Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – Phil 4:10-19
Brothers and sisters: I rejoice greatly in the Lord that now at last you revived your concern for me. You were, of course, concerned about me but lacked an opportunity. Not that I say this because of need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient. I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me. Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress. You Philippians indeed know that at the beginning of the Gospel, when I left Macedonia, not a single church shared with me in an account of giving and receiving, except you alone. For even when I was at Thessalonica you sent me something for my needs, not only once but more than once. It is not that I am eager for the gift; rather, I am eager for the profit that accrues to your account. I have received full payment and I abound. I am very well supplied because of what I received from you through Epaphroditus, “a fragrant aroma,” an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a, 9
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.
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.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory. R.
Gospel – Lk 16:9-15
Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him. And he said to them, “You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.”
Featured Saints
Blessed Anthony Baldinucci, priest (†1717). Jesuit religious; he desired to be a missionary to the Orient, but due to poor health, he was entrusted with missions in Italy, where he experienced notable success by his virtuous example and ardent preaching.
St. Willibrord, bishop (†739). Born in 658, in Northumbria (Northern England). From his first monastic master, St. Wilfrid, he acquired the two ideals of his life: fidelity to the Chair of Peter, and missionary zeal. After his ordination and many years of studies, he embarked with 12 companions on his mission as an apostle to Frisia. Pope Sergius I appointed him as the First Bishop of Utrecht (Netherlands).
Sts. Hyacinth Castañeda and Vincent Lê Quang Liêm, priests and martyrs (†1773). Dominicans martyred in Ket Cho, Vietnam, during the reign of Trinh Sâm.
St. Vicent Grossi, priest (†1917). Founder of the Institute of the Daughters of the Oratory in Cremona, Italy.
St. Lazarus (†1054). stylite (†1054). He lived for many years atop a column, wearing iron chains and living on bread and water.
St. Peter Wu Guosheng, martyr (†1814). Converted to the Catholic Faith, he left his position as innkeeper to become a catechist. Refusing to renounce the Faith, he was strangled to death in Zunyi, China, becoming the first Chinese martyr of the Imperial persecution.
In USA: St. Diego of Alcalá, religious (†1463). Spanish Franciscan lay brother who spent some years in the Canary Islands mission, where he distinguished himself for his humility and charity. He died in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. The first Californian mission was named after him, hence the name of the Californian city of San Diego (celebrated on November 13 in the General Calendar).
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