Thursday of the 2nd Week of Lent
Mass Readings
First Reading – Jer 17:5-10
Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, But stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit. More tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it? I, the LORD, alone probe the mind and test the heart, To reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6 (R. 40:5a)
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night. R.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers. R.
Not so, the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes. R.
Gospel – Lk 16:19-31
Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’ He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'”
Featured Saints
Blessed Francisco de Jesus Maria José Palau, priest (†1872). A religious of the Order of Discalced Carmelites. He suffered violent persecutions in the exercise of his sacerdotal ministry and, owing to false accusations, was exiled to the Isle of Ibiza. Providence richly favoured him with mystical gifts, including visions of future happenings in the Church. See also: Do Not Permit the Demons this Outrage; “My Relations with the Church” – The True Face of the Church
St. John Nepomucene, priest and martyr (†1393). A great preacher, he was called to the court of Prague by King Wenceslaus IV. For refusing to reveal the queen’s Confession to the king, the latter ordered him to be tortured and drowned in the Vitava River.
St. Martin of Braga, bishop (†circa 579). Bishop of Braga, Portugal, who converted the Spanish Seuvi of his diocese from the Arian heresy. He enriched the Church with his writings.
St. Joseph Bilczewski, bishop (†1923). He did much pastoral activity in the Diocese of Lviv, Ukraine, and with ardent charity dedicated himself to the development of customs and doctrinal formation of the clergy and the faithful.
St. Archippus, companion of St. Paul the Apostle, mentioned in the letters to Philemon and the Colossians.
St. Mary Josepha of the Heart of Jesus, virgin (†1912). Foundress of the Congregation of the Servants of Jesus in Bilbao, Spain.
Blessed Hippolytus Galantini, layman (†1619). Founder of the Brotherhood of Christian Doctrine, he dedicated himself to the catechetical formation of the poor and humble.
Blessed Jeanne Véron, virgin and martyr (†1794). Companion of Blessed Françoise Trehét in caring for the sick children of Dampierre, France. She was guillotined for sheltering priests who had refused to take the oath to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy.
