Saturday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saints: Saint Hildegard of Bingen, Virgin, Doctor (1098-1179); Saint Robert Bellarmine, Bishop, Doctor (1542-1621) 

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 3:7-13 Summoning the Brothers for Counsel

Mass: 1 Cor 15:33-37, 42-49; Resp Ps 56; Lk 8:4-15

In God I trust without fear.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, HAVEN OF THE SHIP-WRECKED,

MARY, FAIR AS THE MOON,

MARY, QUEEN OF DOCTORS,

PRAY FOR US.

As for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word of God, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.

(Lk 8:15)

Welcome to Saturday and on this one we pray to Mary, and two Doctors of the Church, Saint Hildegard of Bingen and Saint Robert Bellarmine. God is praised. We ask all three of them to help us hear the word of God and embrace it with a generous and good heart so that we bear fruit through perseverance! United in faith and prayer, we go for our goal as explained nicely by Saint Robert Bellarmine. 

Sweet Lord, you are meek and merciful. Who would not give himself wholeheartedly to your service, if he began to taste even a little of your fatherly rule? What command, Lord, do you give your servants? Take my yoke upon you, you say. And what is this yoke of yours like? My yoke, you say, is easy and my burden light ... And you will find rest for your souls. And what is this yoke of yours that does not weary, but gives rest? It is, of course, the first and greatest commandment: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart. What is easier, sweeter, more pleasant, than to love goodness, beauty and love, the fullness of which you are, O Lord, my God? ...

If you are wise, then, know that you have been created for the glory of God and your own eternal salvation. This is your goal; this is the center of your life; this is the treasure of your heart. If you reach this goal, you will find happiness. If you fail to reach it, you will find misery.

May you consider truly good whatever leads to your goal and truly evil whatever makes you fall away from it.

(From a treatise On the Ascent of the Mind to God by Saint Robert Bellarmine, in Office of Readings, September 17)

SAINT HILDEGARD OF BINGEN,

SAINT ROBERT BELLARMINE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: In God, whose promise I glory.

© Gertrude Feick 2022