Fourth Sunday of Easter

The Month of April Dedicated both to Devotion to the Eucharist and Devotion to the Holy Spirit

Good Shepherd Sunday

60th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, "Vocation: Grace and Mission"

In other years: Pope Saint Pius V (1504-1572); Saint Marie of the Incarnation (1599-1672); Our Lady, Mother of Africa

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 72 The Good Zeal of Monks 

Mass: Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Resp Ps 23; 1 Pt 2:20b-25; Jn 10:1-10

Only goodness and kindness follow me.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL, 

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, TRUE SHEPHERD,

SPIRIT OF GRACE AND PRAYER,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

I came so that they may have life and have it more abundantly.

(Jn 10:10)

Welcome to Good Shepherd Sunday and Day of Prayer for Vocations. On this busy day, and during this busy week with more saints to invoke, we continue to pray for Pope Francis as he returns to Rome after his 41st Apostolic Journey outside of Italy, this time to Hungary. May Saint Elizabeth of Hungary intercede for him. We also mark the last day of April 2023 and launch into the beautiful month of May, the month of Mary, dedicated to devotion to the Blessed Mother. And if that is not enough, we wrap up the first read through of the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict for 2023 and spend today with the most beautiful Chapter 72 on the Good Zeal of Monks. Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may He bring us all together to everlasting life (Rule of Saint Benedict 72:11-12).

On Good Shepherd Sunday we have my favorite Psalm 23, a psalm that got me through many a lift from here to there in rural South Africa when I served in the United States Peace Corps. When someone would kindly give me a lift, and as soon as I got in the car, I would pray from Psalm 23 in Zulu. All will be well and all manner of things will be well. A mantra for the week can be, then, Ujehova ungumalusi wami angiyikuswela The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Turn to the Lord, He is the gate - the only gate to enter. He will lead you and give you courage; only goodness and kindness will follow you, all the days of your life. United in faith and prayer, make friends with Psalm 23. And as I found it, it just may make you instant friends with strangers. Thank you, faithful readers, for being there. 

Here are some voices to assist you in your life of prayer and work this week. We begin with a prayer for Eastertide, the Regina Caeli Queen of Heaven.

Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia.

The Son whom you merited to bear, alleluia,

has risen as He said, alleluia.

Pray for us to God, alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary,

alleluia!

For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia!

For the World Day of Prayer for vocations, and no matter our state of life, we are called to follow the Lord, to love Him with our whole heart and soul and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. The Lord has called us out of darkness, into His wonderful light. He is our Light and our Life. Thanks be to God.

Our shared mission as Christians is to bear joyful witness wherever we find ourselves, through our actions and words, to the experience of being with Jesus and members of His community, which is the Church. That mission finds expression in works of material and spiritual mercy, in a welcoming and gentle way of life that reflects closeness, compassion and tenderness, in contrast to the culture of waste and indifference. By being a neighbor, like the Good Samaritan, we come to understand the heart of our Christian vocation: to imitate Jesus Christ, who came to serve, not be served.

(Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 2023 World Day of Prayer for Vocations) 

O Jesus, divine Shepherd of souls, you called the Apostles and made them fishers of men. Continue to draw to yourself ardent and generous souls among the young in order to make them your followers and ministers. Give them a share in your thirst for the redemption of all ... Open before them the horizons of the entire world ... By responding to your call, may they prolong your mission here on earth, build up your Mystical Body which is the Church, and be "salt of the earth" and "light of the world."

(Pope Saint Paul VI, First World Day of Vocations, April 11, 1964)

Monks and nuns are the beating heart of the Church's proclamation of the Gospel: their prayer is oxygen for all the members of the Body of Christ, the invisible source that sustains the mission ...

Monks and nuns, like Jesus, take on the world's problems, the difficulties, the illnesses, many things, and pray for others ... [cloistered religious] are always busy with work and prayer.

(Pope Francis, Wednesday General Audience, April 26, 2023)

In honor of Mary in this month of May, and also as we constantly turn to the saints for help and guidance, we hear from Saint Marcellin Champagnat (d. 1840), one of the founding members of the Society of Mary, or Marist Fathers, and the founder of the Marist Brothers.

