Catholic Missal of the day: Thursday, January 21 2016

Thursday of the Second week in Ordinary Time

Thursday of the Second week in Ordinary Time

1. Reading

1st book of Samuel

18,6-9.19,1-7.

]When David and Saul approached (on David's return after slaying the Philistine),  women came out from each of the cities of Israel to meet King Saul, singing and dancing, with tambourines, joyful songs, and sistrums.
]The women played and sang: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands."
]Saul was very angry and resentful of the song, for he thought: "They give David ten thousands, but only thousands to me. All that remains for him is the kingship."
](And from that day on, Saul was jealous of David.
]Saul discussed his intention of killing David with his son Jonathan and with all his servants. But Saul's son Jonathan, who was very fond of David,
]told him: "My father Saul is trying to kill you. Therefore, please be on your guard tomorrow morning; get out of sight and remain in hiding.
]I, however, will go out and stand beside my father in the countryside where you are, and will speak to him about you. If I learn anything, I will let you know."
]Jonathan then spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him: "Let not your majesty sin against his servant David, for he has committed no offense against you, but has helped you very much by his deeds.
]When he took his life in his hands and slew the Philistine, and the LORD brought about a great victory for all Israel through him, you were glad to see it. Why, then, should you become guilty of shedding innocent blood by killing David without cause?"
]Saul heeded Jonathan's plea and swore, "As the LORD lives, he shall not be killed."
]So Jonathan summoned David and repeated the whole conversation to him. Jonathan then brought David to Saul, and David served him as before.

Psalm

Psalms

56(55),2-3.9-10a.10b-11.12-13.

]Have mercy on me, O God, for men trample upon me;
all the day they press their attack against me.
]My adversaries trample upon me all the day;
yes, many fight against me.
]My wanderings you have counted;
my tears are stored in your flask;
are they not recorded in your book?
]Then do my enemies turn back,
when I call upon you.
]Now I know that God is with me.
]In God, in whose promise I glory,
in God I trust without fear;
what can flesh do against me?
]I am bound, O God, by vows to you;
your thank offerings I will fulfill.
]For you have rescued me from death,
my feet, too, from stumbling;
that I may walk before God in the light of the living.

Gospel

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark

3,7-12.

]Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.
]Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.
]He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him.
]He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him.
]And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, "You are the Son of God."
]He warned them sternly not to make him known.

---

St. Agnes(Virgin and Martyr († 304))

SAINT AGNES Virgin and Martyr ( 304) St. Agnes was 12 years old when she was led to the altar of Minerva in Rome and commanded to offer incense. In the midst of idolatrous rites, she raised her hands to Jesus Christ and made the sign of the cross. She did not shrink after being bound hand and foot and the gyves slipped from her hands. The bonds were not needed as she walked courageously to the place of torture. When the judge saw that pain held no terrors, he inflicted an insult: St. Agnes' clothes were stripped off and she was placed in the street before a crowd. Christ then showed the value that God places upon chastity and custody of the eyes: The crowd turned away and one young man who looked at her was struck blind. When St. Agnes was tempted with flattery and an exalted marriage, she replied, "Christ is my Spouse: He chose me and I am His forever." At length, she was sentenced to death. In the moments before her execution, she stood erect in prayer. She then bowed her head and was decapitated in one stroke. At the moment of her death, angels accompanied her pure soul to Heaven.

misalcatolico.com

---

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