Wednesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time
Featured Saints
St. Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception, religious (+1946). After avoiding an imposed marriage and shunning riches, she was admitted into the Malabarian Clarists. She offered herself as an expiatory victim for priests, religious and consecrated souls, and suffered almost continual illness. She died in Bharananganan, in the state of Kerala, India. Canonized by Pope Benedict XVI.
St. Samson of York, bishop and abbot (†565). Of Welsh birth, he lived as a hermit for many years. After being consecrated Bishop, he undertook an mission to spread the Gospel and monastic discipline in Brittany, France, following the divine call. There he founded the Abbey of Dol, around which grew a new diocese.
Sts. Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolaus, Deacons. Five of the seven “men of good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3) chosen by the multitude of the disciples to assist the Apostles.
St. Victor I, Pope (†circa 200). Of African origin, he condemned heresies against the Blessed Trinity and established several canonical rules, including the day for the celebration of Easter for the entire Church.
St. James Hilario Barbal Cosán, martyr (†1937). As a Christian Brother, he was a dedicated teacher until being arrested by the anti-Catholic authorities and executed by firing squad in Catalunia, Spain, during the Civil War.
St. Melchoir Garcia Sampedro, bishop and martyr (†1858). Dominican bishop, imprisoned and brutally killed in Nam Dinh, Vietnam, by order of Emperor Tu Ðuc.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Ex 34:29-35
As Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the commandments in his hands, he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while he conversed with the LORD. When Aaron, then, and the other children of Israel saw Moses and noticed how radiant the skin of his face had become, they were afraid to come near him. Only after Moses called to them did Aaron and all the rulers of the community come back to him. Moses then spoke to them. Later on, all the children of Israel came up to him, and he enjoined on them all that the LORD had told him on Mount Sinai. When he finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. Whenever Moses entered the presence of the LORD to converse with him, he removed the veil until he came out again. On coming out, he would tell the children of Israel all that had been commanded. Then the children of Israel would see that the skin of Moses’ face was radiant; so he would again put the veil over his face until he went in to converse with the LORD.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 99:5, 6, 7, 9 (R. cf.9c)
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his footstool;
holy is he!
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
and Samuel, among those who called upon his name;
they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
From the pillar of cloud he spoke to them;
they heard his decrees and the law he gave them.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his holy mountain;
for holy is the LORD, our 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.”
