Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

The Month of February Dedicated to the Holy Family

Saint: Saint Claude La Colombiere (1641-1682)

Readings of the Day 

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 13:1-11 The Celebration of Lauds on Ordinary Days

Mass: Gn 8:6-13, 20-22; Resp Ps 116; Mk 8:22-26

To you, O Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

HOLY FAMILY, OUR SUPPORT IN LIFE AND OUR HOPE IN DEATH,

PRAY FOR US.

HEART OF JESUS, SEAT OF LOVE AND COMPASSION,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

May the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, 

that we may know what is the hope that belongs to His call.

(Gospel Versicle, Mass)

It happens not occasionally that this leads to that and prompts me to go here and there. Looking at notes from the Holy Father's General Audience Catechesis this morning I read something that the pontiff said, "It's easier to exhort people to love God than to allow ourselves to be loved by Him." This took me to something I read last night, "Why should you deny yourself the same tenderness and warmth you extend to others who are suffering?"* It's true that it is easier to tell others that Jesus loves them and to love Him in return then it is to extend the same courtesy to ourselves. It's like a dear Carmelite friar and friend of happy memory told me once before I was off to lead a retreat: "Just tell the people that Jesus loves them. That's all they need to know." As a result, I've been doing that ever since and many have responded that no one ever told them that before. Or maybe it is because many don't believe it or even think they are worthy of God's love. However, do I tell myself that Jesus loves me? And then do I believe it? Hmmm. It may seem to be a "radical idea" in a way. This is the way Dr. C.K. Germer puts it, what he calls self-compassion: "That's self-compassion--taking care of ourselves just as we'd treat someone we love dearly. If you're used to beating yourself up during periods of sadness or loneliness, if you hide from the world when you make a mistake to begin with, self-compassion may seem like a radical idea."* It may be worthy then to spend some time reflecting on how much Jesus loves us and is always there to embrace us with mercy, love and forgiveness. If we don't embrace this, then how can we extend mercy, love and forgiveness to others. If we are to bear witness to the mercy, love, and forgiveness of God, then, as Pope Francis said to those gathered in the Paul VI Audience Hall, "Bearing witness to Him means radiating Him. But, if we do not receive His light, we will be extinguished. If we do not attend Him, we will bear ourselves instead of Him, and it will all be in vain." Then He laid hands on the man's eyes as second time and he saw clearly (Mk 8:25). I can see clearly now the rain is gone 🎵 ☺. And it just so happens that the rain is gone from here too. There's nothing but blue skies. 

SAINT CLAUDE LA COLOMBIERE,

SAINT MARGARET MARY ALACOQUE,

PRAY FOR US.

*See C.K. Germer, The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion: Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions (Guildford Press, 2009), p. 2. 

Today's photo: I managed to get this beauty yesterday in between the snow, rain, wind, sun, rain, sun here and there, and so on. As I say, here they come. The flowers, that is. ☺ For all the good He has done for me.

© Gertrude Feick 2023