Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time

August is the month dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament and the Immaculate Heart of Mary

September is the month dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary

In other years: Saint Monica (331-387)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 69 The Presumption of Defending Another in the Monastery - Prologue 1-13

Mass: Is 22:19-23; Resp Ps 138; Rm 11:33-36; Mt 16:13-20 

You built up strength within me.

SACRED HOST, IN WHICH THE SOUL IS FILLED WITH GRACE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

HEART OF MARY, HOPE OF THE AGONIZING,

MARY, MIRROR OF PATIENCE,

PRAY FOR US.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are His judgments and how unsearchable are His ways ...

For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.

(Rm 11:33, 36)

Welcome to the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time, a week when we conclude the month of August dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament and the Immaculate Heart of Mary and commence the month of September dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. We could go straight to today's Gospel or start with something just shared with me that goes something like this. Nearly 50 years ago, a woman was telling a wisdom figure that she was going to get married. And quite simply, the wise one said to the young woman: "God will find you wherever you are." And you know what? Our Lord Jesus will find you wherever you are too. And when He finds you, He just may ask: Who do you say that I am? ☺

With our voices for the week, united in faith and prayer, we go forth. As we conclude this year's second read through of the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict and begin our third read through, we remember the wisdom of our holy father Saint Benedict: "First of all, every time you begin a good work, you must pray to Christ the Lord most earnestly to bring it to perfection" (Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 4). And no matter what comes your way, remember that "it is what it is." Or in the words of Issa Kobayashi (1763-1828), Japanese poet, just shared with me: 

The morning dew

is the morning dew

and yet ...

As we commemorate Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine, today and her son tomorrow, we let the great Saint and Doctor of the Church Augustine of Hippo (354-430) speak first.

Right is right even if no one is doing it;

wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it.

(Saint Augustine of Hippo, 354-430)

Mercy's natural home is misery.

(Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153, On Conversion, VII, 12)

Sickness has real utility when it leads to the doctor's hands, and he whom God restores to health gains by having been ill.

(Saint Bernard on Clairvaux, 1090-1153, On Conversion, VII, 12)

All grace flows from mercy, and the last hour abounds with mercy for us. Let no one doubt concerning the goodness of God, even if a person's sins were as dark as night, God's mercy is stronger than our misery. One thing alone is necessary; that the sinner set ajar the door of his heart, be it ever so little, so let in a ray of God's merciful grace, and then God will do the rest.

(Saint Faustina Kowalska, 1905-1938, The Diary of Saint Faustina Kowalska)

Working at the beck of our own will, we become famous and forlorn. Working at the command of religion we become abject and rapturous, being God's friends forever, and rewarded by One who never fails to satisfy.

(Servant of God Rose Hawthorne, 1851-1926)

Is it not true that it would be a very simple, efficacious, and gentle procedure to sanctify ourselves by accepting each day what the Lord asks of us? We have absolute certainty that what God plans for us each day is most suitable and sanctifying ... The only program for me is God's program. Let this day come as it may. God sends it; He and no one else. Let is come as it may, we are sure that it comes wrapped in the love of our Lord and destined to sanctify us. We ought to say: "I will sanctify myself precisely by the events of this day because the loving providence of God has sent them to me. He is acquainted with my necessities; He know what is most conducive to my sanctification." If we were to understand this, would not our soul by a veritable ocean of peace?

(Servant of God Luis Maria Martinez, 1881-1956)

The unknown is where all things are possible; enter it with grace.

(Anonymous, tea bag tag)

SAINT MONICA,

SAINT AUGUSTINE,

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST,

BEATRICE OF NAZARETH, 

SAINTS WARREN AND AMADEUS, 

SAINT AIDEN,

SAINT MARGARET CLITHEROW,

SAINT ANNE LINE,

SAINT MARGARET WARD,

BLESSED GHEBRE MICHAEL,

SAINT FIACRE,

SAINT AIDEN,

SAINT RAYMOND NONNATUS,

SAINT EDMUND ARROWSMITH,

SAINT GILES,

SAINT TERESA MARGARET REDI OF THE SACRED HEART,

BLESSED ANDRE GRASSET,

JESUIT MARTYRS FOR THE NAME OF JESUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: The Lord certainly built up the strength in this little one. He may be small, but his croak is mighty. You have heard the words of my mouth.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

August is the month dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament and the Immaculate Heart of Mary

In other years: Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, "Doctor Mellifluous” (1090-1153); Saint Samuel, prophet; Saint Maria de Mattias, Foundress of the Sisters of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ (1805-1866)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 64 The Election of an Abbot - Ch 68 Assignment of Impossible Tasks

Mass: For the Solemnity of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux: Wis 7:7-10, 15-16; Resp Ps 19 or Sirach 39:8-14; Resp Ps 37; Ph 3:17-4:1; Mt 5:13-19 or Jn 17:20-26

20th Week in Ordinary Time: Is 56:1, 6-7; Resp Ps 67; Rm 11:13-15, 29-32; Mt 15:21-28

The decree of the Lord is trustworthy, 

giving wisdom to the simple.