A saint is a humble person, who constantly fights pride, who, far from wanting to dominate others, makes himself the least and the servant of all. Learn of me, says Jesus, because I am meek and humble of heart. All the saints attended the school of Jesus Christ; all of them learned humility from Him; all of them were models of this virtue.

And lastly, a few random voices, from here and there.

Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

(James 1:1)

If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His footsteps.

(1 Pt 2:20b-21)

Know this, dear brothers and sisters, everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath ... humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you ...

Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves ... the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does.

(James 1:19-25)

Every time you begin a good work, you must pray to Him most earnestly to bring it to perfection.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 4)

Do not speak evil of one another.

(James 4:11)

If you desire true and eternal life, keep your tongue free from vicious talk and your lips from all deceit; turn away from evil and do good; let peace be your quest and aim.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 17)

You will not see anyone who is really striving after his advancement who is not given to spiritual reading, and to him who neglects it, the fact will soon be observed in his progress.

(Saint Athanasius)

Listen carefully, my son, to the master's instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 1)

It is to be hoped that the life of everyone will be a life sustained by passionate love for the Lord Jesus; a life capable of responding to suffering and to thorns with forgiveness and the total gift of self, in order to spread everywhere the good odor of Christ.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, May 20, 2000, to pilgrims on the Centenary of the Canonization of Saint Rita of Cascia, d. 1457)

They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other, supporting with greatest patience one another's weaknesses of body or behavior, and earnestly competing in obedience to one another. No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 72:4-7)

POPE SAINT PIUS V,

SAINT MARIE OF THE INCARNATION,

OUR LADY, MOTHER OF AFRICA,

SAINT JOSEPH THE WORKER,

SAINT ATHANASIUS,

SAINTS PHILIP AND JAMES,

THE ENGLISH MARTYRS,

BLESSED MARIE-LEONIE PARADIS,

SAINT CONLETH,

THE BEATIFIED MARTYRS OF ENGLAND AND WALES,

SAINT JOSE MARIE RUBIO,

BLESSED ANGEL PRAT HOSTENCH AND COMPANIONS,

BLESSED EMILY BICCHIERI, OP,

SAINT ASAPH,

BLESSED EDMUND RICE,

SAINT RICHARD REYNOLDS,

SAINT ANGELUS,

SAINT FRANCOIS DE LAVAL,

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: He refreshes my soul.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Third Sunday of Easter

The Month of April Dedicated both to Devotion to the Eucharist and Devotion to the Holy Spirit

In other years: Saint George (-c.303); Saint Adalbert of Prague (956-997); Blessed Teresa Maria of the Cross (1846-1910)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 65 The Prior of the Monastery

Mass: Acts 2:14, 22-23; Resp Ps 16; 1 Pt 1:17-21; Lk 24:13-35 

Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

Mary, Queen of Peace,

Saint Michael the Archangel,

pray for us.

JESUS, SOURCE OF NEW LIFE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

HOLY SPIRIT, TEACH US TO PRAY WELL.

Conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning.

(1 Pt 1:17)

Alleluia and welcome to the Third Sunday of Lent. We are with the beautiful post-Resurrection account of Jesus' appearance on the road to Emmaus. At the same time, we continue with the wonderful First Letter of Saint Peter. If you are feeling down, looking downcast even (see Lk 24:16), like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, then maybe ask yourself two questions. First, what brings you joy? And second, what are you witnessing to? Don't be slow of heart to believe (see Lk 24:25); no, don't go there. Rather, open your heart to Jesus in your midst. Pray for your eyes to be open so you recognize the Risen Lord, in little things, and bigger ones too. And in difficult situations, and in the turbulent waters of personal encounters with others, especially with those you find most difficult. 

He woke, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! be still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then He asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?"

They were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this whom even the wind and sea obey?"

