Memorial of Saints Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs
Antiphons on page 1643 and Readings on page 888 of the Daily Missal

First Reading: Sirach 51:12c-20b

A reading from the Book of Sirach

I will give thanks to you and praise you,
and I will bless the name of the Lord.

While I was still young, before I went on my travels,
I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.
Before the temple I asked for her,
and I will search for her to the last.
From blossom to ripening grape
my heart delighted in her;
my foot entered upon the straight path;
from my youth I followed her steps.
I inclined my ear a little and received her,
and I found for myself much instruction.
I made progress therein;
to him who gives me wisdom I will give glory.
For I resolved to live according to wisdom,
and I was zealous for the good;
and I shall never be put to shame.
My soul grappled with wisdom,
and in my conduct I was strict;
I spread out my hands to the heavens,
and lamented my ignorance of her.
I directed my soul to her,
and through purification I found her.

The Word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11 (R. 9ab)

Let us pray the Responsorial Psalm:

R/. The precepts of the Lord are right;
they gladden the heart.

The law of the Lord is perfect;
it revives the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are steadfast;
they give wisdom to the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right;
they gladden the heart.
The command of the Lord is clear;
it gives light to the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is pure,
abiding forever.
The judgments of the Lord are true;
they are, all of them, just.

They are more to be desired than gold,
than quantities of gold.
And sweeter are they than honey,
than honey flowing from the comb.

R/. The precepts of the Lord are right;
they gladden the heart.

Alleluia, alleluia.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 11:27-33

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark

At that time:
Jesus and the disciples came again to Jerusalem.
And as he was walking in the temple,
the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him,
and they said to him,
“By what authority are you doing these things,
or who gave you this authority to do them?”

Jesus said to them,
“I will ask you a question;
answer me,
and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Was the baptism of John from heaven or from people?
Answer me.”
And they argued with one another,
“If we say, ‘From heaven,’
he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
But shall we say, ‘From people’?”—
they were afraid of the people,
for all held that John was a real prophet.
So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.”

And Jesus said to them,
“Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

The Gospel of the Lord