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