Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent

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

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 37 The Elderly and Children

Mass: Jer 18:18-20; Resp Ps 31; Mt 20:17-28

But I put my trust in you, O Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

It happens that in today's reading from the Holy Rule, Saint Benedict offers the chapter on the elderly and children. And Pope Francis continued his Wednesday catechesis on the meaning and value of old age. Saint Benedict begins: "Although human nature itself is inclined to be compassionate toward the old and the young, the authority of the rule should also provide for them" (RB 37:1). Among other things, they should be "treated with kindly consideration" (RB 37:3). Pope Francis offers this, while putting some of the responsibility on the elders and children too: "The special sensibility of us old people, of old age for the attention, thoughts and affections that make us human, should once again become the vocation of many. And it will be a choice of the love of the elderly towards the new generations ... Let us move forward. The world needs strong young people, who move forward, and wise elders. Let us ask for the grace of wisdom." United in faith and prayer, we are all in this together.

So with old age is wisdom, and with length of days understanding.

(Job 12:12)

Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, 

They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength,

they will soar as with eagles' wings;

They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.

(Isaiah 40:31)

Today's photo: It's that time of the year when beauty bursts in the blink of an eye.  

© Gertrude Feick 2022