Wednesday 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 – 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.see 9c)
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his footstool;
holy is he! R.
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.
From the pillar of cloud he spoke to them;
they heard his decrees and the law he gave them. R.
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.”
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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