Saint Jeanne Jugan, aka, Mary of the Cross (1792-1879)
Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 72 The Good Zeal of Monks
Mass: 1 Th 4:1-8; Resp Ps 97; Mt 25:1-13
Light dawns for the just; and gladness for the upright of heart.
HEART OF JESUS, ABYSS OF ALL VIRTUES,
HAVE MERCY ON US.
On this last Friday of August 2019, we begin with a brief commentary on today's Gospel, provided by Pope Francis: "The lamp is the symbol of faith that illumines our life, while the oil is the symbol of charity that nourishes, makes fruitful and credible the light of faith. The condition to be ready for the encounter with the Lord is not only faith but a Christian life rich in love and charity for our neighbor: (Angelus Address, November 12, 2017).
To further consider what a Christian life rich in love and charity looks like in our hearts and in action, we turn to today's reading from the Holy Rule, one of the most beautiful chapters in all of St Benedict's Holy Rule.
CHAPTER 72. THE GOOD ZEAL OF MONKS
Just as there is a wicked zeal of bitterness which separates us from God and leads to hell, so there is a good zeal which separates from evil and leads to God and everlasting life. This, then, is the good zeal which monks must foster with fervent love: They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other (Rom 12:10), supporting with greatest patience one another's weaknesses of body or behavior, and earnestly competing in obedience to one another. No one is to pursue what she judges better for herself, but instead, what she judges better for someone else. To their fellow monks they show the pure love of brothers or sisters; to God, loving fear; to their abbot or abbess, unfeigned and humble love. Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may He bring us all together to everlasting life.
SAINT JEANNE JUGAN,
PRAY FOR US.
Today's photo: The beach at Shelter Cove, CA, part of the King Range National Conservation Area.
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