Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – 2 Corinthians 3:15-4:1, 3-6: When we turn to the Lord, the veil is removed, and we find freedom in the Spirit. We preach Jesus Christ as Lord and reflect God’s glory.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 85: God proclaims peace, bringing salvation and glory. Kindness and truth meet; justice and peace embrace. The Lord blesses the land, yielding a harvest. Justice and salvation follow Him.
• Gospel – Matthew 5:20-26: Jesus teaches that righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. Anger and insults lead to judgment. Reconciliation with others is essential before offering gifts to God.

Lectionary Reference: 362

Upcoming dates: June 12, 2025, June 10, 2027, June 14, 2029, June 12, 2031, June 9, 2033

I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:20

Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 teaches us important lessons about our relationship with God and others. The readings from 2 Corinthians and Matthew help us understand how to live out our faith daily.

• Turning to the Lord: When we turn to the Lord, we find freedom. The veil is removed, and we can see God’s glory.
• Reflecting God’s Glory: We are called to reflect God’s glory in our lives. This means living in a way that shows others God’s love and truth.
• Preaching Christ as Lord: Our message is Jesus Christ as Lord. This should be the focus of our preaching and teaching.
• Righteousness Above Legalism: Our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. It’s not enough to follow rules; our hearts must be pure.
• The Danger of Anger: Jesus warns against anger and insults. These can lead to judgment and separation from God.
• Importance of Reconciliation: Before offering gifts to God, we must reconcile with others. This shows the importance of peace and unity in our relationships.

These themes for Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us how to live out our faith in practical ways. By focusing on God and our relationships, we can grow closer to Him and others.

The readings for Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 call us to reflect on how we live as followers of Christ. We are reminded to reflect God’s glory in our actions, to avoid anger and seek peace, and to embrace reconciliation in our relationships. These themes guide us to live in ways that honor God and build harmony with others.

Reflecting God’s Glory

The first reading for Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us that we are called to reflect God’s glory. Paul speaks of how the veil is removed when we turn to the Lord. This means that we can see God more clearly and share His love and truth with others.

Reflecting God’s glory is about how we live each day. Our words, actions, and attitudes should show others the goodness of God. This doesn’t mean being perfect but striving to let God’s light shine through us. When we live with kindness, honesty, and love, we help others see God at work in the world.

This reflection also challenges us to grow closer to God so that we can reflect Him more fully. The closer we are to Him, the more His glory can shine in our lives. Spending time in prayer and seeking His guidance helps us to live in a way that honors Him.

The Danger of Anger

In the Gospel for Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus warns against anger. He explains that holding onto anger or insulting others can lead to judgment. Anger can separate us from God and harm our relationships with others.

Jesus shows us that even small actions, like words spoken in anger, matter. These can damage trust and lead to bigger conflicts. Jesus calls us to let go of anger and seek reconciliation with others. Forgiving and asking for forgiveness helps us to stay close to God and live in peace.

This reflection invites us to examine how we deal with anger in our own lives. Do we hold onto it, or do we let it go? Jesus teaches us to choose forgiveness and love over anger and insults. By following His example, we can live more peacefully and stay close to God.

Living the Message of Reconciliation

Both the first reading and the Gospel for Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 highlight the need for reconciliation. The first reading shows us that God has given us the light of His truth, which helps us to see clearly. The Gospel reminds us to seek peace with others and not let anger control us.

Reconciliation is an important part of living as followers of Christ. It means repairing broken relationships and seeking forgiveness when we have hurt others. It also means forgiving those who have wronged us. When we choose reconciliation, we are following the example of Jesus, who brings us closer to God.

These readings encourage us to look at our relationships. Are there people we need to forgive or ask forgiveness from? Reconciliation can be hard, but it brings peace and helps us live in harmony with God and others. Living this way reflects God’s love and builds stronger connections with those around us.

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As we reflect on Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, let us strive to let God’s light shine in our lives. By letting go of anger, seeking peace, and living as reflections of God’s love, we can grow closer to Him and share His goodness with those around us.

Prayer

Lord, help us to reflect Your love and truth in our lives. Teach us to let go of anger and seek peace with others. Guide us to forgive and be forgiven, so we can live in harmony with You and those around us. May Your light shine through us each day. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can you reflect God’s love and truth in your daily life?
• Are there any relationships where you need to let go of anger or seek forgiveness?
• How do you respond to feelings of anger? What can you do to choose peace instead?
• What steps can you take to live more fully as a reflection of God’s glory?

Word on Fire: The Power of Forgiveness

In this reflection for Thursday of the 10th week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 by Bishop Robert Barron, he explores the command of Jesus to seek reconciliation and the significance of forgiveness in repairing broken relationships. Through forgiveness, we open ourselves to the movement of God within us, allowing love to flow and removing blockages caused by resentment.

By reflecting on Jesus’ forgiveness on the cross, we can release feelings of injustice and embrace the power of forgiveness.

What date is Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Thursday June 12, 2025.

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 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Thursday June 12, 2025 are:
First Reading  – 2 Corinthians 3:15-4:1, 3-6: Freedom in the Spirit
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 85: The Lord’s Glory in Our Land
Gospel – Matthew 5:20-26: True Righteousness

What does it mean when Paul says the veil is removed in the first reading for Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

When Paul says the veil is removed, he means that when we turn to God, we can see and understand His truth clearly. We are no longer in the dark about God’s glory and His love for us.

How do we reflect God’s glory in our lives?

We reflect God’s glory by living in a way that shows His love and truth. This means being kind, honest, and loving to others.

How does turning to the Lord bring freedom?

Turning to the Lord brings freedom because we are no longer blinded by sin. We can see God’s truth and live in His love.

Why is it important to reflect God’s glory?

It is important to reflect God’s glory so others can see His love through us. Our actions and words should show that we follow Christ.

Why must our righteousness exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees?

Our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees because it’s not just about following rules. We need to have a sincere and deep faith that changes our hearts and actions.

Why does Jesus warn against anger and insults?

Jesus warns against anger and insults because they can lead to judgment and harm our relationships. Holding onto anger separates us from God and others.

What does reconciliation mean in the readings for Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Reconciliation means making peace with others. Jesus teaches that we should make things right with others before we come to God.

How can we apply the lesson of reconciliation to our lives?

We can apply the lesson of reconciliation by seeking to make peace with those we have conflicts with. This shows that we value our relationships and want to live in harmony.

What is the main message of the Gospel reading for Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The main message is that our faith should be sincere and reflected in our actions. We need to let go of anger and seek peace with others.

What should we do if we are holding onto anger according to the readings for Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

If we are holding onto anger, we should let it go and seek reconciliation. This helps us live in peace and strengthens our relationship with God.