Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

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

Saint: Blessed Edward Poppe (d. 1924)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:62-70 Humility

Mass: 1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-16; Resp Ps 27; Mt 5:27-32

Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE, 

PRAY FOR US.

Shine like lights in the world, as you hold onto the word of life. 

Alleluia. Alleluia.

(Gospel acclamation, Mass)

There are a couple of things I read within the last 24 hours that brought a smile to my face. The first is a remark about silence, from Blessed Rafael Arnaiz Baron. It may help us as we conclude Saint Benedict's chapter 7 on humility and continue to ascend the steps of humility. On silence, then, Rafael said, "Brother, do not make noise, I am speaking with God" (God Alone: A Spiritual Biography of Blessed Rafael Arnaiz Baron, p. 42). Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation, have mercy on us.

The second comes from the second reading in today's Office of Readings. It appears this week, in these days when the psalms have been coming through loud and clear. As often is the case, the one prayed fits the mood or emotional state. It started early this week when we began with Psalm 39, the psalmist singing too about silence and humility: "I said, 'I will watch my ways, lest I sin with my tongue, I will set a curb on my mouth ..." (Ps 39:2). It is true what Saint Augustine says about the psalms.

Though all Scripture is fragrant with God's grace. the Book of Psalms has a special attractiveness ...

In the Book of Psalms there is profit for all, with healing power for our salvation ... All who read it may find the cure for their own individual failings. All with eyes to see can discover in it a complete gymnasium for the soul, a stadium for all virtues, equipped for every kind of exercise; it is for each to choose the kind he judges best to help him gain the prize.

(From the explanations of the Psalms by Saint Ambrose, bishop, in Office of Readings, Tenth Week in Ordinary Time, Friday)

Look then to the Book of Psalms, for, "in one short reading you can amass a treasure for the memory ... you will find the glory of charity more than a match for the parade of power" (Saint Augustine). So as we did this morning, we sing with one of my favorite psalms: Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name give the glory because of your faithfulness and love ... Those who fear the Lord trust in the Lord, who is their help and their shield (Ps 115:1,11). 

Now, therefore, after ascending all these steps of humility, the monk will quickly arrive at that perfect love of God which casts out fear. Through this love, all that he once performed with dread, he will now begin to observe without effort, as though naturally, from habit, no longer out of fear of hell, but out of love for Christ, good habit and delight in virtue, All this the Lord will by the Holy Spirit graciously manifest in his workman now cleansed of vices and sins.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 7:67-70)

BLESSED EDWARD POPPE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Some beauty comes in pairs. Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call. Dear faithful reader, Mr. JA. Why not consider sending along a photo of one of your favorite flowers seen while walking ... United in faith and prayer, thank you for being there. 

© Gertrude Feick 2022