September 28
St Wenceslaus, martyr; St Lawrence Ruiz and companions, martyrs
Monday, week 26 in Ordinary Time
On September 28, the Church commemorates St Wenceslaus, martyr, and St Lawrence Ruiz and companions, martyrs—both united by the witness of faith unto death, but in very different places and eras. St Wenceslaus, Duke of Bohemia in the early 10th century, is renowned as a just and devout Christian ruler whose commitment to Christ and the Church stirred both admiration and opposition; historical records suggest he was murdered by his own brother, most likely for political and religious reasons. Over centuries, Wenceslaus became a symbol of Christian kingship and a patron saint of the Czech people.
St Lawrence Ruiz was a layman from the Philippines who, in the 17th century, joined a group of Dominican missionaries on their journey to Japan, then suffering fierce persecutions against Christians. Along with 15 companions—priests, religious, and laypeople from various countries—he endured brutal torture and was executed at Nishizaka Hill in Nagasaki. While details surrounding their last words and precise circumstances may vary, their documented steadfastness amidst suffering inspired both local and universal devotion. The Church honors these martyrs as models for Christians living out their faith courageously in demanding circumstances. Celebrating their memory encourages us to witness to Christ in our own contexts, no matter the cost, drawing strength from their faith and offering prayers for those suffering for the faith today.
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The liturgical day
Mass readings
ReadingJb 1, 6-22
On the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord,
Satan, the Adversary, also came among them.
The Lord said to him:
“Where do you come from?”
The Adversary replied:
“From going to and fro on the earth, and from roaming about on it.”
The Lord said again:
“Have you noticed my servant Job?
There is no one like him on earth:
he is a blameless and upright man,
who fears God and turns away from evil.”
The Adversary responded:
“Does Job fear God for nothing?
Have you not put a hedge around him to protect him,
his household, and everything he owns?
You have blessed the work of his hands,
and his herds have increased throughout the land.
But stretch out your hand
and touch all that he has:
I bet he will curse you to your face!”
The Lord said to the Adversary:
“Very well! Everything he owns is in your power,
but do not lay a hand on him.”
And the Adversary departed.
On the day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting
and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother,
a messenger came to Job and said:
“The oxen were ploughing
and the donkeys were grazing nearby.
The Sabeans fell upon them and carried them off,
and put the servants to the sword.
I alone have escaped to tell you.”
He was still speaking when another arrived and said:
“Fire from heaven fell,
it has burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them.
I alone have escaped to tell you.”
He was still speaking when a third arrived and said:
“Three bands of Chaldeans made a raid on the camels,
took them away and put the servants to the sword.
I alone have escaped to tell you.”
He was still speaking when a fourth arrived and said:
“Your sons and daughters were feasting
and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house,
when a great wind came from the desert
and struck the house.
Shaken on all four sides,
it collapsed on the young people,
and they are dead.
I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Then Job got up, tore his robe, and shaved his head,
he fell to the ground and worshipped.
Then he said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
naked I shall return there.
The Lord gave,
the Lord has taken away:
Blessed be the name of the Lord!”
In all this, Job did not sin.
He uttered no inappropriate words towards God.
– The word of the Lord.
PsalmPs 16 (17), 1, 3, 4b-5, 7
Lord, listen to justice!
Hear my appeal, receive my prayer:
my lips speak no lies.
You probe my heart, you visit me at night,
you test me and find nothing;
my thoughts have not passed my lips.
I have kept the path you ordered;
I have kept my steps in your ways:
my foot has never slipped.
Show the wonders of your mercy,
you who free from the aggressor
those who seek refuge at your right hand.
GospelLc 9, 46-50
At that time,
a discussion arose among the disciples
as to which of them was the greatest.
But Jesus, knowing what thoughts were in their hearts,
took a child, placed him beside himself
and said to them:
“Whoever receives this child in my name
receives me.
And whoever receives me
receives the one who sent me.
Indeed, the least among all of you,
is the one who is great.”
John, one of the Twelve, said to Jesus:
“Master, we saw someone
casting out demons in your name;
we tried to stop him,
because he does not follow with us.”
Jesus replied:
“Do not stop him:
for whoever is not against you is for you.”
– Let us proclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org