Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – 1 Kgs 2:1-4, 10-12
When the time of David’s death drew near, he gave these instructions to his son Solomon: “I am going the way of all flesh. Take courage and be a man. Keep the mandate of the LORD, your God, following His ways and observing His statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees as they are written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in whatever you do, wherever you turn, and the LORD may fulfill the promise He made on my behalf when he said, ‘If your sons so conduct themselves that they remain faithful to me with their whole heart and with their whole soul, you shall always have someone of your line on the throne of Israel.'” David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years: he reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. Solomon was seated on the throne of his father David, with his sovereignty firmly established.
Responsorial Psalm – 1 Chronicles 29:10, 11ab, 11d-12a, 12bcd (R.12b)
R. Lord, You are exalted over all.
“Blessed may You be, O LORD,
God of Israel our father,
from eternity to eternity.”R.
“Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.”R.
“LORD, You are exalted over all.
Yours, O LORD, is the sovereignty;
You are exalted as head over all.
Riches and honor are from You.”R.
“In Your hand are power and might;
it is Yours to give grandeur and strength to all.” R.
Gospel – Mk 6:7-13
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Featured Saints
St. Brigid of Ireland, virgin (†c. 525). She founded a monastery in Kildare, Ireland, of which she was abbess. She continued the evangelizing work of St. Patrick. Memorial in Ireland.
St. Agripanus, bishop and martyr (†seventh century). He laboured for the conversion of the Arians in his diocese. He was martyred by idolaters in Puy-enVelay, France.
St. Raymond of Fitero, abbot (†c. 1160). Abbot of the Cistercian Monastery of Fitero, Spain, and founder of the Military Order of Calatrava. Its members followd the Benedictine Rule and was one of the most active forces in the Reconquest.
St. Sigisbert III, king (†656). Son of the Merovingian king, Dagobert I, and baptized by St. Amand. As a wise ruler he built several monasteries and gave generous alms to the Church and the poor He died in Metz, France, at 26 years of age.
Blessed Louis Variara, priest (†1923). Italian Salesian missionary who died in Cúcuta, Colombia. He cared for lepers and founded the Congregation of the Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
Blessed Giovanna Francesca of the Visitation, virgin (†1888). Foundress of the Institute of the Little Servants of the Sacred Heart in Turin, Italy.
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