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