Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1

• First Reading – Tobit 6:10-11; 7:1bcde, 9-17; 8:4-9a: Tobiah and Sarah marry according to God’s plan, praying for mercy and a happy life together. Raguel and Edna welcome them warmly and offer support.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 128: Those who fear the Lord and follow his ways will be blessed with prosperity, a fruitful family, and the joy of seeing Jerusalem’s prosperity.
• Gospel – Mark 12:28-34: A scribe asked Jesus about the greatest commandment. Jesus said to love God completely and love your neighbor as yourself. The scribe agreed, and Jesus commended his understanding, saying he was close to God’s Kingdom.

And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”

Mark 12:34

On Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings focus on themes of love, marriage, and understanding God’s commandments. They remind us of the importance of following God’s plan and loving both God and our neighbors.

• Marriage According to God’s Plan: Tobiah and Sarah marry according to God’s plan. Their union is blessed with prayer and a desire for a happy life together.
• Hospitality and Support: Raguel and Edna welcome Tobiah and Sarah warmly. They offer support and encouragement, showing the importance of kindness and generosity.
• Prayer in Marriage: Tobiah and Sarah pray for God’s mercy and blessings. This highlights the importance of seeking God’s help in marriage and family life.
• Greatest Commandment: Jesus teaches the greatest commandments: love God completely and love your neighbor as yourself. This summarizes all of God’s laws and shows the essence of a holy life.
• Understanding God’s Laws: The scribe understands the importance of loving God and others. Jesus commends him, showing that true understanding of God’s laws brings one closer to the Kingdom of God.

These themes for Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourage us to live according to God’s plan, showing love and support in our relationships. They also remind us to seek understanding and follow the greatest commandments of loving God and our neighbors.

In the first reading for Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Tobiah and Sarah marry according to God’s plan. They seek God’s mercy and blessings for their life together. This reminds us to always include God in our plans and seek His guidance.

Raguel and Edna warmly welcome Tobiah and Sarah into their home. They show kindness and support, offering encouragement and help. This act of hospitality teaches us the importance of welcoming others and providing support to those in need.

Tobiah and Sarah pray together on their wedding night, asking God to bless their marriage. Their prayerful start shows us the importance of including prayer in our relationships. It reminds us to seek God’s help and blessings in our family life.

Loving God and Neighbor

In the Gospel reading for Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, a scribe asks Jesus about the greatest commandment. Jesus replies that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. He also says the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself.

The scribe agrees with Jesus, saying that these commandments are more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Jesus sees that the scribe understands and tells him that he is not far from the Kingdom of God. This exchange shows us that understanding and living these commandments brings us closer to God.

Loving God and our neighbors sums up all of God’s laws. It shows the core of our faith and how we should live. By loving God fully and caring for others, we follow Jesus’ teachings and grow in our spiritual journey.

Prayer and Understanding

Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 calls us to reflect on the importance of prayer, love, and understanding God’s commandments. Tobiah and Sarah’s story teaches us to seek God’s guidance and blessings in our lives. It shows the value of starting our relationships with prayer.

Jesus’ teaching about the greatest commandments reminds us to love God and our neighbors fully. This love is the foundation of our faith and guides our actions. By understanding and living these commandments, we grow closer to God and His Kingdom.

Let us pray for the grace to love God completely and to show kindness and support to others. May we seek God’s guidance in our lives and include Him in all our plans and relationships. This reflection helps us to live according to God’s will and grow in faith.

Prayer

Lord, help us to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Teach us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Guide us in our relationships and bless our families. May we always seek Your will and follow Your commandments. Amen.

Word on Fire: The Theological Virtue of Selfless Giving

In his reflection for Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, 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.

What date is Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Thursday June 3, 2027.

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 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Thursday June 3, 2027 are:
First Reading  – Tobit 6:10-11; 7:1bcde, 9-17; 8:4-9a: Tobiah and Sarah’s Marriage
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 128: Blessings for Those Who Fear the Lord
Gospel – Mark 12:28-34: The Greatest Commandments

Why did Tobiah and Sarah pray on their wedding night in the first reading for Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Tobiah and Sarah prayed on their wedding night to ask for God’s mercy and blessings. This shows the importance of starting their marriage with God’s guidance and support.

How does Raguel and Edna’s hospitality relate to us?

Raguel and Edna welcomed Tobiah and Sarah warmly. This teaches us to be kind and supportive to others, especially those who need help.

What is the greatest commandment Jesus mentions in the Gospel for Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Jesus says the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. This means we should love God completely.

What is the second greatest commandment?

The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. This means we should treat others with the same care and respect we want for ourselves.

Why did Jesus praise the scribe?

Jesus praised the scribe because he understood that loving God and others is more important than sacrifices. The scribe showed he knew the true meaning of God’s laws.

How can we apply Tobiah and Sarah’s story to our lives?

We can learn from Tobiah and Sarah to seek God’s blessings in our relationships. Including prayer in our lives helps us stay connected to God.

What does the story of Tobiah and Sarah teach about marriage?

Their story teaches that marriage should be based on God’s plan and include prayer. It shows the importance of starting a marriage with God’s guidance.

How do we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength?

We love God by praying, following His commandments, and living a life that pleases Him. This means making God the most important part of our lives.

How do we love our neighbor as ourselves?

We love our neighbor by being kind, helping those in need, and treating others with respect. This means caring for others as we care for ourselves.

Why is understanding the greatest commandments important?

Understanding these commandments helps us live a life that pleases God. It guides us to love God fully and care for others, which brings us closer to God’s Kingdom.