Thursday of the Third Week of Easter

Pope Saint Pius V (1504-1572)

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 72 The Good Zeal of Monks 
Mass: Acts 8:26-40; Resp Ps 66; Jn 6:44-51

Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

NO ONE CAN COME TO ME UNLESS THE FATHER WHO SENT ME DRAW HIM, AND I WILL RAISE HIM ON THE LAST DAY.

(Jn 6:44)

In his homily today, Pope Francis reflected on our work to spread the Gospel. Conversion is not something we do, rather, it is God who converts others. It is only God the Father who can draw others to Jesus. "Our job," said the Holy Father, "is to bear witness. In missionary work, it is not simply enough to teach or instruct people about the truths of the faith. In order to be a true proclamation, we must bear witness in our own lives, and allow the Father to draw people to Christ."

Several ways to go about spreading the Gospel by our witness are in St Benedict's chapter on Good Zeal, called "the most beautiful chapter in the Rule of Benedict, possessing an appeal that is universal; and no wonder" (Patrick Barry, OSB). No wonder is right as you will read. We might sing today "They'll know we are Christians by our love", or "They'll know we are Christians by our good zeal." Keep going.

Just as there is a wicked zeal of bitterness which separates 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 (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 to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he 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 my he bring us all together to everlasting life.

We pray with the Holy Father:

For those who have died, especially those who have died 'anonymously'  and have been buried in common graves.

POPE SAINT PIUS V,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: A joyful gem from our garden.

© Gertrude Feick 2020