Thursday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional memorial of St. Gregory of Narek, monk (†c. 1005). Evangelizer of the Armenians, renowned for his doctrine, writings, and mystical knowledge.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Sir 5:1-8
Rely not on your wealth; say not: “I have the power.” Rely not on your strength in following the desires of your heart. Say not: “Who can prevail against me?” or, “Who will subdue me for my deeds?” for God will surely exact the punishment. Say not: “I have sinned, yet what has befallen me?” for the Most High bides his time. Of forgiveness be not overconfident, adding sin upon sin. Say not: “Great is his mercy; my many sins he will forgive.” For mercy and anger alike are with him; upon the wicked alights his wrath. Delay not your conversion to the LORD, put it not off from day to day. For suddenly his wrath flames forth; at the time of vengeance you will be destroyed. Rely not upon deceitful wealth, for it will be no help on the day of wrath.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 1:1-4, 6 (R.40:5a)
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night. R.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers. R.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes. R.
Gospel – Mk 9:41-50
Jesus said to his disciples: “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.”
Featured Saints
Blessed Mary of Jesus Deluil Martiny, virgin (†1884). Foundress of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Heart of Jesus, shot to death by an anarchist in her convent in Marseille, France.
Blessed Maria Charity Brader of the Holy Spirit, virgin (†1943). While a Franciscan religious in Switzerland, she was sent to Colombia, where she founded the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate. She successfully combined contemplative life with missionary activity.
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Possenti, religious (†1862). He entered the Congregation of the Passionist Fathers as an adolescent and died as an acolyte at age 24, in Isola del Gran Sasso, Italy.
St. Baldomerus, monk (†660). Locksmith who lived in the vicinity of Lyon, France; he awakened admiration by his piety and charity toward the poor. He lived an ardent life of prayer in the Monastery of St. Justus.
Sts. Basil and Procopius of the Decapolis, monks (†741). During the reign of Emperor Leo III the Isaurian, they actively worked in favour of the cult to sacred images in Constantinople.
St. Besas, martyr (†third century). Soldier denounced to a judge for attempting to prevent a mob from insulting Sts. Julian and Eunus. Remaining firm in the Faith, he was beheaded in Alexandria, Egypt.
St. Anne Line, martyr (+1601). Banished by her Calvinist parents when she embraced the Catholic Faith; she oversaw a house of missionaries in England, and was denounced and hanged at Tyburn for sheltering Catholic priests.
Blessed Joseph Tous Soler, priest (†1871). Capuchin religious who founded the Congregation of the Capuchin Sisters of the Mother of the Divine Shepherd in Barcelona, Spain, for the Christian formation of children and youth.
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