OUR LADY, MOTHER AND QUEEN,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

SACRED HOST, BOND OF CHARITY,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

HEART OF MARY, COMFORT OF THE AFFLICTED,

PRAY FOR US.

Therefore I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded and the spirit of Wisdom came to me ...

Beyond health and comeliness I loved her, And I chose to have her rather than the light, because the splendor of her never yields to sleep.

(Wisdom 7:7, 10)

Welcome to Sunday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time, and for Cistercians the Solemnity of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Doctor Mellifluous, about whom Pope Pius XII (1876-1958) had this to say: "The 'Doctor Mellifluus,' 'the last of the Fathers, but certainly not inferior to the earlier ones,' was remarkable for such qualities of nature and mind, and so enriched by God with heavenly gifts, that in the changing and often stormy times in which he lived, he seemed to dominate by his holiness, wisdom and most prudent counsel."* In our times, then, not so different than the ones Saint Bernard of Clairvaux found himself in, we pray for holiness, wisdom, and prudence. May the Doctor Mellifluous, whose praise of Jesus "flowed like honey" from his lips, intercede for us. 

With our voices for the week, we go forth united in faith and prayer. Dear faithful readers, please pray for all the brothers and sisters of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, and for all those in the Cistercian family. Thank you for being there.

The psalmist says: "Seek God's face." Nor, I think, will the soul cease to seek God even when she has found Him. It is not with steps of the feet that God is sought, but with the heart's desire ...

Think, if you can, of this eagerness to see God as not caused by God's absence, for God is always present. And think of the desire for God as without fear or failure, for grace is abundantly present.

(Saint Bernard of Clairvaux)

Human action cannot help us, but only the sufferings of Christ. My aspiration is to share them.

(Edith Stein, "Martyr for Love," at her 1938 profession as a Carmelite nun, 1891-1942)

Do everything through love and nothing through constraint.

(Saint Francis de Sales, 1567-1622)

The Christian must suffer unjustly, but if he keeps his eyes on Jesus, God will work wonders in his soul.

(Mother Angelica of the Annunciation, 1923-2016)

This is our main endeavor: to think, to feel, to love as Christ Jesus, to act and to speak as He ... We need, above all, to study His life, know it, and mediate upon it, not only in its outward appearance, but by immersing ourselves in the thoughts, feelings, hopes, and dreams of Jesus Christ.

(Saint Henry de Osso y Cervello, 1840-1896)

O how lovingly can we expect everything from God when we expect nothing from ourselves! There is nothing I cannot do in Him, knowing as I do there is nothing I can do without Him.

(John of Forde, 1140-1214)

I want my life to be like the tabernacle candle, and it is daily carrying my cross that I can shine. In whatever suffering you experience, let your life be like the tabernacle candle, always burning in His presence.

(Father Andrew Hofer, O.P.)

If everyone simply did his Christian duties, we would not have so much hate and misery in the world.

(Blessed Karl of Austria, 1887-1922)

SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX,

SAINT SAMUEL, PROPHET,

SAINT MARIA DE MATTIAS,

POPE SAINT PIUS X,

SAINT JOHN KEMBLE,

SAINT ROSE OF LIMA,

SAINT EUGENE,

SAINT JOHN WALL,

SAINT BARTHOLOMEW,

SAINT LOUIS OF FRANCE,

SAINT JOSEPH CALASANZ,

SAINT MARY OF JESUS CRUCIFED BAOUARDY,

BLESSED DOMINIC BARBERI,

SAINT JOHN HENRY NEWMAN,

SAINT DAVID LEWIS,

OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA,

SAINT CAESARIUS OF ARLES,

BLESSED JACQUES RETOURET,

SAINT TERESA OF JESUS' TRANSVERBERATION,

SAINT JEANNE ELIZABETH DES BICHIER,

PRAY FOR US.

*Doctor Mellifluus Encyclical of Pope Pius XII on Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, the Last of the Church Fathers, May 24, 1953.

