Wednesday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Jerome, Priest, Doctor (240-420)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 7:31-34

Mass: Jb 9:1-12, 14-16; Resp Ps 88; Lk 9:57-62

Let my prayer come before you, Lord.

HEART OF JESUS, SUBSTANTIALLY UNITED TO THE WORD OF GOD,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Today we celebrate Saint Jerome, who, as prayed in today's Collect, had "a living and tender love for Sacred Scripture", whom the Holy Father calls the "library of Christ" in his Apostolic Letter Scripturae Sacrae Affectus Devotion to Sacred Scripture, given today from the Lateran Basilica. May we heed Saint Jerome's advice: "Read the Divine Scriptures constantly; never let the sacred volume fall from your hand", for "ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ". Yes, blessed is he who ponders the law of the Lord day and night: he will yield fruit in due season (Entrance Antiphon, Mass).

May we set our hands to the plow, not look to what was left behind (Lk 9:62), and "imitate by our actions that saying of the Lord: I have not come to do my own will, but the will of one who sent me" (RB 7:32).  We go forth with the concluding words of the Pope's Apostolic Letter: Let us, then, entrust ourselves to Our Lady who, more than anyone, can teach us how to read, meditate, contemplate and pray to God, who tirelessly makes himself present in our lives.

SAINT JEROME,

PRAY FOR US.

© Gertrude Feick 2020

Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 7:24-30

Mass: Dn 7:9-10 13-14 or Rev 12:7-12ab; Resp Ps 138; Jn 1:47-51

In the sight of the angels, I will sing your praises, Lord.

JESUS, JOY OF ANGELS,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

We celebrate with joy and thanksgiving Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, the Archangels! We pray to them to help us, for strength and protection, to do God's will, and for healing. Something else is to pray with Saint Paul's Letter to the Ephesians, 6:10-17. Draw your strength from the Lord and from His mighty power ... in all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph 6:10, 16-17). Keep going!

The following, composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1886, is an oldie but a goodie. 

Prayer to Saint Michael, the Archangel

Saint Michael, the Archangel,

defend us in battle.

Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,

and do thou, 

O Prince of the heavenly hosts,

by the power of God,

thrust into hell Satan,

and all the evil spirits,

who prowl around the world

seeking the ruin of souls. Amen

O glorious prince, Saint Michael,

chief and commander of the heavenly hosts,

guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits,

servant in the house of the Divine King

and our admirable conductor,

you who shine with excellence

and superhuman virtue deliver us from evil,

who turn to you with confidence

and enable us by your gracious protection

to serve God more and more faithfully everyday.

SAINTS MICHAEL, GABRIEL AND RAPHAEL, PRAY FOR US.

© Gertrude Feick 2020

Monday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Wenceslaus, Martyr (907-935)

Saints Laurence Ruiz and his Companions, Martyrs (17th century)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 7:19-23

Mass: Job 1:6-22; Resp Ps 17; Lk 9:46-50

Incline your ear to me and hear my word.

HEART OF JESUS, IN WHOM THERE DWELLS THE FULLNESS OF GOD,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

After what poor Job experienced as proclaimed in today's first reading, it seems that Job had plenty to complain about. Yet, "in all this Job did not sin, nor did he say anything disrespectful of God" (Jb 1:22). Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, grant us courage, grant us perseverance. I believe, help my unbelief.  

One must never despair; an evil never goes beyond the limits God has laid down. However, God is jealous, and he crushes men, or suspends their activity, so that no one can boast, even in the depths of his heart, that he has achieved something. Humiliation is the most important element of success today.

(Dom Prosper Gueranger, from The Spirit of Solesmes, in The Tablet, September 19, 2020, p. 16)

SAINT WENCESLAUS, SAINTS RUIZ AND HIS COMPANIONS, 

PRAY FOR US.

