Saint Landry
Green
He was the bishop of Paris. He was consecrated in 650 and built the first major hospital in the city, dedicating it to St. Christopher. It’s today called the l’Hôtel-Dieu.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 26: 1-2
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; whom should I dread? When those who do evil draw near, they stumble and fall.
Collect
O God, from whom all good things come, grant that we, who call on you in our need, may at your prompting discern what is right, and by your guidance do it. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : 1 Kings 17:1-6
Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the Lord lives, the God of Israel whom I serve, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years except at my order.’ The word of the Lord came to him, ‘Go away from here, go eastwards, and hide yourself in the wadi Cherith which lies east of Jordan. You can drink from the stream, and I have ordered the ravens to bring you food there.’ He did as the Lord had said; he went and stayed in the wadi Cherith which lies east of Jordan. The ravens brought him bread in the morning and meat in the evening, and he quenched his thirst at the stream.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm
120(121)
R/ Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall come my help? My help shall come from the Lord who made heaven and earth.
May he never allow you to stumble! Let him sleep not, your guard. No, he sleeps not nor slumbers, Israel’s guard.
The Lord is your guard and your shade; at your right side he stands. By day the sun shall not smite you nor the moon in the night.
The Lord will guard you from evil, he will guard your soul. The Lord will guard your going and coming both now and for ever.
Gospel Acclamation : cf.2Th2:14
Alleluia, alleluia! Through the Good News God called us to share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 5:1-12
Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them: ‘How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Happy the gentle: they shall have the earth for their heritage. Happy those who mourn: they shall be comforted. Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied. Happy the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them. Happy the pure in heart: they shall see God. Happy the peacemakers: they shall be called sons of God. Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven: this is how they persecuted the prophets before you.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Look kindly upon our service, O Lord, we pray, that what we offer may be an acceptable oblation to you and lead us to grow in charity. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 17: 3
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my saving strength.
Prayer after Communion
May your healing work, O Lord, free us, we pray, from doing evil and lead us to what is right. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
In today’s world, people pursue clichés like ‘self-love’, ‘self-expression’, and ‘licentiousness’ as keys to happiness, yet end up with mental health issues, fears, insecurities, anxieties, and unhappiness. Why not try Jesus’ advice – «You are told, “You cannot be happy unless you are rich?” Jesus says, “Happy are the poor in spirit.” “Revenge is sweet?” No, Jesus says, “Happy are the patient.” To those who say: «If nature gave you carnal instincts, you ought to give them free expression; otherwise, you will become frustrated,» He says, “Happy are the clean of heart.” To those who say, “Seek to be popular and well known,” He says, “Happy are you when men revile you and persecute you and speak all manner of evil against you falsely because of Me.” To those who say, «In time of peace, prepare for war,» He says, “Happy are the peacemakers.”