Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent
Mass Readings
First Reading – Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25
Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, had recourse to the LORD. She lay prostrate upon the ground, together with her handmaids, from morning until evening, and said: “God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are You. Help me, who am alone and have no help but You, for I am taking my life in my hand. As a child I used to hear from the books of my forefathers that You, O LORD, always free those who are pleasing to You. Now help me, who am alone and have no one but You, O LORD, my God. “And now, come to help me, an orphan. Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy, so that he and those who are in league with him may perish. Save us from the hand of our enemies; turn our mourning into gladness and our sorrows into wholeness.”
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8 (R. 3a)
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, You answered me.
I will give thanks to You, O LORD, with all my heart,
for You have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing Your praise;
I will worship at Your holy temple
and give thanks to Your name. R.
Because of your kindness and Your truth;
for You have made great above all things
Your name and Your promise.
When I called, You answered me;
You built up strength within me. R.
Your right hand saves me.
The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
Your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;
forsake not the work of Your hands. R.
Gospel – Mt 7:7-12
Jesus said to His disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him. “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”
Featured Saints
St. Paula of St. Joseph Calasanz, virgin (†1889). Endowed with an extraordinary charism for education, she adopted the motto: Piety and Learning. She founded the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary, Sisters of the Pious Schools in Barcelona, Spain.
St. Porphyrius of Gaza, bishop (+421). He was born into a Thessalonian family and he lived as an anchorite in the desert. After being ordained Bishop of Gaza, Palestine, he ordered the demolition of many temples dedicated to idols and was instrumental in the conversion of many pagans to the Faith.
St. Alexander, bishop (†326). A glorious elder, aflame with zeal for the Faith; as Bishop of Alexandria, he excommunicated the priest Arius for becoming corrupted by heresy and refusing divine truth. Afterwards, with 318 fathers, he condemned him in the First Nicene Council.
St. Faustinian, Bishop (†fourth century). Second Bishop of Bologna, Italy. The Church, oppressed by persecution, was strengthened and experienced growth because of his preaching.
St. Victor, hermit (†seventh century). Praised in the sermons of St. Bernard, he died in Arcis-surAube, France, where he had led a life of prayer and contemplation.
Blessed Robert Drury, priest and martyr (†1607). Falsely accused of conspiracy against King James I, he suffered death by hanging at Tyburn, England.
Blessed Piety of the Cross Ortiz Real, virgin (†1916). She founded the Congregation of the Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Alcantarilla, Spain, for the formation and religious instruction of poor children.
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