© Gertrude Feick 2020

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

106th World Day of Migrants and Refugees

In other years: Saint Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 7:10-18

Mass: Ezk 18:25-28; Resp Ps 25; Ph 2:1-11; Mt 21:28-32

Your ways, O Lord, make known to me, teach me your paths.

HEART OF JESUS, PATIENT AND FULL OF MERCY,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

We rejoice on this Sunday and sing with the psalmist: Lord, make known to me your way, teach me your paths, guide me in truth and teach me (Ps 25). We seek God, we want to be closer to Him, we want to follow His teaching. That said, with our shortcomings and failings, we distance ourselves from the Lord. We stumble, we fall, we get up and try again. Thankfully, Our God is patient and full of mercy. He longs for us as we long for Him. And He waits for us as Saint Benedict writes in the Prologue of the Holy Rule: "The Lord waits for us daily to translate into action, as we should, His holy teachings. Therefore our life span has been lengthened by way of a truce, that we may amend our misdeeds. As the Apostle says: Do you know that the patience of God is leading you to repent (Rm 2:4)? And indeed the Lord assures us in His love: I do not want the death of a sinner, but that he turn back to me and live (Ezk 33:11). Let us pray for the grace to follow the Lord with humility of heart as we continue to sing with the psalmist: Good and upright is the Lord; thus He shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, and teaches the humble His way (Ps 25). So, immersed in Saint Benedict's chapter on humility, we climb the ladder of humility, now with the first step of humility: While we guard ourselves at every moment from sins and vices of thought or tongue, of hand or foot, of self-will or bodily desire, let us recall that we are always seen by God in heaven, that our actions everywhere are in God's sight and are reported by angels at every hour (RB 7:12). Thankfully, in the sight of Our God, ever patient, ever merciful, whose love endures forever. 

God asks us to convert, yet He is patient with us. He does not tire, He does not desist after our 'no'; He leaves us free even to distance ourselves from Him and to make mistakes. But He anxiously awaits our 'yes', so as to welcome us anew in His fatherly arms and to fill us with His boundless mercy.

(Pope Francis, Angelus Address, September 27, 2020)

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL,

PRAY FOR US.

© Gertrude Feick 2020

Saturday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Saints Cosmas and Damian (3rd-4th Century Martyrs)

Blessed Virgin Mary

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 7:5-9

Mass: Ecc 11:9-12:8; Resp Ps 90; Lk 9:43b-45

Prosper the work of our hands for us! Prosper the work of our hands!

MARY, QUEEN OF MARTYRS,

PRAY FOR US.

In today's Gospel, we find the disciples at first amazed and then afraid. They just don't understand. We join the disciples sometimes amazed, other times afraid, bewildered, not understanding. We suffer, are saddened and discouraged. We are united and remember: Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours forever and ever. Amen.

When I pray, I enter into the depth of my own heart and find there the heart of God, who speaks to me of love. And I recognise, right there, the place where all my sisters and brothers are in communion with one another. The great paradox of the spiritual life is, indeed, that the most personal is the most universal, that the most intimate, is most communal, and the most contemplative is most active.

(Henri Nouwen, Here and Now: Living in the Spirit, in The Tablet, Sept. 12, 2020)

SAINTS COSMAS AND DAMIAN, 

PRAY FOR US.

© Gertrude Feick 2020

Friday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 7:1-4 Humility

Mass: Ecc 3:1-11; Resp Ps 144; Lk 9:18-22

Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

Before looking at the readings assigned for today's Mass, I read an interview in The Tablet (September 19, 2020, pp. 6-7) with Leroy Logan, who retired in 2013 after a successful 30-year career with Britain's Metropolitan Police. This is what was written about Mr Logan's faith: "Without his faith, he says, he would have 'buckled'. 'It gave me a resolve and a calmness. A lot of people commented on how I didn't appear stressed at work. My response was always, 'I'm too blessed to be stressed.' My attitude was, 'It's in God's hands. He'll deal with it'" (p. 7). 

