SAINT FELIX OF NOLA
PRIEST
Psalter I
GREEN
He lived a life of Christian devotion, distributing his inheritance to the poor after his father’s death. He became an assistant to Bishop Maximus of Nola, and was imprisoned and tortured during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Decius. Although initially believed to have died a martyr’s death, he is now listed in the General Roman Calendar as a Confessor of the Faith who survived his persecutions.
Entrance Antiphon
Upon a lofty throne, I saw a man seated, whom a host of angels adore, singing in unison: Behold him, the name of whose empire is eternal.
Collect
Attend to the pleas of your people with heavenly care, O Lord, we pray, that they may see what must be done and gain strength to do what they have seen. 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 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20
During the time young Samuel was minister to the Lord under Eli, a revelation of the Lord was uncommon and vision infrequent. One day Eli was asleep in his usual place. His eyes had lately grown so weak that he could not see. The lamp of God was not yet extinguished, and Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was. The Lord called to Samuel, who answered, “Here I am.” Samuel ran to Eli and said, “Here I am. You called me.” “I did not call you,” Eli said. “Go back to sleep.” So he went back to sleep. Again the Lord called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli. “Here I am,” he said. “You called me.” But Eli answered, “I did not call you, my son. Go back to sleep.” At that time Samuel was not familiar with the Lord, because the Lord had not revealed anything to him as yet. The Lord called Samuel again, for the third time. Getting up and going to Eli, he said, “Here I am. You called me.” Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling the youth. So Eli said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.'” When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the Lord came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” Samuel grew up, and the Lord was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect. Thus all Israel from Dan to Beersheba came to know that Samuel was an accredited prophet of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 40:2 and 5, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
- I have waited, waited for the Lord, and he stooped toward me and heard my cry. Blessed the man who makes the Lord his trust; who turns not to idolatry or to those who stray after falsehood.
- Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not; then said I, “Behold I come.”
- In the written scroll it is prescribed for me. To do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!”
- I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O Lord, know.
Gospel Acclamation: John 10:27
Alleluia, alleluia. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord. I know them, and they follow me. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.
Prayer over the Offerings
May your people’s oblation, O Lord, find favour with you, we pray, that it may restore them to holiness and obtain what they devoutly entreat. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 35: 10
With you, O Lord, is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light.
Prayer after Communion
Humbly we ask you, almighty God, be graciously pleased to grant that those you renew with your Sacraments may also serve with lives pleasing to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“Here I am, Lord, I come to do your will.” The goal of the Christian here on earth is to do the will of God. Jesus knew why God sent him into the world; to bring salvation to men by announcing the Good News to them and liberating them from the power of the evil one. You too have a purpose in this life. You were not born by accident; God sent you into this world for a reason. You have to discover God’s will for you in this life and set about accomplishing it. In order to discover God’s will, you have to go to him in prayer like Jesus, who went to a lonely place to pray. Listen to him like the young Samuel. Seek his voice in the silence of your heart. Seek his voice in his Word. Seek guidance from your spiritual leaders, who like Eli can help you to discover him. Discern his will, and like Samuel and Jesus, devote your life to accomplishing it.