Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – Wis 13:1-9
All men were by nature foolish who were in ignorance of God, and who from the good things seen did not succeed in knowing him who is, and from studying the works did not discern the artisan; But either fire, or wind, or the swift air, or the circuit of the stars, or the mighty water, or the luminaries of heaven, the governors of the world, they considered gods. Now if out of joy in their beauty they thought them gods, let them know how far more excellent is the Lord than these; for the original source of beauty fashioned them. Or if they were struck by their might and energy, let them from these things realize how much more powerful is he who made them. For from the greatness and the beauty of created things their original author, by analogy, is seen. But yet, for these the blame is less; For they indeed have gone astray perhaps, though they seek God and wish to find him. For they search busily among his works, but are distracted by what they see, because the things seen are fair. But again, not even these are pardonable. For if they so far succeeded in knowledge that they could speculate about the world, how did they not more quickly find its Lord?
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 (R.2a)
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed. R.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house;
his generosity shall endure forever.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just. R.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance. R.
Gospel – Lk 18:1-8
Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’ For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’” The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Featured Saints
St. Serapion, religious and martyr (†1240). Leaving a military career, he became a Mercedarian religious dedicated to the liberation of Christian prisoners. He was crucified and quartered in Algeria, Northern Africa.
St. Rufus, bishop (fourth century). First head of the Catholic community of Avignon, France.
St. Lawrence O’Toole, bishop (†1180). Archbishop of Dublin, Ireland; he reformed ecclesiastical discipline and dedicated himself to establishing peace between princes.
St. Stephen Theodore Cuénot, bishop and martyr (†1861). He suffered martyrdom in Vietnam, after twenty-five years of apostolic labour there.
Sts. Nicholas Tavelic, Deodato Aribert, Stephen of Cuneo and Peter of Narbona, priests and martyrs (†1391). Franciscan friars burned alive by the Saracens in Jerusalem, where they preached Christianity.
St. Siard, abbot (†1230). Premonstratensian Abbot of Mariëngaarde in Holland, outstanding in observance to the rule and generosity toward the poor.
Blessed John Liccio, priest (†1511). Dominican religious, he stood out for his tireless charity toward neighbour, dedication in preaching the Holy Rosary and the observance of the Rule. He died in Caccamo, Italy, at 111 years of age.
Blessed Maria Teresa of Jesus, virgin (†1889). She founded the Institute of the Sisters of Our Lady of Carmel in Montevarchi, Italy.
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