Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

June is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart

July is the month dedicated to the Precious Blood of Our Lord

Readings for the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week:  Ch 23 Excommunication for Faults- Ch 29 Readmission of Brothers Who Leave the Monastery

Sing praise to the Lord, you His faithful ones.

HEART OF JESUS, DELIGHT OF ALL THE SAINTS,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

BLOOD OF CHRIST, PEACE AND TENDERNESS OF HEARTS,

SAVE US.

VIRGIN MOST POWERFUL,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

God did not make death,

nor does He rejoice in the destruction of the living.

(Wisdom 1:13)

Welcome to the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary, a week that begins with the end of the month of June dedicated to the Sacred Heart and gets going on Monday with the beginning of July dedicated to the Precious Blood of Our Lord. And not only that, we commemorate Saint Thomas the Apostle to warm us up for the celebration of our country's national holiday - July 4th, Independence Day! We have plenty of saints to commemorate and will include our "wholly American" Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. My country, 'Tis of Thee ...

There are two things that come from reflection on this Sunday's readings. First, there is living; second is faith. God is not God of the dead, but of the living (Luke 20:38). Jairus, the synagogue official whose daughter was at the point of death, fell at the feet of Jesus and pleaded earnestly with Him to come and lay hands on his daughter so that she would get well and live (see Mark 5:22-23). Then there is the woman afflicted with hemorrhages for 12 years. 12 long years of bleeding and not getting any help from doctors who only made her suffering worse. It seems to me that she was fed up and instead of dying, the woman was determined to live. So, she fought the crowd and went to Jesus, the God of the living, and simply touched His clothes. Immediately the woman was healed (see Mark 5:25-29). Both Jairus and the woman had courage. They found strength in the Lord to go straight to Jesus. Yes, they believed; they had faith in the Healer. It was a simple faith, uncomplicated. Faith. Jesus is speaking to you, to me: Daughter, your faith has saved you (Mark 5:34). Do not be afraid; just have faith (Mark 5:36). The woman went in peace; the synagogue official's 12-year-old daughter arose and walked around. All of them lived. God is not God of the dead but of the living, for to Him all are alive. This may be a week to first chose living over dying. Be alive. Pray for courage and a greater faith. Go to Jesus. Straight to Jesus with your needs. And if you haven't read Fredrik Bachman's A Man Called Otto and then seen the very well-done film starring Tom Hanks, consider it. Otto too, decided to live. Enough was enough. I believe, help my unbelief.

Now with our voices for the week. They are a cascade of sorts ...

The disbelief of Thomas has done more for our faith than the faith of the other disciples. As he touches Christ and is won over to belief, every doubt is cast aside and our faith is strengthened. So the disciple who doubted, then felt Christ's wounds, becomes a witness to the reality of the resurrection ... The true believer practices what he believes. But of those who pay only lip service to faith, Paul has this to say: 'They profess to know God, but they deny him in their works.' Therefore James says: 'Faith without works is dead.'

(From a homily on the Gospels by Saint Gregory the Great, pope, in Office of Readings, July 3)

What the world is in particular need of today is the credible witness of people enlightened in mind and heart by the word of the Lord, and capable of opening the hearts and minds of many to the desire for God and true life, life without end.

(Pope Benedict XVI, Porta Fidei, 15)

Embracing the words of Pope Benedict XVI, then, we turn to the Second Letter to Timothy:

Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient of inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.

(2 Timothy 4:2)

God does not discriminate against anyone because He loves everyone.

(Pope Francis, Angelus Address, June 30, 2024)

Happy the person who at each gift of grace returns to God in whom is the fullness of grace ... For the only thing that hinders us from advancement in the spiritual life is our ingratitude.

(Saint Bernard of Clairvaux "Doctor Mellifluous", 1090-1153)

Now with a fitting introduction to our last voice: "Let us join our praise to the praise of all creation as we rejoice in the One who is the God of the living."*

By virtue of being created, of being held in existence by the loving power of the Creator Spirit, all beings give glory to God simply by being themselves.

