Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent
Mass Readings
First Reading – Gn 17:3-9
When Abram prostrated himself, God spoke to him: “My covenant with you is this: you are to become the father of a host of nations. No longer shall you be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I am making you the father of a host of nations. I will render you exceedingly fertile; I will make nations of you; kings shall stem from you. I will maintain My covenant with you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting pact, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. I will give to you and to your descendants after you the land in which you are now staying, the whole land of Canaan, as a permanent possession; and I will be their God.” God also said to Abraham: “On your part, you and your descendants after you must keep My covenant throughout the ages.”
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 105:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (R. 8a)
R. The Lord remembers His covenant for ever.
Look to the LORD in His strength;
seek to serve Him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that He has wrought,
His portents, and the judgments He has uttered. R.
You descendants of Abraham, His servants,
sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth His judgments prevail. R.
He remembers forever His covenant
which He made binding for a thousand generations –
Which He entered into with Abraham
and by His oath to Isaac. R.
Gospel – Jn 8:51-59
Jesus said to the Jews: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps My word will never see death.” So the Jews said to Him, “Now we are sure that You are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet You say, ‘Whoever keeps My word will never taste death.’ Are You greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do You make yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is worth nothing; but it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ You do not know Him, but I know Him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know Him and I keep His word. Abraham your father rejoiced to see My day; he saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old and You have seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” So they picked up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.
Featured Saints
Blessed Magdalen Catherine Morano, virgin (†1908). She received the habit of the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians from the hands of the holy founder. She erected many houses and schools dedicated to teaching and catechesis in Sicily, Italy.
St. Peter of Sebaste, bishop (†c. 391). The younger brother of St. Basil the Great, he was elected Bishop of Sebaste, present-day Sivas, Turkey. He valiantly defended the Faith against the Arian heresy.
St. Ludger of Münster, bishop (†809). Founded several monasteries which were converted into centres for the propagation of the Faith. He preached the Gospel in Friesland, Denmark and Saxony.
St. Bercharius, abbot (†685). He was stabbed on Holy Thursday by a monk whom he had reprimanded several times for his bad conduct. He died on Easter Sunday, after pardoning his assassin.
St. Castulus, martyr (†century unknown). It is said that as chamberlain of Diocletian he helped many Christians during the persecution instigated this Emperor; he was discovered and executed after suffering cruel torture.
St. Eutychius, martyr (†356). Subdeacon of Alexandria who died defending the Faith during the reign of Emperor Constantius.