(Mk 4:39-41)

As you can see below, we are busy invoking all sorts of saints this week, those commemorated this week along with two from last week. One in particular I find most impressive and a source of inspiration, namely, Saint Agnes of Montepulciano OP (1268-1317). In true Italian fashion, Agnes, at the age of six, tried to convince her parents to allow her to join a convent. Yes, six. I am not sure whether or not she was a patient girl. However, Agnes didn't have to wait too long; she entered the Dominican convent at Montepulciano at the age of nine. Yes, nine, even though this practice was generally against Church law. Well on her way then, with the grace of God, Agnes became an abbess at the unheard-of age of 15! Yes, 15. As I say, "they" just don't make 'em like that anymore. You can find this and other newsy news on Catholic News Agency, "St Agnes of Montepulciano." Saint Agnes was canonized in 1726 by Pope Gregory VII. I love these fun facts. Here is one more then. Agnes preceded the great Doctor of the Church, Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380), who we commemorate April 29th. Saint Catherine of Siena regarded Agnes as her "glorious mother." It seems then that I am in a line with other members of the faithful inspired by dear Saint Agnes. Join the queue dear faithful readers! ☺ And keep going! 

Here are a few quotations to help get you through the week:

Wherever one person does something good for another, there God is especially near. Whenever someone opens himself for God in prayer, then he enters into His special closeness.

(Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, God and the World, p. 107)

The property of love is never to seek self, to keep back nothing but to give everything to the one it loves.

(Saint John of the Cross, 1542-1591)

Scripture mysteriously communicates God's very presence ... When we read in faith, [the Bible] makes God Himself present in our lives and communicates Him to our hearts. If we allow the words of Scripture to fill our thoughts and enter our hearts, God becomes present. For God dwells in His Word.

(Father Jacques Philippe, b. 1947)

No sufferings, nor weakness nor distress (and from these he is never free in any degree) can prevent his following me daily in Prayer, portions of the Psalms, and generally large Portions of the Scriptures ...

(Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1774-1821, while attending to her husband on his death bed, with her Bible in her hand and in heart)

Every time you begin a good work, you must pray to Him most earnestly to bring it to perfection.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 4)

Praising God is like breathing pure oxygen: it purifies the soul, it makes you look far ahead, it does not leave you imprisoned in the difficult and dark moments of hardship.

(Pope Francis)

Praise God in His holy sanctuary; give praise in the mighty dome of heaven.

Give praise for His mighty deeds,

praise Him for His great majesty ...

Let everything that has breath

give praise to the Lord!

Halleluia!

(Psalm 150)

O eternal God, light surpassing all other light because all light comes from you! O fire surpassing every fire because you alone are the fire that burns without consuming!  You consume whatever sin and selfishness you find in the soul. Yet your consuming does not distress the soul but fattens her with insatiable love, for though you satisfy her she is never sated but longs for you constantly. The more she possesses you the more she seeks you, and the more she seeks and desires you the more she finds and enjoys you, high eternal fire, abyss of charity!

(Saint Catherine of Siena, The Dialogue, 134)

Let's love God dearly ... love Mary dearly ... look to heaven ... sing ... go crazy.

(Saint Rafael Arnaiz Baron, 1911-1938)

SAINT GEORGE,

SAINT ADALBERT OF PRAGUE,

BLESSED TERESA MARIA OF THE CROSS,

SAINT FIDELIS OF SIGMARINGEN,

SAINT ERKENWALD,

SAINT EGBERT,

SAINT MARK THE EVANGELIST,

BLESSED ROBERT ANDERTON AND WILLIAM MARSDEN,

SAINT ASICUS,

SAINT MAUGHOLD,

BLESSED HOSANNA OF KOTOR,

SAINT PETER CHANEL,

SAINT LOUIS GRIGNION DE MONTFORT,

BLESSED MARIA GUGGIARI ECHEVERRIA,

SAINT RAFAEL ARNAIZ BARON,

SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA,

SAINT AGNES OF MONTEPULCIANO,

SAINT ANSELM OF CANTERBURY,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This is definitely a favorite, especially when seen like this a couple of days ago. I thought to save it for Pentecost. However, there is no time like the present. You will show me the path to life.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Second Sunday of Easter

Divine Mercy Sunday

The Month of April Dedicated both to Devotion to the Eucharist and Devotion to the Holy Spirit

In other years: Saint Bernadette Soubirous, Patron Saint of the Sick (1844-1879)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 61:1-5 The Reception of Visiting Monks

Mass: Acts 2:42-47; Resp Ps 118; 1 Pt 1:3-9; Jn 20:19-31

By the Lord has this been done.

