Mass Readings

First Reading – Heb 7:25—8:6

Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through Him, since He lives forever to make intercession for them. It was fitting that we should have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, higher than the heavens. He has no need, as did the high priests, to offer sacrifice day after day, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; He did that once for all when He offered Himself. For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests, but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law, appoints a son, who has been made perfect forever. The main point of what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in Heaven, a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle that the Lord, not man, set up. Now every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus the necessity for this one also to have something to offer. If then He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are those who offer gifts according to the law. They worship in a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary, as Moses was warned when he was about to erect the tabernacle. For God says, “See that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” Now He has obtained so much more excellent a ministry as He is mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises.

Responsorial Psalm – Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17 (R. 8a and 9a)

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do Your will.

Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave Me.
Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.” R.

“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
To do Your will, O my God, is my delight,
and Your law is within my heart!” R.

I announced Your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as You, O LORD, know. R.

May all who seek You
exult and be glad in You,
And may those who love Your salvation
say ever, “The LORD be glorified.” R.

Gospel – Mk 3:7-12

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with His disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what He was doing, a large number of people came to Him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. He told His disciples to have a boat ready for Him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush Him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon Him to touch Him. And whenever unclean spirits saw Him they would fall down before Him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” He warned them sternly not to make Him known.

Featured Saints

St. Macarius the Great, priest and abbot (†390). Disciple of St. Anthony of Egypt , he lived as a hermit of the desert for more than 50 years. Having gathered some disciples, he built, with them, the monastery of Scetis in Egypt.

­ Bassian,­ bishop (†409). Following the example of St. Ambrose, he fought the Arian Heresy in his Diocese of Lodi, Italy.

Sts. Liberata and Faustina, virgins (†580). Two sisters from a noble family of Piacenza (Italy). Inspired to lead an ascetic life, they founded a monastery dedicated to Santa Margherita close to the Como River.

St. John, bishop (†595). He served the Church in the Diocese of Ravenna, when Italy was devastated by the war against the Lombards.

St. Remigius of Rouen, bishop (†c. 762). Brother of King Pepin the Short. He had a great influence on the introduction of Gregorian chant in France.

St. Arsenius, bishop (†tenth century). He entered monastic life at twelve years of age. He was named Bishop of Corfu, Greece, and was very dedicated to his flock and diligent in nocturnal prayer.

St. Poncian, martyr. After courageously enduring a series of torments for the love of his Faith, he was put to death by the sword at Spoleto (Italy), during the persecution of the Emperor  Antoninus.

Blessed Marcelo Spinola y Maestre, bishop (†1906). Archbishop of Seville, Spain; an outstanding apostle of charity, he showed ardent zeal for the sanctification of souls in preaching, the confessional, and spiritual direction.