Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Lent
Optional Memorial of Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, (†203). Martyrs of Carthage, Tunisia, during the persecution of Septimus Severus.
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.”
Featured Saints
St. Teresa Margaret Redi, virgin (†1770). Discalced Carmelite from the Convent of Florence, Italy. She followed an arduous path to perfection in her short life of 23 years, notable for her abnegated service to the sick and elderly in her community and for her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. (See featured photo.)
St. Paul of Prusa, bishop (†850). He was expelled from his homeland and died in exile in Prusa, present-day Bursa, Turkey, for defending the cult of sacred images.
St. Siméon-François Berneux, bishop and martyr (†1866). French missionary, appointed Apostolic Vicar in Korea. He was beheaded after undergoing cruel torture.
St. Paul the Simple, hermit (†fourth century). Disciple of St. Anthony of the desert, from Thebaid, Egypt. His master put his his obedience and patience to various tests, and was greatly impressed with his exemplary virtue.
St. John Baptist Nam Chong Sam, martyr (†1866). Korean noble and royal chamberlain who converted to Christianity and fell out of favour with the court. He was arrested, tortured and beheaded.
Blessed Leonid Fëdorov, bishop and martyr (†1935). Exarch of Russian Catholics of the Byzantine Rite, he was imprisoned in Kirov, where he died as a faithful disciple of Christ.
Blessed José Olallo Valdés, religious (†1889). From the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, he served the sick for fifty-four years in a hospital in Havana, Cuba.
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