Mass Readings

First Reading – Gn 4:1-15, 25

The man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have produced a man with the help of the LORD.” Next she bore his brother Abel. Abel became a keeper of flocks, and Cain a tiller of the soil. In the course of time Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the soil, while Abel, for his part, brought one of the best firstlings of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering He did not. Cain greatly resented this and was crestfallen. So the LORD said to Cain: “Why are you so resentful and crestfallen. If you do well, you can hold up your head; but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door: his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master.” Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out in the field.” When they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD asked Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He answered, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” The LORD then said: “What have you done! Listen: your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the soil! Therefore you shall be banned from the soil that opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. If you till the soil, it shall no longer give you its produce. You shall become a restless wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the LORD: “My punishment is too great to bear. Since You have now banished me from the soil, and I must avoid Your presence and become a restless wanderer on the earth, anyone may kill me at sight.” “Not so!” the LORD said to him. “If anyone kills Cain, Cain shall be avenged sevenfold.” So the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest anyone should kill him at sight. Adam again had relations with his wife, and she gave birth to a son whom she called Seth. “God has granted me more offspring in place of Abel,” she said, “because Cain slew him.”

Responsorial Psalm – Ps 50:1 and 8, 16bc-17, 20-21 (R. 14a)

R. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.

God the LORD has spoken and summoned the earth,
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before Me always.” R.

“Why do you recite My statutes,
and profess My covenant with your mouth
Though you hate discipline
and cast My words behind you?” R.

“You sit speaking against your brother;
against your mother’s son you spread rumors.
When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.” R.

Gospel – Mk 8:11-13

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from Him a sign from heaven to test Him. He sighed from the depth of His spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Then He left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.

Featured Saints

Blessed Christina of Spoleto, widow (†1458). After the death of her husband, she gave in to the concupiscence of the flesh for some time, but underwent a conversion and entered the Secular Augustinian Order in Spoleto, Italy, where she led a life of penance, dedicated to prayer and works of mercy.

St.­ Castor,­ priest and hermit († fourth century). After studying in Treveris, Germany, in the school of St. Maximin, he withdrew to a solitary life along the banks of the Mosel River.

St. Benignus, priest and martyr († fourth century). Martyr of Todi, in Umbria, Italy, during the final persecution against the Christians, in time of Diocletian and Maximian.

St. Paul Liu Hanzuo, priest  and martyr (†1818). Arrested while celebrating the Mass of the Assumption. When he was unable to pay the amount demanded for his release, he was brought to the Mandarin, before whom he confessed his Faith and received the death sentence.

St. Martinianus, hermit (†c. 398). He lived a solitary life in the rugged regions close to Caesarea, in Palestine. He later travelled to Athens, Greece, where he died

St. Paul Lê-Văn-Lôc, priest and martyr (†1859). He was beheaded at the gates of the Vietnamese city of Thi-Nghè during the reign of Emperor Tu Ðúc.

Blessed Jordan of Saxony, priest (†1237). First successor of St. Dominic as head of the Order of Preachers; he was ardent in spreading the order. He died in a shipwreck near Acre, in Palestine.

Blessed Eustochium Bellini (†1469). Virgin of the Benedictine Order in Padua. By God’s permission, she suffered demonic attacks throughout her life. She was ardently devoted to the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ.Blessed Christina of Spoleto – St. Augustine Church, Antequera (Spain) Photo: Francisco Lecaros