Thursday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – 2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29: David humbly prays to God, acknowledging His promises and asking for His blessings on David’s house and family, confident in God’s truth and faithfulness.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 132: David’s devotion is remembered by the Lord, who promises to establish David’s descendants on his throne. If his sons follow the covenant, their reign will last forever.
• Gospel – Mark 4:21-25: Jesus teaches that light and truth are meant to be revealed. He warns that what we give and measure out to others will return to us, increasing or decreasing our blessings.

Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?

Mark 4:21

On Thursday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, the readings invite reflection on how God works in our lives and the importance of listening to Him. The first reading shows David’s humble prayer, and the Gospel emphasizes how we must act on God’s Word.

• God’s Blessings and Promises: In the first reading, David reflects on God’s blessings. He recognizes how God has always been faithful to Israel and asks for His continued care.
• Humility Before God: David humbly approaches God in prayer. He acknowledges his lowly position and the greatness of God’s plans.
• The Importance of Prayer: David prays for the future of his family and the people. This shows that prayer is a key way to ask for God’s help and guidance.
• Being a Light: In the Gospel, Jesus teaches that we are called to be a light for others. We should not hide our faith, but share it with the world.
• Hearing God’s Word: Jesus stresses the importance of listening carefully to His words. Those who truly listen and act on them will receive even more understanding.
• Responsibility to Act: The Gospel reminds us that we must do something with the gifts and knowledge God gives us. If we do not, we may lose the blessings we have.

These readings encourage us to trust God and seek His guidance in prayer. They also remind us to live our faith openly and share it with others.

The readings for Thursday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 invite us to reflect on how we approach God in prayer and how we use the gifts He has given us. Through David’s humble prayer and Jesus’ teachings, we are encouraged to trust in God’s plan, act on our faith, and seek His guidance for our lives and communities.

Praying for Guidance and Strength

In the first reading for Thursday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we see David praying for the future of his family and the people of Israel. He recognizes that only God can provide lasting security and blessings. This teaches us that prayer is a key way to ask for God’s help, not just for ourselves, but for others too.

When we pray, we acknowledge that we need God’s guidance in our lives. Like David, we can pray for our family and our community, asking for His care and protection. Prayer opens our hearts to trust that God is in control, no matter what challenges we face.

In our own lives, prayer should be the foundation of our daily walk with God. By turning to Him in all things, we invite His grace and strength to guide us forward. The example of David’s prayer reminds us that God listens when we come to Him with humility and faith.

Using the Gifts God Gives Us

In the Gospel for Thursday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Jesus teaches that we must act on the gifts and knowledge God gives us. We cannot sit idly by, doing nothing with what we have received. Instead, we are called to use our talents, resources, and understanding to grow and help others.

Jesus warns that if we do not use what we have, we may lose it. This applies to both our spiritual life and our everyday responsibilities. If we neglect our faith, it can weaken. But if we live out our faith and share it with others, it grows stronger.

This reflection challenges us to think about how we use the gifts God has given us. Whether it’s a talent, time, or wisdom, we are called to put it into action. Living our faith means being generous with what we have and trusting that God will continue to bless us.

Trusting in God’s Plan

A theme that connects both readings for Thursday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 is trusting in God’s plan. In the first reading, David prays for the future, trusting that God will fulfill His promises. In the Gospel, Jesus calls us to listen carefully to God’s Word and act on it, trusting that His plan is good.

Both readings remind us that we are not in control. God’s ways are often beyond our understanding, but He asks us to have faith. When we trust God’s plan, we show that we believe He knows what is best for us and that His timing is perfect.

In our lives, it can be hard to trust when things don’t go the way we expect. But like David, we can pray for God’s guidance and trust that He will care for us. By listening to God’s Word and following His path, we open ourselves to the blessings He has in store for us.

As we reflect on the lessons from Thursday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are reminded to stay close to God through prayer, use the blessings He has given us, and trust in His plan for our lives. By listening to His Word and putting it into action, we grow in faith and receive even more of His guidance.

Prayer

Lord, help us to trust in Your plan and seek Your guidance in all things. May we use the gifts You have given us to serve others and live out our faith. Strengthen us as we listen to Your Word and follow Your path. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I grow in trust and rely more on God’s plan for my life?
• What gifts has God given me, and how can I use them to serve others?
• How does prayer help me seek guidance and strength from God?
• In what ways can I be a light to others by living out my faith?

USCCB Reflection: Living Our Faith Openly

In the USCCB video reflection for Thursday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers speaks about David’s humility and trust in God despite his weaknesses. David’s prayer shows us that God can work through our limitations. Jesus teaches that our faith is a light that should be shared, not hidden. Deacon Harold reminds us that being a Christian means living out our faith openly, sharing it with others through our words and actions, and trusting that God works through us even in our weaknesses.

What date is Thursday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Thursday January 29, 2026.

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 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Thursday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Thursday January 29, 2026 are:
First Reading  – 2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29: David’s Prayer Before the Lord
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 132: The Lord’s Promise to David
Gospel – Mark 4:21-25: Light Meant to Shine

Why does David call himself unworthy in the first reading for Thursday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

David feels unworthy because he sees how great God is and how small he is by comparison. He knows that all the blessings he has come from God’s kindness, not from his own power.

What can we learn from David’s prayer?

David teaches us to approach God with humility and gratitude. Even when we receive great blessings, we should still be humble and rely on God’s help for the future.

How can we apply the first reading to our lives?

We can follow David’s example by thanking God for His blessings and asking for His help. It reminds us to trust that God will guide us and care for our future.

Why does Jesus speak about a lamp in the Gospel for Thursday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Jesus uses the example of a lamp to show that our faith should be visible. We are called to share our faith openly, not hide it or keep it to ourselves.

How does the Gospel help us live better lives?

The Gospel reminds us to listen to God’s Word and act on it. If we pay attention to what Jesus teaches and live it out, we grow in faith and understanding.

What does Jesus mean when He says those who have will receive more?

Jesus means that those who listen and act on God’s Word will be given even more wisdom and grace. But if we ignore it, we will miss out on those blessings.

What does it mean to be a light for others as Jesus teaches in the Gospel?

Being a light means living our faith in a way that others can see. Our actions should show God’s love and goodness, helping others to know Him better.

Why is listening to God important?

Listening to God helps us know how to live and grow closer to Him. If we listen carefully and follow His teachings, we become better people and stronger in faith.