Wednesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – Jer 15:10, 16-21
Woe to me, mother, that you gave me birth! a man of strife and contention to all the land! I neither borrow nor lend, yet all curse me. When I found your words, I devoured them; they became my joy and the happiness of my heart, Because I bore your name, O LORD, God of hosts. I did not sit celebrating in the circle of merrymakers; Under the weight of your hand I sat alone because you filled me with indignation. Why is my pain continuous, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You have indeed become for me a treacherous brook, whose waters do not abide! Thus the LORD answered me: If you repent, so that I restore you, in my presence you shall stand; If you bring forth the precious without the vile, you shall be my mouthpiece. Then it shall be they who turn to you, and you shall not turn to them; And I will make you toward this people a solid wall of brass. Though they fight against you, they shall not prevail, For I am with you, to deliver and rescue you, says the LORD. I will free you from the hand of the wicked, and rescue you from the grasp of the violent.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 59:2-3, 4, 10-11, 17, 18 (R.17d)
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.
Rescue me from my enemies, O my God;
from my adversaries defend me.
Rescue me from evildoers;
from bloodthirsty men save me. R.
For behold, they lie in wait for my life;
mighty men come together against me,
Not for any offense or sin of mine, O LORD. R.
O my strength! for you I watch;
for you, O God, are my stronghold,
As for my God, may his mercy go before me;
may he show me the fall of my foes. R.
But I will sing of your strength
and revel at dawn in your mercy;
You have been my stronghold,
my refuge in the day of distress. R.
O my strength! your praise will I sing;
for you, O God, are my stronghold,
my merciful God! R.
Gospel – Mt 13:44-46
Jesus said to his disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”
Featured Saints
Blessed Mary Magdalene Martinengo, abbess (†1737). From a noble family, she entered the Capuchin convent of Brescia. She was favoured with mystical phenomena and left writings that reveal her exceptional spirituality.
St. George, deacon, martyr (+1142). Arrested and executed with Saints Aurelius, Natalia, Felix and Liliosa during the persecution of Caliph Abderrahman II.
St. Celestine I, Pope (†432). Great propagator of the Faith; instituted the episcopate in Ireland and England; he supported the Council of Ephesus, in which Our Lady was proclaimed Mother of God.
Blessed Mary Clement of the Crucified Jesus Staszewska, virgin and martyr (†1943). Polish Ursuline nun who died in Auschwitz concentration camp.
St. Simon Stylites, monk (†459). He spent many years in austere mortifications and continual prayer as a penitent atop a column for many years near Antioch, in present day Turkey.
Blessed Joachim Vilanova Camallonga, priest and martyr (†1936). Diocesan priest assassinated in L’Olleria on the outskirts of Valencia, during the Spanish Civil War.
Blessed Lucia Bufalari, virgin (†c. 1350). Religious from the Oblates of the Order of St. Augustine in Amelia, Italy, outstanding for her penitential spirit and zeal for souls.
St. George, deacon, martyr (+1142). Arrested and executed with Saints Aurelius, Natalia, Felix and Liliosa during the persecution of Caliph Abderrahman II.
St. Celestine I, Pope (†432). Great propagator of the Faith; instituted the episcopate in Ireland and England; he supported the Council of Ephesus, in which Our Lady was proclaimed Mother of God.
Blessed Mary Clement of the Crucified Jesus Staszewska, virgin and martyr (†1943). Polish Ursuline nun who died in Auschwitz concentration camp.
St. Simon Stylites, monk (†459). He spent many years in austere mortifications and continual prayer as a penitent atop a column for many years near Antioch, in present day Turkey.
Blessed Joachim Vilanova Camallonga, priest and martyr (†1936). Diocesan priest assassinated in L’Olleria on the outskirts of Valencia, during the Spanish Civil War.
Blessed Lucia Bufalari, virgin (†c. 1350). Religious from the Oblates of the Order of St. Augustine in Amelia, Italy, outstanding for her penitential spirit and zeal for souls.
St. Pantaleon of Bithynia, martyr (†circa 305). Physician who dedicated his practice of medicine to serve the the service of the poor in Nicomedia. He was martyred during the Diocletian persecution. A relic of his blood is housed in the Royal Monastery of the Incarnation, in Madrid. It miraculously liquefies each year on the eve of his feast.
Image gallery