Then came wisdom from the author of the Book of Ecclesiastes: "There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for everything under the sun ... God has made everything appropriate to its time and has put the timeless in [our] hearts without [us] ever discovering, from beginning to end, the work which God has done" (Ecc 3:1, 11).

May we be inspired by both and continue with the daily by recognizing "that there is nothing better than to be glad and to do well during life. For [all of us], moreover, to eat and drink and enjoy the fruit of all [our] labor is a gift of God. I recognized that whatever God does will endure forever; there is no adding to it, or taking from it. Thus God has done that he may be revered. What now is has already been; what is to be, already is; and God restores what would otherwise be displaced" (Ecc 3:12-15). 

JESUS, TREASURE OF THE FAITHFUL,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

© Gertrude Feick 2020

Thursday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 6 Restraint of Speech

Mass: Ecc 1:2-11; Resp Ps 90; Lk 9:7-9

In every age, Lord, you have been our refuge.

HEART OF JESUS, SOURCE OF ALL CONSOLATION,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

In today's Gospel, Herod, who was "greatly perplexed" (LK 9:7), "kept trying to see Jesus" (Lk 9:9). Are we as diligent in our search for God? It may help to keep in mind something Pope Francis said in a homily on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 27, 2014: "God is always present, in front of us, waiting for us. When we arrive, He's there. When we look for Him, He has already been looking for us. He is always in front of us, waiting to receive us in His heart, in His love."

© Gertrude Feick 2020

Wednesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) (1887-1968)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 5:14-19

Mass: Prov 30:5-9; Resp Ps 119; Lk 9:1-6

Your word, Lord, is a lamp for my feet.

We hear in the Book of Proverbs that God "is a shield to those who take refuge in Him" (Prov 30:5). Comforted and strengthened by Our God, we sing with the psalmist: "You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, Say to the Lord, 'My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.' God will rescue you from the fowler's snare, from the destroying plague, Will shelter you with pinion, spread wings that you may take refuge; God's faithfulness is a protecting shield ... " (Ps 91). With trust, then, we set out as did the Twelve and proclaim the good news (Lk 9:6).

PADRE PIO, 

PRAY FOR US.

© Gertrude Feick 2020

Tuesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 5:1-13 Obedience

Mass: Prov 21:1-6, 10-13; Resp Ps 119; Lk 8:19-21

Lead me, Lord, along the path of your commands, for in it I take delight.

JESUS, TREASURE OF THE FAITHFUL,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

We hear this in the passage from the Book of Proverbs: "It is the Lord who proves hearts" (Pr 21:2). So how is your heart today? Is it open and ready to receive the Word of God? Jesus tells us: My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it (Lk 8:21). We are united, then, in faith and with all those who hear the word of God and act on it. This is so important now, at a time when so many are suffering. What is Jesus asking of you this day? Give me discernment, Lord, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart (Ps 119). 

MARY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS,

PRAY FOR US.

© Gertrude Feick 2020

Feast of Saint Matthew

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 4:63-78

Mass: Eph 4:1-7, 11-13; Resp Ps 19; Mt 9:9-13

Their message goes out through all the earth.

JESUS, TEACHER OF THE EVANGELISTS, 

HAVE MERCY ON US.

As we celebrate Saint Matthew, we are grateful for our ever merciful God and reflect on His many attributes of mercy as they were revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai: The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin (Ex 34:6-7). This is Our God who showed mercy to "despised tax collector" Matthew. Our God, merciful and gracious, extends the same mercy to each and every one of us, at least those of us who are in need of a physician, for as Jesus says in today's Gospel: Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do (Mt 9:12). Jesus, the Divine Physician, did not come to call the righteous but sinners (Mt 9:13). We go forth, then, with Saint Matthew's intercession, and follow Jesus, taking with us Saint Benedict's last tool for good works: "And finally, never lose hope in God's mercy" (RB 4:74).