(Elizabeth Johnson, in Ask the Beasts: Darwin and the God of Love)

As we go forth this week, united in faith and prayer, we go with the motto of Saint Junipero Serra: siempre adelante, always go forward. And Jesus will help us as He said: Do not be afraid; just have faith. At the same time, as we reflect on living and faith this week, we turn to the woman healed from her suffering. She went in peace. May we too go in peace this week for as Saint Peter Chyrsologus preached: 

Peace is the mother of love, the bond of concord and the manifest sign of a pure soul, one which seeks to please God, which seeks to be fulfilled and has it desire rewarded ... We must keep peace before all other virtues, since God is always in peace. Love peace, and all the world will be tranquil and quiet. By doing so you store up rewards for me, and joy for yourselves, that the Church of God may be founded on the bond of peace and may cling to perfect observance in Christ.

(From a sermon attributed to Peter Chrysologus, bishop, 380-450, in Office of Readings, July 13, commemoration of Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, 1271-1336)

THE FIRST MARTYRS OF THE SEE OF ROME,

SAINT OLIVER PLUNKETT,

BLESSED NAZJU FALZON,

SAINT JUNIPERO SERRA, APOSTLE OF CALIFORNIA, THE FATHER OF CALIFORNIA MISSIONS,

SAINT OTTO, BISHOP OF BAMBERG, APOSTLE OF THE POMERANIANS, FATHER OF THE MONKS,

SAINT THOMAS, APOSTLE,

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

SAINT ANTHONY MARY ZACCARIA,

SAINT MODWEN,

BLESSED GEORGE NICHOLS, RICHARD YAXLEY, THOMAS BELSON, HUMPHREY PRITCHARD,

SAINT ELIZABETH OF PORTUGAL,

BLESSED JOHN CORNELIUS,

BLESSED MARIA CROCIFISSA CURCIO,

BLESSED PIER GIORGIO FRASSATI,

SAINT MARIA GORETTI, VIRGIN, MARTYR,

PRAY FOR US.

*Magnificat, July 30, 2024, Intercessions, p. 418.

Today's photo: A favorite color of mine. Dew and rain, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever. 

© Gertrude Feick 2024

Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

The Month of February Dedicated to the Holy Family

World Day of the Sick

Our Lady of Lourdes

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 9 The Number of Psalms at the Night Office

Mass: Gn 3:9-24; Resp Ps 90; Mk 8:1-10

The earth and the world were brought forth.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, HEALTH OF THE SICK,

OUR LADY OF VAILANKANNI,

SAINT RAPHAEL,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

HOLY FAMILY, WHOSE MOTHER IS A MODEL OF MATERNAL DILIGENCE,

PRAY FOR US.

My heart is moved with pity for the crowd.

(Mk 8:2)

For the times when we are afraid and try to hide ourselves from the Lord Our God, may we reach out to Him who always looks for us, and loves us with an everlasting love. They ate and were satisfied (Mk 8:8).

And the man called his wife "Eve."

"Mother of all that live shall be her name,"

Said the man, when the Lord had judged their sin.

Somehow the curse and blessing are the same;

Bread shall they eat, though sweat cling to the skin;

In pain shall she bring children to the light,

And one shall crush the serpent's skull, to win-

Not the small grove whence they were put to flight-

New heaven and earth for man His foe, and friend.

Praise her then, in whose fruitful womb unite

Dust, and that life of Eden without end.*

OUR LADY OF LOURDES,

SAINT BERNADETTE OF LOURDES,

PRAY FOR US.

* Anthony Esolen, The Hundredfold: Songs for the Lord (Ignatius, 2019). pp. 51-52.

Today's photo: For Our Lady of Lourdes. Not the pale-yellow roses on the top of Her feet when she first appeared to Bernadette Soubirous, this rose, courtesy of the Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel, OR, is fitting. Our Lady, mystical rose, likes all flowers, especially roses. That we may gain wisdom of heart.