Today's photo: Agnolo Gaddi (1350-1396), "Saint Mary Magdalene, Saint Benedict, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux and Saint Catherine of Alexandria," about 1380-1390, tempera and gold on wood, once formed part of a larger altarpiece, Indianapolis Museum of Art. My dear oldest sister and I saw this in 2017. 

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

August is the month dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament and the Immaculate Heart of Mary

In other years: Saints Pontian and Hippolytus (-235); Saint Fachtna or Fachanan of Ross, Ireland, Patron of the Diocese of Ross, probably the first bishop (6th century); Blessed William Freeman (-1595)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 59 the Offering of Sons by Nobles or the Poor- Ch 63 Community Rank

Mass: 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a; Resp Ps 85; Rm 9:1-5; Mt 14:22-33

Truth shall spring out of the earth.

QUEEN, ASSUMED INTO HEAVEN,

PRAY FOR US.

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

SACRED HOST, GREATEST AID TO HOLINESS, 

HAVE MERCY ON US.

HEART OF MARY, SEAT OF MERCY,

PRAY FOR US.

Take courage, it is I. Do not be afraid.

(Mt 14: )

Welcome to the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary in our month dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament and to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in a week when we celebrate with solemnity the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Give God the praise. I saw a letter where the writer signed off: "In the heart of Jesus." Yes, we are in the heart of Jesus, and in the heart of His Mother our Queen, assumed into heaven.  

With Jesus' words to the frightened disciples in today's Gospel, I am glad for the introduction to our bonus voice for the week, namely that of Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622), and words the priest prays after the Lord's Prayer, ones that I pray interiorly. The priest prays to the Lord that we may be "safe from all distress." Yes, dear Lord, you are with us. Please, dear Lord, keep us safe from all distress, and protect us from all anxiety as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. And what does the great Saint Francis de Sales have to say? "Anxiety is the greatest evil that can befall a soul except sin. God commands you to pray; He forbids you to worry." Please then, Lord, deliver us from every evil and graciously grant peace in our days. Kyrie, eleison. 

In the hearts of Jesus and Mary, united in faith and prayer, we go forth, no matter how turbulent the waters that rock our boats, high the waves that toss us, and strong the winds that blow us.

And for this week's other voices.

 You know the general principal: that God is everywhere. On the throne of His glory among the blessed indeed, but also throughout the whole universe which He fills, governs and preserves, ruling it by wisdom and grace. This we learn in our infancy, as of all of our memory in childhood. Yet in the practice of life, we live along as if we scarcely remembered that God sees us.

(Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1774-1821)

Apply yourself seriously because the years are passing by and we are getting old so we have to become wise.

(Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, 1901-1925)

There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us.

(Saint John Vianney, 1786-1859)

Do not receive Christ in the Blessed Sacrament so that you may use Him as you judge best, but give yourself to Him and let Him receive you in this Sacrament, so the He Himself, God your savior, may do to you and through you whatever He wills.

(Saint Cajetan, 1480-1578)

In the face of anti-social and anti-Catholic schools, alternative schools must be opened whose mission is to direct, to define and distinguish good and evil; schools that may disarm the enemies by giving the true definition.

(Blessed Francisco Palau y Quer, 1811-1872)

This story told me that there is no limit to one's ability-certainly not age-to accomplish in life what one must. Within each individual in this large and complicated world there lives an astounding potential of greatness. Yet it is rare that these hidden gifts are brought to life unless by the chance of fate.

(Velma Wallis, introduction in V. Wallis, Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival, Epicenter, 1993, p. xiii)

Relations became better between The People and the two women. Both learned that from hardship, a side of people emerged that they had not known. The People had thought themselves to be strong, yet they had been weak. And the two old ones whom they thought to be the most helpless and useless had proven themselves to be strong.

