Saints Francisco & Jacinta Marto (Optional Memorial)

February 20, 2023

Saints

Daily Readings:

First Option

  • First Reading

    Sirach 1:1-10

    1All wisdom comes from the Lord and is with him for ever. 2The sand of the sea, the drops of rain, and the days of eternity -- who can count them? 3The height of heaven, the breadth of the earth, the abyss, and wisdom -- who can search them out? 4Wisdom was created before all things, and prudent understanding from eternity. 5The root of wisdom -- to whom has it been revealed? Her clever devices -- who knows them? 6There is One who is wise, greatly to be feared, sitting upon his throne. 7The Lord himself created wisdom; he saw her and apportioned her, he poured her out upon all his works. 8She dwells with all flesh according to his gift, and he supplied her to those who love him. 9The fear of the Lord is glory and exultation, and gladness and a crown of rejoicing. 10The fear of the Lord delights the heart, and gives gladness and joy and long life.

  • Responsorial Psalm

    Psalms 93:1-2, 5

    1The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed, he is girded with strength. Yea, the world is established; it shall never be moved; 2thy throne is established from of old; thou art from everlasting. 5Thy decrees are very sure; holiness befits thy house, O LORD, for evermore.

  • Gospel

    Mark 9:14-29

    14And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd about them, and scribes arguing with them. 15And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and ran up to him and greeted him. 16And he asked them, "What are you discussing with them?" 17And one of the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; 18and wherever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." 19And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." 20And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. 22And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." 23And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." 24Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" 25And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." 26And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." 27But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" 29And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer."

Second Option

  • First Reading

    1 Samuel 3:10

    10And the LORD came and stood forth, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for thy servant hears."

  • Responsorial Psalm

    Luke 1:46-52

    46And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; 49for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation. 51He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, 52he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree;

  • Gospel

    Matthew 18:1-5, 10

    1At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, 3and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; 10"See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.