Wednesday of the 5th Week of Lent
Mass Readings
First Reading – Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95
King Nebuchadnezzar said: “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not serve my god, or worship the golden statue that I set up? Be ready now to fall down and worship the statue I had made, whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments; otherwise, you shall be instantly cast into the white-hot furnace; and who is the God who can deliver you out of my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us! But even if he will not, know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue that you set up.” King Nebuchadnezzar’s face became livid with utter rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than usual and had some of the strongest men in his army bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into the white-hot furnace. Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” “Assuredly, O king,” they answered. “But,” he replied, “I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God.” Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants who trusted in him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.”
Responsorial Psalm – Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 (R.52b)
R. Glory and praise for ever!
“Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.” R.
“Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. R.
“Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” R.
“Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim;
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” R.
“Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven,
praiseworthy and glorious forever.” R.
Gospel – Jn 8:31-42
Thus says the LORD: In a time of favor I answer you, on the day of salvation I help you; and I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people, To restore the land and allot the desolate heritages, Saying to the prisoners: Come out! To those in darkness: Show yourselves! Along the ways they shall find pasture, on every bare height shall their pastures be. They shall not hunger or thirst, nor shall the scorching wind or the sun strike them; For he who pities them leads them and guides them beside springs of water. I will cut a road through all my mountains, and make my highways level. See, some shall come from afar, others from the north and the west, and some from the land of Syene. Sing out, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth, break forth into song, you mountains. For the LORD comforts his people and shows mercy to his afflicted. But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.
Featured Saints
St. Hugh of Rouen, bishop (†730). As Bishop of Rouen, France, he simultaneously governed the Monastery of Fontenelle and the Churches of Paris and Bayeux. Renouncing these offices, he died in the Monastery of Jumièges.
St. Waltrude (†688). Sister of St. Aldegundis, the wife of St. Vincent Madelgaire, count of Hainault, and mother of four saints. Later, in agreement with her husband, she embraced religious life, entering the monastery she herself had founded as a simple member of the community.
St. Casilda, virgin (†1075). Young daughter of a Muslim king, she showed kindness to Christian prisoners. After converting to Christianity, she lived for many years in hermetic solitude in Burgos, Spain.
Blessed Thomas of Tolentino, priest and martyr (†1321). Franciscan missionary martyred in Thane, India, when he was setting out to preach the Gospel in China.
St. Maximus of Alexandria, bishop (†282). He was exiled as a priest, together with Bishop St. Dionysius, whom he succeeded in the See of Alexandria, Egypt.
St. Acacius, Bishop (†fifth century). He endeavoured to ransom captive Persians who were subjected to harsh tortures. After the rescue, he converted them to the true Faith.
Blessed Ubaldo Adimari, priest (†1315). After living a dissolute youth in Florence, he converted upon hearing a sermon by St. Philip Benicio and became a Servite priest.
Blessed Anthony Pavoni, priest and martyr (†1374). Dominican religious of Savigliano, Italy; killed by Waldensians as he left a church in which he had preached against their heresy.
Blessed Marguerite Rutan, virgin and martyr (†1794). A Daughter of Charity, guillotined during the French Revolution.
Blessed Celestina Faron, virgin and martyr (+1944). A Polish religious from the Congregation of the Little Servants of the Immaculate Conception. During the anti-religious persecutions perpetrated during the Nazi occupation, she was arrested while carrying out works of charity, and sent to the extermination camp of Auschwitz.
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