Mass Readings

First reading	Ecclesiasticus 4:12-22 ©

Wisdom brings up her own sons,

and cares for those who seek her.

Whoever loves her loves life,

those who wait on her early will be filled with happiness.

Whoever holds her close will inherit honour,

and wherever he walks the Lord will bless him.

Those who serve her minister to the Holy One,

and the Lord loves those who love her.

Whoever obeys her judges aright,

and whoever pays attention to her dwells secure.

If he trusts himself to her he will inherit her,

and his descendants will remain in possession of her;

for though she takes him at first through winding ways,

bringing fear and faintness on him,

plaguing him with her discipline until she can trust him,

and testing him with her ordeals,

in the end she will lead him back to the straight road

and reveal her secrets to him.

If he wanders away she will abandon him,

and hand him over to his fate.

Psalm	Psalm 118:165,168,171-172,174-175

Gospel	Mark 9:38-40 ©

John said to Jesus, ‘Master, we saw a man who is not one of us casting out devils in your name; and because he was not one of us we tried to stop him.’ But Jesus said, ‘You must not stop

Wednesday, February 23, 2011
St. Polycarp, Bishop, Martyr (Memorial)

First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:

Sirach 4:11-19
Psalm 119:165, 168, 171-172, 174-175
Mark 9:38-40

When the communicant is free from venial sin, Jesus acts powerfully within him, unimpeded by any obstacle. He stays long. The soul acquires an astonishing refinement of feeling; it no longer accounts itself anything but is henceforth simply one with Jesus. It says to Him: " Take all, be King of all, and let us love each other always; I am Thine forever."

-- St. Peter Julian Eymard