Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Genesis 9:1-13: God blessed Noah and established a covenant with him and all creatures, promising never to destroy the earth with a flood again. The rainbow would serve as a sign of this promise.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 102: The Lord watches from heaven, hears the cries of the suffering, and will restore Zion. His praise will be proclaimed in future generations, and nations will gather to worship Him.
• Gospel – Mark 8:27-33: Jesus asked his disciples who people said he was, and Peter declared him as the Messiah. Jesus taught them about his coming suffering and death. When Peter objected, Jesus rebuked him for thinking like humans.

Lectionary Reference: 338

Upcoming dates: February 20, 2031, February 17, 2033

And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.”

Mark 8:29

On Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the readings highlight God’s promises and the role of faith. The first reading is about God’s covenant with Noah after the flood. The Gospel focuses on Peter’s recognition of Jesus as the Messiah and Jesus’ teachings on suffering.

• God’s covenant promise: In Genesis 9, God makes a covenant with Noah, promising never to destroy the earth by flood again. This shows God’s commitment to humanity and the importance of keeping promises.
• New beginning for humanity: After the flood, God tells Noah to be fruitful and multiply. This reflects a fresh start for humanity, reminding us of renewal and growth.
• Respect for life: God commands Noah to respect the life of others, forbidding murder. This highlights the value of life and the need to care for one another.
• Jesus as the Messiah: In Mark 8, Peter acknowledges that Jesus is the Messiah. This theme shows the importance of recognizing who Jesus is and what He came to do.
• Misunderstanding of Jesus’ mission: Peter wants to prevent Jesus from suffering, but Jesus explains that suffering is part of His mission. This teaches us that following Christ may involve hardship.
• The cost of discipleship: Jesus warns that His followers must be ready to accept suffering and hardship. This shows that faith involves sacrifices but leads to true life.

These themes remind us of God’s faithful promises and the call to trust and follow Jesus, even when it is difficult. They also invite us to reflect on our respect for life and the commitment we make as disciples of Christ.

On Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings invite us to reflect on themes of new beginnings, recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, and understanding God’s plan through suffering. From Noah’s fresh start after the flood to Peter’s recognition of Jesus as the Savior, we are reminded that God is always present in both renewal and challenge. These reflections help us understand how these messages apply to our daily lives.

Renewal and Growth after the Flood

In the first reading for Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, God tells Noah to be fruitful and multiply after the flood. This marks a new beginning for Noah, his family, and all of creation. God is giving humanity a fresh start, asking them to fill the earth once more and take care of it. The flood had wiped away sin and corruption, and now humanity has the chance to live according to God’s ways.

This theme of renewal and growth applies to our lives as well. There are moments when we face challenges or experience difficulties that feel like a flood, overwhelming us. But God gives us opportunities to start fresh, to rebuild, and to grow stronger in our faith. Just like Noah and his family, we are called to continue moving forward, trusting that God is with us.

The command to be fruitful and multiply also reminds us of the importance of family and community. Building and nurturing relationships with others is a way to live out God’s plan for us. In moments of struggle or new beginnings, we can look to Noah’s story as a sign of hope and renewal.

Recognizing Jesus as the Messiah

In the Gospel for Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Peter acknowledges that Jesus is the Messiah. This is a key moment in the Gospel because it shows Peter’s growing understanding of who Jesus truly is. While many people see Jesus as just a teacher or prophet, Peter realizes that He is the promised Savior, the one who came to redeem the world.

This recognition is not just important for Peter, but for all of us. Like Peter, we are called to recognize Jesus as the Messiah in our own lives. It is easy to get caught up in seeing Jesus as just a good example or a wise teacher. But the Gospel reminds us that Jesus came with a specific mission: to save us from sin and bring us closer to God.

Recognizing Jesus as the Messiah also means accepting His teachings, even when they are difficult. Jesus speaks about His suffering and death, and Peter struggles to understand why this is necessary. In the same way, we may not always understand why following Jesus involves challenges, but we trust that His way is the path to eternal life.

