Friday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorials: St. Blaise, bishop and martyr. He headed the church in Sebaste (present-day Turkey), and was put to death for his Faith c. 320. During his life he became renowned as a miraculous healer, and is revered particularly as a protector against maladies of the throat. On this day, the faithful can receive the Blessing of the Throats through his intercession.
St. Ansgar (†865). Bishop of Hamburg-Bremen who became known as the “Apostle of the North”, being named as the papal legate of Pope Gregory IV to the Scandinavian countries.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Heb 13:1-8
Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels. Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves, for you also are in the body. Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterers. Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for He has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you. Thus we may say with confidence: The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me? Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 27:1, 3, 5, 8b-9abc (R. 1a)
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid? R.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart will not fear;
Though war be waged upon me,
even then will I trust. R.
For He will hide me in His abode
in the day of trouble;
He will conceal me in the shelter of His tent,
He will set me high upon a rock. R.
Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
Hide not Your face from me;
do not in anger repel Your servant.
You are my helper: cast me not off. R.
Gospel – Mk 6:14-29
King Herod heard about Jesus, for His fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in Him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.” Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. His own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Featured Saints
Blessed John Nelson, priest and martyr (†1578). Jesuit priest executed at Tyburn for refusing to acknowledge Queen Elizabeth I of England as a spiritual power.
St. Werburga, abbess (†c. 700). She entered the monastery of Ely, England, where she was abbess, later reforming and founding several other monasteries. She is the patroness of the city of Chester, where her relics are venerated.
St. Mary of St. Ignatius Thévenet, virgin (†1837). She founded the Congregation of the Religious of Jesus and Mary in Lyon, France.
Blessed Anne-Marie Rivier, virgin (†1838). Founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary during the French Revolution.
Blessed Maria Helena Stollenwerk, virgin (†1900). With St. Arnold Janssen, she founded the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters-Servants of the Holy Spirit in Steyl, Netherlands. After her tenure as superior, she dedicated herself to Perpetual Adoration.
Image gallery
