Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

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

Saints: Blessed Pope Eugene III, first Cistercian to become pope (1080-1153); Saint Kilian (-689); Saint Withburga (-c.743)

Readings of the Day

RB: RB 31:1-12 Qualifications of the Monastery Cellarer 

Mass: Gn 44:18-21, 23b-29; 45:1-5; Resp Ps 105; Mt 10:7-15 

Remember the marvels the Lord has done.

HEART OF JESUS, IN WHOM ARE ALL TREASURES OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Today we have yet another one of Saint Benedict's most beautiful chapters, Ch 31 "Qualifications of the Monastery Cellarer." It is a demanding job and requires strength of character, faithfulness, and honesty. Some other qualities of the one chosen to fulfill this service are that she be wise, mature in conduct, not proud or wasteful (RB 31:1). The monastery cellarer takes care of everything, but does nothing without an order from the abbess (RB 31:3-4). Another requirement of the cellarer is that she "regard all utensils and goods of the monastery as sacred vessels of the altar, aware that nothing is to be neglected" (Ch 31:10). Utensils and goods of the monastery are things, yes, but they are also people, those with whom you live, work, pray, and continue the search for God. How might you treat all utensils and goods of your home, office, or wherever you are, as sacred vessels of the altar? "Go to Joseph" as in yesterday's post. He treated his brothers as sacred vessels of the altar. He did not chastise them for selling him as a slave. As Joseph said, "It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you" (Gn 45:5). 

BLESSED POPE EUGENE III,

SAINT KILIAN,

SAINT WITHBURGA,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

My Father and I will come and make our home with him. Let your door stand open to receive Him, unlock your soul to Him, offer Him a welcome in your mind, and then you will see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the door of grace. 

(From an exposition of psalm 118 by Saint Augustine, bishop, in Office of Readings, July 8, 2021)

Today's photo: Welcome to the world, precious baby girl, the newest member of the growing Feick family. By the Lord has this been done; it is marvelous in our eyes. 

© Gertrude Feick 2021