October 8
Thursday, week 27 in Ordinary Time
Year II
Today in the Catholic liturgical calendar is a 'ferial' day—that is, a weekday without a specific saint or special memorial assigned, known as 'of the feria'. During Ordinary Time, such days invite the faithful to focus on the regular rhythm of Christian life and the readings provided by the lectionary. The celebration of ferial days gives prominence to the daily readings and prayers, which often offer a continuous reading from a particular book of the Bible. This allows the Word of God to be reflected upon in an ordered manner, emphasizing growth in discipleship and everyday holiness.
Liturgical green is used, symbolizing hope and the life of the Church between the great seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. While no particular saint is remembered, the Church encourages the interiorization of Christ's message as it unfolds through the scriptures of the day. This ordinary rhythm reminds us that holiness is not reserved solely for heroic saints or momentous occasions, but is to be sought in the daily and sometimes unnoticed moments of faithfulness. The celebration of the feria thus supports spiritual growth, rooted in the ordinary tasks and prayers of daily Christian living.
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Questions about Thursday, week 27 in Ordinary Time (Novus Ordo Missae)
The liturgical day
Mass readings
ReadingGa 3, 1-5
Foolish Galatians,
who has bewitched you?
Before your very eyes, Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.
I have only one question to ask you:
Did you receive the Holy Spirit
by practicing the Law,
or by listening to the message of faith?
How can you be so foolish?
After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now going to finish with the flesh?
Have you experienced such great things in vain?
If indeed it was in vain!
The one who gives you the Spirit
and works miracles among you,
does he do so because you practice the Law,
or because you listen to the message of faith?
– The word of the Lord.
CanticleLc 1, 69-70, 71-72, 73-75
He has raised up for us a mighty savior
in the house of David his servant,
as he promised through the mouth of his holy ones,
his prophets from ancient times:
salvation from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us,
the mercy he shows to our fathers,
remembrance of his holy covenant,
the oath he swore to our father Abraham
to grant us, without fear,
that, delivered from the hands of our enemies,
we might serve him in holiness and righteousness
in his presence, all our days.
GospelLc 11, 5-13
At that time,
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Suppose one of you has a friend
and goes to him in the middle of the night to say,
‘My friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
because a friend of mine has arrived from a journey at my house,
and I have nothing to offer him.’
And suppose the one inside answers,
‘Do not bother me!
The door is already shut;
my children and I are in bed.
I cannot get up to give you anything.’
Well, I tell you:
even if he does not get up to give him anything out of friendship,
he will get up because of the other’s persistence,
and will give him all he needs.
So I say to you:
Ask, and it will be given to you;
seek, and you will find;
knock, and it will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives;
whoever seeks finds;
and to the one who knocks, it will be opened.
Which father among you, if his son asks for a fish,
will give him a snake instead of a fish?
Or give him a scorpion
if he asks for an egg?
If you then, who are evil,
know how to give good things to your children,
how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit
to those who ask him!”
– Let us acclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org