Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time
Thursday February 4, 2027
Called To Trust And Go
Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Year 1 brings readings that speak about trust and closeness to God. They remind us that faith is not built on fear. It grows through relationship, listening, and steady hope. God invites people to come near, not to hide or pull away.
The readings for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Year 1 also focus on being sent. Jesus asks His followers to go out with little and rely on God and others. This shows that faith is meant to be lived and shared. It is active and meant for daily life, not just quiet moments.
These passages speak to community and mission. God gathers people together and sends them out to care for others. The message is simple and clear. Trust God. Walk forward. Share what you have been given. Even small steps matter when they are guided by faith.
Daily Mass Readings for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Year 1
- First Reading – Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24: You approach not a fearsome mountain, but Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, amidst joyous angels and the righteous. Here, Jesus mediates a new covenant, offering redemption and hope.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 48: In God’s temple, we ponder His kindness. His mountain, beautiful and joyous, stands firm. In Jerusalem, His power and love extend worldwide.
- Gospel – Mark 6:7-13: Jesus empowered the Twelve Apostles to expel demons and instructed them to travel with minimal belongings for their mission. They were advised to find hospitality in one home per town and, if rejected, to leave with a symbolic gesture of shaking off dust. They preached repentance, cast out demons, and healed many.
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 even numbered years see Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.
So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Mark 6:12-13
Themes for the Readings for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
On Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings highlight God’s call to holiness and trust in His guidance. They remind us of the greatness of the new covenant in Christ and the mission to spread the Gospel.
- God’s Majesty and Holiness: The first reading shows the awe and majesty of God, contrasting Mount Sinai with Mount Zion. It teaches that God is holy and calls His people to a deep respect and love for Him.
- The New Covenant in Christ: The first reading speaks of the new relationship we have through Jesus. This covenant brings us closer to God and gives us hope in His promises.
- Trusting in God’s Mission: The Gospel describes Jesus sending the apostles out with faith. He calls them to trust in His care as they preach and heal.
- Living Simply for the Gospel: Jesus tells the apostles to take little for their journey. This reminds us to rely on God, not on possessions or worldly things.
- Healing and Deliverance: The apostles heal and free people from evil in the Gospel. This shows that Jesus’ mission includes healing both body and soul.
- The Call to Obedience: Both readings remind us to listen and obey God. Through obedience, we grow in faith and holiness.
Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 invites us to trust in God and share His love with others. The readings encourage us to walk in faith, relying on Him for all that we need.
Reflection for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
The readings for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 invite us to reflect on God’s holiness, trust in His care, and obedience to His call. They show how God’s greatness is both awe-inspiring and deeply personal. These lessons remind us to approach Him with love, humility, and a willingness to follow His lead.
Standing in Awe of God
The first reading for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 describes the holiness and majesty of God. Mount Sinai shows the fear and trembling of the people as they witnessed God’s power. This reminds us that God is beyond anything we can imagine. He is holy and perfect, and we owe Him our respect and love.
Mount Zion, however, points to a new way of approaching God through Jesus. Jesus makes it possible for us to draw near to God with trust and hope. This does not mean we lose our awe for Him. Instead, it shows us that His greatness is matched by His closeness to those who follow Him.
Reflecting on this, we are called to keep a balance in our faith. We should honor God as holy and majestic while also trusting Him as our loving Father. This balance helps us grow in respect and love for Him every day.
Trusting God Instead of Possessions
In the Gospel for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus sends the apostles out with almost nothing. He tells them to take no food, money, or extra clothes. This seems hard, but it teaches a powerful lesson about trusting God for everything we need.
The apostles had to rely on the hospitality of others and God’s care during their mission. This allowed them to focus completely on their work of preaching and healing. It reminds us to not let material things get in the way of our faith.
We can take this lesson into our own lives by looking at how much we rely on possessions or comfort. Are we trusting God to guide us, or are we putting our security in things? This Gospel invites us to simplify our lives and trust that God will always provide for us.
