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.3b)
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
Blessed Anthony Baldinucci, priest (†1717). Jesuit religious; he desired to be a missionary to the Orient, but due to poor health, he was entrusted with missions in Italy, where he experienced notable success by his virtuous example and ardent preaching.
St. Willibrord, bishop (†739). Born in 658, in Northumbria (Northern England). From his first monastic master, St. Wilfrid, he acquired the two ideals of his life: fidelity to the Chair of Peter, and missionary zeal. After his ordination and many years of studies, he embarked with 12 companions on his mission as an apostle to Frisia. Pope Sergius I appointed him as the First Bishop of Utrecht (Netherlands).
Sts. Hyacinth Castañeda and Vincent Lê Quang Liêm, spriests and martyrs (†1773). Dominicans martyred in Ket Cho, Vietnam, during the reign of Trinh Sâm.
St. Vicent Grossi, priest (†1917). Founder of the Institute of the Daughters of the Oratory in Cremona, Italy.
St. Lazarus (†1054). stylite (†1054). He lived for many years atop a column, wearing iron chains and living on bread and water.
St. Peter Wu Guosheng, martyr (†1814). Converted to the Catholic Faith, he left his position as innkeeper to become a catechist. Refusing to renounce the Faith, he was strangled to death in Zunyi, China, becoming the first Chinese martyr of the Imperial persecution.
In USA: St. Diego of Alcalá, religious (†1463). Spanish Franciscan lay brother who spent some years in the Canary Islands mission, where he distinguished himself for his humility and charity. He died in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. The first Californian mission was named after him, hence the name of the Californian city of San Diego (celebrated on November 13 in the General Calendar).
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