Thursday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1

• First Reading – Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16: Sarai, unable to have children, gave her maid Hagar to Abram. Hagar became pregnant and fled after being mistreated. An angel told Hagar to return and promised many descendants through her son, Ishmael.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 106: Thank the Lord for his eternal mercy. Blessed are those who do right. Seek the Lord’s favor and saving help to share in his people’s joy and success.
• Gospel – Matthew 7:21-29: Jesus taught that only those who do God’s will enter heaven. He compared those who act on his words to a wise man building on rock, and those who don’t to a fool building on sand.

Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 

Matthew 7:24

On the Thursday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we reflect on the daily Mass readings. The first reading from Genesis tells us about Hagar and Ishmael. The Gospel from Matthew emphasizes doing God’s will. Here are some themes from these readings.

• Faith and Obedience: Sarai gave Hagar to Abram, showing a struggle with faith. Jesus teaches us that true faith means doing God’s will.
• God’s Will: Hagar was told by an angel to return to Sarai. This teaches us to trust and follow God’s plan even when it’s hard.
• God’s Promise: The angel promised many descendants through Hagar’s son, Ishmael. This shows that God keeps His promises to those who trust Him.
• Listening to God’s Word: Jesus said that only those who do God’s will enter heaven. This means we must listen to and act on His words.
• Foundation of Faith: Jesus compared those who act on His words to a wise man building on rock. Our faith must be strong and based on Jesus’ teachings.
• Consequences of Actions: Jesus also warned about those who ignore His words, comparing them to a fool building on sand. Ignoring Jesus’ teachings leads to a shaky foundation in life.

Reflecting on these themes helps us understand the importance of faith and obedience. Following God’s will and building our lives on His teachings are essential.

The readings for Thursday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 teach us about faith and trust in God. In Genesis, Sarai struggled to have children and gave her maid Hagar to Abram. Hagar became pregnant, and problems arose, leading her to run away.

An angel found Hagar and told her to return to Sarai. The angel promised that Hagar’s son, Ishmael, would have many descendants. This story shows us that even in tough times, we should trust in God’s plan.

Building on a Strong Foundation

The Gospel reading from Matthew shows Jesus teaching about doing God’s will. Jesus says that only those who do God’s will can enter heaven. He uses the example of building a house on rock or sand.

Jesus tells us that those who hear and act on His words are like a wise man who builds his house on rock. This strong foundation can withstand storms. It shows the importance of living according to Jesus’ teachings.

On the other hand, those who ignore Jesus’ words are like a fool who builds his house on sand. Without a strong foundation, the house cannot stand strong. This teaches us that ignoring Jesus’ teachings leads to trouble.

Trust and Obedience

Both readings from Thursday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us to trust in God’s plan and follow His teachings. Faith and obedience are key themes. Trusting God, like Hagar, and building on Jesus’ words, like the wise man, are essential for a strong spiritual life.

Hagar’s story shows that God cares for everyone, even those who feel lost and alone. The angel’s message to Hagar reminds us that God has a plan for each of us. We should trust Him even when life is hard.

Jesus’ teaching in the Gospel calls us to listen and act on His words. Building our lives on His teachings gives us a strong foundation. This strong faith helps us face life’s challenges.

The lessons from Thursday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourage us to trust God and follow Jesus’ teachings. By doing this, we build a strong faith that can withstand any storm. We learn that faith and obedience lead to a fulfilling life in God’s love.

Prayer

Lord, help us to trust in Your plan and follow Your teachings. Guide us to build our lives on the strong foundation of Your word. May we always seek to do Your will and find strength in Your promises. Amen.

USCCB Reflection: Building on Rock with Patience

The USCCB reflection for Thursday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourages us to build our house on rock by practicing patience daily. We face many chances to be patient with others, in situations like traffic and lines. We also need patience with ourselves, especially when trying to change. Patience is crucial in supporting family members and friends as they grow and improve. This reflection emphasizes that building a strong foundation in life requires patience with both ourselves and others.

What date is Thursday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Thursday June 26, 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 even numbered years see Thursday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Thursday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Thursday June 26, 2025 are:
First Reading  – Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16: Hagar and Ishmael
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 106: Give Thanks to the Lord
Gospel – Matthew 7:21-29: Building on a Solid Foundation

Why did Sarai give Hagar to Abram?

Sarai gave Hagar to Abram because she couldn’t have children. She hoped Hagar would have a child for her.

Why did Hagar run away?

Hagar ran away because she was mistreated after becoming pregnant. She felt alone and scared.

What did the angel tell Hagar?

The angel told Hagar to return to Sarai. The angel promised many descendants through her son, Ishmael.

What can we learn from Hagar’s story?

We learn to trust in God’s plan even when life is hard. God cares for everyone, even when they feel alone.

What does Jesus mean by doing God’s will?

Doing God’s will means listening to Jesus’ words and living by them. It means following His teachings in our daily lives.

What is the lesson of building on rock or sand?

Building on rock means living by Jesus’ words. This gives us a strong foundation in life. Building on sand means ignoring His words, which leads to trouble.

How can we build a strong faith?

We build a strong faith by following Jesus’ teachings. Listening to His words and acting on them gives us strength.

Why are faith and obedience important?

Faith and obedience are important because they help us trust God and follow His plan. This leads to a strong and fulfilling life.

What does Thursday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 teach us?

Thursday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 teaches us to trust God and follow Jesus’ teachings. It reminds us that faith and obedience are key to a strong spiritual life.

How can we apply these readings to our lives?

We can trust God even in hard times, like Hagar did. We can also follow Jesus’ teachings to build a strong foundation in our lives.