Obedience to God’s Call
Both the first reading and the Gospel for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 speak about listening to God and following His call. In the first reading, the people of Israel are reminded of God’s power and holiness, which demand obedience and respect. In the Gospel, the apostles obey Jesus’ command to go out and share His message with others.
Obedience requires trust. The Israelites had to trust God even when His ways were overwhelming. The apostles had to trust Jesus as they went out with no guarantees of comfort or success. In both cases, God was leading His people to something greater than they could imagine.
This obedience also applies to us. God calls each of us to follow Him in our daily lives. It might be through acts of service, sharing our faith, or simply trusting Him in difficult times. When we listen and obey, we are walking in the footsteps of those who trusted God before us.
As we think about the themes of this day, we are called to examine our relationship with God. Do we trust Him enough to let go of worldly things? Are we ready to share His message with others? These reflections can help us draw closer to God and live out our faith more fully.
Prayer
Lord, you are holy and loving. Help us to stand in awe of you and trust in your care. Teach us to rely on you and not on the things of this world. Guide us to follow your call with courage and faith. May we always live as your faithful servants. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- How do you show respect and love for God in your daily life?
- What possessions or comforts might be keeping you from trusting God fully?
- When have you felt God calling you to step out in faith or obedience?
- How can you share God’s love and message with others in simple ways?
Homilies and Commentaries for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Jesus is Always With Us
Sr. Mary Jeremiah Gillett reflects on the Gospel for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, where Jesus sends the apostles out in pairs. They are told to take nothing but a walking stick, relying on God to provide for their needs. Jesus knows they may feel uncertain, so he sends them together to support each other. Just as he provides for their physical needs, he also takes care of their spiritual needs. He calls them—and us—to trust in him completely.
Sr. Mary Jeremiah Gillett reminds us that Jesus is always with us. In the Gospel for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the apostles had to step out in faith, trusting God to guide and provide. We are called to do the same, shifting our focus from fear to faith. When we feel anxious or uncertain, we can pray the simple but powerful words: “Jesus, I trust in you.”
The Origin of Your Goodness
Matthew Kelly reflects on the Gospel for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, where Jesus sends out the Twelve with nothing but trust. They take no food, money, or extra clothing, relying entirely on the kindness of others. This deep trust in God’s goodness is a challenge for all of us. When we step out in faith, we often find that people’s generosity and hospitality reflect God’s love. The disciples’ journey reminds us that God works through others to provide what we need.
Matthew Kelly encourages us to share this goodness in our own lives. In the Gospel for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus calls his followers to depend on God and to be open to receiving help. We, too, can show hospitality and kindness, welcoming others as if we were welcoming Jesus himself. When we live with generosity and trust, we bring God’s love into the world.
The Battle Against Evil
Bishop Robert Barron reflects on the Gospel for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, where Jesus sends out the Twelve with authority over unclean spirits. Some people try to explain away spiritual evil, but the Bible makes it clear that dark forces are real. Evil is not just an idea—it is active and destructive. Jesus knew this and gave his disciples the power to fight it. Through his death and Resurrection, he won the ultimate victory over these forces.
Bishop Robert Barron reminds us that Jesus still empowers his Church to battle evil. In the Gospel for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the disciples are sent out, and we are called to do the same. The Church provides us with the sacraments, prayer, Scripture, and the Rosary as weapons against darkness. We should not hesitate to use them. With faith, we can stand strong in Christ’s victory.
Resources
The Letter to the Hebrews: Approaching The Living Covenant
In Hebrews, this reading contrasts fear at Sinai with hope at Mount Zion. The letter often shows how Jesus brings something better than what came before. God is no longer distant. Believers are invited into a living relationship rooted in trust. On Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Year 1, this passage highlights access to God through Christ.
Hebrews focuses on perseverance and confidence. Jesus stands at the center as mediator of a new covenant. This reading fits that message by reminding the community that faith leads toward life, not fear. Worship is shared with angels and the faithful who came before. The letter encourages endurance by pointing to a future shaped by grace and mercy.
