September 4
Friday, week 22 in Ordinary Time
Today is a feria, a term in the Catholic liturgical calendar that refers to a weekday with no obligatory saint or feast being celebrated. The liturgical day belongs to the 22nd week of Ordinary Time, a period focused on the teachings, parables, and works of Jesus Christ rather than on special solemnities or memorials.
Ordinary Time is not 'ordinary' in the sense of being unimportant. Rather, it invites the faithful to enter deeply into the mystery of Christ’s life and mission in a steady, ongoing way. During ferial days, the Church encourages us to meditate on the daily Mass readings, drawing spiritual fruit from the normal rhythm of Christian life. The green liturgical color symbolizes hope and growth, reflecting the call to continual conversion and strengthening of our faith.
While some weekdays are assigned optional memorials of saints, when no such celebration occurs, the focus remains on Christ present in the Word and the Eucharist. These days underscore that, even in the quiet of the calendar, God’s grace is active and available. The Church’s wisdom in maintaining these 'ordinary' days reminds us that holiness is often found in the daily journey—a faithful response to God in every circumstance.
Permanent link
Ask a question about today’s feast
Questions about Friday, week 22 in Ordinary Time (Novus Ordo Missae)
The liturgical day
Mass readings
Reading1 Co 4, 1-5
Brothers,
this is how you should regard us:
as servants of Christ
and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Now, what is required of stewards
is that they be found trustworthy.
As for me, it matters very little that I should be judged by you,
or by any human court;
indeed, I do not even judge myself.
My conscience does not accuse me of anything,
but that does not mean I am innocent:
the one who judges me is the Lord.
So, do not pronounce judgment before the time,
but wait for the coming of the Lord,
because he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness,
and will make known the intentions of hearts.
Then everyone will receive
his praise from God.
– The word of the Lord.
PsalmPs 36 (37), 3-4, 5-6, 27-28ab, 39-40ac
Trust in the Lord and do good,
dwell in the land and remain faithful;
take delight in the Lord:
he will fulfill the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord,
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make your justice shine like the dawn,
and your right like noonday.
Turn from evil, do what is good,
and you will have a home forever,
for the Lord loves justice,
he does not abandon his friends.
The Lord is the salvation for the just,
their refuge in times of trouble.
The Lord helps them and delivers them,
because they seek refuge in him.
GospelLc 5, 33-39
At that time,
the Pharisees and the scribes said to Jesus:
"The disciples of John the Baptist often fast
and offer prayers;
and so do those of the Pharisees.
But yours eat and drink!"
Jesus said to them:
"Can you make wedding guests fast
while the bridegroom is with them?
But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them;
then, in those days, they will fast."
He also told them a parable:
"No one tears a piece from a new garment
to patch an old garment.
Otherwise, they will have torn the new,
and the piece from the new
will not match the old.
And no one puts new wine
into old wineskins;
otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins,
it will be spilled,
and the skins will be ruined.
Rather, new wine must be put into fresh skins.
No one who has drunk old wine wants new.
For he says: "The old is good.""
– Let us acclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org