JUNE 30, 2022, THURSDAY
Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time (Green)
Optional Memorial of the First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church (Red)
CYCLE C - YEAR II
Lectionary: 380
Reading I
Am 7:10-17
Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent word to Jeroboam,
king of Israel:
“Amos has conspired against you here within Israel;
the country cannot endure all his words.
For this is what Amos says:
Jeroboam shall die by the sword,
and Israel shall surely be exiled from its land.”
To Amos, Amaziah said:
“Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah!
There earn your bread by prophesying,
but never again prophesy in Bethel;
for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.”
Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet,
nor have I belonged to a company of prophets;
I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores.
The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me,
‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’
Now hear the word of the LORD!”
You say: prophesy not against Israel,
preach not against the house of Isaac.
Now thus says the LORD:
Your wife shall be made a harlot in the city,
and your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword;
Your land shall be divided by measuring line,
and you yourself shall die in an unclean land;
Israel shall be exiled far from its land.
Responsorial Psalm
19:8, 9, 10, 11
R. (10cd) The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
Alleluia
2 Cor 5:19
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mt 9:1-8
After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town.
And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
“Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.”
At that, some of the scribes said to themselves,
“This man is blaspheming.”
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said,
“Why do you harbor evil thoughts?
Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’
or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
But that you may know that the Son of Man
has authority on earth to forgive sins”–
he then said to the paralytic,
“Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
He rose and went home.
When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe
and glorified God who had given such authority to men.
GOSPEL REFLECTION:
Jesus is touched by the trouble which his friends took for the paralysed man. It is their faith and concern that moves him to heal the man both spiritually and physically. Likewise, my prayer of faith for others moves Jesus to meet their needs and gives me a share in the healing mission of Christ and of all Christians.
The paralytic represents the universal human need for God’s forgiveness. In asserting his authority to forgive sins, Jesus comes into conflict for the first time with the religious establishment. I need to allow divine forgiveness to flow through me as it does in Jesus.
PRAYER:
Lord, I believe you had a special word for the carers, the people who carried the paralysed man and placed him where he caught your attention. It was their faith that you noticed. Thank you, Lord, for the work of carers, mostly women, often taken for granted. Sometimes it is the loyal, unmarried daughter who is left to look after a helpless parent. She may even feel guilty when she begs for someone to stand in while she takes a well-earned break. These are the true uncelebrated heroines of our communities; their love is shown in deeds.
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