Psalm 48: God’s City And Lasting Love
Psalm 48 celebrates Jerusalem as the place where God dwells with the people. Throughout the psalms, the city stands as a sign of God’s care and protection. On Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Year 1, this psalm invites reflection on God’s steady presence among the community, especially in worship.
The psalms often turn prayer into praise shaped by memory. Here, God’s kindness is remembered inside the temple. The strength of the city reflects the strength of God’s love. This psalm fits the wider book by showing how praise connects faith, place, and shared identity across generations.
The Gospel of Mark: Sent With Trust And Purpose
In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus sends the Twelve with simple instructions and real authority. The book of Mark often shows action, urgency, and reliance on God. On Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Year 1, this passage reflects how discipleship means movement, trust, and shared mission.
Mark emphasizes following Jesus with faith rather than comfort. Traveling light teaches dependence on God and on others. The message of repentance and healing shows the nearness of God’s kingdom. This reading fits Mark’s larger focus on service, sacrifice, and spreading hope through word and action.
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Gentle Hands Of Healing
This image reflects the Gospel reading for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Year 1, when Jesus sends the Twelve to heal the sick and bring hope. The simple act of touch shows trust, care, and mission.
This artwork can support prayer, reflection, and teaching in parish life. It works well for bulletins, newsletters, and youth ministry materials as a visual reminder of being sent to care for others.
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Questions and Answers for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
What is the meaning of Mount Sinai and Mount Zion in the first reading for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
Mount Sinai represents God’s holiness and the fear that the people felt in His presence. Mount Zion represents the closeness we now have with God through Jesus.
Why is the new covenant important?
The new covenant brings us closer to God. It shows that Jesus made a way for us to have a better relationship with Him.
What does the first reading say about God’s holiness?
The first reading reminds us that God is holy and worthy of great respect. It also shows that through Jesus, we can approach God with love and trust.
Why is obedience to God important?
Obedience to God helps us grow in faith. It shows that we trust His plan for our lives.
What does it mean when Jesus sends the apostles out two by two in the Gospel for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
Jesus sends them out in pairs to support one another. This reminds us to share our faith with others and to help each other in our mission.
Why does Jesus tell the apostles to take so little with them?
Jesus wants them to trust in God for their needs. This teaches us to depend on God instead of putting our trust in possessions.
How do the apostles heal and drive out evil?
The apostles act with the power Jesus gives them. This shows that God works through us to help and heal others.
What can we learn from the apostles’ mission?
The apostles show us how to trust in God and share the Gospel. We are also called to share God’s love with others.
How can we live simply like the apostles?
We can focus on what matters most, like faith and helping others. Trusting God and not worrying about material things helps us live simply.
What is the main message of Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
The readings remind us to trust in God and share His love. They encourage us to rely on Him and live our faith every day.
Trusting God and Sharing His Love
Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 calls us to reflect on God’s greatness and our mission as followers of Christ. The first reading speaks about two mountains: Mount Sinai and Mount Zion. Mount Sinai shows us the holiness and majesty of God, which filled people with awe and fear. Mount Zion reminds us of the closeness we now have with God through Jesus, who opened the way to a new and lasting covenant.
The Gospel tells of Jesus sending out the apostles in pairs to preach, heal, and drive out evil. He asks them to take little for their journey, teaching them to trust God for their needs. Their mission shows the power of faith and the importance of spreading the Gospel with courage and simplicity.
These readings teach us to rely on God and to share His love with others. They remind us that following Jesus is not always easy, but He gives us what we need. Through obedience and trust, we can carry out His mission in our own lives.
Your Turn
Take time to reflect on the readings for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1. What do they teach you about trusting God and sharing His love? Think about how these lessons apply to your life.
Share your thoughts or experiences in the comment section. Let’s grow together in faith as we listen to God’s call.
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