Wednes the 13th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – Amos 5:14-15, 21-24
Seek good and not evil, that you may live; Then truly will the LORD, the God of hosts, be with you as you claim! Hate evil and love good, and let justice prevail at the gate; Then it may be that the LORD, the God of hosts, will have pity on the remnant of Joseph.I hate, I spurn your feasts, says the LORD, I take no pleasure in your solemnities; Your cereal offerings I will not accept, nor consider your stall-fed peace offerings. Away with your noisy songs! I will not listen to the melodies of your harps. But if you would offer me burnt offerings, then let justice surge like water, and goodness like an unfailing stream.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 50:7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 16bc-17 (R.23b)
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Hear, my people, and I will speak;
Israel, I will testify against you;
God, your God, am I.” R.
“If I were hungry, I should not tell you,
for mine are the world and its fullness.
Do I eat the flesh of strong bulls,
or is the blood of goats my drink?” R.
But I walk in integrity;
redeem me, and have mercy on me.
My foot stands on level ground;
in the assemblies, I will bless the LORD. R.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?” R.
Gospel – Mt 8:28-34
When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one could travel by that road. They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding. The demons pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.” And he said to them, “Go then!” They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned. The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.
Featured Saints
St. Oliver Plunkett, bishop, martyr (+1681). Of a noble Irish family, he studied in Rome, where he was ordained and taught Theology for fifteen years before returning to his native soil, having been appointed Archbishop of Armagh and primate of Ireland. He administered Confirmation to 48,000 faithful over the next four years. Under a renewed surge of anti-Catholic persecution, he was accused of conspiracy and treason and executed in Tyburn during the reign of Charles II (Memorial in Ireland).
St. Junipero Serra, priest (†1784). Optional Memorial in the US. Spanish Franciscan friar who left his post as professor in the University of Padua to embark on an evangelizing mission in the New World. Working in Mexico, Texas and California, he founded 21 missions which served to firmly establish the Church in these regions.
St. Aaron. Priest of the Old Testament, from the tribe of Levi, brother of Moses.
St. Theodoric, priest (†533). Disciple of St. Remigius, who ordained him a priest. First abbot of Mont d’Or Monastery on the outskirts of Reims, France.
St. Domitian, abbot († fifth century). Distributed his possessions among the poor and became a hermit in Arles, France. With the help of St. Eucherius he founded a monastery of contemplative life in Lyon.
Sts. Justino Orona Madrigal and Atilano Cruz Alvarado, priests and martyrs (†1928). Shot to death on the region outlying Guadalajara (Mexico), during the religious persecution.
St. Zhang Huailu, martyr (†1900). Catechumen who, during the persecution in China, spontaneously declared himself a Christian and was baptized with his own blood, in the city of Zhumadian.
Blessed John Nepomucene Chrzan, priest and martyr (†1942). Polish priest killed in Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany.
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