Monday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of St. Augustine of Canterbury, bishop (†604/605). Benedictine monk sent by Pope St. Gregory the Great, as head of a group of other monks to evangelize England. He was successful in his mission and became the first Bishop of Canterbury. Feast in Great Britain.
Mass Readings
First Reading – 1 Pt 1:3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet you believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of faith, the salvation of your souls.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 111:1-2, 5-6, 9 and 10c (R.5)
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights. R.
He has given food to those who fear him;
he will forever be mindful of his covenant.
He has made known to his people the power of his works,
giving them the inheritance of the nations. R.
He has sent deliverance to his people;
he has ratified his covenant forever;
holy and awesome is his name.
His praise endures forever. R.
Gospel – Mk 10:17-27
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.” He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement, his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”
Featured Saints
Blesseds Edmund Duke, Richard Hill, John Hogg and Richard Holiday, priests and martyrs †1590). Killed for being Catholic priests during the reign of Elizabeth I of England.
St. Eutropius, bishop (†circa 475). After his wife’s death, he consecrated himself entirely to God, was ordained deacon and later elected Bishop of Orange, France.
St. Bruno of Würzburg, bishop (†1045). He Restored the Cathedral of Würzburg, he reformed the clergy and taught the Sacred Scriptures to the people.
St. Julius of Silistra, martyr (†circa 302). Veteran of the Roman army; he was beheaded in Silistra, present day Bulgaria, for refusing to sacrifice to idols.
St. Gonzaga Gonza, martyr (†1886). Servant of the King of Uganda, run through by the lance of an executioner when he was led in chains to the fire.
St. Athanasius Bazzekuketta, martyr (†1886). Guardian of the treasury of the Royal House of Nakiwubo, Uganda. He died at twenty years of age for having embraced the Catholic Faith.
Sts. Barbara Kim and Barbara Yi, martyrs (†1839). Two laywomen, the former a widow and the latter a virgin of fifteen years of age, who died in prison in Seoul during the persecution in Korea.
Image gallery
St. Gildas of Ryhs