Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel Commentary, by Msgr. João Scognamiglio Clá Dias, EP
Mass Readings
Featured Saints
In Canada: Sts. John de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, priests, and Companions, martyrs. (Celebrated on October 19 in the General Calendar) Eight Jesuit missionaries from France who evangelized among the native peoples of North America, particularly of the Huron tribe, and were captured, tortured and killed by the Iroquois on various dates over a seven-year period. In order of their year of martyrdom, they are: St. René Goupil (†1642), St. Isaac Jogues (†1646), St. Jean de Lalande (†1646), St. Antoine Daniel (†1648), St. Jean de Brébeuf (†1649), St. Noël Chabanel (†1649), St. Charles Garnier (†1649), and St. Gabriel Lalemant (†1649).
St. Eusebius of Bologna, bishop (†fourth century). He fought Arianism with St. Ambrose of Milan, and strove to promote the value of virginity among youth.
St, Nilus, abbot (†1005). Born to an eminent family of Rossano, Italy, he renounced the world, and embraced the monastic life, living at several different monasteries, and times as a hermit. He founded the monastery of Grottaferrata, where he established a school of calligraphy for the copying of sacred texts.
Sts. Cosmas and Damian, martyrs (†303). Optional Memorial (Canada: September 25). Syrian physicians martyred in Syrrhus, Syria. They practiced medicine for charity, free of charge.
St. Gideon, judge of Israel. From the tribe of Manasseh, he delivered the chosen people from the Midianites.
St. Terese Couderc, virgin (†1885). Foundress of the Congregation of Our Lady of the Retreat in the Cenacle in Lalouvesc, France.
Blessed Kaspar Stangassinger, priest (†1899). Redemptorist priest, dedicated to the education of youth. He died at the age of 28, in Gars, Germany, where he was director of the minor seminary.
Blessed Luigi Tezza, priest (†1923). Founded the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Camillus in Rome. He died on mission in Peru.
Blessed Lucy of Caltagirone,virgin (†1400). Franciscan tertiary who died in Salerno, Italy. She stood out for her fidelity to the Rule and devotion to the Five Wounds of Christ.
Sts. Lucy Kim, and Catherine Yi, widows, and Magdalena Cho, virgin, martyrs (†1839). For their faith in Christ, they died victims of terrible torments in Seul, Korea.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Nm 11:25-29
The LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses. Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses, the LORD bestowed it on the seventy elders; and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied. Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad, were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp. They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent; yet the spirit came to rest on them also, and they prophesied in the camp. So, when a young man quickly told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp, ” Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses’ aide, said, “Moses, my lord, stop them.” But Moses answered him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets! Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!”
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14 (R.9a)
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple. R.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just. R.
Though your servant is careful of them,
very diligent in keeping them,
Yet who can detect failings?
Cleanse me from my unknown faults! R.
From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant;
let it not rule over me.
Then shall I be blameless and innocent
of serious sin. R.
Second Reading – Jas 5:1-6
your clothes have become moth-eaten, your gold and silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against you; it will devour your flesh like a fire. You have stored up treasure for the last days. Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who harvested your fields are crying aloud; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure; you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter. You have condemned; you have murdered the righteous one; he offers you no resistance.
Gospel – Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
At that time, John said to Jesus,
“Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'”