Mary, Queen of Peace,

Mary, Queen of Mercy,

Saint Michael the Archangel,

pray for us. 

Jesus, Bread of Life,

Holy Spirit, come,

have mercy on us.

Humanity will not find peace until it turns trustfully to divine mercy ...

My daughter, say that I am love and mercy personified.

(Jesus to Faustina Kowalska)

Welcome to Divine Mercy Sunday on this Second Sunday of Easter, the day dedicated to Divine Mercy by Pope Saint John Paul II when he canonized Saint Faustina Kowalska, April 30, 2000. The pontiff preached this during the homily: "It is important that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the word of God on the Second Sunday of Easter, which from now on throughout the Church will be called 'Divine Mercy Sunday'." I remember this day in 2003, April 27th that year, when I made my First Monastic Profession. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever (Ps 118:1). At the same time, I recall my memorable visit to the beautiful country of Lithuania around 2009, when I went with dear Agne to visit the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Vilnius. The chapel was packed, standing room only. 

Heeding the words of Pope Saint John Paul II, look to today's readings, reflect. What does it mean to find peace in divine mercy? The second reading from the First Letter of Saint Peter is enough to keep anyone busy. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in His great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead ... (1 Pt 1:3ff)

Peace be with you ... Receive the Holy Spirit. 

(Jn 20:19-22)

There is one form of power for the three powers of faith, hope, and charity, for everything in this life is based on faith; by it we believe, we hope and we love what we do not see. This is faith. By it we now walk as long as we pilgrimage to the Lord ...

Faith is indeed the first step forward to God. As the Apostle says: It behooves those going to God to believe that He is the rewarder of those seeking Him. Faith is the root of all the powers and the foundation of all good works. Nor is there any power which is not derived from faith. There are no buildings but only ruins outside the foundation of faith.

(William of St Thierry, The Mirror of Faith, Ch 2, 4; Ch 9, 13)

Our Lady Mary, Mother of Mercy, help us to attain the goal of our faith, the salvation of our souls (see 1 Pt 1:9). I believe, help my unbelief.

Faustina, a gift of God for our time, a gift from the land of Poland to the whole Church, obtain for us an awareness of the depth of divine mercy; help us to have a living experience of it among our brothers and sisters. May your message of hope and light spread throughout the world, spurring sinners to conversion, calming rivalries and hatred and opening individuals and nations to the practice of brotherhood. Today, fixing our gaze with you on the face of the risen Christ, let us make our own your prayer of trusting abandonment and say with firm hope: Christ Jesus, I trust in you. Jezu, ufam tobie!

(Pope Saint John Paul II, Homily of the Holy Father, Mass in St Peter's Square for the Canonization of Sr Maria Faustina Kowalska, April 30, 2000)

United in faith and prayer, we go forth, believe and proclaim in word and deed with Saint Faustina: Jesus is love and mercy personified!

SAINT MARIA FAUSTINA KOWALSKA,

SAINT BERNADETTE SOUBIROUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today’s photo: This Fetid Adder’s Tongue is a new one to me. I’m told you have to pay attention to see it. The contributor of the photo eyed the flower last week. In her words, “I was quite excited when I began to see the flowers on the path along the creek from the monastery and the guest houses. The spotted leaves are eye catching but it is easy to miss the beautiful flowers.” In an article about Fetid Adder's Tongue, the author wrote: “The act of looking, of paying attention is akin to prayer for me …” May all this be a reminder then, to pay attention, and "finally, never lose hope in God's mercy" (Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:74). Amen. 

