Thursday in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

FIRST READING
He offered sacrifices when he offered up himself.
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 7:25 – 8:6)

Brethren: Jesus is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him,
since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting that we
should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners,
exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily,
first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all
when he offered up himself. Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests,
but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made
perfect for ever. Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest,
one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the
sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord.
For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; hence it is necessary
for this priest also to have something to offer. Now if he were on earth,
he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law.
They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary; for when Moses
was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything
according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.” But as it is,
Christ has obtained a ministry which is as much more excellent than the old
as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

The word of the Lord.

 

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 40:7-8a.8b-9.10.17 (R. see 8a.9a)
R/. See, I have come, Lord, to do your will.

You delight not in sacrifice and offerings,
but in an open ear.
You do not ask for holocaust and victim.
Then I said, “See, I have come.” R/.

In the scroll of the book it stands written of me:
“I delight to do your will, O my God;
your instruction lies deep within me.” R/.

R/. See, I have come, Lord, to do your will.

Your justice I have proclaimed
in the great assembly.
My lips I have not sealed;
you know it, O Lord. R/.

O let there be rejoicing and gladness
for all who seek you.
Let them ever say, “The Lord is great,”
who long for your salvation. R/.

 

ALLELUIA 2 Timothy 1: 10
Alleluia.

Our Saviour Christ Jesus abolished death
and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.

Alleluia.

 

GOSPEL
“The unclean spirits cried out, ‘You are the Son of God. ’
And he strictly ordered them not to make him known. ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 3:7-12)

At that time:  Jesus  withdrew with his disciples to the sea,
and a great multitude from Galilee followed; also from Judea and Jerusalem
and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from about Tyre
and Sidon a great multitude, hearing all that he did, came to him.
And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd,
lest they should crush him; for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases
pressed upon him to touch him. And whenever the unclean spirits saw him,
they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”
And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.

The Gospel of the Lord.