Memorial of St. Justin, martyr
(†c. 165 Rome) A pagan philosopher who embraced Christianity and thenceforth became a prolific apologist for the Faith. Denounced to the Roman authorities by one of his disciples, he suffered martyrdom for love of Christ.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Jude 17, 20b-25
Beloved, remember the words spoken beforehand by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. Build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. On those who waver, have mercy; save others by snatching them out of the fire; on others have mercy with fear, abhorring even the outer garment stained by the flesh. To the one who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished and exultant, in the presence of his glory, to the only God, our savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord be glory, majesty, power, and authority from ages past, now, and for ages to come. Amen.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6 (R.2b)
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. R.
Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
to see your power and your glory,
For your kindness is a greater good than life;
my lips shall glorify you. R.
Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,
and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. R.
Gospel – Mk 11:27-33
Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”– they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” Then Jesus said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Featured Saints
In dioceses of the UK, the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest is celebrated today, the first Thursday after Pentecost.
St. Hannibal Maria di Francia, priest (†1927). Founded the Congregation of Rogationist Fathers of the Heart of Jesus and the Daughters of Divine Zeal.
St. Simeon of Syracuse, hermit (†1035). Born in Italy to a Greek father, he lived as a hermit near Bethlehem and on Mount Sinai, and later in Trier, Germany, where he died.
St. Joseph Túc, martyr (†1862). Peasant farmer decapitated in the city of Hoàng Xá, Bac Ninh, Vietnam, for refusing to to trample a cross, during the anti-Christian persecution of the emperor Tu-Duc.
Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini, bishop (†1905). Governed the Diocese of Piacenza, Italy, dedicating himself especially to priests, workers and farmers. He founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Charles, and the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles to aid emigrants leaving for America.
Blessed John Pelingotto (†1304). Franciscan tertiary from Urbino, Italy. He lived in a cell, which he only left to attend the poor and sick.
St. Iñigo, abbot (†1060). At the request of King Sancho III of Navarre, he left contemplative and solitary life to become abbot of the Monastery of Oña, in Burgos. near Burgos, Spain.
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