Friday of the 4th Week of Lent
Mass Readings
First Reading – Wis 2:1a, 12-22
The wicked said among themselves, thinking not aright: “Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, Reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training. He professes to have knowledge of God and styles himself a child of the LORD. To us he is the censure of our thoughts; merely to see him is a hardship for us, Because his life is not like that of others, and different are his ways. He judges us debased; he holds aloof from our paths as from things impure. He calls blest the destiny of the just and boasts that God is his Father. Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him. For if the just one be the son of God, he will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes. With revilement and torture let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him.” These were their thoughts, but they erred; for their wickedness blinded them, and they knew not the hidden counsels of God; neither did they count on a recompense of holiness nor discern the innocent souls’ reward.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 34:17-18, 19-20, 21 and 23 (R. 19a)
R. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them. R.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him. R.
He watches over all his bones;
not one of them shall be broken.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him. R.
Gospel – Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near. But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret. Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill? And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.” So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.” So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.
Featured Saints
St. Isidore of Seville, bishop and Doctor of the Church (†636). A disciple of his brother St. Leander, whom he succeeded to the episcopal See in Seville. A great writer, he is held as one of the great masters of medieval Europe. He founded the School of Seville for the formation of the clergy. He is also the brother of St. Fulgentius, bishop, and St. Florentina, abbess.
Blessed Francisco Marto (†1919). One of the seers of the apparations of Fatima. After the apparitions of Our Lady, he was moved by the sole desire to “console and give joy to Jesus.” He endured terrible sufferings and died with a smile on his lips on April 4, shortly before his eleventh birthday. His joint commemoration with his sister Jacinta is February 20.
Blessed Peter of Poitiers, bishop (†1115). Unshakable upholder of integrity and justice, he denounced and excommunicated the French king Philip I for his unlawful second marriage. He was exiled to Chauvigny, where he died.
St. Gaetano Catanoso, priest (†1963). Parish priest from the Diocese of Reggio Calabria, founder of the Congregation of the Veronica Sisters of the Holy Face.
St. Plato, abbot (†814). Abbot of Sakkudion monastery in Constantinople, he ardently fought the Iconoclasts. He was exiled with his nephew, St. Theodore Studites, for opposing the divorce and remarriage of the emperor.
St. Benedict Massarari, religious (†1589). Member of the Order of Friars Minor, he carried out the duties of cook, superior and master of novices in Palermo.
Blessed William Cuffitelli, hermit (†1411). Franciscan tertiary who renounced a passion for hunting to embrace hermitic life in Scicli, Sicily, spending 57 years in solitude and poverty.
Blessed Joseph Benedict Dusmet, Bishop (†1894). Benedictine monk, appointed Bishop of Catania (Sicily). He promoted divine worship and Christian instruction for the people, with special concern for the poor.
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