Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Month of May Dedicated to Our Lady and a “Marathon” of Prayer to End the Pandemic 

Other saints: Saint Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444); Bl Columba of Rieta OP (1467-1501)

500th Anniversary of Saint Ignatius's injury during the Battle of Pamplona (May 20, 1521). Commencement of the Year of Ignatius (May 20, 2021-July 31, 2022, the Feast of Saint Ignatius): "To See All Things New in Christ"

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 4:22-43

Mass: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; Resp Ps 16; Jn 17:20-26

Keep me safe, O God, you are my hope.

JESUS, TREASURE OF THE FAITHFUL,

PRAY FOR US.

Take to heart the Lord's words to Saint Paul in today's account from the Acts of the Apostles: Take courage (Acts 23:11). May we be as bold, strong, and courageous as Saint Paul providing Christian witness in word and deed so that others see the love of Jesus in us. Some ways to go about it are included in Saint Benedict's tools for good works:

You are not to act in anger or nurse a grudge.

Rid your heart of all deceit.

Never give a hollow greeting of peace or turn away when someone needs your love.

Bind yourself to no oath lest it prove false, but speak the truth with heart and tongue.

Do not repay one bad turn for another.

Do not injure anyone, but bear injuries patiently.

Love your enemies.

If people curse you, do not curse them back but bless them instead.

Endure persecution for the sake of justice.

You must not be proud, nor given to wine.

Refrain from too much eating or sleeping, and from laziness.

Do not grumble or speak ill of others.

Place your hope in God alone.

If you notice something good in yourself, give credit to God, not to yourself, but be certain that the evil you commit is always your own and yours to acknowledge.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:22-43)

Now, with the feast pressing upon us, let us persevere with one accord in prayer, with greater fervor and increased faithfulness, that the kind Spirit, the sweet Spirit, the strong Spirit, may deign to bestow on us his visitation, consolation, and strengthening: strengthening what is weak, smoothing what is rough, and purifying our hearts.

(Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, from Sermons for the Summer Season)

SAINT BERNARDINE OF SIENA,

BLESSED COLUMBA OF RIETA,

SAINT IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA,

SAINT PAUL,

SAINT BONIFACE,

SAINT JOSEPH,

MARY, MOTHER OF MERCY,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This beauty was tucked away waiting to burst forth. 

© Gertrude Feick 2021