Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time

August is the month dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament 

Readings for the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 67 Brothers Sent on a Journey - Ch 73 This Rule Only a Beginning of Perfection

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

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

HAVE MERCY ON US.

MARY, WHO ALWAYS COMES TO OUR AID,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US. 

Live in love, as Christ loved us.

(Ephesians 5:2a)

Welcome to the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time, in the last week of the month of August dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament. It is also the week when we conclude the second of three "read throughs" of the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict for the year. So, with Christ's help, may we keep this little rule that has been written for beginners (see Rule of Saint Benedict, 73:8), so that in all things may God be glorified (RB 57:9).

Here we are with the conclusion of the Bread of Life discourse. Jesus tells us today that there are some among us to do not believe (Jn 6:64), even though we know in our hearts that His words are spirit and life, that He is the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. As hard as the Lord's sayings are, we keep on believing. We accept the Lord's authority; we accept His teaching. This is faith. We will never fully explain what the Lord tells us; however, we accept it because He tells us: He speaks with authority (see Luke 4:32). Jesus has the words of eternal life (Jn 6:69).  Saint Paul, in his Letter to the Romans writes: "Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17). It just won't do to longer accompany Jesus, to leave His side (see Jn 6:66-67). Something Cardinal Basil Hume said in 1997 might be helpful: "Our faith in the Eucharist depends entirely on what the Lord has told us. Our five senses are utterly useless. No help at all. But I believe this is His Body; I believe that this is His Blood simply on His word. I am absolutely blind but He has spoken these words, and because my faith in Him, because God became man, and He has spoken this word, He has told me about this reality, then I accept it." This is my Body, says the Lord, this is my Blood. There is no better place to go. I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst (John 6:35). Never. I believe, help my unbelief. 

Now for our voices this week. May we be about building a civilization of love, spreading Eucharistic love to all those we meet. For as Pope Francis wrote in his message to Madagascar's National Eucharistic Congress (August 23-26): "Once we have encountered Christ in adoration, once we have touched and received Him in the Eucharistic celebration, it is no longer possible to keep Him to ourselves." We are on a mission, dear faithful readers, so let us go about it in whatever corner of the world we find ourselves in.

We are called to be physicians of that civilization about which we dream, the civilization of love.

(Pope Saint Paul VI, 1963- 1978, General Audience, December 31, 1975)

Peace can write the finest pages of history, inscribing them not only with the magnificence of power and glory but also with the greater magnificence of human virtue, people's goodness, collective prosperity and true civilization: the civilization of love.

Pope Saint Paul VI, 1963- 1978, Peace Day Message, January 1977)

Act in a way that the sad sight of human injustice may not trouble your soul ... One day you will see the unfailing triumph of God's justice arise.

(Saint Pius of Pietrelcina "Padre Pio", 1887-1968)

The reason to love God is God Himself. The measure is to love Him beyond measure.

(Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1113)

Only those who never fight are never wounded.

(Saint John Chrysostom, 347-407)

The way to become a saint, Dominic, is to be always cheerful, do your duties to the best of your ability, and give your classmates a good example. Keep in the mind that the Lord is always with you and wants your happiness.

(Saint John Bosco to Dominic Savio, d. 1857, who joined the Oratory school of John Bosco)

If you correspond to the designs of God, He will make a saint of you. Be generous, and remember that we ought to walk in the footsteps of Jesus crucified.

(Saint Paul of the Cross, 1694-1775)

SAINT LOUIS IX, KING OF FRANCE,

SAINT JEANNE ELIZABETH DES BICHIER DES ANGES,

SAINT JOSEPH OF CALASANZ,

SAINT MARY OF JESUS CRUCIFIED BAOUARDY,

BLESSED DOMINIC BARBERI,

SAINT DAVID LEWIS,

OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA,

SAINT CAESARIUS OF ARLES,

BLESSED JACQUES RETOURET,

SAINT TERESA OF JESUS' REVERBERATION,

SAINT MONICA,

SAINT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO, BISHOP, DOCTOR,

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST,

SAINT BEATRICE OF NAZARETH,

SAINT MARGARET CLITHEROW,

SAINT ANNE LINE,

SAINT MARGARET WARD,

BLESSED GHEBRE MICHAEL,

SAINT FIACRE,

SAINT EDMUND ARROWSMITH,

SAINT JEANNE JUGAN,

SAINT AIDA N,

SAINT WARREN AND AMADEUS, CISTERTIAN ABBOTS,

SAINT RAYMOND NONNATUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I will bless the Lord at all times.

