Saint of the day · July 18
Feria in Ordinary Time
Liturgical colour : Green
Today in the Roman Catholic Church is referred to as a 'feria'—a day without a specific saint or feast assigned on the liturgical calendar. The term 'feria' originates from the Latin word for 'weekday,' and in the current usage, it indicates an ordinary weekday within a particular liturgical season—in this case, Ordinary Time. During Ordinary Time, the Church invites the faithful to reflect on the life and teachings of Christ in a sustained and consistent way, outside of the more intense seasons such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, or Easter.
On a ferial day, the Mass readings are taken from the weekday lectionary, offering a guided journey through Scripture and encouraging personal growth in holiness. While there is no particular commemoration of a saint or singular event in salvation history today, the rhythm of Ordinary Time is itself significant. It teaches the value of sanctifying daily life, reminding Catholics that God is present in both the small tasks and the routine moments. The Church, in her wisdom, provides these "green" days to emphasize ongoing conversion and steadfast faithfulness in the ordinary journey of Christian discipleship.
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Mass readings
“If they covet fields, they seize them; houses, they take them” — Mi 2, 1-5
Woe to those who plan their evil deed
and, from their beds, devise wickedness!
At the break of dawn, they carry it out
because it is in their power.
If they covet fields, they seize them;
houses, they take them;
they steal a man and his home,
a man and his inheritance.
Therefore, thus says the Lord:
Behold, I am planning against this people a disaster
from which you cannot save your necks;
you will no longer walk with heads held high,
for it will be a time of calamity.
On that day, a taunt will be spoken against you,
and a lamentation will be sung; it will be said:
“We are utterly devastated!
The portion of my people is handed over to others!
Alas! It is taken from me!
Our fields have been given over
to the faithless!”
No one, in fact, will assign you a share
in the assembly of the Lord.
– The word of the Lord.
Ps 9 B (10), 1-2, 3-4, 7-8ab, 14
Why, Lord, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide in times of distress?
In his pride, the wicked pursues the poor;
they are caught in the schemes he has devised.
The wicked boasts of the desires of his heart,
the arrogant blasphemes and defies the Lord;
filled with self-importance, the wicked no longer seeks;
"God is nothing," that is all his cunning.
His mouth is full of curses, deceit, and oppression;
his tongue is trouble and mischief.
He lies in wait near the villages,
he lurks in secret to kill the innocent.
But you see: you behold mischief and sorrow,
and take it into your hands;
the helpless entrust themselves to you,
you are the helper of the orphan.
“He strictly ordered them not to make him known. Thus was fulfilled the word of Isaiah” — Mt 12, 14-21
At that time,
after leaving the synagogue,
the Pharisees took counsel against Jesus
to see how they might destroy him.
Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there;
many people followed him, and he healed them all.
But he strictly ordered them
not to make him known.
Thus was fulfilled
the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved in whom I find delight.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
he will proclaim justice to the nations.
He will not quarrel or cry out,
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
He will not break the bruised reed,
nor quench the smoldering wick,
till he brings justice to victory.
The nations will put their hope in his name.
– Let us acclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org