Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – 2 Cor 3:15-4:1, 3-6
Brothers and sisters: To this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over the hearts of the children of Israel, but whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit. Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy shown us, we are not discouraged. And even though our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled for those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they may not see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus. For God who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus Christ.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps. 85:9AB and 10, 11-12, 13-14 (see 10b)
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD–for he proclaims peace to his people
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land. R.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven. R.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps. R.
Gospel – Mt 5:20-26
Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
Featured Saints
St. Leo III, Pope (†816). He crowned the Holy Roman Empire, Charlemagne, King of the Franks, and strove to defend the true doctrine on the divine dignity of the Son of God.
Blessed Flórida Cevoli, virgin (†1767). Of a noble Italian family, she entered the Capuchin convent of the Poor Clares of Città di Castello. Her virtues were valued by the abbess, St. Veronica de Giuliani, whom she served as secretary and confidante.
Blessed Maria Candida of the Eucharist, virgin (†1949). She felt called to enter the religious life since the age of 15, but was prohibited by her relatives. Only at 35 did she enter the Carmel of Ragusa, Italy, of which she was later elected prioress.
Blessed Mercedes Maria de Jesús Molina, virgin (†1883). Foundress of the Institute of the Sisters of Mariana de Jesús, in Riobamba, Ecuador, for the education of girls from poor families.
St. Caspar Bertoni, priest (†1843). Founded the Congregation of the Sacred Stigmata of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Stigmatines) in Verona, Italy, to provide bishops with missionaries.
St. Onuphrius, Confessor. († Fourth century). Hermit of the desert of Egypt for 70 years.
St. Eskil, martyr (†c. 1080). Native of England, he was ordained Bishop by St. Sigfrid, his teacher. He ardently strove to convert the pagans who eventually stoned him to death, in Sweden.
Blessed Guido of Cortona, priest (+1245). Disciple of St. Francis of Assisi, he founded the convent of Celle, Italy. He earned a reputation for sanctity during his life, a and worked many miracles.
Blessed Lorenzo Maria of St. Francis Xavier, priest (†1856). Religious from the Congregation of the Passion, he spread devotion to the Child Jesus in Capranica, Italy.
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