregory IX made him a cardinal. He died at the age of 36 on his way to Rome, remembered for his humility, courage, and love for the enslaved and suffering. He is venerated as the patron of expectant mothers, infants, midwives, obstetricians, and those falsely accused.
PRAYER: Lord God, You gave Saint Raymond Nonnatus a heart of mercy for the suffering and the enslaved. Through his intercession, protect expectant mothers, strengthen families, and grant freedom and hope to all who are bound by fear, oppression, or injustice. Amen. 🙏🏾
Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saints Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, and Saint Raymond Nonnatus ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏾
GENERAL PRAYERS AND INTENTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/general-prayers-and-intentions/
Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/daily-reflections-and-prayer-links/
THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST: For mutual coexistence. Let us pray that societies where coexistence seems more difficult might not succumb to the temptation of confrontation for ethnic, political, religious or ideological reasons.
(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF AUGUST | MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY: August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, inviting us to reflect on her pure love, deep sorrow, and unwavering obedience to God. Her heart, aflame with charity and pierced by suffering, mirrors the life of Christ and calls us to follow Him more closely through her example. This month, the Church encourages us to console her sorrowful heart and grow in holiness through prayers like the Rosary, the Litany of the Immaculate Heart, and the First Saturday Devotion. Through Mary’s heart, we are led ever closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
“O Immaculate Heart of Mary, be our refuge and the way that leads us to God.”
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us and draw us into deeper love and trust in your Son. Amen🙏🏽
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTIONS: Heavenly Father, today we come before You with humble hearts, seeking the grace to live with gentleness and compassion as taught in Your Word. We pray for humility of spirit, that we may serve others without seeking recognition and welcome those who cannot repay us. Through the example of Saints Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who courageously honored the body of Christ, and Saint Raymond Nonnatus, who cared for the forgotten and defended the dignity of the vulnerable, may we learn to put love into action. We pray for our families and communities, that pride and selfishness may give way to peace, mercy, and unity. We pray for all who are burdened with suffering, for the lonely and neglected, and for the Church, that it may always be a home of charity and hope.
LET US PRAY:
My merciful Lord, You came to earth to serve, not to be served, and to give Your life to others in an act of the most pure and holy love. I open myself to that gift of Your divine love and pray that, as I receive Your love, I may love You and others in the same selfless way. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Lord Jesus, teach us to walk in humility and to give without counting the cost. Just as You welcomed the lowly and promised a place at the heavenly banquet for those who love without expecting return, help us to live with open hearts and hands. Strengthen us with the courage of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, and the compassion of Saint Raymond Nonnatus, so that in serving others we may serve You. May our lives reflect Your mercy and our words bear witness to Your truth. Amen.🙏🏾
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saints Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, and Saint Raymond Nonnatus ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen 🙏🏽
Thanking God for the precious gift of this new day, and during this gentle rhythm of Ordinary Time, may our hearts remain open to the quiet working of the Holy Spirit who continues to guide, renew, and strengthen us each day. May this month be filled with blessings, safety, and the quiet joy that comes from knowing that Christ walks with us always. Alleluia! Have a blessed, safe, grace-filled Sunday and a fufiling week ahead🙏🏽
Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org
Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | Global Missions Now Awards |
North Texas Catholic Magazine | Dr. Philomena Ikowe – Life on Purpose (pages 44-45) | https://www.flipsnack.com/A9DFE877C6F/north-texas-catholic-magazine-mar-apr-issue-2025/full-view.html