Saturday of the Second Week of LentTod

Year of Saint Joseph

First Saturday of the Month

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 29 Readmission of Those Who Leave the Monastery

Mass: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; Resp Ps 103; Lk 15:1-3, 11-32

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.

MARY, MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL,

JOSEPH, MIRROR OF PATIENCE,

PRAY FOR US.

Welcome to the First Saturday of the Month. Our prayers continue for Pope Francis and the Iraqi people during the Holy Father's Apostolic Visit to Iraq. 

I have neglected to make any comments on our readings these days from the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict. Today is a good day to say something in light of our Gospel where the father welcomes his "lost" (Lk 15:32) son. We are in the midst of Saint Benedict's penal code, or chapters on how not only the Abbot or Abbess, but also the community as a whole approaches and works with members who commit faults in one way or another. One might also say those members who disrupt the life and peace of a community with behaviors such as stubbornness, disobedience, being proud, grumbling (RB 23), or other faults. You may be able to come up with faults that you have experienced at home, in community, or other places where you gather with others. Or maybe even those you have committed yourself, times when you join Saint Paul and say, "for I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want" (Rm 7:19). These chapters are important and may be summarized in many ways. I offer a couple. 

First, each one of us has to be responsible for our behavior, with honesty and humility. If I act out in one way or another, I have to own my behavior and make appropriate amends. Like the son in today's Gospel who goes to his father: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you ...: (Lk 15:21). Christian life with others is not a free for all. Our behaviors, both good and evil, affect others. And second, amidst all this, we hope too that whoever is working with us, for example, mom, dad, religious superior, boss, or teacher exercises "utmost care and concern" (RB 27:1), and offers the needed support, guidance, and consolation "because it is not the healthy who need a physician, but the sick" (Mt 9:12/RB 27:1). During this holy season of Lent, let us be honest with ourselves, God, and one another. Mutual prayers abound. 

And one last thought in the form of a question. Just which son in today's Gospel was "lost"?

THE LORD IS KIND AND FULL OF COMPASSION, SLOW TO ANGER, ABOUNDING IN MERCY. HOW GOOD IS THE LORD TO ALL, COMPASSIONATE TO ALL HIS CREATURES.

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass)

Today's photo: This sent by dear MJM in Gulf Shores, Alabama, is fun for the First Saturday of the Month.

© Gertrude Feick 2021