RB: Ch 33 Monks and Private Ownership
Mass: Jer 18:18-20; Resp Ps 31; Mt 20:17-28
REDEEM ME, O LORD, AND HAVE MERCY ON ME. MY FOOT STANDS ON LEVEL GROUND; I WILL BLESS THE LORD IN THE ASSEMBLY.
[Ps 26 (25):11-12]
As I reflect on the people from our first reading who are busy plotting against Jeremiah in order to destroy him (Jer 18:18) and the mother of the sons of Zebedee wanting Jesus to promote her boys (Mt 20:21), I think about how much energy it takes to bring others down, compete for first place, stand out before others, land the highest paying job, or "show off" in one way or another. St Benedict has another way to go about it which he presents to us in the brief and rich chapter on good zeal. There is one form of competition permitted in the monastery and it is lived out by good zeal: "This 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 (Rm 12:10), supporting with the greatest patience one another's weaknesses of body or behavior, and earnestly competing in obedience to one another. No one is pursue what she judges better for herself, but instead, what she judges better for someone else" (RB 72:3-7).
We join the Holy Father in praying for the "poor Syrian people, who are suffering on the border between Greece and Turkey: a people who have suffered for years … Let us not forget our brothers and sisters, including so many children, who are suffering there" (General Audience, March 11, 2020).
WHOEVER WISHES TO BE GREAT AMONG YOU SHALL BE YOUR SERVANT; WHOEVER WISHES TO BE FIRST AMONG YOU SHALL BE YOUR SLAVE.
(Mt 20:26-27)
Today's photo: Sharing a little bit of beauty from Redwoods.
© Gertrude Feick 2020
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