Thursday of the 12th Week of Ordinary Time

Today's readings explore the consequences of turning away from God's word versus building a life upon it. The first reading recounts the fall of Jerusalem and the exile of its people — a sobering picture of a kingdom that abandoned its foundation. The Gospel then closes the Sermon on the Mount with Jesus' urgent challenge: hearing his words is not enough without the will to live them. Today's Readings: • First Reading: 2 Kings 24:8-17 • Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 79:1b-2, 3-5, 8, 9 • Gospel: Matthew 7:21-29