Monday of Holy Week

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

Saint: Saint Stanislaw, Bishop (1036-1079)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 58:1-16 The Procedure for Receiving New Brothers

Mass: Is 42:1-7; Resp Ps 27; Jn 12:1-11

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The Lord is my light and my salvation.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Welcome to Monday, though not an ordinary Monday. We are in the midst of Holy Week. May we be renewed and energized on our way to Jerusalem. I have grasped you by the hand (Is 42:6), says the Lord. 

In today's Gospel, we find Jesus in Bethany, where Lazarus was. It was Lazarus that Jesus raised from the dead. Martha and Mary were there too; they gave a dinner for Jesus. I stopped after I read these lines. Just imagine it. Having dinner with your dear friends, one of whom Jesus raised from the dead. It is certainly no wonder that a large crowd gathered too, outside jostling for a position, not only to see Jesus, but also to see this Lazarus raised from the dead. Fear, confusion, and conversion abound, all at once. Some not only wanted to kill Jesus, but Lazarus too, as many became believers because of him. Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench (Is 42:2-3).

In our reading from the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict, we begin the chapter on the reception of new members. It's a good week to be immersed in the wisdom offered us. Entrance should not be easy. Patience is needed. Once the newcomer is welcomed, "the concern must be whether the novice truly seeks God and whether she shows eagerness for the Work of God, for obedience and for trials. The novice should clearly be told all the hardships and difficulties that will lead him to God" (RB 58:6-8). We might turn then to the Prologue, where our holy father Benedict is clear: "This message of mine is for you, then, if you are ready to give up your own will, once and for all, and armed with the strong and noble weapons of obedience, to do battle for the true King, Christ the Lord" (RB 58:3). The following quotations may help, in whatever your vocation. By the grace of God go we. Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us.

The passion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the hope of glory and a lesson in patience ...

let us fearlessly acknowledge, and even openly proclaim, that Christ was crucified for us; let us confess it, not in fear but in joy, not in shame but in glory ...

Let me not boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(From a sermon by Saint Augustine, bishop, in Office of Readings, Monday of Holy Week)

As we do battle and fight in the contest of faith, God, His angels and Christ Himself watch us. How exalted is His glory, how great the joy of engaging in a contest with God presiding, of receiving a crown with Christ as judge ...

let us arm ourselves with all our might, let us prepare ourselves for the struggle by innocence of heart, integrity of faith, dedication to virtue.

(From a letter by Saint Cyprian, bishop and martyr, on Office of Readings, April 11)

We pray for the people of Poland, and ask Saint Stanislaw to intercede for them. And Pope Saint John Paul II too. It is a beautiful country, and Krakow fascinating. Get there if you can. It's worth it.

SAINT STANISLAW,

POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: The apple trees in the garden are busy.

© Gertrude Feick 2022