Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saints: Pope Blessed Eugene III, Cistercian (1080-1153); Saint Kilian (-689); Saint Withburga (-743)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 31:1-12 Qualifications of the Monastery Cellarer

Mass: Hosea 14:2-10; Resp Ps 51; Mt 10:16-23

A clean heart create for me, O God.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Straight are the paths of the Lord, in them the just walk, but sinners stumble in them.

(Hosea 14:10)

It is another one of my favorites today, that is, Saint Benedict's Ch 31 on the Qualifications of the Monastery Cellarer. The cellarer, who in some ways may be similar to a Chief Operating Officer, or someone who, like a friend who was at one time a COO said about her job, makes sure the lights are turned out at night, and in the morning turns them all back on.  The monastery cellarer takes care of everything (RB 31:3). The qualifications and responsibilities of the cellarer are demanding; she will be held accountable for those she cares for like the sick, children, guests and the poor (RB 31:9). At the same time, she regards all utensils and goods of the monastery as sacred vessels of the altar, aware that nothing is to be neglected (RB 31:10-11). These, and many other of the qualifications of a cellarer, are qualifications for all the faithful to embody. The one chosen from the community for cellarer is someone "who is wise, mature in conduct, temperate, not an excessive eater, not proud, excitable, dilatory or wasteful, but God-fearing" (RB 31:1-2). Moreover, the cellarer "should not be prone to greed, nor be wasteful and extravagant with the goods of the monastery, but should do everything with moderation ..." (RB 31:12). Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues, have mercy on us. 

United in faith and prayer, we keep going with Jesus' words in heart and mind: Whoever endures to the end will be saved (Mt 10:22).

POPE BLESSED EUGENE III,

SAINT KILIAN,

SAINT WITHBURGA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Welcome back to Redwoods and the first field early this morning. Dear faithful readers, thank you for being there. My mouth shall proclaim your praise.

© Gertrude Feick 2022