Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. When this falls on October 2, the gospel for the Memorial of the Guardian Angels is used.

• First Reading (Cycle 1) - Nehemiah 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12: Ezra read the law to the assembled people, who listened attentively. After understanding its significance, they were initially saddened but were encouraged to celebrate, understanding the law's importance. They rejoiced together.
• First Reading (Cycle 2) - Job 19:21-27: Job laments his suffering, wishing his words were permanently recorded. Despite his hardships, he remains confident in seeing his Vindicator and yearns deeply to witness God personally.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 19: God's laws are perfect, trustworthy, and enlightening. They bring joy to the heart, endure eternally, and are truer than gold, sweeter than honey.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 27: I call to the LORD, seeking His presence and guidance. I have faith that I will experience His goodness in this life. I will wait with courage and hope.
• Gospel - Luke 10:1-12: Jesus sends seventy-two disciples in pairs to towns he plans to visit, instructing them on behavior, trust, and proclaiming the Kingdom of God. He warns of towns that may reject them.

The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.

Luke 10:2

• Mission Expansion: Jesus appoints seventy-two others and sends them ahead, signifying the growth and expansion of his ministry beyond the twelve disciples.
• Shared Journey: The seventy-two are sent out in pairs, highlighting the theme of companionship and mutual support in spiritual endeavors. This underscores the idea that the spiritual journey is often more effective and enriching when undertaken together.
• Guidelines for Mission: The disciples receive specific instructions on how to conduct their mission, emphasizing the importance of simplicity, focus, and reliance on hospitality.
• Harvest Imagery: Jesus uses the metaphor of a plentiful harvest but few workers. This theme underscores the vastness of the mission field and the need for more laborers.
• Reception and Consequences: The message carries both peace and a warning. Towns that welcome the disciples will experience peace, while those that reject will face consequences.

The gospel for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Luke 10:1-12, narrates the commissioning of the seventy-two disciples, sent out in pairs ahead of Jesus to every town and place he intended to visit.

The pairing of the disciples underscores the significance of community and collaboration in carrying out God's work. Jesus could have sent them individually, but he chose pairs, emphasizing mutual support, shared experiences, and collective strength.

The directive to carry no purse, bag, or sandals and to greet no one on the road speaks to focus and dependence on God. The mission requires unwavering concentration on the task at hand and trust that their needs will be provided for.

The message "The Kingdom of God has come near to you" is a powerful reminder of the immediacy and relevance of Jesus's teachings. The disciples were not only spreading information but ushering in a transformative experience of God's presence.

The act of journeying with another resonates with Jesus's method. Being part of a spiritual community, whether it's a formal group or just a fellow believer, enriches the journey. It provides encouragement in challenging times, diverse perspectives, shared joy in moments of revelation, and a sense of belonging.

Inviting someone to accompany you can be mutually beneficial. They might provide insights or support you hadn't anticipated, and vice versa. This act can be as simple as inviting a friend to Mass, starting a spiritual book club, or sharing your personal faith experiences and listening to theirs.

In essence, the Christian journey, while deeply personal, is also communal. There's strength in numbers, and as Luke 10:1-12 illustrates, Jesus knew the value of companionship and collaboration in advancing the Kingdom of God. Inviting someone to journey with you not only aligns with this biblical precedent but can also deeply enrich your own faith experience.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me remember not to go alone on my journey of discipleship. Let me encounter someone today to invite to join me. Amen.

Word on Fire: The Church's Missionary Essence

In this reflection for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Robert Barron underscores the essence of the Church as a missionary institution. Jesus sends 72 disciples ahead of him, signifying the Church's primary role to spread His teachings. Rather than solely benefitting from the Gospel, followers are tasked with disseminating its message. Importantly, the disciples are sent in pairs, emphasizing the importance of community and collaboration in the Church's mission. Highlighted examples like St. Francis of Assisi, St. Dominic, and St. Teresa of Kolkata show that spiritual leaders thrive with the support and community of fellow believers.

USCCB Reflection: The Call to Work for Jesus

This USCCB video reflection for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time explains that Jesus gave direction to the 72 disciples in the Gospel, prompting them to remember their mission. Jesus reminds us to work for Him, emphasizing that even prayer is our work for Him. He offers a unique sense of peace, urging believers to find security and order in His teachings. Just like a remote control that's always close by, the kingdom of God is readily accessible, and we are called to proclaim it. We should embrace God's blessings and heed the direction, for there's work to be done in His name.

What date is Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time?

The next date is October 3, 2024.

What are the Mass readings for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time?

The Mass readings for October 3, 2024 are:
First Reading (Cycle 1) - Nehemiah 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12: Ezra Reads the Law
First Reading (Cycle 2) - Job 19:21-27: Job's Plea for Understanding
Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 19: Value of God's Law
Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 27: Seeking the Lord
Gospel - Luke 10:1-12: Mission of the Seventy-Two
When this falls on October 2, the gospel for the Memorial of the Guardian Angels is used.
See the readings section of this page for a longer summary of these readings for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time and links to the readings.

