Monday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

All Hallow's Eve 

60th Anniversary of the Beginning of the Foundation of Our Lady of the Redwoods Abbey

Saints: Saint Alfonso Rodriguez (1533-1617); Saint Wolfgang of Ratisbon, "The Great Almoner" (d. 994)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 24 Degrees of Excommunication

Mass:  Ph 2:1-4; Resp Ps 131; Lk 14:12-14

In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also everyone for those of others.

(Ph 2:3-4)

Happy All Hallow's Eve and the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the foundation of Our Lady of the Redwoods Abbey. We could not have more fitting readings for a day like this, celebrating the Vigil of All Saints' Day and the beginnings of a monastic foundation rooted in the Gospel and the teachings of Saint Benedict of Nursia. We hear echoes of Saint Paul's Letter to the Philippians in Saint Benedict's Chapter 72, The Good Zeal of Monks. There, our holy father Benedict tells us about the good zeal that monks and nuns must foster with fervent love (see RB 72:3). Good zeal is when no one pursues what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else (see RB 72:7). And our Gospel from Saint Luke is all about hospitality, a service followers of Saint Benedict know well. Proper honor must be shown to all, especially those who share our faith and to pilgrims (see RB 53:2). May we be blessed in the Name of the Lord. 

On a day like this then, we turn to Saint Paul who writes: "If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing" (Ph 2:1-2). United in faith and prayer, we go forth and prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may He bring us all together to everlasting life (RB 72:11-12). Amen. 

SAINT ALFONSO RODRIGUEZ,

SAINT WOLFGANG OF RATISBON,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Our entrance. All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ (RB 53:1).

© Gertrude Feick 2022