Friday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – 1 Kgs 11:29-32; 12:19
Jeroboam left Jerusalem, and the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite met him on the road. The two were alone in the area, and the prophet was wearing a new cloak. Ahijah took off his new cloak, tore it into twelve pieces, and said to Jeroboam: “Take ten pieces for yourself; the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will tear away the kingdom from Solomon’s grasp and will give you ten of the tribes. One tribe shall remain to him for the sake of David my servant, and of Jerusalem, the city I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel.’” Israel went into rebellion against David’s house to this day.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 81:10-11ab, 12-13, 14-15 (R.11a and 9a)
R. I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.
“There shall be no strange god among you
nor shall you worship any alien god.
I, the LORD, am your God
who led you forth from the land of Egypt.” R.
“My people heard not My voice,
and Israel obeyed Me not;
So I gave them up to the hardness of their hearts;
they walked according to their own counsels.” R.
“If only My people would hear Me,
and Israel walk in My ways,
Quickly would I humble their enemies;
against their foes I would turn My hand.” R.
Gospel – Mk 7:31-37
Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to Him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged Him to lay His hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”) And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more He ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
Featured Saints
St. Apollonia, virgin and martyr (†250). After undergoing torture, she was burned alive in Alexandria, Egypt for refusing to utter blasphemies.
St. Sabine, bishop (†c. 566). Friend of St. Benedict, he was sent as pontifical legate to Constantinople to defend true doctrine in the wake of the monophyst h
St. Maron, hermit (†c. 423). He lived as a hermit, consecrated to prayer and rigorous penances, on a hilltop near present-day Aleppo, Syria. A famous monastery was built at his graveside, and later a Christian community bearing his name developed at the site.
Sts. Primus and Donatus, deacons and martyrs (†c. 361). Stoned to death by a band of Donatist heretics in Lemellefa, in present-day Algeria, while defending an altar being attacked by them.
St. Miguel Febres Cordero, religious (†1910). Member of the Congregation of Christian Brothers, born in Cuenca, Ecuador. He was dedicated to the formation of youth and teachers for almost forty years.
Blessed Leopold of Alpandeire, religious (†1956). Capuchin lay brother, who fulfilled the duties of gardener, doorman, sacristan and almoner. He died in Granada, Spain.
Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, virgin (†1824). Augustinian religious who received the stigmata of the Passion of Our Lord. She used her extraordinary gifts to console all who came to her. She died in Dülmen, Germany at age 49.
St. Raynald, bishop (†1222). Camaldolese monk from the bey of Fonte Avellana; he exercised the episcopal ministry in Nocera, Italy, conserving the habits of monastic life.
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