Tuesday of Holy Week
Mass Readings
First Reading – Is 49:1-6
Hear me, O islands, listen, O distant peoples. The LORD called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name. He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me. You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory. Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, Yet my reward is with the LORD, my recompense is with my God. For now the LORD has spoken who formed me as His servant from the womb, That Jacob may be brought back to Him and Israel gathered to Him; And I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD, and my God is now my strength! It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15 and 17 (R. see 15ab)
R. I will sing of your salvation.
In cou, O LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In vour justice rescue me, and deliver me;
incline your ear to me, and save me. R.
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for You are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked. R.
For You are my hope, O LORD;
my trust, O God, from my youth.
On You I depend from birth;
from my mother’s womb You are my strength. R.
My mouth shall declare Your justice,
day by day Your salvation.
O God, You have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim Your wondrous deeds R.
Gospel – Jn 13:21-33, 36-38
Reclining at table with His disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom He meant. One of His disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. So Simon Peter nodded to Him to find out whom He meant. He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to Him, “Master, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.” So He dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now none of those reclining at table realized why He said this to him. Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or to give something to the poor. So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night. When he had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and He will glorify Him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for Me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, though you will follow later.” Peter said to Him, “Master, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny Me three times.”
Featured Saints
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 teaching and catechesis in Sicily, Italy.
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.
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