Thursday of the Third week of Lent

Book of Jeremiah

Thus says the LORD: This is what I commanded my people: Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper.
But they obeyed not, nor did they pay heed. They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me.
From the day that your fathers left the land of Egypt even to this day, I have sent you untiringly all my servants the prophets.
Yet they have not obeyed me nor paid heed; they have stiffened their necks and done worse than their fathers.
When you speak all these words to them, they will not listen to you either; when you call to them, they will not answer you.
Say to them: This is the nation which does not listen to the voice of the LORD, its God, or take correction. Faithfulness has disappeared; the word itself is banished from their speech.

Psalms

Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
“Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tempted me;
they tested me though they had seen my works.”

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke

Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed.
Some of them said, "By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons."
Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.
But he knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house.
And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons.
If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe.
But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils.
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."

St. Heribert(Archbishop (c. 970-1021))

Saint HeribertArchbishop (c. 970-1021) St. Heribert was born in Worms, Germany, and was the son of Hugo, count of Worms. He was educated in the school of Worms Cathedral and at the Benedictine Gorze Abbey in Lorraine, France. He returned to Worms Cathedral to be provost and was ordained in 994. In 994, Fr. Heribert was appointed chancellor of Italy by Otto III. In 998, Fr. Heribert was consecrated archbishop of Cologne. He became the chancellor of Germany that year as well, and served until Otto's passing on January 23, 1002. He also counselled Emperor St. Henry and mediated on the latter's behalf. Abp. Heribert built the monastery of Deutz on the Rhine and performed miracles. The miracle he is known for is ending a drought. He is the patron saint of farmers. Abp. Heribert passed away in Cologne on March 16, 1021, and was buried at Deutz. He was known for his unity of life and sanctity. St. Heribert was canonized by Pope St. Gregory VII around 1074.

St. Abraham(Hermit & St. Mary (4th century))

SAINT ABRAHAM, Hermit (+ c. 360) and SAINT MARY (+ c. 355) St. Abraham was a rich nobleman of Edessa. At his parents' insistence, he married, but retired to a cell near the city after the feast. He walled up the door and left only a small window for food. Abraham lived in the cell for fifty years, worshiping God and imploring mercy for us sinners. After his parents' passing, he donated his inheritance to the poor. Many people received Abraham's advice and prayers. His devotion led to him being ordained a priest by the Bishop of Edessa. He was sent to an idolatrous city where priests were always rejected. For Jesus and the Gospel, Fr. Abraham was insulted, beaten, and banished three times, but he returned each time with grace and fervor. Fr. Abraham was zealous, and he expressed it in prayer, regular and liberating. Through his witness of Christ's teaching, Fr. Abraham baptized the city in three years. After work, Fr. Abraham would retire in his cell to speak intimately with God - convinced of the power of prayer to drive away evil. When Fr. Abraham's brother died, he left an only daughter, Mary. Fr. Abraham gave her a cell and raised her as his own daughter. After twenty years of innocence, Mary was deeply wounded through sin, and fled from God's mercy. Mary was separated from regularity and devotion in a distant city for two years. Fr. Abraham and St. Ephrem, who were seeking Mary, prayed for her return and exhausted every means possible. Venturing abroad, the two tracked down and consoled Mary, who cast herself upon the Lord. Jesus, the good shepherd, had retrieved and restored His lost sheep. While Mary received the gift of miracles, Fr. Abraham served the Church until his passing in 360. Mary passed away in 365. Her countenance after death shone like the sun. The Saints' neverending companionship continues with Jesus Christ in heaven

St. Finnian Lobhar(Abbot (+ c. 560))

Saint Finnian Lobhar Abbot(+ c. 560) St. Finnian was born in Bregia, Leinster, Ireland. He was ordained a priest by bishop Fathlad. Fr. Finnian's holiness, and the miracles obtained through his prayers, drew many Christians to seek his assistance. When the mother of a leprous boy came to him, he saw that he could only obtain the child's healing by taking the leprosy upon himself. Fr. Finnian accepted the condition and became leprous while the boy was cured. God is neither rigid nor transactional. Fr. Finnian was called Lobhar ("the Leper"), but healed others while carrying his cross. After serving in Clonmore, Fr. Finnian became abbot of Swords Abbey near Dublin. He may have returned to Clonmore in his later years. Tradition credits Fr. Finnian with founding a church at Innisfallen and a monastery there as well. He passed away around the year 350. St. Finnian awaits us in our true native land, where he prays and intercedes for us.

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Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2023 / Catholic Missal of march 2023