Saint Louis Mary Grignion de Montfort, priest (1673-1716)
Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 70 The Presumption of Defending Another in the Monastery
Mass: Acts 7:51-8:1a; Resp Ps 31; Jn 6:30-35
Today we have some people, Stephen calls them "stiff-necked people" (Acts 7:31), who did not like being challenged by Stephen. These are the people who yesterday instigated others to spread rumors about Stephen (Acts 6:11). So upset were these "wise" elders that they become infuriated and grind their teeth at Stephen (Acts 7:54). Then they drive Stephen out of the city and stone him! (Acts 7:58). Dear Stephen, whose face was like the face of an angel (Acts 6:15).
We are not beyond such behavior, what Pope Francis calls "daily lynching": "Then there is the small daily lynching that tries to condemn people, to create a bad reputation, the small daily lynching of gossip that creates opinions in order to condemn people." It seems time and energy would be better spent with today's Entrance Antiphon: "Sing praise to our God, all you who fear God, both small and great, for now salvation and strength have come, and the power of his Christ, alleluia"!
We pray with the Holy Father:
At this time, when indications have been given to exit out of quarantine, we pray the Lord will grant to His people, all of us, the grace of prudence and obedience to these indications, so that the pandemic does not return.
SAINT STEPHEN,
SAINT PETER CHANEL,
SAINT PETER CHANEL,
SAINT LOUIS MARY GRIGNION DE MONTFORT,
PRAY FOR US.
Today's photo: A hippity hoppity bunny taking a breather. Thanks d.
© Gertrude Feick 2020
No comments:
Post a Comment