Mass Readings

First Reading – Jas 1:12-18

Blessed is he who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proven he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him. No one experiencing temptation should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and He himself tempts no one. Rather, each person is tempted when lured and enticed by his desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters: all good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change. He willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

Responsorial Psalm – Ps 94:12-13a, 14-15, 18-19 (R.12a)

R. Blessed the man You instruct, O Lord.

Blessed the man whom You instruct, O LORD,
whom by Your law You teach,
Giving him rest from evil days. R.

For the LORD will not cast off His people,
nor abandon His inheritance;
But judgment shall again be with justice,
and all the upright of heart shall follow it. R.

When I say, “My foot is slipping,”
Your mercy, O LORD, sustains me;
When cares abound within me,
Your comfort gladdens my soul. R.

Gospel – Mk 8:14-21

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread. When He became aware of this He said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?” They answered Him, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered him, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

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.