God’s Plan through Suffering

Both the first reading and the Gospel for Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 touch on the idea of suffering as part of God’s plan. After the flood, Noah’s family must start over from scratch, a difficult task after such a devastating event. In the Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples that He will suffer, be rejected, and die, something Peter finds hard to accept. Both readings show that suffering is often a part of God’s larger plan for salvation.

Noah’s experience of the flood teaches us that suffering and loss can lead to new beginnings. Although the flood was a time of destruction, it was also a moment when God made a covenant to never flood the earth again. God’s promise to Noah offers hope, even in the midst of hardship.

Similarly, Jesus’ suffering on the cross is part of God’s plan for salvation. Peter does not understand why the Messiah must suffer, but Jesus explains that it is necessary for the salvation of the world. This reminds us that suffering has meaning and that God can bring good out of even the most difficult situations. In our own lives, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even when it involves suffering, knowing that He can lead us to new life.

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As we reflect on the readings for Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we see that God works in all circumstances, whether through a fresh start, a moment of realization, or even suffering. He is always calling us to trust in His plan and recognize Jesus as the center of our faith. May we carry these lessons forward as we continue to follow Him.

Prayer

Lord, help us to trust in You during times of difficulty and renewal. Give us the grace to recognize Jesus as the Messiah in our lives and to follow Him faithfully, even when it is hard. May we always remember Your promises and seek to live according to Your will. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How do I respond to the fresh starts and opportunities for growth that God gives me?
• In what ways can I deepen my recognition of Jesus as the Messiah in my life?
• How do I handle suffering, and do I trust that God can bring good from it?
• What can I learn from Noah’s story about trusting in God’s promises during difficult times?

Serving the Poor as Jesus Did

In this USCCB video reflection for Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Deacon Clarence McDavid discusses wealth, power, and service to the poor. He explains that Jesus, though not wealthy by earthly standards, was rich in God’s love. Jesus calls us to empty ourselves of pride and selfishness to serve others, especially the poor. Deacon McDavid emphasizes that our resources should be used for helping those in need, following Christ’s example. He highlights the importance of humility, compassion, and caring for the vulnerable, as demonstrated by figures like Mother Teresa.

What date is Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Thursday February 20, 2031.

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 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Thursday February 20, 2031 are:
First Reading  – Genesis 9:1-13: God’s Covenant with Noah
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 102: The Lord Watches Over the Earth
Gospel – Mark 8:27-33: Peter Declares Jesus as the Christ

What is the covenant in the first reading for Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

God makes a covenant with Noah, promising never to flood the earth again. This covenant shows God’s care for humanity and His promise to protect us.

Why does God mention a rainbow in the first reading for Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

God uses the rainbow as a sign of His covenant with Noah. This helps us remember God’s promise every time we see a rainbow, reminding us of His faithfulness.

What does “be fruitful and multiply” mean?

God tells Noah and his family to have children and fill the earth. This teaches us that life is precious, and families are important.

Why does Jesus talk about suffering in the Gospel for Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Jesus tells His disciples that He will suffer and die. He wants to prepare them for the challenges that come with following Him and to show that suffering has meaning.

Why does Peter disagree with Jesus in the Gospel for Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Peter does not want Jesus to suffer. Peter loves Jesus, but he does not yet understand that suffering is part of God’s plan for salvation.

How can we apply the message of suffering in our lives?

The readings for Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us that suffering is sometimes part of life. We can learn to trust God during hard times and remember that Jesus also suffered for us.

What does the Gospel for Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 teach about following Jesus?

Jesus tells His followers that being His disciple means accepting challenges and difficulties. This shows us that true faith may require sacrifice, but it leads to eternal life.

What does this Gospel tell us about who Jesus is?

Peter calls Jesus the Messiah. This helps us see that Jesus is not just a teacher or leader, but the Savior who came to redeem the world.

How do these readings for Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourage us to trust in God’s promises?

The readings remind us that God keeps His promises, like the covenant with Noah. We can trust that God is always faithful, even when life is difficult.