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

The Month of April Dedicated both to Devotion to the Eucharist and Devotion to the Holy Spirit

In other years: Saint Laborius, Bishop of Le Mans, Patron Saint of the Cathedral and Archdiocese of Paderborn, Germany (d.396)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 56 The Abbot's Table

The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night: Gn 1:1-2:2; Resp Ps 104 or Ps 33; Gn 22:1-18; Resp Ps 16; Ex 14;15-15:1; Resp Ps (Ex 15); Is 54:5-14; Resp Ps 30; Is 55:1-11; Resp Ps (Is 12); Baruch 3:9-15, 32-4:4; Resp Ps 19; Ezk 36:16-17a, 18-28; Resp Ps 42-43 or Resp (Is 12)  or Ps 51; Rm 6:3-11; Gospel Acclamation Ps 118; Mt 28:1-10

Easter Sunday Mass: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Resp Ps 118; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8; Sequence (Victimae paschali laudes); Jn 20:1-9

Yes, Christ my hope is arisen.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US. 

JESUS, OUR RESURRECTION,

SPIRIT OF LOVE AND JOY,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. 

He is not here, for He has been raised from the dead just as He said.

(Mt 28:5-6)

Happy Easter. He is Risen - Alleluia! Let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Cor 5:8). 

Now with news from the Easter Bunny: Dear faithful readers, thank you for being there. First hoppity hop with a few statistics. Since September 10, 2017, Lectio Divina has been published on a daily basis (with the exception of approximately seven days) for a total of 2,060 times. That makes for 5.64 years of reflections. To put it simply, and in sincerity and truth, it is time for a break in the action. In honor of Saint Laborius, the balance of ora et labora is not balanced. Most likely, you will not hear from me again during the Octave of Easter. After the Octave, you will hear from me at least once a week (barring any unforeseen circumstances), and maybe more often. However, you will hear from me on a regular not so regular basis. I am not quite sure of all the details of future reflections with a few things under consideration, like a title for them; I have started a list of ideas. Whatever comes of it all, we remain united in faith and prayer and keep going, no matter what. Please continue to check your email for postings and you can always find the most updated reflection on our website, along with other newsy news from Redwoods. In the meantime, go quickly and join Mary Magdalene and the other Mary ... run to announce the good news! 

He has been raised from the dead!

(Mt 28:7)

SAINT LABORIUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Image of the Icon of the Resurrection, through the hand of Sister Suzanne, ocso.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Saturday of Holy Week (Holy Saturday)

The Month of April Dedicated both to Devotion to the Eucharist and Devotion to the Holy Spirit

In other years: Saint Dionysius, Bishop of Corinth (2nd century)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 55:15-22 The Clothing and the Footwear of the Brothers

He descended into hell.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, FREEDOM FOR THE IMPRISONED,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

FROM ALL EVIL,

DELIVER US O HOLY SPIRIT.

Christ became obedient for us

even unto death, death on a cross.

(Traditional Responsory for Holy Saturday)

Welcome to Holy Saturday. I had the poem from Mary Oliver for today; then I prayed with the Office of Readings and an ancient homily. I begin with it and then go to Mary Oliver. It is all part of the story during this sacred Paschal Triduum.

Something strange is happening-there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and He has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.*

GETHSEMANE

The grass never sleeps.

Or the roses.

Nor does the lily have a secret eye that shuts until morning.

The cricket has such splendid fringe on its feet,

and it sings, have you noticed, with its whole body,

and heaven knows if it ever sleeps.

Jesus said, wait with me. And maybe the stars did, maybe

the wind wound itself into a silver tree, and didn't move,

maybe

the lake far away, where once He walked as on a 

blue pavement,

lay still and waited, wild awake.

Oh the dear bodies, slumped and eye-shut, that could not

keep that vigil, how they must have wept,

so utterly human, knowing this too

must be part of the story.**

All who sleep in the earth will bow low before God;

All who have gone down into the dust 

will kneel in homage.

And I will live for the Lord;

my descendants will serve you.

The generation to come will be told of the Lord,

that they may proclaim to a people yet unborn

the deliverance you have brought.

(Ps 22:30-32)

SAINT DIONYSIUS,

PRAY FOR US.

*From an ancient homily on Holy Saturday in Office of Readings, Holy Saturday.

**Mary Oliver (1935-2019), "Gethsemane," in M. Oliver, Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver (Penguin, 2017), p. 129.

