Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

Blessed Joseph-Marie Cassant, French Trappist monk and priest (1878-1903)
21st Anniversary of the Death of Cardinal Basil Hume

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 13:12-14
Mass: 2 Kgs 2:1, 6-14; Resp Ps 31; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18

Love the Lord, all you his faithful ones!

HEART OF JESUS, FULL OF GOODNESS AND LOVE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

First, I'd like to clear up a little friendly controversary over the celebration of Saint Richard of Chichester. You may also want to look him up; he certainly did more than his fair share to build the kingdom of heaven on earth in his short life of 56 years. Richard died April 3, 1253, and is remembered most universally on April 3. However, I understand that he is honored again in England on June 16 as saint and patron of Sussex County, England, the home of the cathedral city of Chichester. Celebrating Saint Richard at least twice a year seems most fitting. Saint Richard of Chichester, pray for us.


In today's Gospel, Jesus tells us, among other things, something about prayer. The Lord says: When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you (Mt 6:6). Put another way, do not babble and use many words (Mt 6:7). And of utmost importance, Your Father in heaven knows what you need before you ask Him (Mt 6:8).

One way to pray this day, and every day, is with the most perfect prayer, that is, the Lord's Prayer. Saint Benedict knew and teaches us that "thorns of contention are likely to spring up" (RB 13:12) in community, so "the celebration of Lauds and Vespers must never pass by without the superior's reciting the entire Lord's Prayer at the end for all to hear" (RB 13:12). Surely thorns of contention are likely to spring up in families, at work, in social gatherings, and wherever humans gather, so let us pray: Forgive us as we forgive; deliver us from evil (RB 13:13,14/Mt 6:12,13).

She who spares her words is truly wise, and she who is chary of speech is a person of intelligence. Even a fool, if he keeps silent, is considered wise; and if he closes his lips, intelligent.

(Prov 17:27-28)

BLESSED JOSEPH-MARIE CASSANT, 

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: These faithful ones are checking you out. "What's up?" Thanks, MG.

© Gertrude Feick 2020