Sunday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
Today, Sunday takes precedence over the feast of the Nativity of Our Lady.
See also:
Mass Readings
First Reading – Is 35:4-7a
Thus says the LORD: Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing. Streams will burst forth in the desert, and rivers in the steppe. The burning sands will become pools, and the thirsty ground, springs of water.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 (R.1b)
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
or:
R. Alleluia.
The God of Jacob keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free. R.
The LORD gives sight to the blind;
the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the just;
the LORD protects strangers. R.
The fatherless and the widow the LORD sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations.
Alleluia. R.
Second Reading – Jas 2:1-5
My brothers and sisters, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here, please, ” while you say to the poor one, “Stand there, ” or “Sit at my feet, ” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?
Gospel – Mk 7:31-37
Again Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” — And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
Featured Saints
Nativity of Our Lady, the birth of She who was conceived without original sin and born of David’s lineage, destined for the exalted mission of being the Mother of God. Tradition dating back to early Christianity holds Mary’s birth as a miraculous event, taking place when her venerable parents were of an advanced age.
St. Sergius I, Pope (†701). Originating in Syria, he dedicated himself with zeal to the evangelization of the Saxons and the Frisians. He resolved many controversies and conflicts with wisdom, preferring death to consenting to errors.
St. Isaac of Armenia, bishop (†438). He introduced into Armenia liturgical books, a good portion of the Bible e many other catholic writings. He to used every means in his power to promote the culture, spirituality e orthodoxy of his people.
St. Thomas of Villanueva, bishop (†1555). Augustinian religious and renowned preacher who accepted the Episcopate of Valencia (Spain) out of obedience. A great theologian and devotee of the Blessed Virgin, he is considered one of the greatest preachers of his time.
Blessed Ladislau Bladzinski, priest and martyr (†1944). Polish priest of the Congregation of St. Michael the Archangel, killed at the Gross-Rosen concentration camp.
Blessed Frederic Ozanam, layman (†1853). Italian by birth, he founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul with six other companions. He died in Marseilles, France, on the way back to Italy.
Blessed Seraphina Sforza, religius (†1478). Wife of the Lord of Pesaro, Italy, she endured many adversities in married life and then spent her widowhood under the rule of St. Clare.
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