Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time

Daily Mass Readings for Thursday of the 9th 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.

• First Reading (Cycle 1) - Tobit 6:10-11; 7:1bcde, 9-17; 8:4-9a: The angel Raphael helps Tobiah find his way to Raguel's house, where Tobiah seeks permission to marry Sarah despite the tragic history of her previous suitors. After claiming his rightful inheritance, they pray for God's mercy and blessings before going to bed.
• First Reading (Cycle 2) - 2 Timothy 2:8-15: Believers are urged to remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead, and to endure suffering for the sake of salvation. They are encouraged to avoid pointless disputes and faithfully proclaim the truth.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 128: God's blessings are upon those who fear God and follow His ways. May they enjoy the fruit of their labor, experience the joy of a fruitful family, and witness the lasting prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of their lives.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 25: Lord, teach me your ways and guide me in truth, for you are my Savior; your paths are kind and constant, leading the humble to justice and instructing those who fear you through your covenant.
• Gospel - Mark 12:28-34: A scribe approaches Jesus and asks Him about the greatest commandment. Jesus responds by saying that loving God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving one's neighbor as oneself, are the two greatest commandments, emphasizing the importance of genuine love and devotion in our relationship with God and others.

Themes for the Daily Mass Readings for Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time

• Love for God and others: Jesus emphasizes the importance of loving God and neighbor, calling them the most significant commandments. Loving God involves recognizing His greatness, obeying His commandments, and worshiping Him wholeheartedly. Loving our neighbor means showing care, compassion, and kindness, treating others as we would like to be treated. Jesus teaches that these two loves are connected and should go together.
• Prioritizing God: Jesus stresses the need to prioritize our relationship with God. Loving God wholeheartedly should be our main focus, dedicating our lives to Him and following His guidance. It means making God the center of our thoughts, desires, and actions. When we prioritize our relationship with God, it influences how we treat others. We start seeing them through God's perspective, treating them with love and respect. Our love for God transforms our love for others, making it authentic and selfless.
• Unity of commandments: Loving God and loving others are closely connected. He says that loving our neighbor is similar to loving God. In fact, Jesus suggests that we cannot truly love God if we don't love our neighbor. When we genuinely love God, it motivates us to love and care for the people around us. Our love for God overflows into our relationships with others, inspiring us to be kind, compassionate, and understanding.

Thoughts for Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time

The passage from Mark 12:28-34, the gospel for Thursday of the 9th week in Ordinary Time, teaches us important lessons about love, prioritizing God, and the unity of commandments. These themes offer valuable insights into our relationships with God and others.

A teacher of the law approached Jesus and asked Him about the greatest commandment. Jesus replied by emphasizing the commandment to love God with our whole being—our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This reveals that love is central to our relationship with God. Jesus further emphasized the significance of loving our neighbors as ourselves. This highlights the essential role of love in our interactions with others. Love is not only a feeling but also an action that should guide our behavior towards God and those around us.

Jesus states that loving God with all aspects of our being is the most important commandment. This means that we should put God first in our lives, recognizing His supreme authority and our devotion to Him. By prioritizing God, we acknowledge His significance and strive to align our thoughts, actions, and desires with His will.

Lastly, the passage highlights the unity of commandments. Jesus connects the commandment to love God with loving one's neighbor. He suggests that these two commandments are inseparable and complementary. This means that our love for God is closely tied to our love for others. True devotion to God is demonstrated through our love for fellow human beings. We cannot claim to love God while neglecting or mistreating our neighbors. The passage emphasizes the interconnectedness of our love for God and our love for others, reminding us that these two aspects of love go hand in hand.

In conclusion, the passage from Mark 12:28-34 teaches us about the importance of love for God and others, the need to prioritize God in our lives, and the unity of commandments. By understanding and applying these themes, we can cultivate a deeper relationship with God and foster love and compassion towards those around us.

Prayer for Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time

Heavenly Father, help us to understand the significance of love in our relationship with You and with others, guiding us to prioritize You above all else and to demonstrate our devotion through acts of love and kindness towards those around us. Empower us to live out a life of genuine love and compassion. Amen.

Word on Fire: The Theological Virtue of Selfless Giving

In his reflection for Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Robert Barron highlights the Lord's teaching on the second greatest commandment: to love your neighbor as yourself. Love, according to Bishop Barron, is not merely a feeling but an act of selfless giving, moving beyond self-interest and reflecting the divine love that God embodies. The ability to love stems from our participation in God's nature and grace, as recognized by the Christian spiritual masters throughout history.

USCCB Reflection: Total Commitment

This is a reflection video from the USCCB for Thursday of the 9th week in Ordinary Time. The video uses a joke about a chicken and a pig to illustrate the concept of total commitment to God, emphasizing the importance of loving God, loving our neighbor, and loving ourselves as one interconnected and profound call in the Gospel.