Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – Ex 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20b
In the third month after their departure from the land of Egypt, on its first day, the children of Israel came to the desert of Sinai. After the journey from Rephidim to the desert of Sinai, they pitched camp. While Israel was encamped here in front of the mountain, the LORD told Moses, “I am coming to you in a dense cloud, so that when the people hear Me speaking with you, they may always have faith in you also.” When Moses, then, had reported to the LORD the response of the people, the LORD added, “Go to the people and have them sanctify themselves today and tomorrow. Make them wash their garments and be ready for the third day; for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai before the eyes of all the people.” On the morning of the third day there were peals of thunder and lightning, and a heavy cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. But Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stationed themselves at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was all wrapped in smoke, for the LORD came down upon it in fire. The smoke rose from it as though from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. The trumpet blast grew louder and louder, while Moses was speaking and God answering him with thunder. When the LORD came down to the top of Mount Sinai, he summoned Moses to the top of the mountain.
Responsorial Psalm – Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 (R.52b)
R. Glory and praise for ever!
“Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is Your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.” R.
“Blessed are You in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.” R.
“Blessed are You on the throne of your Kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” R.
“Blessed are You who look into the depths
from Your throne upon the cherubim,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” R.
“Blessed are You in the firmament of heaven,
praiseworthy and glorious forever.” R.
Gospel – Mt 13:10-17
The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Why do You speak to the crowd in parables?” He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and be converted and I heal them. “But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
Featured Saints
Blessed Mary Magdalene Martinengo, abbess (†1737). From a noble family, she entered the Capuchin convent of Brescia. She was favoured with mystical phenomena and left writings that reveal her exceptional spirituality.
St. George, deacon, martyr (+1142). Arrested and executed with Saints Aurelius, Natalia, Felix and Liliosa during the persecution of Caliph Abderrahman II.
St. Celestine I, Pope (†432). Great propagator of the Faith; instituted the episcopate in Ireland and England; he supported the Council of Ephesus, in which Our Lady was proclaimed Mother of God.
Blessed Mary Clement of the Crucified Jesus Staszewska, virgin and martyr (†1943). Polish Ursuline nun who died in Auschwitz concentration camp.
St. Simon Stylites, monk (†459). He spent many years in austere mortifications and continual prayer as a penitent atop a column for many years near Antioch, in present day Turkey.
Blessed Joachim Vilanova Camallonga, priest and martyr (†1936). Diocesan priest assassinated in L’Olleria on the outskirts of Valencia, during the Spanish Civil War.
Blessed Lucia Bufalari, virgin (†c. 1350). Religious from the Oblates of the Order of St. Augustine in Amelia, Italy, outstanding for her penitential spirit and zeal for souls.
St. Pantaleon of Bithynia, martyr (†circa 305). Physician who dedicated his practice of medicine to serve the the service of the poor in Nicomedia. He was martyred during the Diocletian persecution. A relic of his blood is housed in the Royal Monastery of the Incarnation, in Madrid. It miraculously liquefies each year on the eve of his feast.
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