Saint Rita of Cascia
(1377 – 1447)
Green/Red
She was born in Italy. She was married at the age of 12 but became a nun at the dead of her husband. She is widely honoured as a patron saint of impossible or lost causes.
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 12: 6
O Lord, I trust in your merciful love. My heart will rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me.
Collect
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, always pondering spiritual things, we may carry out in both word and deed that which is pleasing to you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: James 4:13-17
Here is the answer for those of you who talk like this: ‘Today or tomorrow, we are off to this or that town; we are going to spend a year there, trading, and make some money.’ You never know what will happen tomorrow: you are no more than a mist that is here for a little while and then disappears. The most you should ever say is: ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we shall still be alive to do this or that.’ But how proud and sure of yourselves you are now! Pride of this kind is always wicked. Everyone who knows what is the right thing to do and doesn’t do it commits a sin.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm
48(49):2-3,6-11
R/ How happy are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Hear this, all you peoples, give heed, all who dwell in the world, men both low and high, rich and poor alike!
Why should I fear in evil days the malice of the foes who surround me, men who trust in their wealth, and boast of the vastness of their riches?
For no man can buy his own ransom, or pay a price to God for his life. The ransom of his soul is beyond him. He cannot buy life without end, nor avoid coming to the grave.
He knows that wise men and fools must both perish and leave their wealth to others.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn14:6
Alleluia, alleluia! I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord; No one can come to the Father except through me. Alleluia!
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 him: no one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us.’
Prayer over the Offerings
As we celebrate your mysteries, O Lord, with the observance that is your due, we humbly ask you, that what we offer to the honour of your majesty may profit us for salvation. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 9: 2-3
I will recount all your wonders, I will rejoice in you and be glad, and sing psalms to your name, O Most High.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we may experience the effects of the salvation which is pledged to us by these mysteries. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus tells us, everyone who performs miracles in his name, including demon exorcism, acknowledges Christ’s authority. In effect, Lumen Gentium teaches that «many elements of sanctification» unique to the Catholic Church operate «outside of its visible structure» and «towards Catholic unity». Such a person’s attitudes and beliefs may be flawed, yet his miracles are a testament to Christ and his message. Unlike the Scribes and Pharisees, who appeared implacable in their hostility, he joined forces with the disciples. As a result, we collaborate with other Christians and people of goodwill whenever feasible, and we hope that one day we shall all be one, as Jesus and the Father are (John 17:20-23). While the Church fosters ecumenism, we must seek the spirit of discernment and consult our spiritual leaders to help us clear any doubts. Therefore, membership in a specific community is not a criterion. There can be a strong temptation for exclusivity among us. Many Christian groups can lapse into this trap. The litmus test is whether the actions of others are consistent with our objectives of truth, love, justice, compassion, freedom, peace, nonviolence, etc.