Saturday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorials: St. Gertrude the Great, virgin. (†1302). Religious of the Cistercian monastery of Helfta, Germany. In her mystical writings she revealed her spiritual experiences related to the mystery of the Incarnation, the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Eucharist.
St. Margaret of Scotland, queen and widow (†1093). An English princess born in Hungary in exile, she became Queen of Scotland at the age of 24 and her sanctity shone as a light for the entire nation.
Mass Readings
First Reading – 3 Jn 5-8
Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers and sisters, especially for strangers; they have testified to your love before the Church. Please help them in a way worthy of God to continue their journey. For they have set out for the sake of the Name and are accepting nothing from the pagans. Therefore, we ought to support such persons, so that we may be co-workers in the truth.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. 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. Agnes of Assisi, virgin (†1253). Younger sister of St. Clare, in whose footsteps she followed, embracing a life of Franciscan poverty.
St. Eucherius of Lyon, bishop (†449). He withdrew to lead an ascetic life on an island close to Lérins, France, and was elected Bishop of Lyon. He wrote the history of many martyrs.
St. Edmund Rich, Bishop (†1240). English born Archbishop of Canterbury. He was exiled for defending the rights of the Church, and lived a holy life among the Cistercian monks of Pontigny, France.
St. Othmar, abbot (†759). He founded a small hospital for lepers in Switzerland and a monastery under the Benedictine rule. Powerful neighbours conspired to deport him to an island in the Rhine River, where he died in exile.
Blessed Edward Osbaldeston, priest and martyr (†1594). Priest from Yorkshire, England, executed during the reign of Elizabeth I for exercising his ministry.
