Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time (II)

Official Translation

Reading 1 – 2 Timothy 2.8-15

Beloved:
Remember Jesus Christ,
risen from the dead,
of the offspring of David,
according to my Gospel,
for which I suffer hardship
to the point of chains as a criminal.
But God’s word is not chained.

Therefore I endure all things
for the chosen ones’ sake,
that they also may obtain
the salvation which is in Christ Jesus
with eternal glory.

This saying is trustworthy:
“For if we died with him,
we will also live with him.
If we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we deny him,
he also will deny us.
If we are faithless,
he remains faithful.
He cannot deny himself.”

Remind them of these things,
charging them in the sight of the Lord,
that they do not argue about words,
to no profit,
to the subverting of those who hear.
Give diligence to present
yourself to God as one approved
a worker who does not need to be ashamed,
teach straight the Word of Truth.

Responsorial – Psalm 25.4-5ab, 8-9, 10+14, Resp. 4b

R. O Lord, teach me your paths.

Show me your ways, O Lord.
Teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth, and teach me,
For you are the God of my salvation,

R. O Lord, teach me your paths.

Good and upright is the Lord,
therefore he will instruct sinners in the way.
He will guide the humble in justice.
He will teach the humble his way.

R. O Lord, teach me your paths.

All the paths of the Lord are loving kindness and truth
toward such as keep his covenant and his commandments.
The friendship of the Lord is with those who fear him.
He will teach them his covenant.

R. O Lord, teach me your paths.

Gospel – Mark 12.28-34

One of the scribes came and asked Jesus,
“Which commandment is the first of all?”
Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, is Lord alone:
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.’
This is the first commandment.
The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.”

The scribe said to him,
“Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he,
and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding,
with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love their neighbor as themself,
is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him,
“You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
And no one dared to question him anymore.