Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – Is 26:7-9, 12, 16-19
The way of the just is smooth; the path of the just you make level. Yes, for your way and your judgments, O LORD, we look to you; Your name and your title are the desire of our souls. My soul yearns for you in the night, yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you; When your judgment dawns upon the earth, the world’s inhabitants learn justice. O LORD, you mete out peace to us, for it is you who have accomplished all we have done. O LORD, oppressed by your punishment, we cried out in anguish under your chastising. As a woman about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pains, so were we in your presence, O LORD. We conceived and writhed in pain, giving birth to wind; Salvation we have not achieved for the earth, the inhabitants of the world cannot bring it forth. But your dead shall live, their corpses shall rise; awake and sing, you who lie in the dust. For your dew is a dew of light, and the land of shades gives birth.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 102:13-14ab and 15, 16-18, 19-21 (R.20b)
R. From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.
You, O LORD, abide forever,
and your name through all generations.
You will arise and have mercy on Zion,
for it is time to pity her.
For her stones are dear to your servants,
and her dust moves them to pity. R.
The nations shall revere your name, O LORD,
and all the kings of the earth your glory,
When the LORD has rebuilt Zion
and appeared in his glory;
When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute,
and not despised their prayer. R.
Let this be written for the generation to come,
and let his future creatures praise the LORD:
“The LORD looked down from his holy height,
from heaven he beheld the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoners,
to release those doomed to die.” R.
Gospel – Mt 11:28-30
Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
Featured Saints
St. Arnulf, bishop (†640). Appointed Bishop of Metz, he became a counsellor to the King of Austrasia, Dagobert I, who ordered the construction of Saint-Denis Basilica. He later renounced his episcopal office to embrace a hermetic life.
St. Theodosia, religious and martyr (†eighth century). Martyred in Constantinople for opposing the destruction of an ancient statue of Christ that Emperor Leo III the Isaurian had ordered removed from the bronze door of his palace.
St. Frederick, bishop, martyr (+838). Bishop of Utrecht, Holland. A master of Sacred Scripture, he evangelized among the Frisians.
Blessed Simon of Lipnica, priest (†1482). Franciscan religious; outstanding preacher and ardent devotee of the Holy Name of Jesus. He died during a plague epidemic in Krakow, after contracting the disease while ministering to victims.
St. Bruno, bishop (†1123). Persecuted for his tireless efforts for Church reform; obliged to leave his diocese in Segni, Italy, he took refuge in the Monastery of Monte Cassino, where he became abbot.
St. Philastrius, bishop (†circa 397). Bishop of Brescia, he joined St. Ambrose and St. Augustine in the fight against Arianism.
Blessed Jean-Baptiste of Brussels, priest and martyr (†1794). Priest of the diocese of Limoges, imprisoned in a sordid galley in Rochefort during the French Revolution where he died of starvation and disease.
In USA: Optional Memorial of St. Camillus de Lellis, priest. (†1614 Rome). Of distinguished birth, he followed a military career and led a dissolute life. After his conversion, he founded the Order of Clerics Regular, Servants of the Sick, now known as the Camillians. Patron of hospitals. (Commemorated July 14 in the General calendar).
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