(Velma Wallis, Two Old Women, p. 117)

SAINTS PONTIAN AND HIPPOLYTUS

SAINT FACHNA,

BLESSED WILLIAM FREEMAN,

BLESSED MICHAEL MICGIVNEY,

SAINT MAXIMILIAN KOLBE,

SAINT STEPHEN OF HUNGARY,

SAINT ROCK,

BLESSED MARIA SAGRARIO OF SAINT ALOYSIUS GONZAGA,

BLESSED ANGELUS MAZZINGHI,

SAINT CLARE OF MONTEFALCO,

BLESSED VICTORIA RASOAMANARIVO,

SAINT ALBERTO HURTADO CRUCHAGA,

BLESSEDS JOHN-BAPTIST DUVERNEUIL, MICHAEL-ALOYSIUS BURLARD AND JAMES GAGNOT,

SAINT JOHN EUDES,

SAINT HYACINTH,

BLESSED MARTYRS OF ROCHEFORT,

BLESSED GUERRIC, CISTERCIAN ABBOT,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: And justice shall look down from heaven.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

August is the month dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament and the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 54 Letters of Gifts for Monks - Ch 58 The Procedure for Receiving Brothers

Mass: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Resp. Ps 97; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Mt 17:1-9

The mountains melt like wax before the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY OF THE SNOW,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

PLEDGE OF FUTURE GLORY,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

HEART OF MARY, THRONE OF GLORY,

PRAY FOR US.

Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him.

(Daniel 7:10)

Welcome to the glorious Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. One response to that is something our holy father Saint Benedict tells us in this week's readings from the Holy Rule. In Ch 57 "The Artisans of the Monastery," our holy father quotes Saint Peter and reminds us, all artisans in one way or another, that no matter what we do, we do it "so that in all things God may be glorified" (RB 57:9/1 Pet 4:11). Among other gems that Saint Benedict offers this week is from Ch 58 "The Procedure for Receiving Brothers," and sisters too. It is there we learn that the concern for anyone entering a monastery is whether or not she "truly seeks God and whether he shows eagerness for the Work of God [the Liturgy of the Hours], for obedience and trials" (RB 58:7). Is there clutter or are there attachments that you might need to let go so that your search for God is not blocked for one reason or another, that you are eager to pray, thankful too, for even a few seconds to raise your mind and heart to God*  - O God, come to my assistance, make haste to help me - and to pick up your cross and follow the Lord? Or remember something the Little Flower, Saint Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897) wrote: "For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy." Go to the mountain with Peter, James and John, or even the valley; you will find Jesus there. You will do well to be attentive to His voice, for it is a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts (see 2 Pet 1:19).

We have some strong voices this week. They all speak loud and clear. For starters, an anonymous voice asks: "What can you appreciate at this moment?" (Yogi tea bag tag). We go forth, united in faith and prayer remembering that "the Lord dwells in light upon the holy mountain and lives among us hidden in the darkness of daily life. Let us pray that we may see Him and serve Him."** Lord, it is good that we are here (Mt 17:4). Amen.

If we live our daily lives with all the windows open, it becomes possible for the Spirit's gentle breeze to penetrate our resistance and bring us relief from the tightness we impose on ourselves. We consent to live on the brink of the unexpected, alert for any indication of where inspiration may prompt us to go.

(Michael Casey, ocso, b. 1942, Monk of Tarrawarra Abbey, Australia)

Just living is not enough, said the butterfly. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.

(Hans Christian Anderson)

Grant that I may say with confidence: O my God, forgive me as I forgive others. Grant that I may pray to you with a peaceful heart for those who have hurt me, teach me to conquer myself and to check the impulse which would lead me to take revenge.

(Saint Augustine of Hippo, 354-430)

Happy the man who loves you, O God, and his friends in you. He alone loses no one who is dear to him, because he loves them in the One who is never lost."

(Saint Augustine of Hippo)

Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger people ... do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers to equal your tasks.

(Blessed Solanus Casey, 1870-1957)

I feel like an utter failure ... The older I get the more I feel that faithfulness and perseverance are the greatest virtues - accepting the sense of failure we all must have, in our work of others around us, since Christ was the world's greatest failure ... Christ understands us when we fail.

(Servant of God Dorothy Day, 1897-1980)

The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it emotionally.

(Flannery O'Connor, 1925-1964)

POPE SAINT SIXTUS II AND HIS COMPANIONS,

SAINT CAJETAN,

BLESSED NICHOLAS POSTGATE,

SAINT ALBERT OF TRAPANI,

SAINT DOMINIC,

SAINT MARY OF THE CROSS,

SAINT BENEDICTA OF THE CROSS (EDITH STEIN),

SAINT NATHY,

SAINT FELIM,

SAINT LAURENCE, DEACON AND MARTYR,

SAINT CLARE,

SAINT JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL,

PRAY FOR US.

*"Prayer is the raising one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God" (Saint John Damascene, 675/6-749).

**Magnificat, May 5, 2023, introduction to Psalm 43, p. 73.

Today's photo: From Maddy through her dear mother. North Cascade Mountains. All peoples see His glory.

 

© Gertrude Feick 2023