Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Featured Saints
St. Peter of Sebaste, bishop (†c. 391). The younger brother of St. Basil the Great, he was elected Bishop of Sebaste, present-day Sivas, Turkey. He valiantly defended the Faith against the Arian heresy.
St. Ludger of Münster, bishop (†809). Founded several monasteries which were converted into centres for the propagation of the Faith. He preached the Gospel in Friesland, Denmark and Saxony.
St. Bercharius, abbot (†685). He was stabbed on Holy Thursday by a monk whom he had reprimanded several times for his bad conduct. He died on Easter Sunday, after pardoning his assassin.
St. Castulus, martyr (†century unknown). It is said that as chamberlain of Diocletian he helped many Christians during the persecution instigated this Emperor; he was discovered and executed after suffering cruel torture.
St. Eutychius, martyr (†356). Subdeacon of Alexandria who died defending the Faith during the reign of Emperor Constantius.
Blessed Magdalen Catherine Morano, virgin (†1908). She received the habit of the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians from the hands of the holy founder. She erected many houses and schools dedicated to catechesis in Sicily, Italy.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Jer 20:10-13
I hear the whisperings of many: “Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!” All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. “Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail, and take our vengeance on him.” But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph. In their failure they will be put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion. O LORD of hosts, You who test the just, who probe mind and heart, Let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to You I have entrusted my cause. Sing to the LORD, praise the LORD, For He has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7 (R. Cf. 7)
R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and He heard my voice.
I love you, O LORD, my strength,
O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.R.
My God, my rock of refuge,
my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies. R.
The breakers of death surged round about me,
the destroying floods overwhelmed me;
The cords of the nether world enmeshed me,
the snares of death overtook me. R.
In my distress I called upon the LORD
and cried out to my God;
From his temple He heard my voice,
and my cry to Him reached his ears. R.
Gospel – Jn 10:31-42
The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus.
Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father.
For which of these are you trying to stone Me?”
The Jews answered Him,
“We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy.
You, a man, are making yourself God.”
Jesus answered them,
“Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, ‘You are gods”‘?
If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came,
and Scripture cannot be set aside,
can you say that the one
whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world
blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?
If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe Me;
but if I perform them, even if you do not believe Me,
believe the works, so that you may realize and understand
that the Father is in Me and I am in the Father.”
Then they tried again to arrest Him;
but He escaped from their power.
He went back across the Jordan
to the place where John first baptized, and there He remained.
Many came to Him and said,
“John performed no sign,
but everything John said about this man was true.”
And many there began to believe in Him.
