Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

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

Saints: Saint Botolph (7th century)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 13:12-14

Mass: 2 Cor 11:1-11; Resp Ps 111; Mt 6:7-15

Great are the works of the Lord, exquisite in all their delights.

IN PRAYING DO NOT BABBLE ... YOUR FATHER KNOWS WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU ASK HIM ... 
THIS IS HOW YOU ARE TO PRAY.
(Mt 6:7-9)

It it nice how things work out sometimes. For example, this week in the Office of Readings, the second reading has been from Saint Cyprian's treatise on the Lord's Prayer. I have quoted from it a few times. Then today our Gospel has Jesus teaching us to pray with the Lord's Prayer, the most perfect prayer, says Saint Thomas Aquinas. Alongside the treatise and the Gospel, we have our daily reading from the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict. Today, in chapter 13, Saint Benedict tells us that the celebration of Lauds and Vespers should never pass by without the superior's reciting the entire Lord's Prayer at the end for all to hear, because thorns of contention are likely to spring up (RB 13:12). We pledge ourselves to one another with the words Forgive us as we forgive, so we may be cleansed of this kind of vice (RB 13:13). God help us. 

What then are some things Saint Cyprian has to say? We ask for pardon for our sins with the words and forgive us our trespasses. Here, writes Saint Cyprian, we are "to be reminded that we are sinners and forced to ask for forgiveness for our faults is prudent and sound. Even while we are asking for God's forgiveness, our hearts are aware of our state! This command to pray daily for our sins reminds us that we commit sin every day. No one should complacently think himself innocent, lest his pride lead to further sin. Such is the warning that John gives us in his letter: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, the Lord is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins. His letter includes both points, that we should beg for forgiveness for our sins, and that we receive pardon when we do. He calls the Lord faithful, because he remains loyal to his promise, by forgiving us our sins. He taught us to pray for our sins and our faults, and also promised to show us a father's mercy and forgiveness" (Office of Readings, Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday). But deliver us from evil. 

Sadly, I forgot to include this yesterday on the commemoration of Saint Richard of Chichester. It is Saint Richard's Prayer. The words inspired the song "Day by Day" from the musical Godspell. 

Thanks be to thee, O Lord Jesus Christ

for all the benefits which thou hast given us,

for all the pains and insults which thou hast borne for us; 

O most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother,

may we know thee more clearly,

love thee more dearly,

and follow thee more nearly.

Amen.

SAINT BOTOLPH,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Going through my photos I realized I neglected to use this. It's a banana slug, seen some time ago now. At the time, I was so happy to finally see one. And since these creatures do not move so quickly, I was able to go fetch my camera, with time to spare even. 

© Gertrude Feick 2021