Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
Featured Saints
St. Angela of the Cross Guerrero González, virgin (†1932). Foundress of the Sisters of the Company of the Cross in Seville, Spain, she considered the poor,
whom she called her “lords”, her greatest treasure and she served them with dedication.
Blessed Charles the Good, martyr (†1127). Prince of Denmark and Count of Flanders, son of King St. Canute IV. He was assassinated in front of the altar, by men at arms whom he had sought to conciliate.
St. Chad, Bishop (†672). Archbishop of York, England. He exercised his ministry by journeying his territory on foot. Transferred to the Archdiocese of Lichfield,
where he built the cathedral, flanked by a monastery, to which he withdrew to pray.
St. Luke Casali of Nicosia, abbot (†ninth century). Monk from the monastery of Agira, Italy, renowned for his humility and wisdom.
St. Troadius, martyr (†251). Killed during the Decian persecutions in Neo-Caesarea, Pontus, present day Turkey.
St. Agnes of Prague, abbess (†circa 1282). Daughter of King Ottokar I of Bohemia, she declined advantageous marriage proposals in order to enter a Clarist monastery she had founded in Prague, Czech Republic.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Is 1:10, 16-20
Hear the word of the LORD, princes of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah! Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow. Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow. Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool. If you are willing, and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land; but if you refuse and resist, the sword shall consume you: for the mouth of the LORD has spoken!
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23 (R.23b)
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold.” R.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?” R.
“When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.” R.
Gospel – Mt 23: 1-12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
“The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people’s shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
