Wednesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – Sir 4:11-19
Wisdom breathes life into her children and admonishes those who seek her. He who loves her loves life; those who seek her will be embraced by the Lord. He who holds her fast inherits glory; wherever he dwells, the LORD bestows blessings. Those who serve her serve the Holy One; those who love her the LORD loves. He who obeys her judges nations; he who hearkens to her dwells in her inmost chambers. If one trusts her, he will possess her; his descendants too will inherit her. She walks with him as a stranger and at first she puts him to the test; Fear and dread she brings upon him and tries him with her discipline until she try him by her laws and trust his soul. Then she comes back to bring him happiness and reveal her secrets to them and she will heap upon him treasures of knowledge and an understanding of justice. But if he fails her, she will abandon him and deliver him into the hands of despoilers.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 119:165, 168, 171, 172, 174, 175 (R.165a)
R. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
Those who love your law have great peace,
and for them there is no stumbling block. R.
I keep your precepts and your decrees,
for all my ways are before you. R.
My lips pour forth your praise,
because you teach me your statutes. R.
May my tongue sing of your promise,
for all your commands are just. R.
I long for your salvation, O LORD,
and your law is my delight. R.
Let my soul live to praise you,
and may your ordinances help me. R.
Gospel – Mk 9:38-40
John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.”
Featured Saints
St. Paula of St. Joseph Calasanz, virgin (†1889). Endowed with an extraordinary charism for education, she adopted the motto: Piety and Learning. She founded the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary, Sisters of the Pious Schools in Barcelona, Spain.
St. Porphyrius of Gaza, bishop (+421). He was born into a Thessalonian family and he lived as an anchorite in the desert. After being ordained Bishop of Gaza, Palestine, he ordered the demolition of many temples dedicated to idols and was instrumental in the conversion of many pagans to the Faith.
St. Alexander, bishop (†326). A glorious elder, aflame with zeal for the Faith; as Bishop of Alexandria, he excommunicated the priest Arius for becoming corrupted by heresy and refusing divine truth. Afterwards, with 318 fathers, he condemned him in the First Nicene Council.
St. Faustinian, Bishop (†fourth century). Second Bishop of Bologna, Italy. The Church, oppressed by persecution, was strengthened and experienced growth because of his preaching.
St. Victor, hermit (†seventh century). Praised in the sermons of St. Bernard, he died in Arcis-surAube, France, where he had led a life of prayer and contemplation.
Blessed Robert Drury, priest and martyr (†1607). Falsely accused of conspiracy against King James I, he suffered death by hanging at Tyburn, England.
Blessed Piety of the Cross Ortiz Real, virgin (†1916). She founded the Congregation of the Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Alcantarilla, Spain, for the formation and religious instruction of poor children.
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