Saints Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest,
and Paul Chong Hasang, and their Companions, Martyrs
Red
17th century Korea fought to stop Christianity by executions. Andrew Kim Taegon, the first Korean priest, who secretly trained in Macao, was executed in 1846. A lay apostle, St Paul Chong Hasang, and many others perished at the same time.
Entrance Antiphon
The blood of the holy Martyrs was poured out for Christ upon the earth; therefore they have gained everlasting rewards.
Collect
O God, who have been pleased to increase your adopted children in all the world, and who made the blood of the Martyrs Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gǒn and his companions a most fruitful seed of Christians, grant that we may be defended by their help and profit always from their example. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading : 1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Now if Christ raised from the dead is what has been preached, how can some of you be saying that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, Christ himself cannot have been raised, and if Christ has not been raised then our preaching is useless and your believing it is useless; indeed, we are shown up as witnesses who have committed perjury before God, because we swore in evidence before God that he had raised Christ to life. For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, you are still in your sins. And what is more serious, all who have died in Christ have perished. If our hope in Christ has been for this life only, we are the most unfortunate of all people. But Christ has in fact been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of all who have fallen asleep.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm
16(17):1,6-8,15
R/ I shall be filled, when I awake, with the sight of your glory, O Lord.
Lord, hear a cause that is just, pay heed to my cry. Turn your ear to my prayer: no deceit is on my lips.
I am here and I call, you will hear me, O God. Turn your ear to me; hear my words Display your great love, you whose right hand saves your friends from those who rebel against them.
Guard me as the apple of your eye. Hide me in the shadow of your wings As for me, in my justice I shall see your face and be filled, when I awake, with the sight of your glory.
Gospel Acclamation : Ps94:8
Alleluia, alleluia! Harden not your hearts today, but listen to the voice of the Lord. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 8:1-3
Jesus made his way through towns and villages preaching, and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God. With him went the Twelve, as well as certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and ailments: Mary surnamed the Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and several others who provided for them out of their own resources.
Prayer over the Offerings
Look with favour, almighty God, on the offerings of your people and, through the intercession of the blessed Martyrs, grant that we ourselves may become a sacrifice acceptable to you for the salvation of all the world. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Mt 10: 32
Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father, says the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished with the food of the valiant as we celebrate the blessed Martyrs, we humbly ask you, O Lord, that, clinging faithfully to Christ, we may labour in the Church for the salvation of all. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The gospel tells us that apart from the men, there was also a group of women who accompanied Jesus and his disciples. It was these women who provided part of the money needed to support the missionary activities of Jesus and his apostles. No rabbi had female disciples, so the actions of Jesus were revolutionary and scandalising as well. Apparently, the women put Jesus and his ministry ahead of their own families, as did the male disciples. It certainly does indicate that Jesus had little or no concern about public reaction to what he felt was right and proper. Women have come a long way since then. This was a diverse group of women; some were public sinners, others from rich or prominent families. We know that Mary Magdalene had lived a very troubled life. Joanna, wife of the king’s chief financial officer, held significant social and political standing. What brought them together and united them in a bond of friendship and common service? Certainly Jesus and his message of the kingdom of God had transformed this group of diverse personalities and temperaments. Each brought their gifts and resources to Jesus. No one is unimportant in God’s economy. The least in his kingdom find a home and a mission at Jesus’ side.