Friday, May 22, 2020

Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Saint Rita of Cascia (1377-1447)

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 4:63-78
Mass: Acts 18:9-18; Resp Ps 47; Jn 16:20-23


God is king of all the earth.

MARY, MOTHER OF OUR CREATOR,
PRAY FOR US.

First, about today's photo. In the spirit of Laudato Si Week, we've been busy beautifying our grounds, here with weed whacking, also with mowing and gardening. We are blessed to be surrounded by God's grandeur. And blessed with the teaching of Saint Benedict who writes: "Idleness is the enemy of the soul. Therefore, the sisters should have specified periods for manual labor as well as for prayerful reading … when they live by the labor of their hands, as our ancestors and the apostles did, then they are really monks" (RB 48:1,8). Join us, wherever you find yourself, with tending to the beauty of creation, which may be even simply admiring the glory contained in one flower, a means to regain a sense of awe and wonder.

In today's Gospel, Jesus says: Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you (Jn 16:23). Strengthened by the Lord's words to Paul, do not be afraid (Acts 18:9), we pray with "A Prayer for Our Earth" from Pope Francis, Laudato Si Praised be to you, my Lord, 246:

All-powerful God,
you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned
and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty,
not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace.

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA,
PRAY FOR US.

© Gertrude Feick 2020

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