Tuesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – 2 Pt 3:12-15a, 17-18
Beloved: Wait for and hasten the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the elements melted by fire. But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace. And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation. Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 90:2, 3-4, 10, 14 and 16 (R.1)
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Before the mountains were begotten
and the earth and the world were brought forth,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God. R.
You turn man back to dust,
saying, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night. R.
Seventy is the sum of our years,
or eighty, if we are strong,
And most of them are fruitless toil,
for they pass quickly and we drift away. R.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Let your work be seen by your servants
and your glory by their children. 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.
Featured Saints
St. Optatus, bishop († 4th century). As bishop of Milevis in Northern Africa, he distinguished himself in the fight against the Donatists. He wrote
several works highly esteemed by St. Augustine.
St. Quirinus, martyr (†309). Bishop of Sescia, present-day Croatia; he was thrown into a river bound to a millstone for refusing to sacrifice to the pagan gods, during the reign of Emperor Galerius.
St. Metrophanes, bishop (†325). Bishop of Byzantium when it became the capital of the Roman Empire.
St. Francis Caracciolo, priest (†1608). Co-founded the Congregation of the Minor Clerks Regular in Naples, Italy. To the usual vows of poverty, obedience and chastity, a fourth was added, that of not aspiring to ecclesiastical dignities.
St. Philip Smaldone, priest (†1923). Apostle of deaf-mutes and the blind, he founded the Congregation of the Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Hearts in Lecce, Italy.
Blessed Antoni Zawistowski, priest, and Stanislaw Starowieyski, layman, martyrs (†1942). During the Nazi occupation of Poland, they were arrested for their Faith deported to the concentration camp of Dachau in Germany, where they died of ill treatment.
Blessed Pacificus Ramati, priest (†1482). Franciscan religious, who obtained a doctorate at the Sorbonne then returned to Italy to dedicate himself to preaching. He died in Sassari, at age 58.
Blessed Francis Pianzola, priest (†1943). A priest from the Diocese of Vigevano, Italy, he founded the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Queen of Peace.
Image gallery
