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