Today's photo: The cross in our cemetery as seen through the church window March 10, 2019.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord

The Month of April Dedicated both to Devotion to the Eucharist and Devotion to the Holy Spirit

In other years: Saint John Baptiste de LaSalle, Priest, Founder of the Brothers of Christian Schools (1651-1719); Saint Henry Walpole (1558-1595)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 55:1-14 The Clothing and Footwear of the Brothers

Friday of the Passion of the Lord: Is 52:13-53:12; Resp Ps 31; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; Jn 18:1-19:42

You are my God.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, CRUCIFIED FOR US,

LOVE SUBSTANTIAL OF THE FATHER AND THE SON,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

He Himself bore our sins in His body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.

(1 Pt 2:24)

The body of the historical Jesus no longer hangs upon the cross.

The Cross is here so that the triumph

which took place in Jesus once and for all

might continue to happen in His Body-

so that His triumph might take place in us,

in our lives and in our death.

In this hope, let us come to embrace the Cross.*

SAINT JOHN BAPTISTE DE LA SALLE,

SAINT HENRY WALPOLE,

PRAY FOR US.

* Thomas Savage, SJ (d. 1972), in M.H. Marchal "Jesus is Lifted Up: The Roots and Reform of the Adoration of the Cross on Good Friday in the Roman Rite," Worship, Volume 97 (April 2023), pp. 147-159, here p. 159.

Today's photo: The crucifix in our church. We proclaim Christ crucified.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Thursday of Holy Week (Holy Thursday)

The Month of April Dedicated both to Devotion to the Eucharist and Devotion to the Holy Spirit

In other years: Saint Galla, Roman Widow (6th century); Saint Peter of Verona, Dominican and Martyr (1205-1252); Blessed Pierina Morosini (1931-1957)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 54 Letters of Gifts for Monks

Chrism Mass: Is 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9; Resp Ps 89; Rev 1:5-8; Lk 4:16-21

Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper: Ex 12:1-8, 11-14; Ps 116; 1 Cor 11:23-36; Jn 13:1-15

To You I will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL, 

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, OUR HOPE,

SPIRIT OF HUMILITY,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

If I, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. 

I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.

(Jn 13:14-15)

Welcome to Maundy Thursday. Jesus' words in today's Gospel take me to Saint Benedict and what has been called the center of his holy rule. You will find it in Chapter 35. Kitchen Servers of the Week. There we learn that the sisters should serve one another (RB 35:1). So important is this service of those in our midst; no one should be excused from it unless she is sick or otherwise engaged in something important. It is this kind of service that increases reward and fosters love (RB 35:1-2). Jesus, Master and Teacher has given us the model. Do whatever He tells you (Jn 2:5).

Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus.

(Ph 2:5)

SAINT GALLA,

SAINT PETER OF VERONA,

BLESSED PIERINA MOROSINI,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: In the presence of all His people.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Wednesday of Holy Week

The Month of April Dedicated both to Devotion to the Eucharist and Devotion to the Holy Spirit

In other years: Saint Irene of Thessalonica, Virgin (4th century); Saint Vincent Ferrer, Priest (1350-1419)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 53:16-24 The Reception of Guests

Mass: Is 50:4-9a; Resp Ps 69; Mt 26:14-25

See, you lowly ones, and be glad.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, OUR LORD,

HOLY SPIRIT, WHO GOVERNS THE CHURCH,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue, 

That I may know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them ...

The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced ...

See, the Lord God is my help; who will prove me wrong?

(Is 50:4, 9a)

As we reflect these days on Saint Benedict's chapter on the reception of guests, we turn first to the Lord with the help of the Prophet Isaiah quoted above and remember that "proper honor must be shown to all" (RB 53:2). And it happens that words from one of our saints of the day might help us honor one another. too 

If you truly want to help the soul of your neighbor, you should approach God first with all you heart. Ask Him to simply fill you with charity, the greatest of all virtues; with it you can accomplish what you desire.

