Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time
In dioceses of the UK, the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest is celebrated today, the first Thursday after Pentecost. In the General Calendar, Optional Memorial of St. Ephrem, deacon and Doctor of the Church (†373). An eminent theologian and hymnodist, he was the first Father of the Church to declare himself a servant of Mary. He died in Edessa, present-day Turkey.
Mass Readings
First Reading – 1 Kgs 18:41-46
Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” So Ahab went up to eat and drink, while Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, crouched down to the earth, and put his head between his knees. “Climb up and look out to sea,” he directed his servant, who went up and looked, but reported, “There is nothing.” Seven times he said, “Go, look again!” And the seventh time the youth reported, “There is a cloud as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea.” Elijah said, “Go and say to Ahab, ‘Harness up and leave the mountain before the rain stops you.’” In a trice the sky grew dark with clouds and wind, and a heavy rain fell. Ahab mounted his chariot and made for Jezreel. But the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, who girded up his clothing and ran before Ahab as far as the approaches to Jezreel.
Responsorial Psalm – 65:10, 11, 12-13 (R.2a)
R. It is right to praise You in Zion, O God.
You have visited the land and watered it;
greatly have you enriched it.
God’s watercourses are filled;
you have prepared the grain. R.
Thus have you prepared the land:
drenching its furrows, breaking up its clods,
Softening it with showers,
blessing its yield. R.
You have crowned the year with your bounty,
and your paths overflow with a rich harvest;
The untilled meadows overflow with it,
and rejoicing clothes the hills. 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. Joseph Anchieta, priest (†1597). Jesuit priest, born in the Canary Islands, Spain, he dedicated most of his life evangelizing in Brazilian Central-Eastern region, earning the title “Apostle of Brazil”, and is considered the founder of the city of São Paulo.
Blessed Anna Maria Taigi (†1837). She patiently bore the irascible temperament of her husband and dedicated herself to the education of her seven children. Favoured with the gift of prophecy, she became the adviser for saints and illustrious ecclesiastics.
St. Columba, abbot (†597). Feast in Ireland. Great apostle of Ireland and Scotland; he founded the monastery of Iona which had more than forty convents under its jurisdiction.
St. Richard of Andria, bishop (†twelfth century). English priest elected Bishop of Andria, Italy. He was credited with many miracles.
Blessed Robert Salt, monk and martyr (†1537). Carthusian monk imprisoned during the reign of Henry VIII of England. He died of starvation in prison.
Blessed Joseph Imbert, priest and martyr (†1794). Jesuit religious appointed vicar-apostolic of Moulins by Pius VI during the French Revolution. He was imprisoned in inhuman conditions on a galley in Rochefort, where he died.
Blessed Luigi Boccardo (†1936). Priest from the Diocese of Turin, founder of the Institute of the Daughters of Christ the King and Priest, blind nuns of contemplative life.
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