Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

The Month of February Dedicated to the Holy Family

Saints: Saint Josephine Bakhita, Virgin (1869-1947); Saint Jerome Emiliani (1486-1537); Saint Cuthman of Steyning (7th-8th century)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:60-61 Humility

Mass: Gn 2:4b-9, 15-17; Resp Ps 104; Mk 7:14-23

At the time when the Lord made the earth and the heavens.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden ... out of the ground the Lord God made various trees grow that were delightful to look at and good for food.

(Gn 2:8-9)

On this Wednesday, called "hump day" by those eager for the work week's end, let us pray that the Lord Our God gives us the grace to rid ourselves of the evils from within, those that defile us, those in our hearts, such as evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, and folly (see Mk 7:21-23). And also remember what Saint Benedict teaches us today in the eleventh step of humility: Speak gently and without laughter, seriously with becoming modesty, briefly and reasonably, but without raising your voice, as it is written: "A wise man is known by his few words" (Rule of Saint Benedict, 7:60-61). Otherwise, we may be inclined to sin with our tongues, as we are warned in Scripture, In a flood of words you will not avoid sinning (RB 7:57)

One of our saints of the day, Saint Josephine Bakhita, born in a small village in the Darfur region of Sudan, a valiant woman of faith who endured much suffering at the hands of her captors before being "purchased" by a kind and loving Italian family, somehow maintained a certain awe for the world and its creator. Fitting for us as we hear the word proclaimed in the first story of creation, we hear from Saint Josephine Bakhita, "Seeing the sun, the moon and the stars, I said to myself: 'Who could be the Master of these beautiful things?' And I felt a great desire to see Him, to know Him and to pay Him homage.'" May we have the same desire to see Him, know Him, and to pay Him homage. Not surprisingly, it was Pope Saint John Paul II who canonized Saint Josephine Bakhita in 2000. She is the first person to be canonized from Sudan and is the patron saint of the country.* United in faith and prayer, we go forth. ☺⚘

SAINT JOSEPHINE BAKHITI,

SAINT JEROME ELIMILIANI,

SAINT CUTHMAN OF STEYNING,

PRAY FOR US.

*See Catholic News Agency, "St. Josephine Bakhita."

Today's photo: It is true that one can't get enough of this. More from Torres del Pain National Park, Patagonia, South America. O bless the Lord, my soul!

© Gertrude Feick 2023