Thursday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – Eph 6:10-20
Brothers and sisters: Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the Devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the Gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones and also for me, that speech may be given me to open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains, so that I may have the courage to speak as I must.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 144:1b, 2, 9-10 (R.6a)
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war. R.
My mercy and my fortress,
my stronghold, my deliverer,
My shield, in whom I trust,
who subdues my people under me. R.
O God, I will sing a new song to you;
with a ten-stringed lyre I will chant your praise,
You who give victory to kings,
and deliver David, your servant from the evil sword. R.
Gospel – Lk 13:31-35
Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.’ “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned. But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Featured Saints
St. Narcissus, bishop (†circa 222). He was elected Bishop of Jerusalem at 100 years of age, and held that office as a model of patience and faith until his death at 116.
St. Zenobius, priest and martyr († fourth century). Also a physician, he was killed for his faith in Sidon, Lebanon, while exhorting his companions to give their lives for Christ.
St. Honoratus of Vercelli, bishop (†415). Disciple of St. Eusebius, he accompanied him in exile. He was ordained bishop by St. Ambrose, whom he assisted at the hour of his death.
St. Theodarius, abbot (†cerca de 575). Monk from the region of Vienne, France, he was appointed “intercessor before God” by his bishop, and major penitentiary for the entire diocese.
St. Abraham, anchorite (†366). Born into a wealthy family of Edessa, Syria, he became a hermit in small cell. The bishop ordained him a priest and sent him to evangelize the region, but he soon returned to live as a hermit.
Blessed Cajetan Errico, priest (†1860). Endowed with the supernatural gifts of bilocation, ecstasies and reading of souls, he founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Naples, Italy.
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