Friday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of St. Albert the Great, bishop and Doctor of the Church (†1280) Born in 1206 in Bavaria. Illustrious Dominican philosopher and theologian, he contributed significantly to medieval scholasticism and was the professor of the great St. Thomas Aquinas.
Mass Readings
First Reading – 2 Jn 4-9
[Chosen Lady:] I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth just as we were commanded by the Father. But now, Lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing a new commandment but the one we have had from the beginning: let us love one another. For this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, as you heard from the beginning, in which you should walk. Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh; such is the deceitful one and the antichrist. Look to yourselves that you do not lose what we worked for but may receive a full recompense. Anyone who is so “progressive” as not to remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God; whoever remains in the teaching has the Father and the Son.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 119:1, 2, 10, 11, 17, 18 (R.1b)
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Blessed are they whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the LORD. R.
Blessed are they who observe his decrees,
who seek him with all their heart. R.
With all my heart I seek you;
let me not stray from your commands.
Within my heart I treasure your promise,
that I may not sin against you. R.
Be good to your servant, that I may live
and keep your words. R.
Open my eyes, that I may consider
the wonders of your law. R.
Gospel – Lk 17:26-37
Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man; they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building; on the day when Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all. So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, someone who is on the housetop and whose belongings are in the house must not go down to get them, and likewise one in the field must not return to what was left behind. Remember the wife of Lot. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it. I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left.” They said to him in reply, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather.”
Featured Saints
St. Joseph Pignatelli, priest (†1811). He was one of the restorers of the Company of Jesus in Spain, after its suppression in 1773. He distinguished himself for his charity, humility and purity of customs.
St. Leopold (†1136). Austrian prince known as “the Pious”, he declined becoming Emperor when the death of the heir apparent placed him next in line for the crown, and died in one of the monasteries he himself had built. He is venerated as the Patron Saint of Austria.
St. Raphael Kalinowski of St.Joseph, priest (†1907). A military engineer, he participated in the Lithuanian-Polish insurrection against Russia, was captured and condemned to forced labour in Siberia. After being liberated, he became a Carmelite and dedicated himself to the ministry of Confession and the expansion of the Order in Poland.
St. Desiderius, bishop (†655). He built many churches, monasteries and building for public use in his Diocese of Cahors, France, and strove to form souls into true temples of Christ.
St. Joseph Mikasa Balikuddembe, martyr (†1885). Prefect of the royal palace in Mengo, Uganda. After being baptized, he converted many young people to Christ and protected them from King Mwenga, and was for this reason beheaded.
Blessed Lucy Broccadelli of Narni, religious (†1544). Both in married life and as a Dominic tertiary she patiently endured many sufferings and humiliations. She died in the monastery she founded in Ferrara, Italy.
Blessed Mary of the Passion of Chappotin de Neuville, virgin (†1904). She founded the Congregation of Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, particularly dedicated to improving the situation of women in mission lands.
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