Friday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time
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Mass Readings
First Reading – Jas 5:9-12
Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates. Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed we call blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of the perseverance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, because the Lord is compassionate and merciful. But above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your “Yes” mean “Yes” and your “No” mean “No,” that you may not incur condemnation.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8-9, 11-12 (R.8a)
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits. R.
He pardons all your iniquities,
he heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
he crowns you with kindness and compassion. R.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever. R.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us. R.
Gospel – Mk 10:1-12
Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom, he again taught them. The Pharisees approached him and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him. He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?” They replied, “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.” But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
Featured Saints
Our Lady Help of Cristians. Commemoration instituted by Pope St. Pius V in thanksgiving for the miraculous victory of the Christian fleet in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.
Blessed Louis-Zéphirin Moreau, bishop (†1901). Optional Memorial in Canada. He promoted clerical formation and enkindled religious fervour in the Diocese of Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. He founded the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Institute of the Sisters of St. Martha.
Blessed John of Prado, priest and martyr (†1631). Spanish Franciscan sent to North Africa to spiritually minister to enslaved Christians. Taken prisoner, he vigorously confessed the Faith before the tyrant Mulay alWalid and was condemned to death by fire.
St. Vincent of Lérins, priest and monk (†circa 450). Famous for his holiness of life and knowledge of Sacred Scripture, he wrote the Commonitory, which St. Robert Bellarmine described as “a golden book.”
St. Simeon Stylites the Younger, priest and anchorite (†592). For 45 years he lived on a column on Mount Admirable, Syria. He wrote several treatises on the ascetic life.
St. Augustine Yi Kwang-hon and companions, martyrs (†1839). Lay Catholics tortured and beheaded during the anti-Christian persecution in Korea.
St. Manaen. Formerly a member of the court of Herod Antipas. He is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, together with St. Lucius of Cyrene, among the prophets and teachers of Antioch, the place of his death.
Sts. Donatian and Rogatian, martyrs (†circa 304). Young brothers from Nantes, France who were tortured and beheaded for holding fast to the Faith.
Blessed Joanna. Wife of Cuza, procurator of Herod, one of the Holy Women who followed Jesus and provided Him with material assistance.
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