Mass Readings

First Reading – Am 7:10-17

Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent word to Jeroboam, king of Israel: “Amos has conspired against you here within Israel; the country cannot endure all his words. For this is what Amos says: Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be exiled from its land.” To Amos, Amaziah said: “Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah! There earn your bread by prophesying, but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.” Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ Now hear the word of the LORD!” You say: prophesy not against Israel, preach not against the house of Isaac. Now thus says the LORD: Your wife shall be made a harlot in the city, and your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword; Your land shall be divided by measuring line, and you yourself shall die in an unclean land; Israel shall be exiled far from its land.

Responsorial Psalm – 19:8, 9, 10, 11 (R.10cd)

R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.

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 9:1-8

After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”– he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

Featured Saints

St. Adolf of Osnabrück, bishop (†1224). After election as Bishop of Osnabrück, Germany, he continued to practise the austerities of Cistercian life which he had embraced in the Monastery of Altenkamp.

St. Otto (†1139). Bishop of Bamberg, Germany, he zealously evangelized the Pomeranians.

St. Theobald, priest and hermit (†1066). Of noble French lineage, he exchanged honours and riches for a life of mendicancy and contemplation.

St. Vincent Ðô Yên, priest and martyr (†1838). Dominican friar beheaded in Hai Duong, Vietnam, during the anti-Christian persecution of Emperor Minh Mang.

St. Basilides, soldier and martyr (†c. 202). In seeking to protect St. Potamiana from the insults of shameless men as she was led to execution, he was converted to Christ and also received the palm of martyrdom.

St. Erentrude, abadess (†718). A relative of St. Rupert of Salzburg, who invited her to assume the governance of Nonnberg Abbey abbey then being opened there. As abbess, she instilled monastic observance, prayer and holiness by her example.

Blessed Januarius Mary Sarnelli, priest (†1744). After meeting St. Alphonsus Liguori, he became a Redemptorist and traveled with him on missions throughout Italy.

Blessed Basil Velyčkovskyj, bishop and martyr (†1973). Redemptorist religious and Bishop of Lviv, Ukraine. He was severely tortured and persecuted for having clandestinely exercised his ministry under the communist regime. He died in exile, in Winnipeg, Canada

Blessed Zenon Kovalyk, priest and martyr (†1941). Redemptorist priest, killed in prison in Lviv, Ukraine.