Optional Memorial of St. Maria Goretti

July 6, 2020



First Reading: Hosea 2:16-18, 21-22

16 “And in that day, says the LORD, you will call me, `My husband,’ and no longer will you call me, `My Ba’al.’ 17 For I will remove the names of the Ba’als from her mouth, and they shall be mentioned by name no more. 18 And I will make for you a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the creeping things of the ground; and I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land; and I will make you lie down in safety. 21 And in that day, says the LORD, I will answer the heavens and they shall answer the earth; 22 and the earth shall answer the grain, the wine, and the oil, and they shall answer Jezreel.”


Psalm: 145:2-9

2 Every day I will bless thee, and praise thy name for ever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. 4 One generation shall laud thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. 5 On the glorious splendor of thy majesty, and on thy wondrous works, I will meditate. 6 Men shall proclaim the might of thy terrible acts, and I will declare thy greatness. 7 They shall pour forth the fame of thy abundant goodness, and shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 8 The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 The LORD is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.


Gospel: Matthew 9:18-26

18 While he was thus speaking to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment; 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd making a tumult, 24 he said, “Depart; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district.


Reflection for the day: “The life of a Christian is nothing but a perpetual struggle against self; there is no flowering of the soul to the beauty of its perfection except at the price of pain.” — St. Padre Pio

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