Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent
Mass Readings
First Reading – Jer 20:10-13
I hear the whisperings of many: “Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!” All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. “Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail, and take our vengeance on him.” But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph. In their failure they will be put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion. O LORD of hosts, you who test the just, who probe mind and heart, Let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause. Sing to the LORD, praise the LORD, For he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!
Responsorial Psalm – 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7 (R. cf. 7)
R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
I love you, O LORD, my strength,
O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer. R.
My God, my rock of refuge,
my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies. R.
The breakers of death surged round about me,
the destroying floods overwhelmed me;
The cords of the nether world enmeshed me,
the snares of death overtook me. R.
In my distress I called upon the LORD
and cried out to my God;
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry to him reached his ears. R.
Gospel – Jn 10:31-42
The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.” Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, ‘You are gods”‘? If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and Scripture cannot be set aside, can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Then they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power. He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained. Many came to him and said, “John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true.” And many there began to believe in him.
Featured Saints
Memorial, St. Stanislaus, bishop and martyr (†1079). Bishop of Krakow, killed by King Boleslaw II of Poland, whom he had reproached for scandals and counselled to respect the Catholic precepts regarding marriage.
St. Gemma Galgani, virgin (†1905). Italian Mystic and ardent devotee of the Cross of Our Lord; she was privileged with the stigmata and died on Holy Saturday at age 25. See also: From His Wounds Issued Flames As of Fire, and A Rare Pearl.
Blessed Angelo Carletti di Chivasso, priest (†1495). Left his office as senator in Piedmont, distributed his goods and became a Franciscan.
Blessed Lanuíno, monk (†1119). He was chosen to accompany St. Bruno in the service of the Pope. After the founder’s death, he was elected as prior of the monasteries. Despite being frequently obliged to travel on papal missions, he never lost the Carthusian spirit.
Blessed Symforian Ducki, religious and martyr (†1942). Franciscan Capuchin, martyred in Auschwitz concentration camp, Poland.
Blessed Sancha of Portugal, virgin (†1229). Daughter of King Sancho I, she renounced earthly goods and consecrated herself to God in the Cistercian monastery of Celas, founded by her near Coimbra.
Blessed Elena Guerra, virgin (†1914). Founded the Congregation of the Oblate Sisters of the Holy Spirit in Lucca, Italy.
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