Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

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

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship Him (Mt 2:2)

Saint: Saint Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church, Patron of Writers and Journalists (1567-1622)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 6 Restraint of Speech

Mass: 2 Sm 5:1-7, 10; Resp Ps 89; Mk 3:22-30

On a champion I have placed a crown.

FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL TEACH YOU AT THAT MOMENT WHAT TO SAY.

(Lk 12:12)

Mondays come and go. Welcome to another 🙋! We are blessed today with Saint Benedict’s Ch 6. “Restraint of Speech.” I pass all eight verses where Benedict quotes the psalmist and two proverbs while adding some commentary. There is plenty of wisdom packed into such a short chapter, especially these days when there seems to be not a lot of listening amidst a “flood of words”, and not always nice ones.  

 Let us follow the Prophet’s counsel: I said, I have resolved to keep watch over my ways that I may never sin with my tongue. I have put a guard on my mouth. I was silent and was humbled, and I refrained even from good words. Here the Prophet indicates that there are times when good words are to be left unsaid out of esteem for silence. For all the more reason, then, should evil speech be curbed so that punishment for sin may be avoided. Indeed, so important is silence that permission to speak should seldom be granted even to mature disciples, no matter how good or holy or constructive their talk, because it is written: In a flood of words you will not avoid sin; and elsewhere, The tongue holds the key to life and death. Speaking and teaching are the master's task; the disciple is to be silent and listen. 

Therefore, any requests to a superior should be made with all humility and respectful submission. We absolutely condemn in all places any vulgarity and gossip and talk leading to laughter, and we do not permit a disciple to engage in words of that kind.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Ch 6. Restraint of Speech)

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES,

BLESSED MARIA GABRIELLA SAGHEDDU,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Some of our trees received a needed trim, for safety's sake. It was fascinating to the see the joyful and respectful artists about their work, minding the trees, each other, and us, with careful attention. 

© Gertrude Feick 2022