(From the treatise On the Spiritual Life by Saint Ferrer, priest, in Office of Readings, April 5)

SAINT IRENE OF THESSALONICA,

SAINT VINCENT FERRER,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: More happy flowers, this time little ones. Kindness is free; sprinkle that stuff everywhere.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Tuesday of Holy Week

The Month of April Dedicated both to Devotion to the Eucharist and Devotion to the Holy Spirit

In other years: Saint Isidore, Bishop of Seville and Doctor of the Church (560-636): Saint Benedict the Moor, Franciscan (1526-1589)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 53:1-15 The Reception of Guests

Mass: Is 49:1-6; Resp Ps 71; Jn 13:21-33, 36-38 

Let me never be put to shame.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

JESUS, SON OF MARY,

HOLY SPIRIT, THE SANCTIFIER,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

He made me a polished arrow, in His quiver He hid me.

(Is 49:2)

Today's Gospel is full. There is a lot to take in - emotions, imagery, tension in the air ... Not unlike everyday life. Jesus was deeply troubled and testified ... After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him ... And it was night ... the cock will not crow before you deny me three times. Jesus has been there and done that. Keep going, faithful readers. We remain united in faith and prayer.

The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, His mercies are not spent;

They are renewed each morning, so great is His faithfulness.

Let us search and examine our ways that we may return to the Lord!

Let us reach out our hearts toward God in heaven!

(Lamentations 3:22-23, 40-41)

SAINT ISIDORE OF SEVILLE,

SAINT BENEDICT THE MOOR,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Happy flowers in Holy Week. Day by day your salvation.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Monday of Holy Week

The Month of April Dedicated both to Devotion to the Eucharist and Devotion to the Holy Spirit

In other years: Pope Saint Sixtus I (42-c.128); Saint Irene of Rome, Martyr, Widow of the Martyr Saint Castulus (d. 288); Saint John, Bishop of Naples, aka the Peacemaker (d. 849); Saint Richard, Bishop of Chichester in England (1197-1253)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 52 The Oratory of the Monastery

Mass: Is 42:1-7; Resp Ps 27; Jn 12:1-11  

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAIINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, ONLY SON OF THE FATHER,

HOLY SPIRIT, THE COMFORTER,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

The passion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the hope of glory and a lesson in patience.

(Saint Augustine)

Welcome to Monday of Holy Week. A passage from the Letter to the Hebrews was brought to my attention yesterday as one to reflect upon this holy week. It happens that it is sandwiched nicely between today's patristic reading from the Office of Readings, one taken from a sermon by Saint Augustine. 

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before Him He endured the cross, despising its shame and has taken His seat at the right of the throne of God.

(Hebrews 12:1-2)*

The death of the Lord our God should not be a cause of shame for us; rather, it should be our greatest hope, our greatest glory. In taking upon Himself the death that He found in us, He has most faithfully promised to us life in Him, such as we cannot have of ourselves ...

Let us then fearlessly acknowledge, and evenly openly proclaim, that Christ was crucified for us; let us confess it, not in fear but in joy, not in shame but in glory.

(Saint Augustine)

United in faith and prayer then, we go forth and proclaim with Saint Paul: Let me not boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

POPE SAINT SIXTUS I,

SAINT IRENE,

SAINT CASTULUS,

SAINT JOHN THE PEACEMAKER,

SAINT RICHARD OF CHICHESTER,

PRAY FOR US.

*All of Chapter 12 from the Letter to the Hebrews may prove helpful. 

Today's photo: It is difficult to tire of looking up. Be stouthearted, wait for the Lord.

 

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

The Month of April Dedicated both to Devotion to the Eucharist and Devotion to the Holy Spirit

In other years: Saint Francis of Paola 91436-1507); Saint John Payne (c.1550-1582); Blessed Pedro Calungsod (-1672)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 51 Brothers on a Short Journey

The Commemoration of the Lord's Entrance into Jerusalem: Mt 21:1-11

Mass: Is 50:4-7; Resp Ps 22; Ph 2:6-11; Mt 26:14-27:66   

In the midst of the assembly I will praise you.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, WORD OF GOD,

DIVINE ESSENCE, ONE TRUE GOD,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

And when He entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken and asked, "Who is this?"

