Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time – Year A
First Reading – 2 Timothy 2:8-15
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing chains like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which in Christ Jesus goes with eternal glory. The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; if we endure, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.
Remind them of this, and charge them before the Lord b to avoid disputing about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10 and 14
℟ Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.
℟ Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
℟ Teach me your ways, O Lord.
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.
℟ Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Alleluia – 2 Timothy 1:10
℟ Alleluia!
Now has manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
℟ Alleluia!
Gospel – Mark 12:28-34
And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that he is one, and there is no other but he; and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any question.
Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition, Ignatius Press, Copyright ⓒ 2006.