Memorial of St. Justin Martyr
St. Justin, Martyr (†c. 165 Rome). A pagan philosopher who embraced Christianity and thenceforth became a prolific apologist for the Faith. Denounced to the Roman authorities by one of his disciples, he suffered martyrdom for love of Christ.
Other featured Saints
St. Hannibal Maria di Francia, priest (†1927). Founded the Congregation of Rogationist Fathers of the Heart of Jesus and the Daughters of Divine Zeal.
St. Simeon of Syracuse, hermit (†1035). Born in Italy to a Greek father, he lived as a hermit near Bethlehem and on Mount Sinai, and later in Trier, Germany, where he died.
St. Joseph Túc, martyr (†1862). Peasant farmer decapitated in the city of Hoàng Xá, Bac Ninh, Vietnam, for refusing to to trample a cross, during the anti-Christian persecution of the emperor Tu-Duc.
Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini, bishop (†1905). Governed the Diocese of Piacenza, Italy, dedicating himself especially to priests, workers and farmers. He founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Charles, and the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles to aid emigrants leaving for America.
Blessed John Pelingotto (†1304). Franciscan tertiary from Urbino, Italy. He lived in a cell, which he only left to attend the poor and sick.
St. Iñigo, abbot (†1060). At the request of King Sancho III of Navarre, he left contemplative and solitary life to become abbot of the Monastery of Oña, in Burgos. near Burgos, Spain.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Tb 2:9-14
On the night of Pentecost, after I had buried the dead, I, Tobit, went into my courtyard to sleep next to the courtyard wall. My face was uncovered because of the heat. I did not know there were birds perched on the wall above me, till their warm droppings settled in my eyes, causing cataracts. I went to see some doctors for a cure but the more they anointed my eyes with various salves, the worse the cataracts became, until I could see no more. For four years I was deprived of eyesight, and all my kinsmen were grieved at my condition. Ahiqar, however, took care of me for two years, until he left for Elymais. At that time, my wife Anna worked for hire at weaving cloth, the kind of work women do. When she sent back the goods to their owners, they would pay her. Late in winter on the seventh of Dystrus, she finished the cloth and sent it back to the owners. They paid her the full salary and also gave her a young goat for the table. On entering my house the goat began to bleat. I called to my wife and said: “Where did this goat come from? Perhaps it was stolen! Give it back to its owners; we have no right to eat stolen food!” She said to me, “It was given to me as a bonus over and above my wages.” Yet I would not believe her, and told her to give it back to its owners. I became very angry with her over this. So she retorted: “Where are your charitable deeds now? Where are your virtuous acts? See! Your true character is finally showing itself!”
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 112:1-2, 7-8, 9 (R. cf.7c)
R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed. R.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear
till he looks down upon his foes. R.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory. R.
Gospel – Mk 12:13-17
Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent
to Jesus to ensnare Him in his speech.
They came and said to Him,
“Teacher, we know that You are a truthful man
and that You are not concerned with anyone’s opinion.
You do not regard a person’s status
but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?
Should we pay or should we not pay?”
Knowing their hypocrisy He said to them,
“Why are you testing Me?
Bring me a denarius to look at.”
They brought one to Him and He said to them,
“Whose image and inscription is this?”
They replied to Him, “Caesar’s.”
So Jesus said to them,
“Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God.”
They were utterly amazed at Him.
