Second World Day for Grandparents and Elderly, instituted by Pope Francis last year. May Saints Joachim and Anne intercede for all grandparents and the elderly.
In other years: Saint Charbel Makhlouf (1828-1898); Saint Declan, Irish bishop and abbot (early 5th century); Saint John Boste (c.1544-1594); Blessed Robert Ludlam and Nicholas Garlick (d. 1588); Blessed John Soreth (1394-1471); Blessed Maria Mercedes Prat (1880-1936)
Readings of the Day
Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 44 Satisfaction by the Excommunicated
Mass: Genesis 18:20-32; Resp Ps 138; Col 2:12-14; Lk 11:1-13
In the presence of the angels, I will sing your praise.
MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,
PRAY FOR US.
When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed by your name.
(Lk 11:2)
Prayer should therefore be short and pure,
unless it is prolonged under the inspiration of divine grace.
(Rule of Saint Benedict, 20:4, Reverence in Prayer)
In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches us how to pray. As presented, Our Lord teaches us from the perspective of Saint Luke, He teaches us too, from the perspective of Saint Matthew (Mt 6:9-13). It is worth it to read from both perspectives. Either way, we need to be taught as Saint Paul tell us: "We do not know how to pray as we ought" (Rm 8:26). And if "the essential act of prayer", in the words and wisdom of Sister Wendy Beckett (1930-2018), "is to stand unprotected before God", then the Spirit can come to the aid of our weakness, and the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings (Rm 8:26). "What will God do?", asks Sister Wendy (Yes, that Sister Wendy, the art expert). "He will take possession of us. That He should do this is the whole purpose of our life." So, "when you set yourself down to pray, WHAT DO YOU WANT? If you want God to take possession of you, then you are praying. That is all prayer is. There are no secrets, no shortcuts, no methods. Prayer is the utterly ruthless test of your sincerity. It is the one place in the world where there is nowhere to hide. That is its utter bliss - and its torment" (Wendy Mary Beckett, "Simple Prayer", The Clergy Review, February 1978, pp. 42-45, here p. 43). And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will (Rm 8:27). Our Father, who art in heaven ...
Our Father: at this name, love is aroused in us ... and the confidence of obtaining what we are about to ask ... what would He not give to His children who ask, since He has already granted them the gift of being His children.
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2785, quoting Saint Augustine)
Prayer is our unchartered course to God.
(Mother Agnes Day, ocso)
Noteworthy for today:
The Holy Father Pope Francis is off on a "Penitential Pilgrimage" to Canada. We pray for Pope Francis's health and well-being, and the spiritual and temporal needs of the people of Canada. The Holy Father sent his customary greetings for unity and peace (via telegrams) to heads of state of the countries that the papal plane flew over on his journey. We pray then, too, for the people of Italy, Switzerland, France, the United Kingdom, and Iceland.
In other years (if this was not a Sunday), we would commemorate Saint Charbel Makhlouf, Lebanese Maronite monk, priest, then hermit. It is said that as a hermit, Charbel refused to touch money and considered himself the servant of anyone who came to stay in the three other cells that the hermitage possessed. Charbel spent the last 23 years of his life as a hermit; many people visited him to receive his counsel and blessing (Universalis). I share this in honor of a Lebanese sister I lived with in Rome. We became friends and she took me to Mass at the local Maronite church, my first and only experience of a Maronite Liturgy. I remember the dignity and reverence in which the Holy Mass was celebrated, and how hospitable and gracious the Lebanese people were. I have here two postcards the sister gave me, one of Saint Charbel, the other of a scene in Lebanon, both with the Lebanese language on the back. Sadly, I've lost touch with the dear sister. May Saint Charbel Makhlouf intercede for the people of Lebanon and all in the Middle East.
SAINT CHARBEL MAKHLOUF,
SAINT DECLAN,
SAINT JOHN BOSTE,
BLESSED ROBERT LUDLAM AND NICHOLAS GARLICK,
BLESSED JOHN SORETH,
BLESSED MARIA MERCEDES PRAY,
PRAY FOR US.
Today's photo: I managed to get this one yesterday morning before the sun got to it. I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart.
© Gertrude Feick 2022
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