Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent

The Month of March Devoted to Saint Joseph

Saint: Saint Tiribius of Mongrovejo (1538-1606)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 43:13-19 Tardiness at the Work of God or at Table

Mass: Ex 32:7-14; Resp Ps 106; Jn 5:31-47

They forgot the God who had saved them.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

SAINT JOSEPH, HOPE OF THE SICK,

PRAY FOR US.

How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?

(Jn 5:44)

With the reading from the Book of Exodus, I always think of one my favorite movies of all time, Cecille B. Demille's The Ten Commandments, with Charleston Heston. I used to watch it annually. Do you remember the molten calf? Moses comes down from the mountain and hears cries of revelry with the people dancing about, busy making a golden calf with all their gold jewelry (see Exodus 32). It's a great scene even with Moses's wrath flaring up when he saw what was going on. At the same time, I am reminded that I, "we", all of us, can get off course, become depraved and stiff-necked, and turn to anything but the only God for hope. United in faith and prayer, let's not go there. "God's plans will not be defeated for those who believe." 

Place your hope in God alone. If you notice something good in yourself, give credit to God, and not to yourself, but be certain that the evil you commit is always your own and yours to acknowledge.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:41-43)

As we continue in our March devoted to Saint Joseph, who certainly did not get off course, we ask the guardian of the Redeemer to guard and guide us on our journey.

Devotion to Saint Joseph is one of the choicest graces that God can give to a soul ... When God wishes to raise a soul to greater heights, He unites it to Saint Joseph by giving it a strong love for the good saint.

(Saint Peter Julian Eymard, 1811-1868)

SAINT TIRIBIUS OF MONGROVEJO,

SAINT PETER JULIAN EYMARD,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Things are coming along. Wondrous deeds in the land of Ham.

© Gertrude Feick 2023