Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of St. Catherine of Alexandria, martyr. The Emperor Maximinus convoked several philosophers to attempt to convince her against the divinity of Christ. Instead, they were converted by her witness and were also martyred. She was decapitated in 305.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Rv 14:1-3, 4b-5
I, John, looked and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. I heard a sound from heaven like the sound of rushing water or a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. They were singing what seemed to be a new hymn before the throne, before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn this hymn except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been ransomed from the earth. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been ransomed as the first fruits of the human race for God and the Lamb. On their lips no deceit has been found; they are unblemished.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6 (R.see 6)
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers. R.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain. R.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob. R.
Gospel – Lk 21:1-4
When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”
Featured Saints
Blessed Beatrice of Ornacieux, virgin (†1303-1309). Religious from the Carthusian Order, Prioress of the Monastery of Eymieux, France, where she lived and died in extreme poverty.
St. Marculus, Bishop (†347). According to tradition, he was martyred during the reign of Emperor Constantius, in Numidia, Algeria by being thrown from a cliff.
St. Moses of Rome, priest and martyr (†251). Together with the presbyteral college, he guided the Church after the martyrdom of Pope St. Fabian. After a lengthy imprisonment, he shed his blood for the Faith.
St. Maurinus, martyr (†sixth century). Brutally murdered by pagans while preaching the Gospel to the rural population of Agen, France.
St. Peter Yi Ho-yŏng, martyr (†1838). Catechist imprisoned during the persecution in Korea. He died in prison after being tortured.
Blessed Elizabeth Achler, virgin (†1480). Religious from the Franciscan Third Order Regular who lived in Reute, Germany, prasticing humility, poverty and corporal mortification.
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