 © Gertrude Feick 2023

Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

The Month of January Dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Saints: Saint John, Bishop of Ravenna (d. 595); Saints Marius, Martha, Audiface and Abachum, Martyrs on the Via Cornelia (3rd century); Saint Germanicus, Martyr of Philadelphia (2nd century); Saint Wulstan (1008?-1095); Saint Faolan (8th century); The Jesuit Martyrs of the Reformation in Europe (16th century); Blessed Andrew of Peschiera OP (1400-1485)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 4:22-43 The Tools for Good Works

Mass: Heb 7:25-8:6; Resp Ps 40; Mk 3:7-12   

To do your will, O my God, is my delight.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, MOST PATIENT,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

He told His disciples to have a boat ready for Him because of the crowd,

so that they would not crush Him.

(Mk 3:9)

With the scene in today's Gospel, my mind goes to a delightful poem I have shared before, by Hafiz, the beloved Persian poet of the 14th century. It goes like this ...

Two Giant Fat People

God and I have become

Like two giant fat people

Living in a tiny boat.

We keep

Bumping into each other

And laughing.

It does not seem, however, that Jesus was so amused by all those who were pressing upon Him to touch Him. At the same time, whenever unclean spirits saw Him they would fall down before Him. And if that wasn't enough, they would shout, "You are the Son of God" (see Mk 3:9-11). Unclean as they were, those spirits were certainly right about that. The whole scene seems rather chaotic and the peoples somewhat unruly. It is no wonder that Jesus was a little afraid for His life, and probably not laughing about it. In any case, Jesus, we want to touch You, just like all those people in the crowd. With our various diseases, some more visible than others, we too want to be healed. As true as that is, why is it that we spend so much time running away from You? Go figure.

To close, then, here is something I found last night. Take a look if you can (and a listen) at a song called, "Sneakin Up on Me," by Charlie Peacock. Part of the lyrics go like this ...

I try to run, find a place to hide - it's a futile plan,

Don't know when, I don't know how, but God always gets His man.

Sneakin up on me,

God keeps sneakin up on me,

When I least expect it, there He is,

Sneakin up on me.

United in faith and prayer, we go forth this day, alert and attentive to the presence of God, here, there, and everywhere. Sneaking up on me, God keeps sneakin up on me ... and when I least expect it, there He is, sneakin up on me ...

SAINT JOHN, BISHOP OF RAVENNA,

SAINTS MARIUS, MARTHA, AUDIFACE AND ABACHUM,

SAINT GERMANICUS,

SAINT WULSTAN,

SAINT FAOLAN,

THE JESUIT MARTYRS OF THE REFORMATION IN EUROPE,

BLESSED ANDREW OF PESCHIARA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: A little kindness goes a long way. And it's free to boot! Kindness too could be a summary of many of the Tools for Good Works as presented to us today, put this way, "Kill 'em with kindness," instead of anger, deceit, grudges, shallow greetings, not speaking the truth, cursing and speaking ill of others, grumbling, and so on (see Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:22-43). O, the loving kindness of the heart of our God. 

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saints: Saint Oliver Plunkett (1625-1681); Blessed Junipero Serra (1713-1784); Blessed Nazju Falzon (1813-1865)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 24 Degrees of Excommunication

Mass: Amos 8:4-6, 9-12; Resp Ps 119; Mt 9:9-13

With all my heart I seek you.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

All peoples clap your hands. Cry to God with shouts of joy.

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass)

Welcome to July. 

One of my favorite lines comes in today's Gospel: Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do (Mt 9:12). We are all in need of the merciful and compassionate healing touch of the Divine Physician. Let us be about receiving the mercy of God and extending it to others. As Jesus says: I desire mercy, not sacrifice (Mt 9:13). 

During difficult moments, let us not close in on ourselves, shutting Jesus out. Let us seek Jesus, return to Him, to His forgiveness, to those wounds that have healed us. In this way, we too will become capable of compassion, of approaching the wounds of others.

(Pope Francis)

Let God's grace reign, as it does reign: the grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord, the one Son of God, the one Lord.

(Saint Augustine on the Predestination of the Saints, in Office of Readings, Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time)

SAINT OLIVER PLUNKETT,

BLESSED JUNIPERO SERRA,

BLESSED NAZIO FALZON,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: The way of truth I have chosen. 