© Gertrude Feick 2024

Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

August is the month dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament 

Readings for the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 63 Community Rank - Ch 66 The Porter of the Monastery

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

SACRED HOST, GREATEST AID TO HOLINESS,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

MARY, MOTHER OF OUR MAKER,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Wisdom has built her house ...

"Let whoever is simple turn in here ...Come, eat of my food, and drink of the wine I have mixed! Forsake foolishness that you may live; advance in the way of understanding."

(Wisdom 9:1-6)

Welcome to the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time, still in the midst of the month dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament. Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, have mercy on us.

It occurred to me during Lauds this morning that it is not difficult to be overcome with the riches of the Word. There has been so much week after week to hear, chew, reflect upon, and pray about. This is especially true as we make our way through Chapter 6 of Saint John's Gospel; Multiplication of the Loaves, Walking on Water, The Bread of Life Discourse, and next Sunday, The Words of Eternal Life. Do not give up: these sayings are difficult. With our faith, we seek understanding. Jesus is the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that He will give is His flesh for the life of the world! Forever. Believe. Help our unbelief. When you receive Holy Communion throughout this week, pray for understanding. Unless we eat the true food and drink the true drink of the Eucharist, we will not have life within us! United, we profess our faith: I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. 

As we go forth with our voices for the week, rooted in the love of Christ, may we try to understand the will of the Lord, be filled with the Spirit, and address one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in our hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father! Amen. (see Eph 5:15-20). Whew. ☺

The greater the malady He cures, the greater the glory of the Physician.

(Blessed Anthony Grassi, 1592-1671)

Keep your eyes upon God and let Him do His will.

(Saint Francis de Sales,1567-1622)

Even today, human beings have no control over storms at sea, and sometimes very little control over storms in the heart. Only God has the power to still the tempest without and the tempests within.

(Magnificat, August 13, 2024, Prayer for the Evening, Introduction to Psalm 107, p. 172)

What is a home? It is a place where I am loved, cared for, missed, accepted as I am, where I belong. This home is offered in the heart of Christ to each of us. He said, Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there (Mt 18:20) ...

(Servant of God Sister Ida Peterfy, 1922-2000)

O most benign and generous heart of Jesus, have mercy on all those who suffer ...

O loving Savior, arouse in me the feelings of Thy charitable heart toward all who come to me for help.

The heart of every man is attached to whatever is his treasure. Let us direct our life that all the affections of our heart may be concentrated on the greatest of all treasures, the most amiable Heart of Jesus.

(Saint John Eudes, 1601-1680)

If you follow Mary, you will not get off course; if you cry to her, you will not give up hope; if you think of her, you will not go astray.

(Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153)

I was born poor, I lived poor, I die poor.

(Pope Saint Pius X, 1835-1914, final testament)

BLESSED GUERRIC, CISTERCIAN ABBOT,

BLESSED VICTORIA RASOAMANARIVO,

SAINT ALBERTO HERTADO CURCHAGA,

BLESSEDS JOHN-BAPTISTE DUVERNEUIL, MICHAEL-ALOYSIOUS BRULARD AND JAMES GAGNOT,

SAINT JOHN EUDES,

SAINT EZEKIEL MORENO,

SAINT OSWIN,

SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX, ABBOT, DOCTOR,

POPE SAINT PIUS X,

OUR LADY, MOTHER AND QUEEN,

SAINT JOHN KEMBLE,

SAINT ROSE OF LIMA,

SAINT EUGENE,

SAINT JOHN WALL,

SAINT BARTHOLOMEW, APOSTLE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Welcome to Alaska. Photo courtesy of my beloved sister, Vicki, on an adventure with three of her girlfriends, including dear Kathy Kate! His praise shall be ever in my mouth.

