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Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 : Amos 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 : 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 Corinthians 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 : Matthew 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.
Message from the Readings
Today’s readings highlight three powerful themes:
- God’s truth is not always welcomed — but it must be spoken.
Amos is rejected, accused, and pushed aside, yet he remains faithful to God’s call. - God’s word brings life.
The psalm reminds us that God’s commands are not burdens but blessings — they enlighten, strengthen, and renew. - Jesus brings healing at the deepest level.
In the Gospel, Jesus not only heals the paralytic’s body but forgives his sins — revealing His divine authority and His desire to restore us completely.
The message is clear:
God’s word challenges, heals, and transforms — if we open our hearts to receive it.
Reflection for the Day
Amos’ story is a reminder that speaking God’s truth is not always comfortable. Amaziah wants him silenced. He wants a convenient prophet, not a convicting one. But Amos stands firm:
“The Lord took me… and said to me, Go, prophesy.”
His courage invites us to ask:
Do I follow God even when it’s inconvenient? Even when others resist?
Psalm 19 then shifts our gaze to the beauty of God’s word. Far from being restrictive, God’s commands bring freedom — they steady our steps, purify our hearts, and fill us with joy. When we let His word shape us, we become more alive, more grounded, more whole.
In the Gospel, Jesus reveals the depth of His mission. The paralytic comes for physical healing, but Jesus goes deeper:
He heals the soul first.
Forgiveness is the miracle beneath every miracle.
Restoration begins in the heart before it reaches the body.
And the crowd responds with awe — not at the healing alone, but at the authority of Jesus to forgive sins.
Today, God invites you to:
• Stand firm like Amos
• Delight in His word like the psalmist
• Come to Jesus for healing — not just outward, but inward
Let His truth challenge you.
Let His word guide you.
Let His mercy restore you.
Prayer for Today
Lord God,
thank You for Your word that brings light, wisdom, and joy.
Give me the courage of Amos to stand for truth
even when it is difficult or unpopular.
Heal my heart as You healed the paralytic —
forgive my sins, strengthen my spirit,
and restore what is weak within me.
Help me walk today in Your truth,
guided by Your word and sustained by Your grace.
Amen.