Tuesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of the Seven Founders of the Servite Order. Seven laymen from Florence withdrew to Mount Senario (1233), dedicating themselves to a contemplative life. They later founded the Order of the Servants of Mary or the Servites.
Mass Readings
First Reading – James 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
St. Bonosus, Bishop (†c. 373). As Bishop of Trier, Germany, together with St. Hilary of Poitiers, he strove to maintain the integrity of the Faith in Gaul.
St. Flavian, Bishop (†449). Elected to the patriarchal See of Constantinople, he ended the controversy provoked by Nestorianism and, some years later, condemned the Monophysite heresy. He suffered severe persecution from Emperor Theodosius II.
St. Fintan, abbot (†c. 440). Founded the monastery of Cluain-Ednech in Ireland, and stood out for his austerity.
St. Evermod, bishop (†1178). Premonstratensian monk, disciple of St. Norbert, sent to Germany as a missionary. Elected Bishop of Ratzeburg, he evangelized the Wends, established on the banks of the Vistula.
St. Mesrob, monk (†c. 440). Evangelizer of the Armenians and disciple of St. Nerses, he created an alphabet to teach SacredScripture; he translated the Old and New Testament, and composed hymns and songs in the Armenian language.
St. Peter Yu Chŏng-nyul, martyr (†1866). Father of a family and catechist who was flogged to death in Pyongyang, during anti-Catholic persecution in Korea.
Blessed Luke Belludi, priest (†1286). From an noble Italian family and possessing great culture, he became a franciscan at the age of 25. He was a faithful disciple and companion of St. Anthony of Padua.
Blessed Anthony Leszczewicz, priest and martyr (†1943). Religious from the Congregation of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception; killed for the Faith in Rzeszów, Poland.
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