What happens in Luke 10:1-12, the gospel for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time ?

Jesus appoints seventy-two others (in some manuscripts, seventy) and sends them out two by two ahead of him to every town and place he plans to visit. He mentions that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. He instructs them to travel light, not to greet anyone on the road, and to rely on the hospitality of those they meet. If a town doesn't welcome them, they are to wipe its dust from their feet and move on, pronouncing a warning about the town's impending judgment.

What are the themes for the gospel for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time?

The themes in the gospel for October 3, 2024, Luke 10:1-12, include mission, reliance on God and the community, the urgency of spreading the message, and the consequences of rejection.
See the themes section of this page for more themes for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time. A reflection, prayer, and homily links are also available.

What instructions did Jesus give to the seventy-two disciples in the the gospel for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time (Luke 10:1-12)?

Jesus sent them out in pairs, advising them on behavior, trust, and the proclamation of the Kingdom of God.

Why does Jesus send them out without supplies in the the gospel for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time (Luke 10:1-12)?

Sending them without provisions emphasizes their dependence on God and the communities they serve. It also illustrates the urgency of their mission, where gathering supplies would only delay them.

How are the disciples to handle towns that reject them in the the gospel for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time (Luke 10:1-12)?

Jesus warns that if towns reject them, they should move on, wiping the town's dust from their feet as a sign of judgment.

What does wiping the dust off their feet signify in the the gospel for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time (Luke 10:1-12)?

This act is symbolic of disassociating from those who reject the message. It serves as both a protest against their rejection and a ritualistic way of leaving behind any ties or burdens associated with that place.

How might this guidance be applicable in modern contexts in the the gospel for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time (Luke 10:1-12)?

The essence of Jesus' advice is to stay focused on the mission, trust in providence, and not be discouraged by rejection. These principles can guide anyone promoting a cause or working on a mission-driven task.

How can the gospel for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time (Luke 10:1-12) be applied to everyday life?

The passage stresses the importance of commitment, focus, and understanding when embarking on important endeavors. It also emphasizes the value of community and mutual support. In broader terms, when faced with rejection or obstacles, it's sometimes better to move on rather than dwell on negative experiences. The idea of "wiping the dust off" can be a metaphor for not allowing past disappointments to hinder future endeavors.

What did Ezra do in the assembly in the first reading for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 (Nehemiah 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12)?

Ezra read the law to the gathered people who listened attentively.

How did the people initially react to understanding the law in the first reading for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 (Nehemiah 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12)?

Upon understanding the law's significance, they felt sadness, but they were later encouraged to celebrate, realizing the importance of the law.

How are God's laws described in the responsorial psalm for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 (Psalm 19)?

God's laws are depicted as perfect, trustworthy, enlightening, joy-bringing, enduring, valuable, and sweet.

What comparison is made regarding the laws of God in the responsorial psalm for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 (Psalm 19)?

God's laws are compared to gold in their worthiness and to honey in their sweetness.

How do these readings illuminate the theme of divine instruction for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Each reading emphasizes the value and guidance of divine teachings, whether it's the law in Nehemiah, the edicts in the Psalm, or Jesus' directives in Luke.

What lessons can be drawn about the reception of divine messages for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

While divine messages bring joy and enlightenment, they may not always be welcomed, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in sharing and celebrating them.

How does Job express his feelings towards his plight in the first reading for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 (Job 19:21-27)?

Job expresses profound anguish and desperation, yet he also showcases an unyielding hope. He wishes his suffering and words were permanently recorded, and maintains a firm belief in eventually seeing God.

How can one relate to Job's emotions in the first reading for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 (Job 19:21-27) when facing adversity?

Job's complex feelings mirror how many cope with intense suffering: a mix of despair, a yearning for understanding, and an enduring hope or faith.

What does the responsorial psalm for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 (Psalm 27) convey about the relationship with the LORD?

The Psalm speaks of a deep trust and reliance on the LORD. The psalmist is steadfast in seeking God's guidance and has unwavering faith in experiencing God's goodness.

How can the responsorial psalm for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 (Psalm 27) inspire people today?

Psalm 27 serves as a reminder to seek divine guidance and maintain hope and courage, even when faced with challenges.

How do these readings for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 together discuss faith in the face of adversity?

Job shows unwavering faith despite immense suffering, the Psalmist seeks God's guidance and promises to wait with hope, and the disciples are prepared for challenges but remain mission-driven. Together, they illustrate faith's enduring power during trials.

What actions can be taken based on these readings for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

In challenging times, maintain hope and stay resilient even when facing rejection or hardships. Engage in reflection or prayer to bolster faith and gain clarity. Remember the testimonies of figures like Job, and draw inspiration from their unwavering faith despite adversity. Lastly, be patient and persistent, trusting that challenges often come with valuable lessons and growth opportunities.