Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – 2 Timothy 2:8-15: Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead. Endure hardships for the Gospel and be faithful. Teach others without arguing and present yourself as a worthy servant of God.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 25: The Lord teaches and guides the humble and faithful, revealing his paths of kindness and truth to those who follow his covenant and laws.
• Gospel – Mark 12:28-34: A scribe asked Jesus about the greatest commandment. Jesus said to love God fully and love your neighbor as yourself. The scribe agreed, and Jesus commended his understanding, saying he was close to God’s Kingdom.

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?”

Mark 12:28

On Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings encourage us to focus on key aspects of our faith. They guide us to reflect on Jesus’ resurrection, our endurance in faith, and the importance of love.

1. Jesus’ Resurrection: Paul reminds us that Jesus was raised from the dead. This truth is the foundation of our faith and gives us hope in our daily lives.
2. Endurance in Faith: Paul encourages us to endure hardships for the sake of the Gospel. Staying faithful in difficult times strengthens our trust in God.
3. Faithful Teaching: Paul urges us to teach others without arguing. We should present ourselves as good servants of God, focusing on truth and kindness.
4. Greatest Commandment: Jesus teaches that the greatest commandment is to love God fully. Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength is the most important thing.
5. Love Your Neighbor: Jesus adds that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. This means showing kindness and care to everyone we meet.
6. Understanding the Law: The scribe understands Jesus’ teaching and agrees with Him. Jesus praises him for his insight and says he is close to God’s Kingdom.

The themes from Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us to focus on Jesus’ resurrection and our response to it. They encourage us to live with love, patience, and understanding.

On Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Paul reminds us to remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead. This is the core of our faith. Jesus’ resurrection gives us hope and shows us God’s power.

Paul encourages us to endure hardships for the Gospel. Following Jesus is not always easy. We may face challenges and difficulties, but staying faithful makes us stronger in our faith.

Paul also tells us to teach others without arguing. We should share our faith with kindness and patience. Being a good servant of God means spreading His word in a loving way.

Loving God and Neighbor

In the Gospel reading for Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, a scribe asks Jesus about the greatest commandment. Jesus says the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Loving God fully is the most important thing we can do.

Jesus also says we should love our neighbor as ourselves. This means treating others with kindness and respect. Loving our neighbor shows our love for God.

The scribe agrees with Jesus’ teaching and understands it well. Jesus praises the scribe for his insight. He tells the scribe that he is close to God’s Kingdom.

Living the Teachings

The readings for Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us of the importance of Jesus’ resurrection. They also teach us to endure in faith and to love God and our neighbor. These teachings guide our daily lives.

By focusing on these themes, we can grow in our faith. We can become better followers of Jesus. Let us strive to live out these teachings every day.

Let us pray for the strength to endure hardships. Let us ask for the grace to love God fully and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Prayer

Dear Lord, help us to remember Jesus’ resurrection and to find hope in it. Give us the strength to endure hardships and the grace to teach others with kindness. May we love You fully and love our neighbors as ourselves. Amen.

Word on Fire: The Heart of the Law Is Love

In his reflection for the Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Bishop Robert Barron explains the core of Jesus’ teaching on the Law. When asked which commandment is the greatest, Jesus responds with two inseparable commands: to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. Bishop Barron emphasizes that these two loves are tightly connected because Jesus is both divine and human. Loving God means also loving His creation, including our neighbors. True adherence to the Law is rooted in this comprehensive love.

What date is Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Thursday June 4, 2026.

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. For odd numbered years see Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Thursday June 4, 2026 are:
First Reading  – 2 Timothy 2:8-15: Remember Christ Jesus
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 25: Teach Me, Lord
Gospel – Mark 12:28-34: The Greatest Commandments

What does Paul mean by “remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead”?

Paul is reminding us of the core of our faith: Jesus rose from the dead. This is our hope and proof of God’s power.

How can we endure hardships for the Gospel as Paul suggests?

We can stay faithful and keep trusting God even when life is hard. Prayer, reading the Bible, and staying close to our faith community helps us endure.

What does it mean to teach others without arguing?

Paul wants us to share our faith kindly and patiently. We should focus on love and understanding, not on winning arguments.

Why is loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength important?

Loving God fully is the most important commandment. It means giving our whole self to God and making Him the center of our lives.

How do we love our neighbor as ourselves?

Treat others with kindness and respect. Show care and help those in need, just as we would want for ourselves.

What did Jesus mean when he said the scribe was close to God’s Kingdom?

The scribe understood the importance of loving God and others. Jesus praised his understanding and told him he was close to living in God’s way.

How can we apply these teachings from Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 to our daily lives?

We can remember Jesus’ resurrection, stay faithful in hard times, teach with kindness, love God fully, and treat others with love. These actions help us grow in our faith.

Why is remembering Jesus’ resurrection so important?

Jesus’ resurrection shows God’s power over death and gives us hope for eternal life. It is the foundation of our faith.

How can I teach others about my faith without causing arguments?

Focus on sharing your experiences and listening to others. Use gentle words and show respect for their views.

What can I do to love God more fully?

Spend time in prayer, read the Bible, attend Mass, and live according to God’s teachings. Make God the center of your life.