Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – Sirach 1:1-10
All wisdom comes from the LORD and with him it remains forever, and is before all time The sand of the seashore, the drops of rain, the days of eternity: who can number these? Heaven’s height, earth’s breadth, the depths of the abyss: who can explore these? Before all things else wisdom was created; and prudent understanding, from eternity. The word of God on high is the fountain of wisdom and her ways are everlasting. To whom has wisdom’s root been revealed? Who knows her subtleties? To whom has the discipline of wisdom been revealed? And who has understood the multiplicity of her ways? There is but one, wise and truly awe-inspiring, seated upon his throne: There is but one, Most High all-powerful creator-king and truly awe-inspiring one, seated upon his throne and he is the God of dominion. It is the LORD; he created her through the Holy Spirit, has seen her and taken note of her. He has poured her forth upon all his works, upon every living thing according to his bounty; he has lavished her upon his friends.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5 (R.1a)
R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.
The LORD is king, in splendor robed;
robed is the LORD and girt about with strength. R.
And he has made the world firm,
not to be moved.
Your throne stands firm from of old;
from everlasting you are, O LORD. R.
Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed:
holiness befits your house,
O LORD, for length of days. R.
Gospel – Mk 9:14-29
As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John and approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them. Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him. He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.” He said to them in reply, “O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.” They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth. Then he questioned his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” He replied, “Since childhood. It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.” Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!” Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead!” But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, “Why could we not drive the spirit out?” He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.”
Featured Saints
St. Ethelbert, king (†616). King of Kent, he was the first of the Anglo princes that Bishop St. Augustine of Canterbury converted to the Faith of Christ. His Baptism and support of St. Augustine was a decisive factor in the rapid conversion of his subjects.
Blessed Mark of Marconi, hermit (†1510). Religious from the Order of Hermits of St. Jerome, in Mantua, Italy, he led a life of study, prayer and mortification, favoured by many spiritual gifts.
St. Modestus (5th century). Bishop of Treves, Germany.
Blessed Constantius Servoli de Fabriano, priest (†1481). Religious in the Dominican convent of Fabriano, Italy; a peacemaker who led an austere life.
Blessed Thomas Mary Fusco, priest (†1891). Inspired by a great love for the poor and sick, he founded the Institute of the Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood in Nocera, Italy.
Blessed Josepha Naval Girbes, virgin (†1893). Lay woman consecrated to God, she dedicated herself to providing religious instruction for children in Algemesí, Spain.
Blessed Ascension of the Heart of Jesus, virgin (†1940). Co-foundress of the Congregation of the Dominican Missionaries of the Holy Rosary in Lima, Peru. She died at age 70 in Pamplona, Spain.
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