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 – 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

St. Claude de La Colombière, priest (†1682). Jesuit priest, superior of the College in Parayle-Monial, France who, through his wise counsels, led many souls to the love of God. He stood out especially as an Apostle of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

St. Sigfrid of Sweden, bishop (†c. 1045). Born in England, he became an evangelizer of the Scandinavian countries. He converted many pagans and baptized King Olaf of Sweden. He died in the city of Växjö, Sweden, where a shrine him.

St. Galfrido, abbot (+765). From an illustrious family of Pisa, he married a young woman of equally good birth. After raising their children and desiring a life of greater perfection, they agreed to embrace religious life. St. Gaulfrido founded a monastery which he ruled with wisdom, an outstanding example of virtue

St. Onesimus. Fugitive slave received by St. Paul who, while in prison, became his father in the Faith, as the Apostle himself wrote in his letter to Philemon, former master of Onesimus

St. Faustinus and St. Jovitus. Martyrs. Brothers from a noble of Brescia, Italy. They received the palm of martydom during the reign of Emperor Hadrian.

Blessed Angelo Scarpetti, priest (†circa 1306). Priest of the Hermits of St. Augustine, born in Borgo San Sepolcro, Italy. He spent part of his religious life in England, where he founded several monasteries.

Blessed Michael Sopocko, priest (†1975). Confessor of St. Faustina Kowalska, founder of the Sisters of the Merciful Jesus and a great propagator of devotion to Divine Mercy. He died in Bialystok, Poland.