Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 4:44-62
Mass: 1 Tm 6:2c-12; Resp Ps 49; Lk 8:1-3
To take advantage of being immersed in St Benedict's tools for good works this week, I continue to turn to them for connections with the Word proclaimed at Mass. In our passage from Paul's epistle to Timothy, Paul exhorts us to "pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness" (1 Tm 4:17). One of my favorite tools for good works is one which I think Benedict gives us somewhat tongue in cheek, that is, "do not aspire to be called holy before you really are" (RB 4:62). If we are busy going about St Paul's exhortation, we discover that responding to the universal call to holiness is a life-long project. Keep going!
The Lord asks everything from us, and in return he offers us true life, the happiness for which we were created. He wants us to be saints and not to settle for a bland and mediocre existence … Let the grace of your baptism bear fruit in a path to holiness. Let everything be open to God; turn to him in every situation. Do not be dismayed, for the power of the Holy Spirit enables you do to this, and holiness, in the end, is the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life … At times, life presents great challenges. Through them, the Lord calls us anew to conversion that can make his grace more evident in our lives, "in order that we may share his holiness.
(Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Rejoice and Be Glad, 1, 15, 17)
Today's photo: Dusk at Redwoods compliments of our chaplain.
© Gertrude Feick 2019
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