Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
St Teresa of Jesus, virgin and Doctor of the Church(†1582). She entered Carmel of Avila at twenty-four, encountering much laxness. At the age of forty, she began the reform of the Order of Carmel with the help of St. John of the Cross. She wrote several books setting out her sublime doctrine and describing her mystical experiences.
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Mass Readings
First Reading – Rom 2:1-11
You, O man, are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment. For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things. We know that the judgment of God on those who do such things is true. Do you suppose, then, you who judge those who engage in such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you hold his priceless kindness, forbearance, and patience in low esteem, unaware that the kindness of God would lead you to repentance? By your stubbornness and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself for the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgment of God, who will repay everyone according to his works, eternal life to those who seek glory, honor, and immortality through perseverance in good works, but wrath and fury to those who selfishly disobey the truth and obey wickedness. Yes, affliction and distress will come upon everyone who does evil, Jew first and then Greek. But there will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, Jew first and then Greek. There is no partiality with God.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 62:2-3, 6-7, 9 (R.13b)
R. Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works.
Only in God is my soul at rest;
from him comes my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed at all. R.
Only in God be at rest, my soul,
for from him comes my hope.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed. R.
Trust in him at all times, O my people!
Pour out your hearts before him;
God is our refuge! R.
Gospel – Lk 11:42-46
The Lord said: “Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces. Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.” Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, “Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.” And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.”
Featured Saints
St. Barsen, bishop (†379). For his Catholic faith he was ccondemned to exile by the Arian Emperor Valente, after changing cities three times, he died in Edessa, Turkey.
St. Severus de of Trier, bishop (†fifth centutry). He accompanied St. Germanus of Auxerre in the fight against the Pelagian heresy in England and preached the Gospel in Germany. He died in Trier, Germany.
St. Thecla of Kitzingen, abbess (†c. 790). Benedictine nun of Wimborne, England, sent to Germany to aid St. Boniface. She ruled the Ochsenfurt and Kitzingen monasteries.
St. Magdalene of Nagasaki, virgin and martyr (†1634). Augustinian Recollect Tertiary, daughter of martyrs. She helped persecuted Christians until she was martyred in Nagasaki, Japan. She withstood the torture of being suspended upside-down in a pit for 13 days, constantly invoking the names of Jesus and Mary, before surrendering her soul to God.
Blessed Gonzalo of Lagos, priest (†1422). Portuguese priest, from the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine. Although a great theologian, he chose to dedicate himself to teaching children and persons of little learning.
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