SAINT PIUS IX, POPE
Psalter IV | GREEN
“He was the longest‑reigning Pope in history. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2000. His reign was marked by significant theological developments, including the declaration of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception and the First Vatican Council, which defined papal infallibility. He also faced the loss of the Papal States to the Kingdom of Italy, leading him to declare himself a “prisoner in the Vatican”.”
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 105: 47
Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you.
Collect
Grant us, Lord our God, that we may honour you with all our mind, and love everyone in truth of heart. 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 Kings 3:4-13
Solomon went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, because that was the most renowned high place. Upon its altar Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings. In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” Solomon answered: “You have shown great favor to your servant, my father David, because he behaved faithfully toward you, with justice and an upright heart; and you have continued this great favor toward him, even today, seating a son of his on his throne. O Lord, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act. I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon made this request. So God said to him: “Because you have asked for this—not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right— I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you. In addition, I give you what you have not asked for, such riches and glory that among kings there is not your like.”
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.
- How shall a young man be faultless in his way? By keeping to your words.
- With all my heart I seek you; let me not stray from your commands.
- Within my heart I treasure your promise, that I may not sin against you.
- Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes.
- With my lips I declare all the ordinances of your mouth.
- In the way of your decrees I rejoice, as much as in all riches.
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 6:30-34
The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
Prayer over the Offerings
O Lord, we bring to your altar these offerings of our service: be pleased to receive them, we pray, and transform them into the Sacrament of our redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 30: 17-18
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by these redeeming gifts, we pray, O Lord, that through this help to eternal salvation true faith may ever increase. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“Lord, teach me your statutes.” Solomon asked God to give him wisdom, so that he would be able to distinguish right from wrong and rule well. When Jesus saw the great crowd of people, he began to teach them many things. Just as we need to be taught Mathematics, Chemistry and Geography, we need to be taught the Word of God. It is this Word that enables us to distinguish good from evil; it is what will make us live a life without fault; it is what will empower us to rule our families, communities and countries with wisdom. Jesus wants to teach us the statutes of God. He teaches us through his written Word and through the Church. Let us pray for the grace to be good disciples who, like Solomon, listen to God’s Word and follow it. Let us allow Jesus to teach us by reading Holy Scripture daily and listening to the pastors he gives us: our priests, bishops, deacons, catechists, and every other person who teaches us. Let us pray that he may enlighten the leaders of the Church, so that they may be good teachers who guide us with sound doctrine.