Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of Sts. Pontian, Pope, and Hippolytus, priest, martyrs (†c. 236 Sardinia – Italy). Condemned to forced labour in the mines of Sardinia, they died there under ill-treatment.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Ez 18:1-10, 13b, 30-32
The word of the LORD came to me: Son of man, what is the meaning of this proverb that you recite in the land of Israel: “Fathers have eaten green grapes, thus their children’s teeth are on edge”? As I live, says the Lord GOD: I swear that there shall no longer be anyone among you who will repeat this proverb in Israel. For all lives are mine; the life of the father is like the life of the son, both are mine; only the one who sins shall die. If a man is virtuous—if he does what is right and just, if he does not eat on the mountains, nor raise his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel; if he does not defile his neighbor’s wife, nor have relations with a woman in her menstrual period; if he oppresses no one, gives back the pledge received for a debt, commits no robbery; if he gives food to the hungry and clothes the naked; if he does not lend at interest nor exact usury; if he holds off from evildoing, judges fairly between a man and his opponent; if he lives by my statutes and is careful to observe my ordinances, that man is virtuous—he shall surely live, says the Lord GOD. But if he begets a son who is a thief, a murderer, or lends at interest and exacts usury– this son certainly shall not live. Because he practiced all these abominations, he shall surely die; his death shall be his own fault. Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, each one according to his ways, says the Lord GOD. Turn and be converted from all your crimes, that they may be no cause of guilt for you. Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies, says the Lord GOD. Return and live!
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19 (R.12a)
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
A clean heart create for me, O God;
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me. R.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners shall return to you. R.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. R.
Gospel – Mt 19:13-15
Children were brought to Jesus
that he might lay his hands on them and pray.
The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said,
“Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them;
for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
After he placed his hands on them, he went away.
Featured Saints
St. John Berchmans, religious (†1621). Jesuit brother who died in Rome, at 22 years of age, after a brief illness.
Blessed Mark of Aviano, priest (†1699). Capuchin priest, great preacher and miracle worker. Through his influence on the Holy League, he played an essential role in the victory at the Battle of Vienna.
Blessed Gertrude, abbess (†1297). Daughter of St. Elizabeth of Hungary; she was consecrated to God as a girl, and governed the Premonstratensian convent of Altenberg, Germany, for 48 years.
St. Maximus the Confessor, abbot (†662). Abbot of Chrysopolis Monastery; mutilated, imprisoned and exiled from Constantinople by Emperor Constans II, for his zeal in combatting Monothelitism.
St. Radegund (†587). Queen of the Francs. While her husband, King Clotaire was still alive, she entered the monastery of the Holy Cross of Poitiers, France, where she dedicated herself to prayer and works of charity for more than thirty years.
St. Benilde, religious (†1862). Religious of the Congregation of Christian Brothers, he dedicated his life to youth formation in Saugues, France.
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