Tuesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

Saint: Blessed Thomas Tzugi, a Jesuit Martyr of Japan (1571-1627)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Prologue 39-44

Mass: 1 Cor 6:1-11; Resp Ps 149; Lk 6:12-19

This is the glory of all the faithful.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

FORSAKEN MOTHER,

PRAY FOR US.

Everyone in the crowd sought to touch Him.

(Lk 6:19)

As it turns out, today's Gospel provides opportunity to pass along more wisdom from Saint Teresa of Calcutta. We reach out then and listen to Mother Teresa: "Put your hand in the hand of Jesus-walk along with Him all the way. We try to hold something else-we are human beings; that's why people need to hold, that's why we hold the hand of Jesus." Because power came from Him and healed them all.

Like a deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God; 

my soul is thirsting for God, the living God.

(Communion Antiphon, Mass)

What is not possible to us by nature, let us ask the Lord to supply by the help of His grace ...

we must run and do now what will profit us forever.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 41, 44)

BLESSED THOMAS TZUGI,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: The Otto Family welcomes you to the area near Mount Adams in southern Washington. Let the high praises of God be in their throats.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saints: Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop (283-371); Saint Peter Julian Eymard (1811-1868); Saint Peter Faber (1506-1546)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 51 Brothers on a Short Journey

Mass: Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22; Resp Ps 101; Mt 14:22-36 or Mt 15:1-2, 10-14

The Lord looked down from His holy height.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

You shall be my people, and I will be your God.

(Jer 30:22)

In one of today's Gospel scenes, Jesus and His disciples arrive at Gennesaret. The men of that place recognize Jesus and essentially alert the media. With the news, people bring to Jesus all those who were sick, and they begged Him that they might touch only the tassel on His cloak. As many as touched it were healed (Mt 14:34-36). Today may be a good day to pay closer attention and recognize Jesus in our midst. He is present in myriad ways. We can touch the tassel on His cloak and be healed. We go forth, united in faith and prayer, with wisdom from the beloved Persian poet Hafiz (c. 1320-1389), who may help us to recognize Jesus in our midst.

Where is the Door to the Tavern?

Where is the door to God?

In the sound of a barking dog,

In the ring of a hammer,

In a drop of rain,

In the face of

Everyone

I see.

Dear beloved, I rejoice in your faith, in the salvation that comes from faith, in your good works, which are not confined to your own surroundings but spread far and wide ...

So I beg you to keep the faith with all vigilance, to preserve harmony, to be earnest in prayer, to remember me always, so that the Lord may grant freedom to His Church which is suffering throughout the world, and that I may be set free form the sufferings that weigh upon me, and so be able to rejoice with you.

(From a letter by Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop, in Office of Readings, August 2)

SAINT EUSEBIUS OF VERCELLI,

SAINT PETER JULIAN EYMARD,

SAINT PETER FABER,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Another view from last Saturday's "Beauty of the Lost Coast: Layers of History" hike. Look at the sea, great and wide.

© 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

The Healing Hand of God

Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Saint Apollinaris (martyr 1st or 2nd century)

Readings of the Day:
RB: Ch 41 The Times for Community Meals
Mass: Is 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8; Resp Ps (Is 38); Mt 12:1-8

Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord:

'O Lord, remember how faithfully and wholeheartedly I conducted myself in your presence, doing what was pleasing to you.'