Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
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Mass Readings
First Reading – Gn 18:1-10a
The LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre, as he sat in the entrance of his tent, while the day was growing hot. Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them; and bowing to the ground, he said: “Sir, if I may ask you this favor, please do not go on past your servant. Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet, and then rest yourselves under the tree. Now that you have come this close to your servant, let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves; and afterward you may go on your way.” The men replied, “Very well, do as you have said.” Abraham hastened into the tent and told Sarah, “Quick, three measures of fine flour! Knead it and make rolls.” He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer, and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it. Then Abraham got some curds and milk, as well as the steer that had been prepared, and set these before the three men; and he waited on them under the tree while they ate. They asked Abraham, “Where is your wife Sarah?” He replied, “There in the tent.” One of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son.”
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 5 (R.1a)
R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
One who walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue. R.
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
by whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD. R.
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
One who does these things
shall never be disturbed. R.
Second Reading – Col 1:24-28
Brothers and sisters: Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church, of which I am a minister in accordance with God’s stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God, the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past. But now it has been manifested to his holy ones, to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; it is Christ in you, the hope for glory. It is he whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
Gospel – Lk 10:38-42
Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
Featured Saints
Blesseds Thérèse of St. Augustine and fifteen companions, virgins and martyrs (†1794). Religious from the Carmel of Compiègne, guillotined during the French Revolution.
Blessed Ignatius de Azevedo, priest, and 39 companions, martyrs (†1570). In 1570, a large group of Portuguese Jesuits missionaries were on voyage to Brazil, headed by Blessed Ignatius when, in the region of the Canary Islands, they were attacked by French Huguenot pirates who massacred the priests out of religious hatred.
St. Marcellina, virgin (†fourth century). Sister of St. Ambrose; she received the veil of the virgins from Pope Liberius.
St. Leo IV, Pope (†855). Ordered the construction of the Vatican walls to protect the region against Saracen attacks. Defender of justice and apologist for the primacy of Peter.
St. Andrew, hermit (†1031). Went to Hungary at the request of King St. Stephen and led a life of extreme austerity in the Carpathian Mountains region.
St. Hedwig of Poland, queen (†1399). Born in Hungary, she became Queen of Poland by birthright and Grand Duchess of Lithuania through her marriage to Wladyslaw II. With her husband, she established the Catholic Faith in this Baltic country.
Sts. Justa and Rufina, virgins and martyrs (†circa 287). Sevillian sisters who were imprisoned and cruelly tortured by order of the governor Diogenian.
Blessed Paul Gojdich, bishop and martyr (†1960). While Ordinary of the Eparchy of Presov, in Slovakia, he was imprisoned by the comunist authorities, where he died after undergoing torture rather than renounce his fidelity to the Church.
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