Mercy is most empowering, liberating, and transformative when it is directed at the undeserving. The people who haven't earned it, who haven't even sought it, are the most meaningful recipients of our compassion.

(Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy, p. 314)

SAINT MATTHEW, PRAY FOR US.

© Gertrude Feick 2020

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

In other years: Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and companions, Korean Martyrs (18-19th century)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 4:44-62

Mass: Is 55:6-9; Ps 145; Ph 1:20c-24, 27a; Mt 20:1-16a

The Lord is good to all.

There is a line in Charlotte's Web that I can't get out of my mind. It is something Charlotte said to Wilbur: "Never hurry and never worry!" It is wise advice and something to consider if we heed Saint Paul's exhortation: "Conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ" (1 Cor 1:27a). May we be attentive and present when doing the work God gives us, and trust.

Mary, Most Holy, help us to feel everyday the joy and wonder of being called by God to work for Him, in His field which is the world, and His vineyard which is the Church.

(Pope Francis, Angelus Address, September 20, 2020)

SAINT ANDREW KIM TAEGON, PAUL CHONG HASANG, AND COMPANIONS,

PRAY FOR FOR US.

© Gertrude Feick 2020

Saturday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Januarius, Bishop, Martyr (early 4th century)

Blessed Virgin Mary

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 4:22-43

Mass: 1 Cor 15:35-37, 42-49; Resp Ps 56; Lk 8:4-15

I will walk in the presence of God, in the light of the living.

MARY, QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH,

PRAY FOR US.

Jesus said this to a large crowd: Whoever has ears ought to hear (Lk 8:8). Today seems a good day to listen to the Word with the ear of our hearts, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance (Lk 8:15). After all, "the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two edged sword, penetrating between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart" (Heb 4:12). Furthermore, "no creature is concealed from Him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must render and account" (Heb 4:13). We carry on, then. "Oh, that today you would hear His voice: 'Harden not your hearts'" (Heb 4:7).

SAINT JANUARIUS,

PRAY FOR US.

© Gertrude Feick 2020

Friday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the Day 

RB: Ch 4:1-21 The Tools for Good Works

Mass: 1 Cor 15:12-20; Resp Ps 17; Lk 8:1-3

Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

HEART OF JESUS, INFINITE IN MAJESTY,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

I think of the women in today's Gospel, those who accompanied Jesus. They were Mary, called Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna and many others. These courageous and faithful women provided for Jesus and the Twelve out of their own resources (Lk 8:3). May they intercede for all of us, especially those who are suffering at this time due to the destructive fires and resulting toxic air in Washington, Oregon, and California. And also those who grieve for the loss of loved ones and treasured things. We are to carry on the work of redemption and be united with those who suffer. We pray for them all with heartfelt compassion and love. And St Benedict provides these tools for good works to guide our words and deeds: "Go to help the troubled and console the sorrowing" (RB 4:18-19). And there is something Pope Francis said this morning in an audience with Vatican representatives from the Belgian Catholic magazine, Tertio, that can apply to all the faithful, namely, to be bearers and sowers of hope in a better tomorrow. Mary, comforter of the afflicted, pray for us. 

Today's photo: From the archives.

© Gertrude Feick 2020

Thursday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Hildegard of Bingen, Doctor (1098-1179)
Saint Robert Bellarmine, Bishop, Doctor (1542-1621)

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 3:7-13
Mass: 1 Cor 15:1-11; Resp Ps 118; Lk 7:36-50

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

JESUS, LOVER OF US ALL.

Yes, Jesus is the lover of us all, saints and sinners alike. United with the "sinful woman" (Lk 7:37) in today's Gospel, and all of us with "many sins" (Lk 7:47) let us show "great love" (Lk 7:47) to the Lord for His mercy, forgiveness, and unconditional love as we exclaim, "by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor 15:10). May Jesus say to us: Your faith has saved you; go in peace (Lk 7:50). I believe, help my unbelief.

