Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – 2 Tim 2:8-15b
Beloved: Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my Gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself. Remind people of these things and charge them before God to stop disputing about words. This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen. Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14 (R. 4)
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.” R.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
he teaches the humble his way. R.
All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy
toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him,
and his covenant, for their instruction. R.
Gospel – Mk 12:28-34
One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Featured Saints
St. Optatus, bishop († 4th century). As bishop of Milevis in Northern Africa, he distinguished himself in the fight against the Donatists. He wrote
several works highly esteemed by St. Augustine.
St. Quirinus, martyr (†309). Bishop of Sescia, present-day Croatia; he was thrown into a river bound to a millstone for refusing to sacrifice to the pagan gods, during the reign of Emperor Galerius.
St. Metrophanes, bishop (†325). Bishop of Byzantium when it became the capital of the Roman Empire.
St. Francis Caracciolo, priest (†1608). Co-founded the Congregation of the Minor Clerks Regular in Naples, Italy. To the usual vows of poverty, obedience and chastity, a fourth was added, that of not aspiring to ecclesiastical dignities.
St. Philip Smaldone, priest (†1923). Apostle of deaf-mutes and the blind, he founded the Congregation of the Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Hearts in Lecce, Italy.
Blessed Antoni Zawistowski, priest, and Stanislaw Starowieyski, layman, martyrs (†1942). During the Nazi occupation of Poland, they were arrested for their Faith deported to the concentration camp of Dachau in Germany, where they died of ill treatment.
Blessed Pacificus Ramati, priest (†1482). Franciscan religious, who obtained a doctorate at the Sorbonne then returned to Italy to dedicate himself to preaching. He died in Sassari, at age 58.
Blessed Francis Pianzola, priest (†1943). A priest from the Diocese of Vigevano, Italy, he founded the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Queen of Peace.
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