Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Louis of France (1214-1270)
Saint Joseph of Calasanz (1557-1648)

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 67 Those Sent on a Journey
Mass: 2 Th 2:1-3a, 14-17; Resp Ps 96; Mt 23:23-26

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound.

HEART OF JESUS, TREASURE-HOUSE OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

We are with Saint Benedict's chapter on those sent on a journey. Journeys for everyone, whether inside or outside of the monastery, have been somewhat curtailed for months now. That shouldn't keep us from ignoring or putting aside the wisdom in this seven verse chapter. In fact, I had a fruitful discussion about it a few years ago with a team in an Office at Admissions at a university. Many team members are regularly sent on journeys to recruit students. St. Benedict's wisdom is relevant here and now, wherever one finds oneself.

St Benedict's begins by saying that those sent on a journey will ask the abbot or abbess and community to pray for them (RB 67:1). Those sent out are to be remembered in prayer by the community who remains (RB 67:2). Upon return, the ones sent out should present themselves to the community and ask for prayers, for their faults, or being caught off guard by something they've seen or heard (RB 67:3-4). St Benedict also talks about the harm that can be done to others by telling them what one has seen or heard (RB 67:5). The one sent might ask, "is what I am sharing necessary, be it about the good or evil I have experienced?"

Something to keep in mind when reflecting on this chapter is about how there are many types of journeys one can take. And now, with instant access to world news on the world-wide web, journeys can be taken while sitting at your desk. Perhaps think about the various journeys you take, looking here for this news, or looking there for that news. Whoops, I didn't mean to go to that site. Or did I. It may have something to do with custody. Is whatever I am doing, looking at or reading, be it inside the office or outside, at home or at my friend's, in the monastery or out, causing me harm and therefore returning to my co-workers, my family, or community? Our Father, who art in heaven, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from all evil, and help us to keep custody of what has been entrusted to us.

In order to avoid discord, never contradict anyone except in case of sin or some danger to a neighbor.

(Saint Louis of France)

All who undertake to teach must be endowed with deep love, the greatest patience, and, most of all, profound humility. They must perform their work with earnest zeal. Then through their humble prayers, the Lord will find them worthy to become fellow workers with him in the cause of truth.

(Saint Joseph of Calasanz)

SAINT LOUIS OF FRANCE,

SAINT JOSEPH OF CALASANZ,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: A 2016 shot of the coastline near Needle Rock Beach, Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, California.

© Gertrude Feick 2020