Saint Scholastica (c. 480-547)

Readings of the day: RB 8 The Divine Office at Night

Mass: 1 Kings 12:26-32; 13:33-34; Resp. Psalm 106; Mark 8:1-10

St Scholastica with St Benedict

Today we celebrate St Scholastica, the twin sister of St Benedict of Nursia (c. 480-547). Together, they are known as the ‘holy twins’. What we know about Scholastica is contained in Book Two of the Dialogues of St Gregory the Great, Life and Miracles of St Benedict. In Ch. 33 of the Dialogues, Pope St Gregory writes about Scholastica, who was consecrated to God in early childhood and who used to visit with her brother once a year. It was in the meeting detailed by St Gregory that Scholastica’s prayer was even mightier than her brother’s. After the siblings had already ‘spent the whole day singing God’s praises and conversing about the spiritual life’, Scholastica asked her brother to stay the night so they could continue their holy conversation. Adamant about returning to his own monastery, Benedict refused. Even though the sky was clear, Scholastica ‘folded her hands on the table and rested her head upon them in earnest prayer.’ Just then a torrential downpour began and Benedict was unable to leave. Asking his sister what on earth she had done, Scholastica replied, ‘When I appealed to you, you would not listen to me. So I turned to my God and He heard my prayer.’ God answering Scholastica’s prayer is not surprising to St Gregory who remarks, ‘Do we not read in St John that God is Love? Surely it is not more than right that [Scholastica’s] influence was greater than [Benedict’s], since hers was the greater love.’ Because of the love that Scholastica had for her brother, she and Benedict profited greatly from continuing their spiritual discussion all through the night. Ch. 34 continues with three days after their visit when Benedict ‘stood in his room looking up toward the sky…beheld his sister’s soul leaving her body and entering the heavenly court in the form of a dove.’ Benedict subsequently had his sister’s body brought to his abbey [Monte Cassino in Italy] and placed in the tomb which had already been prepared for him.

When recalling this story, one saying comes to mind, ‘Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.’ So important when we are talking about building and maintaining our relationships with those we love. It may be that we are unable to be near our loved ones, or at least close enough to visit regularly. We can still call, write a letter, and most importantly, pray for him or her. The same holds for maintaining and strengthening our relationship with Jesus. Pray. Today may be a good day to spend a little extra time visiting with Jesus.

The Lord is present in our lives showing us all His love and

encouraging us to respond with generosity.

(Pope Francis, Twitter, Feb. 10, 2018)

Second Sunday of Advent

Readings of the day: RB 57

Mass: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Resp. Psalm 85; 2 Peter 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8

John the Baptist - Chartres Cathedral

Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:

all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

ALLELUIA.

Welcome to the Second Week of Advent!

NB. Musings abound this glorious day…proceed at your own risk.

 A

The season of Advent is meant to rouse us from slumber—still a bit groggy? If so, heed the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths!’ This is the Baptist proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. We might also heed the words of St Benedict, who, early in the Rule, pronounces: ‘Let us get up, at long last, for the Scriptures rouse us when they say: It is high time for us to arise from sleep (Rom 13:11). Let us open our eyes to the light that comes from God, and our ears to the voice from heaven that every day calls out this charge: If you hear his voice today, do not harden your hearts’ (Ps 94[95]:8). (RB Prol. 8-10).

Sleep still in your eyes? Why not break out song:

Wake, O wake, and sleep no longer,

For he who calls you is no stranger;

Awake God’s own Jerusalem!

Here the midnight bells are chiming

The signal for his royal coming:

Let voice to voice announce his name!

If we’re not quite there yet, herewith with wisdom from Alfred Delp (1907-1945, German, Jesuit priest, philosopher, hanged for high treason): ‘Humans must let go of all their mistaken dreams, their conceited poses and arrogant gestures, all the pretenses with which they hope to deceive themselves and others. If they fail to do this stark reality may take hold of them and rouse them forcibly in a way that will entail both anxiety and suffering…Life only begins when the whole framework is shaken’ (Prison Writings).

Dear friends, the Lord is patient. Through him, with him, and in him mercy abounds. He does not want us to perish; rather, our Lord wishes us to come to repentance. The living and true God gives comfort, comfort to his people. Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.

Zion hears the sound of singing;

Our hearts are thrilled with sudden longing:

She stirs, and wakes and stands prepared.

Christ, her friend, and lord, and lover,

Her star and sun and strong redeemer—At last his mighty voice is heard.

BE EAGER TO BE FOUND WITHOUT SPOT OR BLEMISH BEFORE HIM,

AT PEACE. 

MARANATHA.