Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time

• 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.

Lectionary Reference: 356

Upcoming dates: June 3, 2027, June 7, 2029, June 5, 2031

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.

The readings for Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 give us simple but deep lessons about how to live our faith each day. Through stories of marriage, family, and a question about God’s law, we see what matters most—love, trust, and kindness. These reflections focus on key themes that can guide how we pray, act, and grow closer to God and others.

The Gift of Hospitality

In the reading from Tobit on Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we see how Raguel and Edna welcome Tobiah into their home. They do not hold back their kindness. They greet him with warmth and treat him like family. They also support the marriage between Tobiah and their daughter Sarah. This shows the strength of family and trust in God’s plan.

Raguel is honest about Sarah’s past. He does not hide her struggles. Still, he allows the marriage and prays for it to go well. Edna shows care to Sarah as a mother would, giving advice and comfort. Their actions show love in simple, real ways.

Hospitality is not just about opening a home. It is also about opening the heart. Raguel and Edna make space for someone new. They give help without fear or hesitation. That is what Christian love looks like in action.

Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us that hospitality is holy. It reflects God’s welcome to us. Every time we welcome someone, we bring a bit of God’s love to them. Even small acts can matter.

We are called to do the same. In our homes, parishes, and daily lives, we should be ready to welcome others. When we give support to someone, we are showing love like Raguel and Edna did.

Think about someone you can welcome or help this week. It may not be easy. But it may be exactly what they need.

Love Is the Center

The Gospel reading for Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 focuses on love. A scribe asks Jesus which commandment is most important. Jesus gives a clear answer. Love God with all you are, and love your neighbor as yourself. These two commands are the heart of all the others.

The scribe understands this. He sees that loving God and loving others is better than any sacrifice. Jesus tells him he is not far from the Kingdom of God. That shows how serious these two commandments are. They are not just nice words. They are the way we are meant to live.

This connects to the reading from Tobit. Tobiah and Sarah show love by praying together. Raguel and Edna show love by welcoming them and trusting God. In both readings, love shapes the choices people make.

Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us that love is not just a feeling. It is action. It is prayer. It is care for someone else. It is putting God first and treating others with kindness.

When we love this way, we are close to Jesus. We are doing what He said matters most. These two simple commands are the map for a Christian life.

Take time to think: Do you love God fully? Do you love others as yourself? That is the path we are all called to walk.

Trusting God in Uncertain Moments

Both readings from Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 speak about trust. Tobiah agrees to marry Sarah, even though he knows there were problems in her past. He chooses to trust God and prays for help. Sarah does the same. They place their future in God’s hands.

Raguel also shows trust. He lets his daughter marry again, even after much pain. He knows the risks, but he does not hold back. He prays and hopes that this time will be different. That kind of faith is not always easy, but it is real.

The scribe in the Gospel also shows trust. He listens to Jesus and agrees with Him. He does not argue or doubt. Instead, he accepts the truth. His trust brings him close to God’s Kingdom.

Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 shows us that trust is part of faith. It means saying yes to God, even when things are hard or unclear. It means letting go of fear.

We do not always know what will happen next. But we can choose to trust, like Tobiah, Sarah, Raguel, and the scribe. Trust grows through prayer, love, and small acts of faith.

Ask yourself: Where do I need to trust God more? You do not need to have all the answers. You just need to take the next step in faith.

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The messages in Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 help us focus on how we live with others and how we respond to God. Whether through prayer, love, or trust, we are called to take small steps toward God each day. These readings show us that faith grows through action, prayer, and care.

Prayer

Lord, help me love You with all my heart, and help me love others with care and kindness. Teach me to welcome people and to trust You in hard times. Thank You for Your guidance. Stay with me as I try to live with faith and love each day. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• Who can I welcome or support this week?
• Do I love God with all my heart, mind, and strength?
• What helps me trust God when things are uncertain?
• How can I grow in love for my neighbor this week?

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.