May is the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Readings for the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 4 The Tools for Good Works - Ch 6 Restraint of Speech
Lord, send forth your Spirit.
MARY, MOTHER OF HOPE,
SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,
PRAY FOR US.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control.
(Galatians 5:22-23)
Welcome to Pentecost Sunday in the month of May dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. And we are certainly going to need mercy as we move this week with Saint Benedict's Chapter 4 on the Tools for Good Works. So, let us "never lose hope in God's mercy" (RB 4:74).
On this Pentecost Sunday and entrance into Ordinary Time once again, allow the Holy Spirit to stir you, rouse you, inspire you to turn from evil and do good, as, in the words of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, "The Holy Spirit must teach us how to carry out in action, the good that is inspired, or grace in us shall remain void." The Holy Spirit will change your heart and mind if you let Him in. Uncomfortable, antsy, not particularly enjoying the Spirit-filled ride? Well, feel the breath of God and receive the Holy Spirit (see John 20:22). As we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit (see Gal 5:25). Yes, "Jesus is Lord" (see 12:3b).
Our voices this week are varied as we go forth and profess with all the faithful, "I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life" (The Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed).
The Holy Spirit is the one who moves us forward, who helps us progress, who enables us to develop Christian life ... The Holy Spirit gives us the courage to live the Christian life, and for this reason, with this courage, it changes our lives. Listen to the Spirit, pray to the Spirit, and if it's Him changing your life, trust the Spirit.
(Pope Francis, Vigil Mass of Pentecost, Verona, Italy, May 18, 2024)
When the Spirit has been sent, the face of the earth is created and renewed: this means that our earthly will becomes heavenly, ready at a nod to obey more quickly than a nod. Blessed are people like this, for not only do they perceive no evil, but they abide in a certain marvelous expansion of heart.
(Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153)
We say that we must seek God, go to Him to ask for forgiveness, but when we go, He is waiting for us. He is first! ... You go [a] sinner, but He is waiting to forgive you.
(Pope Francis, Vigil of Pentecost, May 18, 2013)
Pour into our hearts your Holy Spirit, that you may keep us in unity of spirit and the bond of peace.
(Aelred of Rievaulx, 1110-1167)
Let the dove, I say, come with the olive branch,
proclaiming peace with this branch that speaks of renewal and light.
(William of St. Thierry, 1075/80/85-1148, On Contemplating God)
Everyone has his or her own personality, and this can make it very difficult to live together. But "difficult" does not me "impossible"; otherwise Jesus never would have prayed:
That they all may be one! ...
In the face of difficulties, I will not break, I will imitate the rushes and reeds, each one leaning toward the other-heart to heart, united in love; mind to mind, united in intelligence-so as to be able to reflect together and find the truth.
(Venerable Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, 1928-2002)
O Spirit of truth, make me know your Word; teach me to remember all He has said; enlighten me, guide me, make me conformable to Jesus as an alter Christus, another Christ, by giving me His virtues, especially His patience, humility, and obedience; let me take part in his redemptive work by making me understand and love the cross.
(Sister Carmela of the Holy Spirit, O.C.D., 1910-1949)
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH,
SAINT BERNADINO OF SIENA,
BLESSED COLUMBA RIETI OP,
SAINT CHRISTOPHER MAGALLENES AND HIS COMPANIONS,
SAINT EUGENE DE MAZENOD,
SAINT RITA OF CASCIA,
SAINT JOACHINA DE VEDRUNA DE MAS,
OUR LADY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS,
BLESSED LOUIS-ZEPHERIN MOREAU,
SAINT ALDHELM,
SAINT DOMINIC,
POPE SAINT GREGORY VII,
SAINT MARY MAGDALEN DE'PAZZI,
SAINT EUPHROSYNE OF POLATSK,
SAINT JANE ANTIDE THOURET,
SAINTS DONATIAN AND ROGATION, MARTYRS,
SAINT BEDE THE VENERABLE,
POPE SAINT GREGORY VII,
SAINT CUTHBERT,
SAINT MARY MAGDALENE DE PAZZI,
PRAY FOR US.
Today's photo: And renew the face of the earth.
© Gertrude Feick 2024
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