Mass Readings

First Reading – Dt 30:10-14

Moses said to the people: “If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God, and keep his commandments and statutes that are written in this book of the law, when you return to the LORD, your God, with all your heart and all your soul. “For this command that I enjoin on you today is not too mysterious and remote for you. It is not up in the sky, that you should say, ‘Who will go up in the sky to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?’ Nor is it across the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?’ No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out.”

Responsorial Psalm – Ps 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37 (R.cf. 33)

R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

I pray to you, O LORD,
for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
with your constant help.
Answer me, O LORD, for bounteous is your kindness:
in your great mercy turn toward me. R.

I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving. R.

“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.” R.

For God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
The descendants of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall inhabit it. R.

Second Reading – Col1:15-20

Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

Gospel – Lk 10:25-37

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”  But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Featured Saints

Seven Holy Brothers (†circa 162) – Sons of St. Felicitas, these seven brothers – Alexander, Felix, Januarius, Marialis, Philip, Silvanus and Vitalis – were martyred in Rome during the persecution waged by Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.

St. Pascarius, bishop (†seventh century). Bishop of Nantes, France; he founded a monastery to receive St. Hermeland and the monks of Fontanelle, on the Island of Aindre.

St. Peter Vincioli, priest (†1007). Rebuilt the Church of St. Peter in Perugia, Italy, and erected an adjacent monastery where he introduced the discipline of Cluny.

St. Canute IV, martyr (†1086). King of Denmark; he promoted divine worship and the construction of many monasteries and churches. He was assassinated by seditious subjects.

St. Apollonius of Sardis, martyr (+fourth century). Crucified during the religious persecution in Laodicea.

Sts. Rufina and Segunda, virgin martyrs, (circa †257). In Rome, under Emperor Valerian, these two sisters were tortured and put to death for their Faith.

St. Amalburga, virgin (†eighth century). She received the veil of the consecrated virgins from the hands of St. Willibrord and spent the last years of her life in Temse, present-day Belgium.

Blessed Manuel Ruiz, priest, and companions, martyrs (†1860). Franciscan priest massacred in his convent in Damascus, along with seven religious and three laymen.

Blessed Maria Gertrude of St. Sophia of Ripert d’Alauzin, virgin and martyr (†1794). Ursuline nun of noble blood guillotined in Orange, France, for refusing to take the anti-religious oath demanded of her.