Thursday of the 30th week of Ordinary Time

10Concerning the rest, brothers, be strengthened in the Lord, by the power of his virtue. 11Be clothed in the armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the treachery of the devil. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the directors of this world of darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in high places. 13Because of this, take up the armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand the evil day and remain perfect in all things. 14Therefore, stand firm, having been girded about your waist with truth, and having been clothed with the breastplate of justice, 15and having feet which have been shod by the preparation of the Gospel of peace. 16In all things, take up the shield of faith, with which you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. 17And take up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God). 18Through every kind of prayer and supplication, pray at all times in spirit, and so be vigilant with every kind of earnest supplication, for all the saints, 19and also for me, so that words may be given to me, as I open my mouth with faith to make known the mystery of the Gospel, 20in such a manner that I may dare to speak exactly as I ought to speak. For I act as an ambassador in chains for the Gospel.

1A Psalm of David versus Goliath. Blessed is the Lord, my God, who trains my hands for the battle and my fingers for the war.

2My mercy and my refuge, my supporter and my deliverer, my protector and him in whom I have hoped: he subdues my people under me.

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9To you, O God, I will sing a new song. On the psaltery, with an instrument of ten strings, I will sing psalms to you.

10He gives salvation to kings. He has redeemed your servant David from the malignant sword.

31On the same day, some of the Pharisees approached, saying to him: “Depart, and go away from here. For Herod wishes to kill you.” 32And he said to them: “Go and tell that fox: ‘Behold, I cast out demons and accomplish healings, today and tomorrow. And on the third day I reach the end.’ 33Yet truly, it is necessary for me to walk today and tomorrow and the following day. For it does not fall to a prophet to perish beyond Jerusalem. 34Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets, and you stone those who are sent to you. Daily, I wanted to gather together your children, in the manner of a bird with her nest under her wings, but you were not willing! 35Behold, your house will be left desolate for you. But I say to you, that you shall not see me, until it happens that you say: ‘Blessed is he who has arrived in the name of the Lord.’ ”