Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saints: Saint Germanus of Auxerre (c.378-448); Saint Oswald (c.604-642); Saint Aethelwold (-984)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 52 The Oratory of the Monastery

Mass: Jeremiah 31:1-7; Resp Ps (Jer 31); Mt 15:21-28

Proclaim it on distant isles.

MARY. QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me! 

You are my rescuer, by help; O Lord, do not delay.

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass)

It doesn't take much effort to turn to the Lord for help. We can use a few more words, like in today's Entrance Antiphon, or we can join the Canaanite woman in today's Gospel and simply say, "Lord, help me" (Mt 15:25). The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock. 

Consider now the way of light; anyone who is bent on reaching his appointed goal must be very careful in all he does. Now that these are the directions that have been given to us for this journey: love your Creator; reverence your Maker; give glory to Him who redeemed you when you were dead; be single-minded but rich in spiritual treasure; avoid those who travel down death's highway; hate whatever is displeasing to God; detest all hypocritical pretense; do not abandon God's commandments. Do not put on airs, but be modest whatever you do; claim no credit for yourself. Plot no evil against your neighbor, and do not give pride an entrance into your heart ...

Such then is the way of light.

(From a letter attributed to Saint Barnabas, in Office of Readings, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Wednesday)

SAINT GERMANUS OF AUXERRE,

SAINT OSWALD,

SAINT AETHELWOLD,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Here is Needle Rock on the Lost Coast. It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God (Mk 10:25).

© Gertrude Feick 2022