Thursday of the First Week of Lent

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

Saint: Saint John Ogilvie (1579-1615)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 32 The Tools and Goods of the Monastery

Mass:  Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Resp Ps 138; Mt 7:7-12

When I called you answered me.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

When the Collect was prayed by the priest at Mass this morning, this came through: Without you we cannot exist. Without the Lord, we cannot exist. Queen Esther certainly knew this, and "seized with mortal anguish, had recourse to the Lord" (Esther C:12), for her people were about to be destroyed. Sadly, the next verse was omitted from today's first reading. It is there that we hear of how the Queen, with utmost humility, prepared herself before she prayed to the Lord: "Taking off her splendid garments, she put on garments of distress and mourning. In place of her precious ointments she covered herself with dirt and ashes. She afflicted her body severely; all her festive garments were put aside, and her hair was wholly disheveled" (Esther C:13). It was only then, that Queen Esther prayed to the Lord: "My Lord, our King, you alone are God. Help me, who am alone and have not help but you, for I am taking my life in my hand" (Esther C:14). Without the Lord, we cannot exist. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened (Mt 7:7-8). Without the Lord, we cannot exist.

You were make in the image of God. If then you wish to resemble Him, follow His example. Since the very name you bear as Christians is a profession of love for others, imitate the love of Christ ...

Let us then be shepherds like the Lord. We must meditate on the Gospel, and as we see in this mirror the example of zeal and loving kindness, we should become thoroughly schooled in those virtues ...

we should not look on others as lost or beyond hope; we should not abandon them when they are in danger or be slow to come to their help. When they turn away from the right path and wander, we must lead them back, and rejoice at their return, welcoming them back into the company of those who lead good and holy lives.

(From a homily by Saint Asterius of Amasea, bishop, in Office of Readings, First Week of Lent, Thursday)

NB. You might consider reading the Book of Esther straight through today. It's ten short chapters and most worthwhile. At the same time, we pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia, and all those affected by war, violence, unrest, and strife, or find themselves, for whatever reason, in harm's way.

SAINT JOHN OGILVIE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: More little beauties clothed in Lenten purple. These come from the Abbey of Our Lady of New Clairvaux, Vina, CA.