Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent
Mass Readings
First Reading – Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25
Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, had recourse to the LORD. She lay prostrate upon the ground, together with her handmaids, from morning until evening, and said: “God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are You. Help me, who am alone and have no help but You, for I am taking my life in my hand. As a child I used to hear from the books of my forefathers that You, O LORD, always free those who are pleasing to You. Now help me, who am alone and have no one but You, O LORD, my God. “And now, come to help me, an orphan. Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy, so that he and those who are in league with him may perish. Save us from the hand of our enemies; turn our mourning into gladness and our sorrows into wholeness.”
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8 (R. 3a)
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, You answered me.
I will give thanks to You, O LORD, with all my heart,
for You have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing Your praise;
I will worship at Your holy temple
and give thanks to Your name. R.
Because of your kindness and Your truth;
for You have made great above all things
Your name and Your promise.
When I called, You answered me;
You built up strength within me. R.
Your right hand saves me.
The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
Your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;
forsake not the work of Your hands. R.
Gospel – Mt 7:7-12
Jesus said to His disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him. “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”
Featured Saints
St. Angela of the Cross Guerrero González, virgin (†1932). Foundress of the Sisters of the Company of the Cross in Seville, Spain, she considered the poor, whom she called her “lords”, her greatest treasure and she served them with dedication.
St. Agnes of Prague, abbess (†circa 1282). Daughter of King Ottokar I of Bohemia, she declined advantageous marriage proposals in order to enter a Clarist monastery she had founded in Prague, Czech Republic.
Blessed Charles the Good, martyr (†1127). Prince of Denmark and Count of Flanders, son of King St. Canute IV. He was assassinated in front of the altar, by men at arms whom he had sought to conciliate.
St. Chad, Bishop (†672). Archbishop of York, England. He exercised his ministry by journeying his territory on foot. Transferred to the Archdiocese of Lichfield, where he built the cathedral, flanked by a monastery, to which he withdrew to pray.
St. Luke Casali of Nicosia, abbot (†ninth century). Monk from the monastery of Agira, Italy, renowned for his humility and wisdom.
St. Troadius, martyr (†251). Killed during the Decian persecutions in Neo-Caesarea, Pontus, present day Turkey.
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