Saint Augustine Zhao Rong
and his Companions, Martyrs
Green/Red
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 47: 10-11
Your merciful love, O God, we have received in the midst of your temple. Your praise, O God, like your name, reaches the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with saving justice.
Collect
O God, who in the abasement of your Son, have raised up a fallen world, fill your faithful with holy joy, for on those you have rescued from slavery to sin, you bestow eternal gladness. 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 : Hosea 8:4-7,11-13
Thus says the Lord: They have set up kings, but not with my consent, and appointed princes, but without my knowledge. Out of their own silver and gold they have made idols, which are doomed to destruction. I spurn your calf, Samaria, my anger blazes against it. (How long will it be before they purge themselves of this, the sons of Israel?) A workman made the thing, this cannot be God! Yes, the calf of Samaria shall go up in flames. They sow the wind, they will reap the whirlwind; their wheat will yield no ear, the ear will yield no flour, or, if it does, foreigners will swallow it. Ephraim has built altar after altar, they have only served him as occasion for sin. Were I to write out the thousand precepts of my Law for him, they would be paid no more attention than those of a stranger. They love sacrificing; right, let them sacrifice! They love meat; right, let them eat it! The Lord takes no pleasure in these. He is now going to remember their iniquity and punish their sins; they will have to go back to Egypt.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 113B:3-10
R/ Sons of Israel, trust in the Lord.
Our God, he is in the heavens; he does whatever he wills. The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
They have mouths but they cannot speak; they have eyes but they cannot see; they have ears but they cannot hear; they have nostrils but they cannot smell.
With their hands they cannot feel; with their feet they cannot walk. Their makers will come to be like them and so will all who trust in them.
Sons of Israel, trust in the Lord; he is their help and their shield. Sons of Aaron, trust in the Lord; he is their help and their shield.
Gospel Acclamation : cf.Ep1:17,18
Alleluia, alleluia! May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our mind, so that we can see what hope his call holds for us. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 9:32-37
A man was brought to Jesus, a dumb demoniac. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb man spoke and the people were amazed. ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel’ they said. But the Pharisees said, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts out devils.’ Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness. And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’
Prayer over the Offerings
May this oblation dedicated to your name purify us, O Lord, and day by day bring our conduct closer to the life of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 33: 9
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed the man who seeks refuge in him.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that, having been replenished by such great gifts, we may gain the prize of salvation and never cease to praise you. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The mighty works of Jesus brings out two different reactions from the crowd. One group says, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel” and they think that Jesus heals the lepers, cure the sick, raise the dead and cast out demons with the power of God. Another group says, “It is through the prince of devils that he casts out devils.” and does everything in league with Satan. He could not have come from God because he eats with tax collectors and sinners and disregard the purity laws. It is impossible to impress everyone. Confrontations and oppositions can strengthen one’s resolve to be committed to the goal. Sent by the Father Jesus does everything keeping God’s plan before his eyes. Faithfulness never fears challenges and rejections. Move towards the goal without any fear. God is with you.