Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"
Readings of the Day
Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 48:1-9 The Daily Manual Labor
Mass: Is 65:17-21; Resp Ps 30; Jn 4:43-54
But with the dawn, rejoicing.
MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,
PRAY FOR US.
Idleness is the enemy of the soul ... Yet, all things are to be done with moderation on account of the fainthearted.
(Rule of Saint Benedict 48:1, 9)
Welcome to the Monday and the last few days of March. It is true what Jesus says in today's Gospel: Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe (Jn 4:48). Maybe this is a good week to notice the presence of Jesus in the little, ordinary of the everyday; in the subtle, often unnoticed or overlooked beauty in the many things that have become common or taken for granted. Catch a glimpse here; catch a glimpse there. Beauty abounds. We can do this while following Saint Benedict's instructions on the daily manual labor, quoted at the top. While going full pelt, then, each in her own way, take time to pause and reflect. Take notice; be grateful. As the Lord says: There shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create (Is 65:18).
The brothers should have specified periods for manual labor as well as for prayerful reading ...
But after Sext and their meal, they may rest on their beds in complete silence ...
when they live by the labor of their hands, as our fathers and the apostles did, then they are really monks.
(RB 48:1, 5, 8)
You are never to walk in darkness; the great and final day is not to enfold you in darkness. Do not let the night and mist of ignorance steal upon you. So that you may always enjoy the light of knowledge, keep always in the daylight of faith, hold fast always to the light of love and peace.
(From a homily on Leviticus by Origen, priest, in Office of Readings, Fourth Week of Lent, Monday)
Today's photo: Droplets of water on this lovely, sent by d in West Linn, OR.
© Gertrude Feick 2022
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