Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of the Holy Name of Mary. Diverse significations are ascribed to this blessed name, Star of the Sea holding a special place among them. This commemoration, which was at first observed in particular regions with the approval of the Holy See, was extended to the Universal Church by Innocent XI in 1683, after the Virgin Mary’s decisive intervention on this date in the victory at the Siege of Vienna.
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Mass Readings
First Reading – 1 Cor 10:14-22
My beloved ones, avoid idolatry. I am speaking as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I am saying. The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the Blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the Body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one Body, for we all partake of the one loaf. Look at Israel according to the flesh; are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? So what am I saying? That meat sacrificed to idols is anything? Or that an idol is anything? No, I mean that what they sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to become participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and also the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons. Or are we provoking the Lord to jealous anger? Are we stronger than him?
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 116:12-13, 17-18 (R.see 5)
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD. R.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people. R.
Gospel – Lk 6:43-49
Jesus said to his disciples: “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks. “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I command? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when the flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built. But the one who listens and does not act is like a person who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed.”
Featured Saints
St. Albeus, bishop (†528). He founded the See of Emly, Ireland, and was the main evangelizer of the region. His example and apostolic zeal brought many to the Faith.
St. Guido, confessor (†1012). As sacristan of St. Mary Church in Brussels, he was a dedicated helper of the poor. He went on pilgrimage for seven years to Rome and the Holy Land, returning to his native land, where he died in Anderlecht (Belgium)
St. Francis Ch’oe Kyong-Hwan, catechist and martyr (†1839). He encouraged Catholics to face martyrdom with fortitude during the religious persecution in Korea, and was arrested in Seoul for refusing to renounce the Faith. In prison, He dedicated himself to catechesis until his death from exhaustion and torture.
Blessed Apollinaris Franco, priest and martyr (†1622). Spanish Franciscan and missionary in the Philippines and Japan; founded many houses of charity. He was burned alive in Japan during persecution.
Blessed Thomas Zumarraga, priest and martyr (†1622). Spanish Dominican missionary in Japan. He was imprisoned in Omura out of hatred for the faith, after three years of confinement, he was burned alive, together with the Franciscan Apollinaris Franco and four other companions.
Blessed Peter Sulpicius Christopher Faverge, martyr (†1794). Christian Brother and teacher who was imprisoned in a galley, along with hundreds of other victims of the French Revolution. He died there as a consequence of diseases contracted while caring for sick prisoners.
Blessed Maria Luisa Prosperi, abbess (†1847). Benedictine nun from Trevi, Italy, to whom Our Lord granted extraordinary mystical gifts along with long and sorrowful trials, which she bore with heroic fortitude and patience.
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