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Thursday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 : Revelation 5:1-10

I, John, saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who sat on the throne.
It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals.
Then I saw a mighty angel who proclaimed in a loud voice,
“Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”
But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth
was able to open the scroll or to examine it.
I shed many tears because no one was found worthy
to open the scroll or to examine it.
One of the elders said to me, “Do not weep.
The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has triumphed,
enabling him to open the scroll with its seven seals.”

Then I saw standing in the midst of the throne
and the four living creatures and the elders
a Lamb that seemed to have been slain.
He had seven horns and seven eyes;
these are the seven spirits of God sent out into the whole world.
He came and received the scroll from the right hand
of the one who sat on the throne.
When he took it,
the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders
fell down before the Lamb.
Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense,
which are the prayers of the holy ones.
They sang a new hymn:

“Worthy are you to receive the scroll
and break open its seals,
for you were slain and with your Blood you purchased for God
those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation.
You made them a kingdom and priests for our God,
and they will reign on earth.”

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6b, 9b

R. (Rev. 5:10) The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia : Psalm 95:8

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Luke 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 you
when your enemies will raise a palisade against you;
they 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 you
because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

The Message of Today’s Readings

In the Book of Revelation, Saint John witnesses a heavenly vision where no one is found worthy to open the sealed scroll until the victorious Lamb appears. This Lamb is Jesus Christ, who through His sacrifice redeemed people from every nation and made them a kingdom of priests for God. The scene becomes a celebration of Christ’s triumph, power, and saving love.
In the Gospel, Jesus approaches Jerusalem and weeps over the city because it fails to recognize the time of God’s visitation. Though the Prince of Peace stands before them, many hearts remain closed. Jesus’ tears reveal God’s compassionate love and His desire that all people receive the peace He offers.
The common thread is clear: Christ comes to save, redeem, and bring peace, but we must recognize Him and respond with open hearts.

Reflection

How often do we search for peace in success, possessions, plans, or our own strength while overlooking the presence of Christ in our daily lives?
The people of Jerusalem longed for God’s promises to be fulfilled, yet many failed to recognize the Messiah standing among them. It is easy to think we would have acted differently, but we can sometimes do the same. Jesus visits us through Scripture, prayer, the Eucharist, acts of charity, and even the ordinary moments of our day. Yet distractions, busyness, and hardened hearts can cause us to miss Him.
The vision in Revelation reminds us that Jesus is not merely a teacher or prophet. He is the victorious Lamb who conquered sin and death through His sacrifice. Because of Him, our prayers rise before God, our sins are forgiven, and our future is secure in His hands.
Today, let us pause and ask ourselves: Am I recognizing Christ’s presence in my life? Am I listening to His voice, or am I too distracted to notice His visitation?
The Lord still comes to us each day, offering forgiveness, hope, and peace. The question is whether we are willing to welcome Him.

 Prayer for the Day

Lord Jesus,
You are the worthy Lamb who gave Your life to redeem the world. Open my eyes to recognize Your presence and Your work in my life. Remove anything that hardens my heart or keeps me from Your peace. Teach me to listen to Your voice, trust in Your plans, and follow You faithfully each day. May my life become a song of praise to You, who reign forever and ever. Amen.