Sunday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – Is 56:1, 6-7
Thus says the LORD: Observe what is right, do what is just; for My salvation is about to come, My justice, about to be revealed. The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, ministering to Him, loving the name of the LORD, and becoming His servants— all who keep the sabbath free from profanation and hold to My covenant, them I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in My house of prayer; their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar, for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 (R.4)
R. O God, let all the nations praise You!
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may He let His face shine upon us.
So may Your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, Your salvation. R.
May the nations be glad and exult
because You rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth You guide. R.
May the peoples praise You, O God;
may all the peoples praise You!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear Him! R.
Second Reading – Rom 11:13-15, 29-32
Brothers and sisters: I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealous and thus save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. Just as you once disobeyed God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now disobeyed in order that, by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God delivered all to disobedience, that He might have mercy upon all.
Gospel – Mt 15:21-28
At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus’ disciples came and asked Him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.
Featured Saints
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot and Doctor of the Church (†1153 Langres – France). At age 22, together with a group of 30 other men made up of friends and relatives, he entered the monastery of Citaux. His superior, St. Stephen Harding, later sent him to found a new monastery in Clairvaux, where he brought about the great Cistercian reform, favoured with great growth. He was also influential in convincing his only sister St. Humbeline to abandon the world and embrace religious life. Renowned for his inspired preaching and writing, which earned him the title the Mellifluous Doctor, St. Bernard was a great proponent of Marian piety, and a counselor to kings and Popes.
Blessed Maria Climent Mateu, virgin and martyr (†1936). Franciscan tertiary shot to death during the Spanish Civil War
St. Philibert, abbot (†c. 684). Educated at the court of King Dagobert; he became a monk while still an adolescent. He founded and directed the abbeys of Jumièges and Noirmoutier, in France.
St. Bernard Tolomei, abbot (†1348). Founder of the Benedictine Congregation of the Blessed Virgin of Monte Oliveto, he went to Siena, Italy, to assist his monks during an epidemic and died from the disease.
Blessed Maria Climent Mateu, virgin and martyr (†1936). Third Order Franciscan dedicated to the lay apostolate, killed by firing squad for her Faith during the Spanish Civil War.
St. Samuel, prophet. Called by God as a child; judge of Israel. He anointed Saul as king, who was unfaithful, and later anointed David, of whose lineage Jesus was born.
St. Maria de Mattias, virgin (†1866). Disciple of St. Gaspar del Bufalo, she founded the Congregation of the Sisters Adorers of the Most Precious Blood of Christ in Rome.
St. Maximus, monk (†fifth century). Disciple of St. Martin of Tours and monk in the Abbey of Île-Barbe (in Lyon, France). He founded a monastery near Chinon, where he spent the rest of his life.
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