The 25th of February, 2021 is Thursday in the First Week of Lent. The Bible scriptures for the holy mass readings for this day came from the Year 2021 of Liturgical Calendar.
Reading 1: EST 4:29, 31-33, 40-42
The first reading from the Book of Esther in the Greek Septuagint.
And queen Esther took refuge in the Lord, being taken as it were in the agony of death.
She implored the Lord God of Israel, and said, “O my Lord, you alone are our king. Help me. I am destitute, and have no helper but you, for my danger is near at hand.
I have heard from my birth in the tribe of my kindred that you, Lord, took Israel out of all the nations, and our fathers out of all their kindred for a perpetual inheritance, and have done for them all that you have said.
Remember us, O Lord! Manifest yourself in the time of our affliction. Encourage me, O King of gods, and ruler of all dominion!
Put harmonious speech into my mouth before the lion, and turn his heart to hate him who fights against us, to the utter destruction of those who agree with him.
But deliver us by your hand, and help me who am alone and have no one but you, O Lord.”
Responsorial Psalm: PS 138:1-2AB, 2CDE-3, 7C-8
Response: In the day that I called, you answered me.
I will give you thanks with my whole heart. Before the gods, I will sing praises to you.
I will bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your Name.
R: In the day that I called, you answered me.
For your loving kindness and for your truth; for you have exalted your Name and your Word above all.
In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.
R: In the day that I called, you answered me.
Your right hand will save me.
Yahweh will fulfill that which concerns me. Your loving kindness, Yahweh, endures forever. Don’t forsake the works of your own hands.
R: In the day that I called, you answered me.
Verse Before Gospel: PS 51:10A, 12A
From the Psalms.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation.
Gospel of the Day: MT 7:7-12
From the gospel scripture according to Matthew.
“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.
For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.
Or who is there among you who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent?
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.”