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Friday within the Octave of Easter

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 65:1-10 The Prior of the Monastery

Mass: Acts 4:1-12; Resp Ps 118; Jn 21:1-14

It is wonderful in our eyes.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

It is the Lord.

(Jn 21:7)

Here is one of the first things that occurs to me with the opening line of today's account from the Acts of the Apostles. The man, crippled from birth, who we first heard about on Wednesday, caused quite a commotion. As you recall, with the words of Peter, "In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk" (Acts 3:6), the man regained strength in his feet and ankles, then immediately stood up, walked around, jumped about too, and praised God. Yesterday we found the man clinging to Peter and John. Is he still clinging to them? What must the people think about that? As we hear today, not everyone was pleased with all this commotion. The ones who were annoyed (Acts 4:2) have Peter and John arrested and put in custody. At the same time, many of those who heard the word believed, thousands of them (Acts 4:4). Three cheers for the formerly crippled, now healed man. At the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, every tongue confess Him, king of glory now, Jesus is Lord, king of glory now!

We also find Jesus is on the move this week appearing here there and everywhere, much to people's astonishment. We find the Risen Lord revealing Himself to the fishermen today. Hungry, Jesus invites the others to a meal: Come and have breakfast (Jn 21:12). So Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish (Jn 21:13). May we recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread, and fish too. 

CHRIST IS RISEN!

HE IS TRULY RISEN!

Today's photo: This fawn lily is wonderful in our eyes. Another one from Bald Hill, near Corvallis, OR.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Saints: Saint Hilary of Poitiers, Bishop, Doctor (-367); Saint Kentigern or Mungo (518-603)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 1:23-29

Mass: 1 Sm 4:1-11; Resp Ps 44; Mk 1:40-45

Our bodies are pressed to the earth.

JESUS, DIVINE HEALER,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

We join the leper in today's Gospel and go to Jesus, kneel down and beg Him, "if you wish, you can make me clean" (Mk 1:40). Make the effort. I will do it. Be made clean (Mk 1:41), says the Lord.

I am well aware, almighty God and Father, that in my life I owe you a most particular duty. It is to make every thought and word speak of you ...

Impart to us, then, the meaning of the words of Scripture and the light to understand it, with reverence for the doctrine and confidence in its truth. Grant that we may express what we believe. Through the prophets and apostles we know about you, the God and Father, and the one Lord Jesus Christ. May we have the grace, in the face of heretics who deny you, to honor you as God, who is not alone, and to proclaim this as truth.

(From a sermon on the Trinity by Saint Hilary of Poitiers, bishop, in Office of Readings, January 13)

SAINT HILARY OF POITIERS,

SAINT KENTIGERN,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This from a faithful reader and friend who took this photo during one of her visits to Redwoods. Thank you, dear LR. 

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 70 The Presumption of Striking Another Monk at Will

Mass: 1 Jn 1:5-2:2; Resp Ps 124; Mt 2:13-18

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

GOD IS LIGHT, AND IN HIM THERE IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL.

(1 Jn 1:5)

Today is good day to pray for all children, especially those who suffer in any way from violence, neglect, abuse, and/or exploitation. At the same time, we acknowledge that there are elements of Herod in each one of us, as Saint John writes, "If we say, 'We are without sin,' we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 Jn 1:8). Saint Benedict too instructs us with his Tools for Good Works: "Harbor neither hatred nor jealousy of anyone, and do nothing out of envy" (RB 4:65-67). Dear Jesus, help us. If we acknowledge our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing (1 Jn 1:9).

MARY, QUEEN OF MARTYRS,

ALL HOLY INNOCENTS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: More from Moni in Germany.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Monday of the Second Week of Advent

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Saint: Saint Nicholas (4th century)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 54 Letters or Gifts for the Monks

Mass: Is 35:1-10; Resp Ps 85; Lk 5:17-26

Our God will come to save us!

JESUS, MEEK AND HUMBLE OF HEART,

MAKE OUR HEARTS LIKE TO THINE.

