Friday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – Ex 20:1-17
In those days: God delivered all these commandments: “I, the LORD, am your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery. You shall not have other gods besides Me. You shall not carve idols for yourselves in the shape of anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth; you shall not bow down before them or worship them. For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment for their fathers’ wickedness on the children of those who hate Me, down to the third and fourth generation; but bestowing mercy down to the thousandth generation on the children of those who love Me and keep My commandments. “You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain. For the LORD will not leave unpunished him who takes his name in vain. “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day. Six days you may labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD, your God. No work may be done then either by you, or your son or daughter, or your male or female slave, or your beast, or by the alien who lives with you. In six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD has blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. “Honor your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you. “You shall not kill. “You shall not commit adultery. “You shall not steal. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male or female slave, nor his ox or ass, nor anything else that belongs to him.”
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 (R.John 6:68c)
R. Lord, You have the words of everlasting life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple. R.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye. R.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just. R.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb. R.
Gospel – Mt 13:18-23
Jesus said to His disciples: “Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”
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.
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. Pedro Poveda Castroverde, priest and martyr (†1936). Founder of the Teresian Association, dedicated to the formation of teachers he was killed out of hatred for the Faith during the Spanish Civil War.
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. 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.
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