Thursday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time

Saints: Saint Louis (1214-1270); Saint Joseph Calasanz, Priest (1557-1648); Saint Mary of Jesus Crucified Baouardy (1846-1878)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 67 Brothers Sent on a Journey

Mass: 1 Cor 1:1-9; Resp Ps 145; Mt 24:42-51

They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

HEART OF MARY, SOURCE OF COMPASSION,

PRAY FOR US.

God will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and by Him you were called to fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

(1 Cor 1:8-9)

The words above from Saint Paul are more than a little comforting and encouraging. Let's hear from two more of our saints, these of the day. May they intercede for us so that we heed Jesus' warning: Stay awake! For you do not know on which day the Lord will come (Mt 24:42).

The first from Saint Louis of France, crowed king as a boy, he was known for his charity, prudence and justice. The following is for one of his children.

My dearest son, my first instruction is that you should love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your strength. Without this there is no salvation. Keep yourself, my son, from everything that you know displeases God, that is to say, from every mortal sin. You should permit yourself to be tormented by every kind of martyrdom before you would allow yourself to commit a mortal sin.

(From a spiritual testament to his son by Saint Louis, in Office of Readings, August 25)

And the following is one of my favorites, from Joseph of Calasanz who worked for the education of the poor. He was the founder of the Pious Schools that provided free education to the sons of the poor. The following is a call to all teachers, especially in these times when teaching the truth is not without a few obstacles. Keep going with your eyes fixed on the things that are above!

All who undertake to teach must be endowed with deep love, the greatest patience, and, most of all, profound humility. They must perform their work with earnest zeal. Then through their humble prayers, the Lord will find them worthy to become fellow workers with Him in the cause of truth.

(Saint Joseph Calasanz)

SAINT LOUIS,

SAINT JOSEPH CALASANZ,

SAINT MARY OF JESUS CRUCIFIED BAOUARDY,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Every day will I bless you.

© Gertrude Feick 2022