© Gertrude Feick 2024

Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

August is the month dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament 

Readings for the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 58 The Procedure for Receiving Brothers - Ch 62 The Priests of the Monastery

Glorify the Lord with me.

SACRED HOST, IN WHICH WE PARTAKE OF CHRIST,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

MARY, QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH,

MARY, GATE OF HEAVEN,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love.

(Ephesians 5:2)

Welcome to the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time in the month of August dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament, fitting as we are in this Year of Mission spreading the Good News of Eucharistic love after the great Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. And this week is a doozy as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Glorious things are spoken of you, O Mary, who today were exalted above the choirs of Angels into eternal triumph with Christ. 

With the Blessed Mother leading the way, followed by the illustrious saints commemorated this week, how about we make it a week of no more murmuring. It is time to listen to Jesus and stop murmuring among ourselves (see John 6:43). Do not, as Saint Paul tells us, grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption. All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ (Ephesians 30-31). It's a tall task for the week; however, united in faith, love, and prayer, we can do it. What is one way you will go about this task, reaching out to someone who you would prefer just to ignore? Believe, dear faithful readers, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life, Jesus tells us, the living bread that came down from heaven, and whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world (See John 6:47-51). Get up, then, with Elijah, eat and drink and be strengthened for the journey to God (see 1 Kings 19:8). I believe, help my unbelief. 

And now our voices for the week, with a starter from our holy father Saint Benedict who tells us that the concern for anyone entering a monastery is whether the novice truly seeks God. We ask ourselves, then, do I truly seek God, day in and day out, no matter the hardships and difficulties that come my way, those things that will lead us to God? (Rule of Saint Benedict, Ch. 58).

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, Priest, 1480-1547)

There is no place for selfishness—and no place for fear! Do not be afraid, then, when love makes demands. Do not be afraid when love requires sacrifice. 

(Pope Saint John Paul II, 1920-2005)

Neither science nor speculation has made, or will ever make, a saint. Better to be an idiot capable of love, because in love he will sanctify himself.

(Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini "Mother Cabrini", 1850-1917)

I would become weak and languid and risk losing myself if I were to occupy myself only with exterior things, however good and holy those may be; or if I were to be without the sleep of prayer ... in the heart of my beloved Jesus. Give me, O Jesus, an abundance of mystical sleep.

(Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini "Mother Cabrini", 1850-1917, from her resolutions-the Prositi)

A heart filled with joy is more easily made perfect than one that is sad.

(Saint Philip Neri, 1515-1595)

Beg Jesus to speak incessantly to your soul. I assure you that His voice will teach you more in a single day than can the schools of learned men in many years ... I assure you that if you begin to be faithful to His voice, little by little you won't be able to withdraw from Him at all.

(Blessed Clelia Merloni, 1861-1930)

I no longer have any time for regular prayer, but from the first moment of the day, I endeavor to unite myself to Jesus Christ, and then I do whatever needs to be done with this union in mind.

(Saint John Vianney, 1786-1859, when asked for advice on mental prayer)

SAINT CLARE,

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI,

BLESSED ISIDORE BAKANJA,

SAINT MUREDACH,

SAINT ATTRACTA,

SAINT LELIA,

SAINT BLAAN,

SAINT FACHTNA,

BLESSED WILLIAM FREEMAN,

SAINT MAXIMUS,

SAINT ROCK,

BLESSED IMELDA LAMBERTINI,

BLESSED MARIA SAGRARIO OF SAINT ALOYSIUS GONZAGA,

BLESSED ANGELUS MAZZINGHI,

SAINT JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL,

POPE SAINT PONTIAN,

SAINT HIPPOLYTUS,

SAINT MAXIMILLAN KOLBE,

SAINT STEPHEN OF HUNGARY,

SAINT HYACINTH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Look to Him that you may be radiant with joy.

© Gertrude Feick 2024

Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

August is the month dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament 

Readings for the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week:  Ch 53 The Reception of Guests - Ch 57 The Artisans of the Monastery

The glorious deeds of the Lord and His strength. 

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

HAVE MERCY ON US.

