Liturgical Readings for : Thursday, 1st February, 2024
St Brigid, Abbess, (Mary of the Gael)
Secondary Patron of Ireland
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of the prophet Job 31:16-20, 24-25, 31-32
Have I been insensible to poor men’s needs, or let a widow’s eyes grow dim?
Job said;
Have I been insensible to poor men’s needs, or let a widow’s eyes grow dim?
Or taken my share of bread alone, not giving a share to the orphan?
I, whom God has fostered father-like, from childhood,
and guided since I left my mother’s womb.
Have I ever seen a wretch in need of clothing, or a beggar going naked,
without his having cause to bless me from his heart,
as he felt the warmth of the fleece from my lambs?
Have I put all my trust in gold,’ from finest gold sought my security?
Have I ever gloated over my great wealth, or the riches that my hands have won?
The people of my tent, did they not say, ‘Is there a man he has not filled with meat?”
No stranger ever had to sleep outside, my door was always open to the traveller.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
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Alternative FIRST READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians 3:14-21
You are filled with the utter fulness of God.
Brothers and sisters this, then, is what I pray, kneeling before the Father,
from whom every family, whether spiritual or natural, takes its name:
Out of his infinite glory, may he give you the power through his Spirit for your hidden self to grow strong, ‘so that Christ may live in your hearts through faith, and then, planted in love and built on love, you will with all the saints have strength to grasp the breadth and the length, the height and the depth;’ ‘until, knowing the love of Christ,” which is beyond all knowledge, you are filled with the utter fulness of God.
Glory be to him whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine; glory be to him from generation to generation in the Church and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
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Responsorial Psalm Psalm 106 (107) :35-38, 41, 43. RI. v. 1
Response Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; for his love endures for ever.
1. He changes desert into streams, thirsty ground into springs of water.
There he settles the hungry and they built a city to dwell in. Response
2. They sow fields and plant their vines; these yield crops for the harvest.
He blesses them; they grow in numbers. He does not let their herds decrease. Response
3. But he raises the needy from distress; makes families numerous as a flock,
The upright see it and rejoice but all who do wrong are silenced. Response
Gospel Acclamation 1 John 4:12
Alleluia, Alleluia!
As long as we love one another, God will live in us and his love will be complete in us.
Alleluia
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 6:32-38 Glory to you, O Lord
Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate.
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If you love those who love you what thanks can you expect? Even sinners love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks can you expect? For even sinners do that much.
And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount.
Instead, love your enemies and do good, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate.
Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection 1st Feb, Feast of Saint Brigid Luke 6:32-38
The tradition about Brigid that has come down to us speaks of a woman who had a great love of God and who gave her life to God in the face of family opposition. She knew herself to be a friend of God. Because she experienced God’s friendship in her own life, she was able to reveal God’s friendship to others. She was especially good and kind to the poor and those in greatest need. She knew that God had a special love for them. Brigid often gave away food to those who were poor and hungry. She welcomed all who visited her. She lived the kind of life that Jesus speaks about in the gospel reading when he called on us to be loving and forgiving and to give generously to others. She lived like Jesus. People soon realized that Brigid was a very special person who had a deep relationship with the Lord and she gathered a community around her. As a saint in heaven, we can pray to her. We can ask her to help us to live like Jesus as she did, to be as loving and kind as she was. Brigid gave new life to people by her kindness and generosity.
Today is not only the feast of Saint Brigid. It is also the first day of spring when we begin to notice signs of new life in nature. We speak of Brigid as one who welcomes the spring. She is the saint of springtime. Brigid not only took special care of people, she was also remembered as one who cared for animals and nature. She teaches us to care for all of God’s creation. St Brigid’s cross is her traditional symbol. It speaks to us of nature, as it is made from rushes or straw. People often place it in their homes, perhaps over the door or in the window, because they believe it brings a very special blessing to the house and to all who live there. Today on her feast, we ask St Brigid to bless each one of us by helping us to be as generous and loving as she was towards all in need, and as respectful as she was towards our natural environment.
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The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd.