Welcome to Monday. Let's be persistent today, impatient even, and do what needs to be done to get to Jesus. The power of the Lord is with Him for healing (Lk 5:17), as in today's Gospel. The Divine Physician is waiting for us. Even if your friends have to take you to the roof and lower you through the tiles into the middle of the room in front Jesus (Lk 5:18-19), go for it. After all, what are friends for? May Jesus see our faith and say, As for you, your sins are forgiven ... rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home (Lk 5:20, 24).

Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; Then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.

(Is 35:4-5)

SAINT NICHOLAS,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: These beautiful red berries, says contributor d, are the berries "of those jelly candies that come in a small round container. They taste like a gummy bear." Could they be the ones that make the famous German Haribo Gummy Berries? Yummy. 

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Saints: Saint Herbert (d. 687); Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)

Readings of the Day

RB: Prologue 33-38

Mass: is 35:4-7a; Resp Ps 146; Jm 2:1-5; Mk 7:31-37

Praise the Lord, my soul!

HE MAKES THE DEAF HEAR AND THE MUTE SPEAK.

(Mk 7:37)

I have been thinking about Mary of Magdala this morning, when she went to Jesus' tomb, on the first day of the week, early in the morning while it was still dark. You know the scene found in John 20:11-18. Mary was distressed, weeping about finding the tomb empty. She feared that others had taken her Lord, and she did not know where they laid him. When she first turned around and saw Jesus, she did not recognize him. It wasn't until Jesus called Mary's name, "Mary!", that she recognized her Lord. Mary heard and Mary listened, then she spoke, "Rabbouni," which means Teacher. Then Mary could announce to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord" (Jn 20:18). 

Maybe there are others to join me in joining Mary of Magdala. We too find that our eyes are closed. We find our hearts closed due to fear, grief, bitterness, resentment, disappointments, and so on. So burdened we can't hear or listen either. However, Say to those whose hearts are frightened, says the Lord through the mouth of the Prophet Isaiah, Be strong, fear not! Here is your God ... He comes to save you (Is 35:4). The eyes of the blind will be open, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will speak (Is 35:5-6). Ephphatha!, Jesus says to the deaf man who had a speech impediment, in today's Gospel. That is, Be opened! (Mk 7:34). May we, with the man, have our ears opened and all speech impediments removed (Mk 7:35). 

We need to practice the art of listening, which is more than simply hearing. Listening, in communication, is an openness of heart which makes possible that closeness without which genuine spiritual encounter cannot occur. Listening helps us to find the right gesture and word which shows that we are more than simply bystanders. Only through such respectful and compassionate listening can we enter on the paths of true growth and awaken a yearning for the Christian ideal: the desire to respond fully to God's love and to bring to fruition what he has sown in our lives.

(Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium The Joy of the Gospel, 171)

And we pray with Pope Francis as in today's Angelus Address: May the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was open to the Word which became flesh in her, help us every day to listen to her Son in the Gospel and to our brothers and sisters with a docile heart, with a patient heart, and with an attentive heart. 

MARY KEPT ALL THESE THINGS, REFLECTING ON THEM IN HER HEART.

(Lk 2:19)

SAINT HERBERT,

SAINT MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: As I was writing, this glorious photo came through, from d and J in West Linn, OR, at Luscher Farms, a community garden also in West Linn. 

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

Our Lady of Lourdes

World Day of the Sick

Other saints: Saint Evagrius Ponticus (345-99); Saint Soteris, Martyr (304); Saint Caedmon (680); Pope Saint Gregory II (c. 699); Pope Saint Paschal I (824)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 9 The Number of Psalms at the Night Office

Mass: Gn 2:18-25; Resp Ps 128; Mk 7:24-30

Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

OUR LADY OF LOURDES,

MARY, HEALTH OF THE SICK,

PRAY FOR US.

