Year of Saint Joseph
Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"
Saints: Saints Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs (-304); Saints Pothinus and Blandina, Martyrs (-177)
Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 7:35-43
Mass: Tobit 3:1-11a, 16-17a; Resp Ps 25; Mk 12:18-27
Your ways, O Lord, make known to me, teach me your paths.
MARY, QUEEN OF MARTYRS,
PRAY FOR US.
Since we are busy commemorating martyrs this week, it is fitting and right to turn to Saint Benedict and his chapter on humility, which we are also busy with this week. Today, our holy father Saint Benedict presents us with the fourth step of humility (RB 7:35-43). The step begins with describing obedience under difficult, unfavorable, or even unjust conditions, when one's heart quietly embraces suffering and endures it without weakening or seeking escape (RB 7:35-36). Certainly, everyone is presented with circumstances similar to these at home, work, in community, and all sorts of places. It's how we handle these circumstances, with the grace of God, that matters. This may also be why Saint Benedict makes it clear early in the Holy Rule, in the Prologue where he writes, "do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from the road that leads to salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset" (RB Prol. 48). He also makes it clear in Chapter 58 on the reception of new members. There, we learn that the concern must be whether the novice truly seeks God and whether he shows eagerness for the Work of God, for obedience and for trials. Furthermore, and of great importance, the novice should be clearly told all the hardships and difficulties that will lead him to God (RB 58:7-8). What is also important to keep in mind is that, as an experienced person may know some of the hardships and difficulties that arise, many hardships are unexpected, arise at what might seem to be unlikely places and at inconvenient times, and are not necessarily welcome guests. We turn to Saint Benedict for some last words:
For Scripture has it: Anyone who perseveres to the end will be saved (Mt 10:22), and again, Be brave of of heart and rely on the Lord (Ps 26[27]:14). Another passage shows how the faithful must endure everything, even contradiction, for the Lord's sake, saying in the person of those who suffer, For your sake we are put to death continually; we are regarded as sheep marked for the slaughter (Rm 8:36; Ps 43[44]:22). They are so confident in their expectation of reward from God that they continue joyfully and say, But in all this we overcome become of him who so greatly loved us (Rm 8:37). Elsewhere Scripture says: O God, you have tested us, you have tried us as silver is tried by fire; you have led us into a snare, you have placed afflictions on our backs (Ps 65[66]:10-11). Then, to show that we ought to be under a superior, it adds: You have placed men over our heads (Ps 65[66]:12).
In truth, those who are patient amid hardships and unjust treatment are fulfilling the Lord's command: When struck on one cheek, they turn the other; when deprived of their coat, they offer their cloak also; when pressed into service for one mile, they go two (Mt 5:39-41). With the Apostle Paul, they bear with false brothers, endure persecution, and bless those who curse them (2 Cor 11:26; 1 Cor 4:12).
(Rule of Saint Benedict 7:36-43)
SAINTS MARCELLINUS AND PETER,
SAINT POTHINUS AND BLANDINA,
SAINT JOSEPH,
PRAY FOR US.
Today's photo: There is someone hiking in this photo. She is my dear sister, vfo, here on the Rogue River hiking trail near Grants Pass, Oregon.
© Gertrude Feick 2021
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