OUR LADY, MOTHER OF THE AFFLICTED,*

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God's way of righteousness and holiness of truth.

(Ephesians 4: 22-24)

Welcome to the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time in the month dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament in this Year of Eucharistic Revival. This is a "Year of Mission" dear faithful readers, when we bring Christ to wherever we find ourselves, to our parishes, to our communities of faith. And this week, we are sandwiched between two rich Gospel texts on the Bread of Life. I am the bread of life, Jesus tells us, whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never thirst (John 6:35). Moreover, I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world (John 6:51). For the life of the world! We join the disciples on the road to Emmaus and proclaim: Were not our hearts burning within us when we listened to Him speaking! Listen to Jesus; listen and believe. And remember, "One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. Alleluia." 

This week's voices all point to the wonders of God's creation. As an intro, we hear from the great Saint and Doctor, Augustine of Hippo. Then we turn to the word of God. Let Our Lord speak! And here's a fun fact for the week. Did you know that the North Pacific Whale, the largest animal on earth, consumes some 35,000 pounds of krill a day in the summer?** That's a lot of krill folks. Let the name of the Lord be praised!

Others, in order to find God, will read a book. Well, as a matter of fact there is a certain great big book, the book of created nature. Look carefully at it top and bottom, observe it, read it. God did not make letters of ink for you to recognize Him in; He set before your eyes all these things He as made. Why look for a louder voice? Heaven and earth cry out to you, "God made me." Yes, you can read what Moses wrote. But in order to write it, what did Moses read, a man living in time? Observe heaven and earth in a religious spirit.

(Saint Augustine, 354-430, Sermon 68, 6)

When I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh.

(Genesis 9:13-15)

Ask the beasts and they will teach you;

the birds of the air, and they will tell you;

ask the planets of the earth and they will teach you.

Who among these does not know

that the hand of the bountiful Lord has done this?

In God's hand is the life of every living thing,

and the breath of every human being.

(Job 12:7-10)

God heals the brokenhearted,

and binds up their wounds;

counts out the number of the stars,

and calls each one by name.

(Psalm 147:3-4)

Mountains and hills, bless the Lord;

praise and exalt Him above all forever.

(Daniel 3:75)

All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord;

praise and exalt Him above all forever.

(Daniel 3:81)

The stars shone in their watches and were glad;

God called them, and they said, "Here we are!"

They shone with gladness for the One who made them.

(Baruch 3:34-35)

OUR LAEY OF THE SNOW,

BLESSED FREDERIC JANSSOONE,

SAINT EMYGDIUS,,

POPE SAINT SIXTUS II AND COMPANIONS,

SAINT CAJETAN,

SAINT DOMINIC,

SAINT TERESA BENEDICTA OF THE CROSS,

SAINT LAWRENCE, DEACON,

SAINT JEAN-BAPTISTE-MARIE VIANNEY, CURE OF ARS,

BLESSED FREDERIC JANSSOONE,

BLESSED NICHOLAS POSTGATE,

SAINT ALBERT OF TRAPANI,

SAINT MARY OF THE CROSS, THE FIRST AUSTRALIAN SAINT,

SAINT NATHY,

SAINT FELIM,

PRAY FOR US.

* Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917), in 1891, when discerning whether or not to assume management of a Scalabriniani hospital for an at once Italian and Catholic hospital in New York City, about ready to close its doors, received a vision in a dream from Our Lady, Mother of the Afflicted. "She saw Our Lady with her sleeves rolled up and her skirt pinned back, going from one bed to another in a hospital ward as a nurse. As soon as Frances recognized the Mother of the Afflicted, she sprang forward offering her help. Upon this Our Lady said, 'I am doing what you refuse to do.' After that there was no hesitation." Mother Cabrini assigned ten sisters to the hospital. There you have it. Work that needed to be done; not necessarily what she wanted to do. See Too Small a World: The Life of Mother Frances Cabrini (Ignatius, 2024), p. 194.

** See Elizabeth A. Johnson, Come, Have Breakfast: Meditations on God and the Earth (Orbis, 2024), p. 184.

Today's photo: The wonders that He wrought. Amen.

© Gertrude Feick 2024