Wednesday of the 1st Week of Advent
Optional memorial of St. Nicholas, bishop († 350). Bishop of Myra, in present-day Turkey. He was renowned for his miracles and is recognized as the patron Saint of Russia. His relics were carried to Bari (Italy) and for this reason, he is also known as St. Nicholas of Bari.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Is 25:6-10a
On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples A feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain He will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web that is woven over all nations; He will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces; The reproach of His people He will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken. On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that He has saved us!” For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 (R.6cd)
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures He gives me repose;
Beside restful waters He leads me;
He refreshes my soul. R.
He guides me in right paths
for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for You are at my side
With Your rod and Your staff
that give me courage. R.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. R.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come. R.
Gospel – Mt 15:29-37
At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to Him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at His feet, and He cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel. Jesus summoned His disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” The disciples said to Him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then He took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.
Featured Saints
St. Peter Pascual, bishop and martyr († 1300). Mercedarian religious, appointed Bishop of Jaen, Spain. He was captured by the Moors while visiting the faithful of his diocese and died in captivity in Granada.
St. Obitius, penitent († 1204). When close to death in battle, he experienced a a vision of hell , which convinced that he would have deserved condemnation if he had died on that occasion. Abandoning his military career, he became a Benedictine oblate in the monastery of Santa Giulia, in Brescia, Italy.
St. Joseph Nguyễn Duy Khang, martyr († 1861). Catechist and traveling companion of Bishop Jerome Hermosilla, in Vietnam. He was tortured and beheaded during the persecution of Emperor Tu Ðúc.
St. Dionysia, St. Majoricus, and companions, martyrs († 5th century). They were subjected to grievous tortures by the Arian king Hunneric. Majoricus, yet a child, was terrified in the face of torture, but was sustained by the words of his mother, Dionysia.
Blessed John Scheffler, Bishop and martyr († 1952). Hungarian born, he was appointed Bishop of Satu Mare, Romania. Under the atheist regime, he died in prison in Bucharest.
Blessed Luísa Maria Cañizares, virgin († 1936). A university professor from Valencia. During the Spanish Civil War she was arrested, and when she refused to renounce her Faith, she had her eyes and tongue torn out before being shot.
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