Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saints: Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and his Companions, Martyrs (17th-20th century)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 31:13-19 Qualifications of the Monastery Cellarer

Mass: Is 6:1-8; Resp Ps 93; Mt 10:24-33

Robed is the Lord and girt about with strength.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF MARTYRS,

PRAY FOR US.

Even the hairs on your head are counted. So do not be afraid.

(Mt 10:30-31)

Good morning. It's always good to turn to Our Lady on a Saturday, so we turn to her and pray, Mother of Good Counsel, pray for us.

There are two things I include on the subject of kindness. The first comes from our holy father Saint Benedict and his Chapter 31 on the Qualifications of the Monastery Cellarer. The cellarer, who in addition to being humble (RB 31:13), should meet all requests with a kind word, "for it is written: A kind word is better than the best gift" (RB 31:14/Sirach 18:17). The second comes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I am slowly making my way through the Catechism's Part IV, Section Two on The Lord's Prayer "Our Father!" (CCC 2759-2865). Here, our Catechism refers to Saint John Chrysostom: "You cannot call the God of all kindness your Father if you preserve a cruel and inhuman heart; for in this case you no longer have in you the marks of the heavenly Father's kindness" (CCC 2784). Heart of Jesus, full of kindness, have mercy on us. United in faith and prayer, we go forth.

SAINT AUGUSTINE ZHAO RONG AND COMPANIONS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Martyr red from the archives to honor today's martyrs. Queen of Angels Monastery, Mt. Angel, OR. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of God rests upon you. 

© Gertrude Feick 2022