Saturday in the 8th Week of Easter
Mass Readings
First Reading – Jude 17, 20b-25
Beloved, remember the words spoken beforehand by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. Build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. On those who waver, have mercy; save others by snatching them out of the fire; on others have mercy with fear, abhorring even the outer garment stained by the flesh. To the one who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished and exultant, in the presence of his glory, to the only God, our savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord be glory, majesty, power, and authority from ages past, now, and for ages to come. Amen.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab (R. 2b)
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. R.
Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
to see your power and your glory,
For your kindness is a greater good than life;
my lips shall glorify you. R.
Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,
and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. R.
Gospel – Mk 11:27-33
Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”– they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” Then Jesus said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Featured Saints
St. Joan of Arc, virgin (†1431). After having valiantly fought in defence of her country in answer to God’s call, she was handed over to her enemies, condemned in an iniquitous trial and burned alive. See also: Faith Always Wins the Final Victory; Heroic and Pure Virgin.
St. Ferdinand III, king (†1252). King of Castile and Leon, he was a wise administrator of his kingdom, promoter of the arts and sciences, and an ardent propagator of the Faith.
St. Luke Kirby, priest and martyr (†1582). After undergoing torture, he was hanged at Tyburn in London, during the reign of Elizabeth I.
Blessed William Scott, priest and martyr (†1612). Born into an Anglican family, he converted to Catholicism and became a Benedictine. He was martyred during the reign of James I of England for exercising his priestly ministry.
St. Joseph Marello, bishop (†1895). Bishop of Acqui, in Piedmont, Italy, founder of the Congregation of the Oblates ofSt. Joseph.
St. Mattias Kalemba, martyr (†1886). Known as Mulumba the Strong, in Kampala, Uganda, he abandoned the Muslim religion, was baptized, renounced the office of judge and dedicated himself to spreading the Faith, for which he was tortured and killed by order of the king, Mwanga.
Sts. Basil and Emilia (†349 and 372). Married couple of outstanding virtue who taught the way of perfection to their ten children, four of whom are honoured as saints: St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory of Nyssa, St. Macrina and St. Peter of Sebaste.
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