Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter

First Saturday of the Month

Readings of the day: RB Prol. 21-32

Mass: Ac 16:1-10; Resp Ps 100; Jn 15:18-21

Monastery in Horta de Sant Joan

The WORD speaks:

I have chosen you out of the world.

God has called us to proclaim the Good News.

How do we witness to being chosen and called by God?

St Benedict has more than a few ways:

Clothe yourself in faith and the performance of good works;

walk without blemish;

be just in all your dealings;

speak the truth from your heart;

do not practice deceit with the tongue;

wrong no one;

do not listen to slanders against a neighbor;

fear the Lord;

do not be elated over your good deeds;

judge it is the Lord’s power, not your own, that brings about the good in you;

praise the Lord working in you;

say with the prophet: ‘Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name alone’;

declare, ‘By God’s grace I am what I am’;

If you boast, boast in the Lord.

As does Pope Francis:

We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves. Are you called to the consecrated life? Be holy by living out your commitment with joy. Are you married? Be holy by loving and caring for your husband or wife, as Christ does for the Church. Do you work for a living? Be holy by labouring with integrity and skill in the service of your brothers and sisters. Are you a parent or grandparent? Be holy by patiently teaching the little ones how to follow Jesus. Are you in a position of authority? Be holy by working for the common good and renouncing personal gain.

(Gaudete et Exsultate, 14)