Jesus has been busy this week tending the sick. It started last Sunday with Simon's mother-in-law who lay sick with a fever. The Divine Physician continued curing many who were sick with various diseases and those possessed by demons (Mk 1:30-34). Then we find folks scurrying about bringing the sick to Jesus. People begged Jesus that they might touch only the tassel of his cloak; and many who touched it were healed (Mk 6:55-56). Next Jesus addresses defilement from within such as greed, envy, and arrogance (Mk 7:15, 21-23). Today, on this World Day of the Sick, Jesus cares for the daughter of the Syrophoenician woman, the daughter with an unclean spirit. Tomorrow we will hear about a deaf man (Mk 7:32), then the hungry are with the Lord; Jesus' heart is moved with pity (Mk 8:2). Indeed, this is what Jesus comes for as He says clearly: Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners (Mk 2:17). Go to Jesus today, and take others with you in prayer. Ask for healing. Beg to touch only the tassel on His cloak. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.

(James 5:13-15)

JESUS PREACHED THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM AND CURED EVERY DISEASE AMONG THE PEOPLE.

(Gospel versicle, Mass, February 8, 2021)

On the World Day of the Sick ... that those who are sick, especially the chronically ill, may know healing, friendship, and strength.

(Magnificat, Prayer of the Faithful, February 7, 2021)

JOSEPH, HOPE OF THE SICK,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: What do you think of this one? It was a pleasant surprise.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

In other years: Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 21 The Deans of the Monastery
Mass: Jr 31:7-9; Resp Ps 126; Heb 5:1-6

I will lead them to brooks of water, on a level road, so that none shall stumble.

Having our fill

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 48:10-21
Mass: 2 K 4:42-44; Resp Ps 145; Ep 4:1-6; Jn 6:1-15

Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted.

Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions (d. 1900)
Readings of the day: RB 31:13-19
Mass: Ho 2:16, 17c-18, 21-22; Resp Ps 145; Mt 9:18-26

'When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose.'

Thoughts go to the boys and their coach who have been trapped in the cave in Thailand and to the international operation team of Navy SEALs, cave divers, and other rescue workers on the scene. Thankfully, most of all those trapped have been rescued. What I think about is how officials have had to get journalists, curious onlookers, and others out of the way so the rescuers could go about their business. Navy SEALs are intense and serious about their business; it is best to get out their way. Like Jesus who arrives at the official’s house today and finds flute players and the crowd making a commotion. Jesus says: ‘Go away!’ Jesus has work to do; it is best to get out of His way too. ‘The Lord leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way’ (Ps 25:9).

'News of this spread throughout the land.'

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: RB 24 Different Degrees in Severity of Punishment

Mass: Ws 1:13-15; 2:23-24; Resp Ps 30; 2 Co 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mk 5:21-43

To those to whom Jesus gives health of body or soul he says: According to your faith it can be done to you. And: Your faith has made you well…Our faith, but only if it is not tepid or timorous but confident, a faith unfeigned, a hope unshaken.

(Guerric of Igny)

If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured. Thank you, dear unnamed woman, for your example of confidence, of faith unfeigned, a hope unshaken. What did you feel in your body when healed of your affliction? You answered the Word, approaching in fear and trembling. You fell down before Jesus who looked around to see you. You told Him the whole truth. Please help us to be so bold. Son of the Living God, Divine Physician, increase our faith, heal us of our afflictions.

Daughter, your faith has saved you.

Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.

HEAR, O LORD, AND HAVE PITY ON ME;

O LORD BE MY HELPER.

YOU CHANGED MY MOURNING INTO DANCING;

O LORD, MY GOD, FOREVER WILL I GIVE YOU THANKS.

(Resp Ps 30)

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

AUGURI, PAPA FRANCESCO!

CONGRATULATIONS, POPE FRANCIS!

WE REJOICE WITH YOU IN CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS OF YOUR PAPACY

THANK YOU FOR WITNESSING TO THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL

Readings of the day: RB 35:1-11 Weekly Servers at Table and in the Kitchen

Mass: Ezk 47:1-9, 12; Resp Ps 46; Jn 5:1-16

Do you want to be well?

Jesus’ question is fitting wherever you find yourself today. In whatever physical, emotional, or spiritual state you are experiencing, Jesus is there with you. Listen to HIM: 

‘Rise, take up your mat, and walk.’

Living the encounter with Jesus means allowing yourself

to be turned inside out by Grace every day.

