Wednesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – Heb 7:1-3, 15-17
Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, met Abraham as he returned from his defeat of the kings and blessed him. And Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. His name first means righteous king, and he was also “king of Salem,” that is, king of peace. Without father, mother, or ancestry, without beginning of days or end of life, thus made to resemble the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. It is even more obvious if another priest is raised up after the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become so, not by a law expressed in a commandment concerning physical descent but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. For it is testified: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4 (R. 4b)
R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.
The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand
till I make your enemies your footstool.” R.
The scepter of your power the LORD will stretch forth from Zion:
“Rule in the midst of your enemies.” R.
“Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;
before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you.” R.
The LORD has sworn, and He will not repent:
“You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” R.
Gospel – Mk 3:1-6
Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if He would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse Him. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.” Then He said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against Him to put Him to death.
Featured Saints
St. Margaret of Hungary, virgin (†1270). Daughter of King Béla IV of Hungary, she consecrated herself to the Lord as a Dominican religious from the age of 12.
St. Prisca, martyr (†499). To her name is dedicated the Roman titular church on Aventine Hill.
Blessed Beatrice d’Este, religious (†c. 1262). After her husband’s death, she withdrew to the Benedictine monastery of St. Stefano, in Ferrara, Italy, which she had founded.
Blessed Andrew of Peschiera Grego, priest (†1485). Dominican religious who travelled on foot throughout the entire Italian Alps, living with the poor and preaching Catholic doctrine.
Blessed Christina Ciccarelli, virgin (†1543). Abbess of the Augustinian convent of L’Aquila, Italy. Favoured with visions, ecstasies and the gift of miracles.
Blessed Regina Protmann, virgin (†1613). From a patrician Prussian family, she left home at 18 years to enter community life with two companions dedicated to the poor, sick, and the education of youth. This gave rise to the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Catherine.
Blessed Maria Teresa Fasce, virgin (†1947). Abbess of the Augustinian monastery of Cassia, Italy. She united asceticism and contemplation with works of charity for pilgrims and the indigent.
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