Catholic Missal of the day: Thursday, February 18 2016

Thursday of the First week of Lent

Thursday of the First week of Lent

1. Reading

Book of Esther

4,17n.17pqr.17aa.17bb.17gg.17hh.

]Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish,
had recourse to the LORD.
]She lay prostrate upon the ground, together with her handmaids,
from morning until evening, and said:
]"God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are you.
Help me, who am alone and have no help but you,
]for I am taking my life in my hand.
]As a child I used to hear from the books of my forefathers
that you, O LORD, always free those who are pleasing to you.
]Now help me, who am alone and have no one but you,
O LORD, my God.
]"And now, come to help me, an orphan.
Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion
and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy,
so that he and those who are in league with him may perish.
]Save us from the hand of our enemies;
turn our mourning into gladness
and our sorrows into wholeness."

Psalm

Psalms

138(137),1-2ab.2cde-3.7c-8.

]I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
]I will worship at your holy temple.
]I will give thanks to your name,
]because of your kindness and your truth.
]for you have made great above all things
]your name and your promise.
]When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
]Your right hand saves me.
]The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;
forsake not the work of your hands.

Gospel

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew

7,7-12.

]Jesus said to his disciples: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
]For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
]Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread,
]or a snake when he asks for a fish?
]If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.
]Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets."

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St. Flavian(Bishop and Martyr († 449))

SAINT FLAVIANBishop and Martyr( 449) St. Flavian became patriarch of Constantinople in 447. His two-year episcopate was marked by conflict and persecution. On the day of his consecration, Chrysaphius, the emperor's favorite, attempted to extort a large sum of money from him. When he refused, Chrysaphius appointed Dioscorus as patriarch of Alexandria. In 448, St. Flavian condemned the rising heresy of the monk Eutyches, who denied that Our Lord has two perfect natures. Eutyches obtained the assembly of a council in Ephesus (August 449) with Chrysaphius' help. The council was presided by Chrysaphius' nominee, Dioscorus, the patriarch of Alexandria. When Eutyches entered into the council surrounded by soldiers, the Roman legates were forbidden from reading the Pope's letters. When St. Flavian appealed to the Holy See, Dioscorus assaulted him. St. Flavian was thrown, beaten, kicked and finally carried into banishment. He died from his wounds and the ensuing maltreatment; thus gaining a martyr's crown. Miracles following his death attested to his sanctity and the work of the Holy Spirit.

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St. Simeon(Bishop and Martyr († c. 107))

Saint SimeonBishop and Martyr ( c. 107) St. Simeon was Jesus' kinsman (Matt. 13:55). His father was St. Joseph's brother, Cleophas. His mother was Our Lady's sister (John 19:25). He was therefore Jesus' first cousin and around eight years older. St. Epiphanius wrote that when the Jews martyred St. James the Lesser, St. Simeon upbraided them for their cruelty. The apostles appointed St. Simeon as his late brother's successor and bishop of Jerusalem. St. Simeon was unanimously chosen for having assisted his late brother. In 66 A.D., the First Jewish-Roman War ensued. The Christians in Jerusalem were warned of the city's impending destruction and appear to have been ordered to leave. That year, before Vespasian entered Judaea, the Christians retired to Pella on the other side of the Jordan. After the capture and burning of Jerusalem, the Christians returned and settled among its ruins. We are told by St. Epiphanius and Eusebius that the church flourished because of the diaspora, that many Jews were converted, and that miracles were wrought by the saints. In 107 A.D., St. Simeon was arrested because of Emperor Trajan's edict to persecute Jews and Christians. He suffered protracted torture in spite of being 120 years old. The judge is said to have remarked on St. Simeon's unconquerable spirit. He died from crucifixion, but his soul ascended to Heaven. St. Simeon is an intercessor for Christians suffering persecution.

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Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2016 / Catholic Missal of february 2016