Saturday of the First week of Lent

Book of Deuteronomy

26,16-19.

Moses spoke to the people, saying: "This day the LORD, your God, commands you to observe these statutes and decrees. Be careful, then, to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul.
Today you are making this agreement with the LORD: he is to be your God and you are to walk in his ways and observe his statutes, commandments and decrees, and to hearken to his voice.
And today the LORD is making this agreement with you: you are to be a people peculiarly his own, as he promised you; and provided you keep all his commandments,
he will then raise you high in praise and renown and glory above all other nations he has made, and you will be a people sacred to the LORD, your God, as he promised."

Psalms

119(118),1-2.4-5.7-8.

Blessed are they whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the LORD.
Blessed are they who observe his decrees,
Who seek him with all their heart.
You have commanded that your precepts
be diligently kept.
Oh, that I might be firm in the ways
of keeping your statutes!
I will give you thanks with an upright heart,
when I have learned your just ordinances.
I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew

5,43-48.

Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

---

St. Casimir(Prince (1458-1484) - Memorial)

SAINT CASIMIR Prince (1458-1484) St. Casimir was the third among thirteen children and in line to be a king. He received spiritual formation and tutoring from John Dlugosz. Prince Casimir's conscientious objection to others' caprices showed his wisdom, maturity and caritas. He prayed routinely and led a chaste, disciplined life. When nobles in Hungary deposed an elected king, a fraction besought the aid of Poland's king. The king of Poland, together with Prince Casimir, amassed an army to reinstate the elected ruler. Due to their enemy's cunning, the prince and king went unsupported by the nobles. To make matters worse, many Polish mercenaries deserted after going unpaid. Ultimately, the Casimirs retreated and the prince was left feeling helpless. Polish propoganda nonetheless portrayed Prince Casimir as a hero, which may have in part motivated his pivot toward discretion and devoutness. Prince Casimir continued serving his country in a supporting role. He, together with his kin, did not engage in wars of conquest, but rather mediated where political intrests caused conflict. While the prince continued his good works, piety and receiving the sacraments, his health deteriorated. He may have remained celibate and declined marriage to the emperor’s daughter after sensing his impending death. Prince Casimir reigned briefly as king of Poland during his father’s absence. At twenty three years old, he passed away from lung sickness while visiting Lithuania. He was the Grand Duke of Lithuania, and was buried in Vilnius. He is the patron saint of Poland and Lithuania.

misalcatolico.com

---

Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2023 / Catholic Missal of march 2023