Saturday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time

Blessed Virgin Mary

Other saints: Saint Willibrord, Bishop (658-739); Saint Herculanus, Bishop and Martyr (547); Saint Florentius, Bishop (7th Century); Saint Engelbert, Bishop and Martyr (c. 1186-1225); Bd Helen of Arcella (c. 1208-42); Bd Antony Baldinucci (1665-1717); Bd Vincent Grossi, Founder (1845-1917)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 31:1-12 Qualifications of the Monastery Cellarer

Mass: Ph 4:10-19; Resp Ps 112; Lk 16:9-15

Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

MOTHER OF DIVINE GRACE,

PRAY FOR US. 

In today's Gospel, Jesus said to His disciples, and He says to us: "The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones" (Lk 16:10). The monastery cellarer, presented to us today and tomorrow in Chapter 31 of the Holy Rule, is someone who is entrusted with matters both small and great. The cellarer is asked to take care of everything (RB 31:3) and knows for certain that he will be held accountable for all things entrusted to him (RB 31:9). In order to fulfill such a responsibility with integrity and good-will, the cellarer prays for the strength that comes from the Lord who empowers her (Ph 4:13). The cellarer chosen from the community is someone "wise, mature in conduct, temperate, not an excessive eater, not proud, excitable, offensive, dilatory or wasteful, but God-fearing, and like a father or mother to the whole community" (RB 31:1-2). The cellarer must show every care and concern for the sick, children, guests and the poor (RB 31:9). In matters both small and great then, the cellarer will regard all utensils and goods of the monastery as sacred vessels of the altar (RB 31:10). 

In whatever is entrusted to us, both things small and great, at home, work, or in community, may we, with the monastery cellarer, regard all things and people as sacred vessels of the altar and be ever mindful of that saying of the Apostle: He who serves well secures a good standing for himself (1 Tm 3:13)/(RB 31:8).

WELL FOR THE ONE WHO IS GRACIOUS AND LENDS, 

WHO CONDUCTS HIS AFFAIRS WITH JUSTICE.

(Ps 112)

The Pope's November 2020 Prayer Intention:

Artificial intelligence is at the heart of the epochal change we are experiencing. Robotics can make a better world possible if it is joined to the common good. Indeed, if technological progress increases inequalities, it is not true progress. Future advances should be oriented towards respecting the dignity of the person and of Creation.

Let us pray that the progress of robotics and artificial intelligence may always serve humankind...we could say, may it "be human."

 

© Gertrude Feick 2020