Thursday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – 1 Sm 18:6-9; 19:1-7
When David and Saul approached (on David’s return after slaying the Philistine), women came out from each of the cities of Israel to meet King Saul, singing and dancing, with tambourines, joyful songs, and sistrums. The women played and sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” Saul was very angry and resentful of the song, for he thought: “They give David ten thousands, but only thousands to me. All that remains for him is the kingship.” And from that day on, Saul was jealous of David. Saul discussed his intention of killing David with his son Jonathan and with all his servants. But Saul’s son Jonathan, who was very fond of David, told him: “My father Saul is trying to kill you. Therefore, please be on your guard tomorrow morning; get out of sight and remain in hiding. I, however, will go out and stand beside my father in the countryside where you are, and will speak to him about you. If I learn anything, I will let you know.” Jonathan then spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him: “Let not your majesty sin against his servant David, for he has committed no offense against you, but has helped you very much by his deeds. When he took his life in his hands and slew the Philistine, and the LORD brought about a great victory for all Israel through him, you were glad to see it. Why, then, should you become guilty of shedding innocent blood by killing David without cause?” Saul heeded Jonathan’s plea and swore, “As the LORD lives, he shall not be killed.” So Jonathan summoned David and repeated the whole conversation to him. Jonathan then brought David to Saul, and David served him as before.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 56:2-3, 9-10a, 10b-11, 12-13 (R.5b)
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
Have mercy on me, O God, for men trample upon me;
all the day they press their attack against me.
My adversaries trample upon me all the day;
yes, many fight against me. R.
My wanderings You have counted;
my tears are stored in Your flask;
are they not recorded in Your book?
Then do my enemies turn back,
when I call upon You. R.
Now I know that God is with me.
In God, in whose promise I glory,
in God I trust without fear;
what can flesh do against me? R.
I am bound, O God, by vows to You;
Your thank offerings I will fulfill.
For You have rescued me from death,
my feet, too, from stumbling;
that I may walk before God in the light of the living. R.
Gospel – Mk 3:7-12
Jesus withdrew toward the sea with His disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what He was doing, a large number of people came to Him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. He told His disciples to have a boat ready for Him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush Him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon Him to touch Him. And whenever unclean spirits saw Him they would fall down before Him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” He warned them sternly not to make Him known.
Featured Saints
St. Margaret of Hungary, virgin (†1270). Daughter of King Béla IV of Hungary, she consecrated herself to the Lord as a Dominican religious from the age of 12.
St. Prisca, martyr (†499). To her name is dedicated the Roman titular church on Aventine Hill.
Blessed Beatrice d’Este, religious (†c. 1262). After her husband’s death, she withdrew to the Benedictine monastery of St. Stefano, in Ferrara, Italy, which she had founded.
Blessed Andrew of Peschiera Grego, priest (†1485). Dominican religious who travelled on foot throughout the entire Italian Alps, living with the poor and preaching Catholic doctrine.
Blessed Christina Ciccarelli, virgin (†1543). Abbess of the Augustinian convent of L’Aquila, Italy. Favoured with visions, ecstasies and the gift of miracles.
Blessed Regina Protmann, virgin (†1613). From a patrician Prussian family, she left home at 18 years to enter community life with two companions dedicated to the poor, sick, and the education of youth. This gave rise to the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Catherine.
Blessed Maria Teresa Fasce, virgin (†1947). Abbess of the Augustinian monastery of Cassia, Italy. She united asceticism and contemplation with works of charity for pilgrims and the indigent.
Image gallery
