Monday of the First Week of Lent

The Month of February Dedicated to the Holy Family

Saint: Saint Gregory of Narek, Abbot, Doctor of the Church (c.950-1005); Blessed Maria Caridad Brader (1860-1943) 

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 21 The Deans of the Monastery

Mass: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18; Resp Ps 19; Mt 25:31-46  

Your words, Lord, are spirit and life.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

OUR LADY OF SNOWS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy.

(Leviticus 19:2)

Welcome to Monday of the First Week of Lent. We can do it, faithful readers. The Lord calls us to respond to the universal call to holiness and be holy as He is holy. However, we must turn to the Lord to help us and guide us. Without Him, we are nothing, and all our efforts are in vain. Saint Gregory of Nazianzen (329-390) reminds us: "Recognize to whom you owe the fact that you exist, that you breathe, that you understand, that you are wise, and, above all, that you know God and hope for the kingdom of heaven and the vision of glory, now darkly as in a mirror, but then with greater fullness and purity."* Thanks be to God. 

Accept with sweetness almighty Lord my bitter prayers.

Look with pity upon my mournful face.

Dispel, all-bestowing God, my shameful sadness.

Lift, merciful God, my unbearable burden.

For you are glorified by all creation, forever and ever. Amen.

(Saint Gregory of Narek)**

SAINT GREGORY OF NAREK,

BLESSED MARIA CARIDAD BRADER,

PRAY FOR US.

*From a sermon by Saint Gregory of Nazianzen, bishop, in Office of Readings, First Week of Lent, Monday)

**See St Gregory of Narek Armenian Church website, Cleveland, OH.

Today's photo: Another scene from Saturday morning. Refreshing the soul.

© Gertrude Feick 2023