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.

Lectionary Reference: 356

Upcoming dates: June 4, 2026, June 8, 2028, June 3, 2032

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.

• 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.
• 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.
• Faithful Teaching: Paul urges us to teach others without arguing. We should present ourselves as good servants of God, focusing on truth and kindness.
• 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.
• Love Your Neighbor: Jesus adds that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. This means showing kindness and care to everyone we meet.
• 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.

The readings for Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 give us a simple and clear message. We are called to live with love, patience, and faith. Paul reminds us to stay focused on the Gospel and avoid pointless arguments. Jesus teaches us to love God and others, and to stay close to God’s Kingdom by living out that love. These reflections explore the themes of kindness in teaching, balance in love, and staying faithful during hard times.

Teaching with Patience and Kindness

Paul reminds Timothy in the first reading for Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 to teach others without arguing. He tells him to avoid useless debates and focus on the truth. This is a good lesson for us too. Sharing our faith should come with peace, not with anger.

Sometimes we want to prove a point or win an argument. But that is not the way Jesus taught. He showed love, spoke clearly, and listened. Paul tells Timothy to be a worker who has no need to be ashamed. That means teaching with honesty and care.

Being a good servant of God also means knowing when to speak and when to stay quiet. Not every moment is the right time to debate. Sometimes just being kind and present is a better witness than many words.

When we speak about our faith, we should do it with patience. That’s how Paul shared the Gospel. Even while suffering, he stayed faithful and gentle. He kept his focus on Jesus.

Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 shows that teaching with love is just as important as the message itself. When we share our faith with peace and respect, we help others listen and grow.

Loving Others and Ourselves

Jesus says the greatest commandment is to love God fully and love your neighbor as yourself. This teaching from the Gospel in Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reminds us that love is the center of our faith. It’s not just about big actions. It’s also about daily choices.

Loving our neighbor means showing care, patience, and respect to others. That could be a friend, a family member, or even a stranger. But Jesus also adds something important. He says we must love our neighbor as ourselves. That part is easy to miss.

Loving ourselves does not mean being selfish. It means treating ourselves with kindness too. It means resting when we need to, praying when we are tired, and remembering that we are also loved by God. We should care for our bodies, minds, and hearts.

If we do not care for ourselves, it becomes hard to care for others. Jesus gives us a balanced way to live. Love God, love others, and also take care of yourself.

Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reminds us that love has many directions. We give it to God, to others, and also to ourselves. When we keep that balance, we live in a way that pleases God.

Staying Faithful in Hard Times

Another theme that runs through both readings in Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 is endurance. Paul talks about suffering for the Gospel and not giving up. He says the word of God is not chained, even when he is. He keeps going, trusting that God is working.

Life brings challenges. People may not always understand or agree with our faith. But Paul shows us that we can keep going, even when it’s hard. Faith means staying strong and doing what is right, even when we are tired or discouraged.

The scribe in the Gospel listens to Jesus and agrees with Him. That takes courage. Not all the religious leaders did that. This scribe shows strength by standing with the truth. Jesus tells him he is close to God’s Kingdom.

Endurance is not about being perfect. It is about staying faithful, step by step. It is about returning to prayer when we fall. It is about choosing what is right, even when it costs something.

Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 calls us to keep going. Like Paul and the scribe, we can stay close to God by being faithful, even when it’s hard. God sees every step we take toward Him.

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The lessons from Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 can help guide our words, our actions, and our hearts. Teaching with patience, loving others and ourselves, and holding on to faith in difficult times are all ways we can grow. These steps may be small, but they bring us closer to the life God wants for us.

Prayer

Lord, help me to speak with kindness, love others with care, and stay faithful even when things are hard. Teach me to live with peace and patience. Show me how to love You fully and treat others with respect. Thank You for walking with me each day. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I share my faith with kindness instead of arguing?
• Do I treat myself with the same care I show to others?
• What helps me stay faithful when life gets hard?
• Who in my life needs love and patience right now?

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.