Tuesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of St. Peter Chrysologus, bishop and doctor of the Church(†c. 450). Born in Imola, Italy, he became Bishop of Ravenna, and was known as Chrysologus – “Word of Gold” – for his great eloquence, especially noted in his homilies.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Jer 14:17-22
Let my eyes stream with tears day and night, without rest, Over the great destruction which overwhelms the virgin daughter of my people, over her incurable wound. If I walk out into the field, look! those slain by the sword; If I enter the city, look! those consumed by hunger. Even the prophet and the priest forage in a land they know not. Have you cast Judah off completely? Is Zion loathsome to you? Why have you struck us a blow that cannot be healed? We wait for peace, to no avail; for a time of healing, but terror comes instead. We recognize, O LORD, our wickedness, the guilt of our fathers; that we have sinned against you. For your name’s sake spurn us not, disgrace not the throne of your glory; remember your covenant with us, and break it not. Among the nations’ idols is there any that gives rain? Or can the mere heavens send showers? Is it not you alone, O LORD, our God, to whom we look? You alone have done all these things.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 79:8, 9, 11 and 13 (R.9)
R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low. R.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name’s sake. R.
Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise. R.
Gospel – Mt 13:36-43
Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom. The weeds are the children of the Evil One, and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
Featured Saints
St. Leopold Mandić, priest (†1942). Capuchin religious who dedicated most of his life to administering the Sacrament of Confession in Padua, Italy.
Blessed Mannes de Guzman, priest (†c. 1235). Brother of St. Dominic and his collaborator in the expansion of the Order of Preachers, particularly in the cities of Paris and Madrid. He attended his brother’s canonization in Rome, in July of 1234.
Blessed Zózimo Izquierdo Gil, priest and martyr (†1936). Arrested during the Spanish Civil War; while incarcerated he heard the confessions of prisoners and prayed the Rosary with them.
Sts. Maxima, Donatilla and Secunda, virgins and martyrs (†304). Put to death in present day Tunisia during the persecutions of Valerian and Gallienus, for refusing to burn incense before idols.
St. Mary of the Sacramental Jesus Venegas da Torre, virgin (†1959). Mexican nun and foundress of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She spent 54 years caring for the poor sick in a small infirmary.
Blessed Maria Vicenta of St. Dorothy Chávez Orozco, virgin (†1949). Founded the Institute of the Servants of the Blessed Trinity and the Poor in Guadalajara, Mexico.
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