Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

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

National Marriage Week

Saint: Saint Mel (d. 488)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:59 Humility

Mass: 1 Kgs 8:1-7, 9-13; Resp Ps 132; Mk 6:53-56

Lord, go up to the place of your rest.

THEY LAID THE SICK IN THE MARKETPLACES AND BEGGED HIM THAT THEY MIGHT TOUCH ONLY THE TASSEL ON HIS CLOAK; 

AND AS MANY AS TOUCHED IT WERE HEALED.

(Mk 6:56)

Welcome to Monday! We have been busy with Saint Benedict's Chapter 7 on Humility for some days now. As we begin a new week, you there, me here, going about the daily, we focus on the eighth through tenth steps of humility. All concern our manner of speaking and laughing. Essentially, we are about speaking gently, modestly, quietly, with respect for one another, and when we do laugh, we laugh in good humor, certainly not at someone or raucously. Saint Benedict helps by instructing us: In a flood of words you will not avoid sinning, and, A talkative person goes about aimlessly on earth ... only a fool raises her voice in laughter ... a wise man is known by his few words: (RB 7:57-59, 61). Saint Bernard of Clairvaux has something to say about the subject too:

Insofar as you find wisdom in your heart, prudence will flow from your lips ...

Happy is the man who has found wisdom. Even most happy is the man who lives in wisdom, for he perceives its abundance. There are three ways for wisdom or prudence to abound in you; if you confess your sins, if you give thanks and praise, and if your speech is edifying. Man believes with his heart and so he is justified. He confesses with his lips and so he is saved. In the beginning of his speech, the just man is his own accuser, next he gives glory to God, and thirdly, if his wisdom extends that far, edifies his neighbor.

(From a sermon by Saint Bernard, abbot, in Office of Readings, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Monday)

SAINT MEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: We will take a trip to various parts of our country this week, with photos received yesterday from a few family members and friends. We can marvel at the beauty and diversity of America. Yesterday we were at Redwoods, here in California, the Golden State. Today we are at Holliday Park in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Hoosier State. This photo comes compliments of a dear brother, who, although he didn't say, was likely on a walk with his dog Benedict (with a medal of Saint Benedict on his collar!). God bless America. 

© Gertrude Feick 2022