Friday of the Third week in Ordinary Time

Letter to the Hebrews

Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a great contest of suffering.
At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction; at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated.
You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and lasting possession.
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence; it will have great recompense.
You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.
"For, after just a brief moment, he who is to come shall come; he shall not delay.
But my just one shall live by faith, and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him."
We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and will possess life.

Psalms

Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart's requests.
Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,
and he approves his way.
Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate,
for the hand of the LORD sustains him.
The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
He is their refuge in time of distress.
The LORD helps them and delivers them;
He delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark

Jesus said to the crowds: "This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how.
Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come."
He said, "To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.
But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade."
With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.
Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

St. John Bosco(Priest (1815-1888) - Memorial)

SAINT JOHN BOSCO Priest (1815-1888) St. John Bosco was born in the diocese of Turin in northern Italy. His life's work was providing the youth with opportunities that he lacked because of his underprivileged childhood. His accomplishments were not for the sake of work, but for the work to make him a saint. St. John Bosco founded the Salesian Order and the Congregation of the Helpers of Mary. These institutes span the globe and contribute persons of character and value: shifting the needle toward the modern progressive and egalatrian societies we find today. For example: Don Bosco Ashalayam in India has provided education and professional skills formation to over 80,000 street children in the last 30 years. St. John Bosco passed away on January 30, 1888, at the age of 72. His mystical experiences were only known after his death. Like Jesus, he never displayed his gifts to make an impression or to satisfy others' curiosity. His extant works are a treasure trove of wisdom, inspired thinking and grace.

St. Marcella(Widow (325-410))

SAINT MARCELLA Widow (325-410) St. Jerome called St. Marcella "the glory of Roman women." She was widowed after only seven months of marriage. Moved by grace, she became determined to consecrate her life to serving God. Marcella declined marriage to Cerealis, the consul and uncle of Gallus Caesar, and resolved to imitate the lives of Eastern ascetics. She abstained from wine and meat, employed her time in pious reading and prayer and visited churches. She also guarded her heart by never being alone with men. Her example was followed by women who placed themselves under her direction. When the Goths under Alaric plundered Rome in 410, Marcella was scourged to make her divulge the location of treasures. She had already distributed her wealth among the poor. She trembled only for the innocence of her spiritual daughter, Principia. The Goths spared Principia thanks to God's grace and Marcella's wisdom. They conducted the Saint and her pupil to the Church of St. Paul, to which Alaric had granted the right of sanctuary, along with that of St. Peter. Marcella lived a little while longer. She passed away in Principia's arms at the end of August 410.

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Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2025 / Catholic Missal of january 2025