Thursday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorials: St. Gertrude the Great, virgin. (†1302). Religious of the Cistercian monastery of Helfta, Germany. In her mystical writings she revealed her spiritual experiences related to the mystery of the Incarnation, the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Eucharist.
St. Margaret of Scotland, queen and widow (†1093). An English princess born in Hungary in exile, she became Queen of Scotland at the age of 24 and her sanctity shone as a light for the entire nation.
See also:
Mass Readings
First Reading – Wis 7:22b–8:1
In Wisdom is a spirit intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, agile, clear, unstained, certain, Not baneful, loving the good, keen, unhampered, beneficent, kindly, Firm, secure, tranquil, all-powerful, all-seeing, And pervading all spirits, though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle. For Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion, and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity. For she is an aura of the might of God and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nought that is sullied enters into her. For she is the refulgence of eternal light, the spotless mirror of the power of God, the image of His goodness. And she, who is one, can do all things, and renews everything while herself perduring; And passing into holy souls from age to age, she produces friends of God and prophets. For there is nought God loves, be it not one who dwells with Wisdom. For she is fairer than the sun and surpasses every constellation of the stars. Compared to light, she takes precedence; for that, indeed, night supplants, but wickedness prevails not over Wisdom. Indeed, she reaches from end to end mightily and governs all things well.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 119:89, 90, 91, 130, 135, 175 (R.89a)
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Your word, O LORD, endures forever;
it is firm as the heavens. R.
Through all generations Your truth endures;
You have established the earth, and it stands firm. R.
According to Your ordinances they still stand firm:
all things serve You. R.
The revelation of Your words sheds light,
giving understanding to the simple. R.
Let Your countenance shine upon Your servant,
and teach me Your statutes. R.
Let my soul live to praise You,
and may Your ordinances help me. R.
Gospel – Lk 17:20-25
Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” Then He said to His disciples, “The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, ‘Look, there he is,’ or ‘Look, here he is.’ Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in His day. But first He must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.”
Featured Saints
St. Agnes of Assisi, virgin (†1253). Younger sister of St. Clare, in whose footsteps she followed, embracing a life of Franciscan poverty.
St. Eucherius of Lyon, bishop (†449). He withdrew to lead an ascetic life on an island close to Lérins, France, and was elected Bishop of Lyon. He wrote the history of many martyrs.
St. Edmund Rich, Bishop (†1240). English born Archbishop of Canterbury. He was exiled for defending the rights of the Church, and lived a holy life among the Cistercian monks of Pontigny, France.
St. Othmar, abbot (†759). He founded a small hospital for lepers in Switzerland and a monastery under the Benedictine rule. Powerful neighbours conspired to deport him to an island in the Rhine River, where he died in exile.
Blessed Edward Osbaldeston, priest and martyr (†1594). Priest from Yorkshire, England, executed during the reign of Elizabeth I for exercising his ministry.