(Pope Francis, Twitter, March 13, 2018)

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: WORLD DAY OF THE SICK

In other years: Our Lady of Lourdes

Readings of the day: RB 9 The Number of Psalms at the Night Office

Mass: Lv 13:1-2, 44-46; Resp. Psalm 32; 1 Co 10:31-11:1; Mark 1:40-45

Mother Teresa ministering to the sick

Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets;

I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.

(Mt 5:17).

Jesus spoke the words above shortly after teaching the Beatitudes to the gathered crowds: ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.’ We see his words manifest in our readings from Leviticus and the Gospel of Mark. First, we are presented with the man with a leprous disease on the skin of his body. The law is followed: the man must be brought to Aaron or to one of the priests and be declared unclean. Unclean, the man shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head be disheveled, cover his upper lip while crying out, ‘Unclean, unclean.’ As long as the disease is present, the man is outcast, made to live alone in a dwelling outside the camp.

Second, we are presented with a leper who comes to Jesus—the leper kneels down and begs Jesus: ‘If you wish, you can make me clean.’ In the words of Hans Urs von Balthasar: ‘Jesus permits the leper to approach and then does the unthinkable for a Jew: he touches him.’ Moved with pity, Jesus stretches out his hand and touches the man: ‘I will do it. Be made clean.’ What about the law? Jesus follows it. The disease-free man is told to say nothing to anyone; to show himself to the priest, and offer for his cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.

There is progression in these accounts. Jesus’ post-Beatitude line bears repeating: ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.’ Enter the law of LOVE. Jesus fulfills the law with LOVE—LOVE that touches, heals, comforts—accepting each one of us in whatever condition the Lord find us. LOVE does not cast out; LOVE does the unthinkable. LOVE embraces. LOVE is not about moral rectitude that forsakes those we find undesirable. Jesus tells us that our righteousness should exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. Otherwise, we will not enter the kingdom of heaven (see Mt 5:20). Jesus calls the sick—the leprous, the sinner—all in need of affection and acceptance no matter their physical or emotional state.  LOVE touches the untouchable, embraces those made to dwell apart; even those with a swelling or an eruption or a spot on the skin of their body. LOVE calls us to extend mercy and love to the sick in mind and body. The touch of LOVE makes us clean.

May the sick always be shown love in their fragility and

in their inviolable dignity.

(Pope Francis, Twitter, Feb. 22, 2018)

Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: RB 7:62-70

Mass: 1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19; Resp. Psalm 81; Mark 7:31-37

Sr Veronique on her daily walk

Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one;

but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it.

Here we have the people’s reaction to Jesus opening the ears and releasing the tongue of a deaf man with a speech impediment. With the touch of the Lord’s fingers and the spittle from his tongue, the man spoke plainly. How could the people not be astounded beyond measure exclaiming: ‘He has done everything well; He even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak!’ Still, Jesus has worked to do. He will undergo great suffering, be rejected, killed, and rise again. If we want to be Jesus’ disciples, we must follow him with our own suffering, with our own crosses—daily aches and pains, physical and emotional infirmities, irritations, and moods. At the same time, though, we reflect on the Mirabilia Dei, the marvelous things God has done for us and through us. Herein lies the paradox of our faith. With Jesus, we have work to do. Together, let us sing God’s praises.

O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name,

make known his deeds among the peoples.

Sing to him, sing praise to him;

tell of all his wonderful works.

Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Seek the Lord and his strength;

seek his presence continually.

Remember the wonderful works he has done,

his miracles, and the judgments he uttered.

(Psalm 105:1-5)

Christians are called to keep alive the memory of how much God has done through them.

(Pope Francis, Twitter, Feb. 9, 2018)

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: RB 7:51-54

Mass: Job 7:1-4, 6-7; Resp. Psalm 147; 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23; Mark 1:29-39

