Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – Phil 3:3-8a
Brothers and sisters: We are the circumcision, we who worship through the Spirit of God, who boast in Christ Jesus and do not put our confidence in flesh, although I myself have grounds for confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he can be confident in flesh, all the more can I. Circumcised on the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrew parentage, in observance of the law a Pharisee, in zeal I persecuted the Church, in righteousness based on the law I was blameless. But whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ. More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 (R.5a)
R. Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD! R.
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.
Gospel – Lk 15:1-10
The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So Jesus addressed this parable to them. “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance. “Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Featured Saints
St. Guido Maria Conforti, bishop (†1931). He founded the Pious Society of St. Francis Xavier (Xaverian Missionaries) in Parma, Italy.
St. Gerald, bishop (†1123). A man of admirable simplicity, he was outstanding for his humility as canon regular of St. Augustine, and even more so, as Bishop of Béziers, France.
St. Dominic Mâu, priest and martyr (†1858). Dominican beheaded by order of the Emperor Tu Ðúc in Vietnam, accused of publicly wearing the Rosary and exhorting Christians to witness the Faith.
Sts. Timothy, Philotheus and Theotimus, martyrs (†307). Syrian youths who, due to their Christian Faith, were delivered up to wild beasts in the circus games, in Caesarea Palestinae.
St. Domninus, martyr (†307). This young physician was condemned to forced labour in the mines of Mismiya, Caesarea of Palestine, during the Diocletian persecution, and was later burned alive for refusing to renounce his Faith.
St. Bertille, abbess (†c. 705). First superior of the monastery of Chelles, France, founded by Queen St. Balthild.
Blessed Gregory Lakota, bishop and martyr (†1950). Bishop of Ukrainian origin, he was imprisoned for his Faith, enduring terrible corporeal torments until his death in the concentration camp of Abez, Siberia.
Blessed Gomidas Keumurjian, priest and martyr (†1707). Ordained in the Armenian Church, he firmly upheld the faith professed in the Council of Chalcedon. He endured much persecution and was beheaded while praying the Creed.
Blessed Bernard Lichtenberg, priest and martyr (†1943). Provost of St. Hedwig’s Cathedral in Berlin. For denouncing Nazi errors he was imprisoned for two years and died on the way to Dachau concentration camp.
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