Thursday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 and//usccb.org/bible/1maccabees/2:15 1 MC 2:15-29 The officers of the king in charge of enforcing the apostasycame to the city of Modein to organize the sacrifices.Many of Israel joined them,but Mattathias and his sons gathered in a group apart.Then the officers of the king addressed Mattathiasand You are a leader, an honorable and great man in this city,supported by sons and kin.Come now, be the first to obey the king’s command,as all the Gentiles and the men of Judahand those who are left in Jerusalem have done.Then you and your sons shall be numbered among the King’s Friends,and shall be enriched with silver and gold and many gifts.”But Mattathias answered in a loud voiceand Although all the Gentiles in the king’s realm obey him,so that each forsakes the religion of his fathersand consents to the king’s orders,yet I and my sons and my kinwill keep to the covenant of our fathers.God forbid that we should forsake the law and the commandments.We will not obey the words of the kingnor depart from our religion in the slightest degree.”As he finished saying these words,a certain Jew came forward in the sight of allto offer sacrifice on the altar in Modeinaccording to the king’s order.When Mattathias saw him, he was filled with zealhis heart was moved and his just fury was arousedhe sprang forward and killed him upon the altar.At the same time, he also killed the messenger of the kingwho was forcing them to sacrifice,and he tore down the altar.Thus he showed his zeal for the law,just as Phinehas did with Zimri, son of Salu.Then Mattathias went through the city shouting, Let everyone who is zealous for the lawand who stands by the covenant follow after me!”Thereupon he fled to the mountains with his sons,leaving behind in the city all their possessions.Many who sought to live according to righteousness and religious customwent out into the desert to settle there. Responsorial Psalm and//usccb.org/bible/psalms/50and1 PS 50and1B-2, 5-6, 14-15 R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God. God the LORD has spoken and summoned the earth,from the rising of the sun to its setting.From Zion, perfect in beauty,God shines forth. R.To the upright I will show the saving power of God. Gather my faithful ones before me,those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”And the heavens proclaim his justicefor God himself is the judge. R.To the upright I will show the saving power of God. Offer to God praise as your sacrificeand fulfill your vows to the Most HighThen call upon me in time of distressI will rescue you, and you shall glorify me.” R.To the upright I will show the saving power of God . Alleluia and//usccb.org/bible/psalms/95and8 PS 95and8 R.Alleluia, alleluia.If today you hear his voice,harden not your hearts.R.Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel and//usccb.org/bible/luke/19:41 LK 19:41-44 As Jesus drew near Jerusalem,he saw the city and wept over it, saying, If this day you only knew what makes for peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes.For the days are coming upon youwhen your enemies will raise a palisade against youthey will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.They will smash you to the ground and your children within you,and they will not leave one stone upon another within youbecause you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”