Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Lent
Optional memorial of St. Gregory of Narek, monk (†c. 1005). Evangelizer of the Armenians, renowned for his doctrine, writings, and mystical knowledge.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Is 1:10, 16-20
Hear the word of the LORD, princes of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah! Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow. Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool. If you are willing, and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land; but if you refuse and resist, the sword shall consume you: for the mouth of the LORD has spoken!
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23 (R. 23b)
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold.” R.
“Why do you recite My statutes,
and profess My covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast My words behind you?” R.
“When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies Me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.” R.
Gospel – Mt 23:1-12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Featured Saints
Blessed Mary of Jesus Deluil Martiny, virgin (†1884). Foundress of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Heart of Jesus, shot to death by an anarchist in her convent in Marseille, France.
Blessed Maria Charity Brader of the Holy Spirit, virgin (†1943). While a Franciscan religious in Switzerland, she was sent to Colombia, where she founded the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate. She successfully combined contemplative life with missionary activity.
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Possenti, religious (†1862). He entered the Congregation of the Passionist Fathers as an adolescent and died as an acolyte at age 24, in Isola del Gran Sasso, Italy.
St. Baldomerus, monk (†660). Locksmith who lived in the vicinity of Lyon, France; he awakened admiration by his piety and charity toward the poor. He lived an ardent life of prayer in the Monastery of St. Justus.
Sts. Basil and Procopius of the Decapolis, monks (†741). During the reign of Emperor Leo III the Isaurian, they actively worked in favour of the cult to sacred images in Constantinople.
St. Besas, martyr (†third century). Soldier denounced to a judge for attempting to prevent a mob from insulting Sts. Julian and Eunus. Remaining firm in the Faith, he was beheaded in Alexandria, Egypt.
St. Anne Line, martyr (+1601). Banished by her Calvinist parents when she embraced the Catholic Faith; she oversaw a house of missionaries in England, and was denounced and hanged at Tyburn for sheltering Catholic priests.
Blessed Joseph Tous Soler, priest (†1871). Capuchin religious who founded the Congregation of the Capuchin Sisters of the Mother of the Divine Shepherd in Barcelona, Spain, for the Christian formation of children and youth.
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