(Mt 21:10)

Welcome to Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. In the words of Saint Andrew of Crete (c.650-740), "let us go together to meet Christ on the Mount of Olives. Today He returns from Bethany and proceeds of His own free will toward His holy and blessed passion, to consummate the mystery of our salvation ... He will be meek and humble, and He will make His entry in simplicity ... Let us run to accompany Him as He hastens towards His passion, and imitate those who meet Him then, not by covering His path with garments, olive branches or palms, but by doing all we can to prostrate ourselves before Him by being humble and by trying to live as He would wish. Then we will be able to receive the Word at His coming, and God, whom no limits can contain, will be within us."* The donkey certainly was meek and humble. United in faith and prayer, we go forth to receive the Word; God is within us.

THE POET THINKS ABOUT THE DONKEY

On the outskirts of Jerusalem

the donkey waited.

Not especially brave, or filled with understanding,

he stood and waited.

How horses, turned out into the meadow,

leap with delight!

How doves, released from their cages,

clatter away, splashed with sunlight!

But the donkey, tied to a tree as usual, waited.

Then he let himself be led away,

Then he let the stranger mount.

Never had he seen such crowds!

And I wonder if he at all imagined what was to happen.

Still, he was what he had always been: small, dark, obedient.

I hope, finally, he felt brave.

I hope, finally, he loved the man who rode so lightly upon him,

as he lifted one dusty hoof and stepped, as he had to, forward.**

THE DONKEY

When fishes flew and forests walked

And figs grew upon thorn,

Some moment when the moon was blood

Then surely I was born.

When monstrous head and sickening cry

And ears like errant wings,

The devil's walking parody

On all four-footed things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth,

Of ancient crooked will;

Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,

I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour;

One far fierce hour and sweet:

There was shout about my ears,

And palms before my feet.***

*From a sermon by Saint Andrew of Crete, bishop, in Office of Readings, Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday).

**Mary Oliver, "The Poet Thinks About the Donkey,' in M. Oliver, Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver (Penguin, 2017), p. 130.

***G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936), "The Donkey." 

SAINT FRANCIS OF PAOLA,

SAINT JOHN PAYNE,

BLESSED PEDRO CALUNGSOD,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent

The Month of April Dedicated both to Devotion to the Eucharist and Devotion to the Holy Spirit

Saints: Saint Mary of Egypt (4th-5th centuries); Saint Ceallach (1080-1129); Saint Hugh, Bishop of Grenoble (1053-1132): Saint Venantius, Bishop of Salona and Martyr (d.259)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 50 Brothers Working at a Distance or Traveling

Mass: Ezk 37:21-28; Resp Ps (Jer 31); Jn 11:45-56   

Proclaim it in distant isles.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, THE MOST HIGH,

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, 

HAVE MERCY ON US.

They looked for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area,

"What do you think? That He will come to the feast?"

(Jn 11:56)

Welcome to April, the month dedicated both to devotion to the Eucharist and devotion to the Holy Spirit. Throughout this month, we will invoke Jesus from the litany to the Holy Eucharist, and the Holy Spirit from the litany of the Holy Spirit.

So, will He come to the feast? United in faith and prayer, we go with Him and prepare to enter Holy Week.

Let us take part in the Passover prescribed by the law, not in the literal way, but according to the teaching of the Gospel; not in an imperfect way, but perfectly; not only for a time, but eternally. Let us regard as our home the heavenly Jerusalem, not the earthly one; the city glorified by angels, not the one laid waste by armies ... let us join the choirs of angels in offering God upon His heavenly altar a sacrifice of praise ... we must sacrifice ourselves to God, each day and in everything we do, accepting all that happens to us for the sake of the Word, imitating His passion by our sufferings, and honoring His blood by shedding His own. We must be ready to be crucified.

(From a homily by Saint Gregory of Nazianzen, bishop, in Office of Readings, Fifth Week of Lent, Saturday)

Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

(Verse Before the Gospel, Mass)

SAINT MARY OF EGYPT,

SAINT CEALLACH,

SAINT HUGH,

SAINT VENANTIUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: From Wednesday morning just before 8am. They shall come streaming to the Lord's blessings.

© Gertrude Feick 2023