SAINT HILDEGARD OF BINGEN, 

SAINT ROBERT BELLARMINE,

PRAY FOR US.

© Gertrude Feick 2020

Wednesday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Pope Saint Cornelius (-253) and Saint Cyprian, bishop (210-258), Martyrs

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 3:1-6 Summoning the Community for Counsel
Mass: 1 Cor 12:31-13:13; Resp Ps 33; Lk 7:31-35

The Lord loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full.

Tuesday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Our Lady of Sorrows

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 2: 33-40
Mass: Heb 5:7-9 or 1 Cor 12-14, 27-31a; Resp Ps 31 or Resp Ps 100; Jn 19:25-27 or Lk 2:33-35

Oh, how sad and sore distressed Was that Mother highly blessed Of the sole begotten One!

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 2:30-32
Mass: Num 21:4b-9; Resp Ps 78; Ph 2:6-11; Jn 3:13-17

Do not forget the works of the Lord!

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

In other years: Saint John Chrysostom (349-407)

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 2:23-29
Mass: Sir 27:30-28:7; Resp Ps 103; Rm 14:7-9; Mt 18:21-35

The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger and rich in compassion.

Saturday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

The Most Holy Name of Mary

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 2:16-22
Mass: 1 Cor 10:14-22; Resp Ps 116; Lk 6:43-49
For the memorial: Gal 4:4-7 or Eph 1:3-6; Resp Ps (Lk 1); Lk 1:39-47

The Almighty works marvels for me. Holy is His Name!

Friday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 2:11-15
Mass: 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22b-27; Resp Ps 84; Lk 6:39-42

For a sun and a shield is the Lord God; grace and glory He bestows.

Thursday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 2:1-10 Qualities of the Abbot
Mass: 1 Cor 8:1b-7, 11-13; Resp Ps 139; Lk 6:27-38

Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

Wednesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Peter Claver (1581-1654)

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 1:6-13
Mass: 1 Cor 7:25-31; Resp Ps 45; Lk 6:20-26

Listen to me daughter; see and incline your ear.

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 1:1-5 The Kinds of Monks
Mass: Micah 5:1-4a or Rom 8:28-30; Resp Ps 13; Mt 1:1-16, 18-23

With delight I rejoice in the Lord.

Monday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

Labor Day

Readings of the Day
RB: Prol 45-50
Mass: 1 Cor 5:1-8; Resp Ps 5; Lk 6:6-11

Protect them, Lord, that you may be the joy of those who love your name.

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings of the Day
RB: Prol 39-44
Mass: Ezk 33:7-9; Resp Ps 95; Rm 13:8-10; Mt 18:15-20

Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord.

Saturday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

Blessed Virgin Mary
First Saturday of the Month

Readings of the Day
RB: Prologue 33-38
Mass: 1 Cor 4:6b-15; Resp Ps 145; Lk 6:1-5

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him.

Friday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

First Friday of the Month
Universal Day of Prayer and Fasting for Lebanon

Readings of the Day
RB: Prologue 21-32
Mass: 1 Cor 4:1-5; Resp Ps 37; Lk 5:33-39

Take delight in the Lord, and He will grant you your heart's requests.

Thursday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

Pope Saint Gregory the Great (540-604), Doctor of the Church, one of the great Latin fathers with Saint Ambrose (340-397), Saint Jerome (347-420), and Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430)

Readings of the Day
RB: Prologue 14-20
Mass: 1 Cor :18-23; Resp Ps 24; Lk 5:1-11

The Lord's are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it.

Wednesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the Day
RB: Prol 8-13
Mass: 1 Cor 3:1-9; Resp Ps 33; Lk 4:38-44

From heaven the Lord looks down; He sees all mankind.

Tuesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

Readings of the Day
RB: Prol 1-7
Mass: 1 Cor 2:10b-16; Resp Ps 145; Lk 4:31-37

Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice before the Lord who comes to govern the earth.