Catholic Missal of the day: Wednesday, April 5 2017

Wednesday of the Fifth week of Lent

Wednesday of the Fifth week of Lent

1. Reading

Book of Daniel

3,14-20.91-92.95.

]King Nebuchadnezzar said: "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not serve my god, or worship the golden statue that I set up?
]Be ready now to fall down and worship the statue I had made, whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments; otherwise, you shall be instantly cast into the white-hot furnace; and who is the God that can deliver you out of my hands?"
]Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter.
]If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us!
]But even if he will not, know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up."
]Nebuchadnezzar's face became livid with utter rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than usual
]and had some of the strongest men in his army bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into the white-hot furnace.
]King Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" "Assuredly, O king," they answered.
]"But," he replied, "I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God."
]Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants that trusted in him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

Psalm

Book of Daniel

3,52.53.54.55.56.

]Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
and blessed is your holy and glorious name,  
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.
]Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
]Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
]Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim;
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
]Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven,
praiseworthy and glorious forever.

Gospel

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John

8,31-42.

]Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
]and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
]They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, 'You will become free'?"
]Jesus answered them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.
]A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains.
]So if a son frees you, then you will truly be free.
]I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you.
]I tell you what I have seen in the Father's presence; then do what you have heard from the Father."
]They answered and said to him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works of Abraham.
]But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this.
]You are doing the works of your father!" (So) they said to him, "We are not illegitimate. We have one Father, God."
]Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.

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St. Vincent Ferrer(Priest (1350-1419))

SAINT VINCENT FERRER Dominican priest (1350-1419) St. Vincent Ferrer was born in Valencia, Spain. At 18 years old, he professed vows with St. Dominic's Order of Preachers. After a brilliant course of study, he was awarded a masters in sacred theology. He read Sacred Scriptures for three years and knew the Bible by heart. Some sources consider St. Vincent as controversial. He converted the Jews of Valencia and their synagogue became a church; but the means has been questioned. He also supported the antipope Clement VII and disagreed with St. Catherine of Siena. He eventually deposed the antipope Benedict XIII with St. Colette of Corbie's help. He lived to see the Western Schism end and Pope Martin V being elected. His eventual canonization reveals the efficacy of the sacraments in bringing souls to Heaven. St. Vincent preached for 21 years in Spain, Switzerland, France, Italy, England, Ireland and Scotland. Twice each day, his bellcalled the sick, the blind and the lame to be healed. Speaking only his native Spanish, he was understood in different languages. Processions of thousands followed him; and convents, orphanages and hospitals were founded thanks to his work. St. Vincent always prayed before preaching. Once, when he studied for a sermon instead of praying, a nobleman in attendance was unimpressed. That nobleman returned for another sermon unannounced; and this time was shaken to his soul. St. Vincent remarked that he had preached the first homily, but that Jesus Christ had preached the second. St. Vincent passed away after succumbing to illness in Vannes, Brittany. He was canonized by Pope Callixtus III on June 3, 1455. He is invoked as a protector of fishermen and patron saint of orphanages.

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Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2017 / Catholic Missal of april 2017