Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel Commentary, by Msgr. João Scognamligio Clá Dias, EP
Mass Readings
St. Benedict of Nursia, abbot (†547). Founder of the Benedictine Order, which was the harbinger of the Middle Ages. From the Benedictines came the evangelizers of the barbarian peoples, which gave rise to European Christian civilization. He is thus hailed as the father of Western monasticism and patron of Europe. The maxim for his order was: Ora et labora.
St. Olga of Kiev (†969). Russian princess and grandmother of King St. Vladimir. The first Russian sovereign to receive Baptism, her conversion opened the doors of Russia to Christianity. She died in Kiev, present-day Ukraine.
St. Leontius, bishop (†c. 570). He stood out in Bordeaux, France as a builder and restorer of places of worship, and an advocate of the poor.
St. Quetilus, priest (†1151). Augustinian religious in Denmark, he promoted evangelization and acted as a peacemaker in the dynastic disputes of his country.
St. Abundius, priest and martyr (†854). Killed in Cordoba, during the persecution of the Moors, for his fearless confession of the Faith.
St. Hidulphus, abbot (†707). He lived as a hermit in the dense forest of Vosges, France. For the sake of his many followers he founded and governed the monastery of Moyenmoutier.
Blessed Bertrand, abbot (†1149). Superior of the Monastery of Grandselve, on the outskirts of Toulouse (France); he incorporated it into the Cistercian Order.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Am 7:12-15
Amaziah, priest of Bethel, said to Amos,
“Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah!
There earn your bread by prophesying,
but never again prophesy in Bethel;
for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.”
Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet,
nor have I belonged to a company of prophets;
I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores.
The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me,
Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 (R.8)
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD —for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land. R.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven. R.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps. R.
Second Reading – Eph 1:3-14 or 1:3-10
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth. [In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.]
Gospel – Mk 6:7-13
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey
but a walking stick—
no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals
but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them.”
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
