Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

In other years: Saint Finbarr (c.550-c.620)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:1-4 Humility

Mass: Amos 6:1a, 4-7; Resp Ps 146; 1 Tim 6:11-16; Lk 16:19-31

The Lord raises up those who are bowed down.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, PEARL OF VIRGINS,

MARY, GATE OF HUMILITY,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

HEART OF JESUS, HOUSE OF GOD AND GATE OF HEAVEN,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Thoughts are scatted today. Keeping in touch, though, I greet you on this Sunday, this one like last, a day when things go together. We begin Saint Benedict's great Chapter 7 on Humility and are presented with the Gospel about the nameless rich man and Lazarus, described as the poor man (Lk 16:19-20). Let's hear from Saint Benedict first as he begins Ch 7. "Divine Scripture calls to us saying: Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted." Furthermore, this "shows us that every exaltation is a kind of pride, which the Prophet indicates he has shunned, saying, Lord, my heart is not exalted; my eyes are not lifted up and I have not walked in the ways of the great nor gone after marvels beyond me. And why? If I had not a humble spirit, but were exalted instead, then you would treat me like a weaned child on its mother's lap" (RB 7:1-4). As Saint Benedict says, every exaltation is kind of pride. It may also be that a person can exalt herself in her humility. We recall something Saint Benedict writes in Ch 4, The Tools for Good Works: "Do not aspire to be called holy before you really are, but first be holy that you may more truly be called so" (RB 4:62). 

About the "rich" man and the "poor" man then, and what each might represent, consider something I read in today's Magnificat Prayer for the Morning: "The poor are all those who stand in need of our love, our time, our interest, our concern. Our wealth is not necessarily our money. It is whatever good God has done for us and given to us" (p. 352).

We keep going, faithful readers, as we "pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness" (1 Tm 6:11). In this way, united in our life of prayer, we "compete well for the faith" (1 Tm 6:12). Thank you for being there.

Abba Anthony said, 'I saw snares that the enemy spreads out over the world and I said groaning, "What can get through from such snares?" Then I heard a voice saying to me, "Humility."'

(The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, Alpha, Anthony the Great, 7)

SAINT FINBARR,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Here with yet another "don't forget to look up!" The Lord shall reign forever.

© Gertrude Feick 2022