Friday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time
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 Pius IX, Pope (†1878). He proclaimed the dogmas of the Immaculate Conception and Papal Infallibility. He mentored religious Congregations and convoked the First Vatican Council. See also: Blessed Pius IX: Pontiff, Pastor and Father.
St. John Lantrua of Triora, priest and martyr (†1816). Franciscan religious who, after serving as professor of philosophy and theology in Italy, was sent to minister in China; he was martyred in Changsha.
St. Giles (Egidio) Mary of St. Joseph, religious (†1812). He exercised the functions of cook, porter and mendicant in the Franciscan monastery of Naples. He often assisted the dying, preparing them to receive the last Sacraments.
St. Richard, layman (†c. 720). Father of Sts. Willibald, Winnebald and Walburga, he died at Lucca, Italy, while on pilgrimage with his two sons from England to Rome.
Blesseds Anselm Polanco, Bishop, and Philip Ripoll, priest, martyrs (†1939). Shot in Pont de Molins, near Gerona, during the religious persecution perpetrated during the Spanish Civil War.
Blessed Rizzerio, priest (†1236). Hearing a sermon of St. Francis of Assisi while a student at the University of Bologna, he joined the group of his disciples. Later, troubled by fear for his eternal salvation, he had recourse to his Founder who, making the Sign of the Cross, delivered him permanently from this disquietude.
Blessed Peter Verhun, priest and martyr (†1957). Ukrainian priest who died in the prison camp of Angarsk, in Siberia, Russia, for his fidelity to the Catholic Faith.
Blessed Rosalie Rendu, virgin (†1856). Religious from the Daughters of Charity, she worked in the poorest suburb of Paris, visiting the homes of the neediest. She inspired many wealthy youths to practice charity.
Blessed Mary of Providence Smet, virgin (†1871). She made a private vow of chastity and was dedicated to apostolate in parishes in Lille, France. She later founded, in Paris, the Society of the Helpers of the Holy Souls, dedicated to assisting the Souls in Purgatory.
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