Sr Godelieve on her daily walk

From an early age I developed an affinity for ‘older’ people. This may be due to being the youngest in a large family; one constantly exposed to ‘older than I’ people—the environment in which I grew up; an experience for which I am grateful. Our neighborhood, too, was abuzz with small people and big people in the mix. ‘Older’ people were constantly coming and going in our house, including friends of my parents (most of whom would be in their 90s by now). I was always in their midst and learned how to respect my parents’ friends; how to ‘behave’ (not sure I was so successful at this) in their presence and address them appropriately. When I think of these women and men, I still call them Mr and Mrs so and so. I still recall by name all the women in my mom’s Bridge Club! As a result, I have never really thought of these people as ‘old’ per se. They are simply men and women whom I came to love. In fact, to this day, when I return to my hometown to visit my sibs, I stay with the parents of a sister-in-law. I’ve known them forever it seems—they are always happy to see me. I like to hang out with them so to speak, and they humor me by letting me mow the lawn, or go out to “Pete’s” with their friends on Friday night. They are dear—I love them. 

When I entered the monastery 18 years ago, I was immediately drawn to the older sisters. As I look back, my best friends in community have always been the elders. Adding to my affinity for the elders was a special reverence for the infirmed. Immediately after I made my First Monastic Profession, the Prioress told to go the Infirmary to receive a blessing from the sisters there. It became customary for me, then, upon returning from a trip to make the Infirmary my first stop. What a gift for me to be welcomed by ‘my people’ as I like to call them. Hanging out in the infirmary became a favorite pastime. This was even extended to the Nursing Center next to the monastery. Being with the folks on ‘Memory Lane’ is something I sorely miss.

Now I am gifted with the opportunity to wake the eldest in our community from her nightly slumber. She happens to be 94 years old—sharp in mind, a lifelong learner, a delight. She goes with and eggs on my playfulness upon first waking. More often than not, we are giggling sooner rather than later. It may be her speaking in French, or telling me about her dream, or my customary, ‘How did you sleep?’.

This brings me to today’s Gospel account of Jesus loving the infirmed. Jesus was a young man with an obvious affinity for the infirmed, many of whom were likely older than he. He touched them, laughed with them, loved them unconditionally. The infirmed are His people. Jesus sees these people not as untouchables, or those to ‘put up with’, or scream at because they ‘can’t remember’ or ‘can’t hear’. Jesus sees them as sheep without a shepherd; sheep who crave love and affection. Come to think of it, we are those sheep who crave love. All of us. I am reminded of words from Pope Benedict XVI, already included in the post of December 9, 2017: ‘Seeing with the eyes of Christ, I can give to others much more than their outward necessities; I can give them the look of love which they crave’ (Encyclical Letter Deus Caritas Est, 18). The people gathered at the door of Jesus; they pursued Him wherever He went; His people found Him! We may or may not find ourselves with physical infirmities such as fevers, aches and pains, lameness, terminal illness, leprosy, or the like. What all of us find ourselves with are spiritual and emotional infirmities such as depression, isolation, neglect, loneliness—all wounds of one kind or the other. What is important to remember, no matter our condition, is: We are ‘Jesus’ kind of people—young and old alike. He waits to embrace us; grasp our hand; help us up; give us the look of love we crave; heal our wounds, Indeed, ‘Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases.’ ALLELUIA.

Jesus wants us to be found by those who look for Him.

But to look for Him we have to get up and go out.

(Pope Francis, Tweet, February 4, 2018)

Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: RB 7:31-33

Mass: 2 Samuel 18: 9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30-19:3; Resp. Psalm 86; Mark 5:21-43

If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.

I think about the woman who had been suffering with hemorrhages for twelve years. The NRSV paints a bleak picture: ‘She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather worse’ (Mk 5:26).  Our nameless friend, a woman spent in mind and body. What would you do if in her position? Thankfully, I’ve never been there. Would my faith be as strong. Hearing about Jesus was enough for her. She simply, albeit courageously, goes to Jesus and touches his cloak—a mere brush of the Master’s garment. Immediately, the hemorrhage stopped. She felt in her body that she was healed. 

In the body, I repeat, and through the body,

[Jesus] performed wonderful deeds with an authority that was obvious.

He proclaimed the message of salvation and endured outrage, thus clearly demonstrating that he it was whose invisible power created the world, 

whose wisdom governed it, and whose benevolence protected it.

(Bernard of Clairvaux, Song of Songs, Sermon 6, 3)

YOUR FAITH HAS MADE YOU WELL.