Year of Saint Joseph
Other saints: Saint Anysius, Bishop (c. 410); Saint Egwin, Bishop (717); Bd Sebastian of Esztergom, Bishop (1036); Bd Margaret Colonna (1280)
Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 72 The Good Zeal of Monks
Mass: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Resp Ps 96; Lk 2:36-40
Bring gifts and enter His courts.
In these last couple days of 2020, there are many things we could be about. Something to consider, no matter what has come our way these past months, is to join faithful and devout Anna in today's Gospel by giving thanks to God (Lk 2:38). One should never weary of giving thanks to God and praising Him. Anna sure kept at it. How about making a list of five things you are thankful for?
Something else to consider, which is also a way to give thanks to God, is to take to heart what has been called the most beautiful chapter of the Holy Rule, Chapter 72 The Good Zeal of Monks, and be people of good zeal. Good zeal works everywhere, at home, work, school, or wherever you find yourself. I include it here for you:
Just as there is a wicked zeal of bitterness which separates from God and leads to hell, so there is a good zeal which separates from evil and leads to God and everlasting life. This, then, is the good zeal which monks must foster with fervent love: They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other, supporting with greatest patience one another's weaknesses of body or behavior, and earnestly competing in obedience to one another. No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else. To their fellow monks they show the pure love of brothers; to God, loving fear; to their abbot, unfeigned and humble love. Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he bring us all together to everlasting life.
SAINT JOSEPH,
PRAY FOR US.
Today's photo: A king with gifts.
© Gertrude Feick 2020
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