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

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent

The Month of March Devoted to Saint Joseph

Saint: Saint Tiribius of Mongrovejo (1538-1606)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 43:13-19 Tardiness at the Work of God or at Table

Mass: Ex 32:7-14; Resp Ps 106; Jn 5:31-47

They forgot the God who had saved them.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

SAINT JOSEPH, HOPE OF THE SICK,

PRAY FOR US.

How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?

(Jn 5:44)

With the reading from the Book of Exodus, I always think of one my favorite movies of all time, Cecille B. Demille's The Ten Commandments, with Charleston Heston. I used to watch it annually. Do you remember the molten calf? Moses comes down from the mountain and hears cries of revelry with the people dancing about, busy making a golden calf with all their gold jewelry (see Exodus 32). It's a great scene even with Moses's wrath flaring up when he saw what was going on. At the same time, I am reminded that I, "we", all of us, can get off course, become depraved and stiff-necked, and turn to anything but the only God for hope. United in faith and prayer, let's not go there. "God's plans will not be defeated for those who believe." 

Place your hope in God alone. If you notice something good in yourself, give credit to God, and not to yourself, but be certain that the evil you commit is always your own and yours to acknowledge.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:41-43)

As we continue in our March devoted to Saint Joseph, who certainly did not get off course, we ask the guardian of the Redeemer to guard and guide us on our journey.

Devotion to Saint Joseph is one of the choicest graces that God can give to a soul ... When God wishes to raise a soul to greater heights, He unites it to Saint Joseph by giving it a strong love for the good saint.

(Saint Peter Julian Eymard, 1811-1868)

SAINT TIRIBIUS OF MONGROVEJO,

SAINT PETER JULIAN EYMARD,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Things are coming along. Wondrous deeds in the land of Ham.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

The Month of February Dedicated to the Holy Family

Saint: Saint Mel (d. 488); Saint Richard (8th century); Pope Blessed Pius IX (1792-1878)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:59 Humility

Mass: Gn 1:20-2:4a; Resp Ps 8; Mk 7:1-13  

Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH, SON, MOTHER, AND HEAD OF HOLY FAMILY,

PRAY FOR US.

Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work He had been doing, He rested on the seventh day from the all the work He had undertaken.

(Gn 2:2)

Take a look around and see. It is no wonder God rested on the seventh day; He must have been tired. 

For the beauty of the earth

For the glory of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,

This our hymn of grateful praise.

About the saints we commemorate today, Saint Mel, Saint Richard, and Blessed Pope Pius IX. It is said that Saint Mel or Moel was a Briton who came to Ireland with his uncle, Saint Patrick, with whom he worked until he was ordained. Saint Mel is one of the earliest Irish saints and gave the religious veil to Saint Brigid. Saint Richard was the father of three saints, Saints Willibald, Winnebald, and Walburga. Saint Richard has been called "King of the English". And among other things, Pope Blessed Pius IX convoked the First Vatican Council in 1868.*

SAINT MEL,

SAINT RICHARD,

POPE BLESSED PIUS IX,

SS. WILLEBALD, WINNEBALD, AND WALBURGA,

SAINT PATRICK,

SAINT BRIGID,

PRAY FOR US.

*See Universalis, "About Today," Catholic News Agency "St. Richard," and Vatican News, "Saint of the Day."

Today's photo: Welcome to the Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, South America. Faithful reader, Catherine, and her husband just returned from a few weeks in Chile. About the National Park and the beauty of the place, Catherine commented, "Can never get enough. Completely over the top - what our Creater has made!!!" God looked at everything He made, and He found it very good.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Monday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time

The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saint: Saint John Kemble (1599-1679)

Readings of the Day

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

Mass: 2 Titus 1:1-5, 11-12; Resp Ps 96; Mt 23:13-22

Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.

MARY, MOTHER AND QUEEN,

HEART OF MARY, THRONE OF GLORY, 

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF ANGELS,

PRAY FOR US.

Blessed are you who have believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord will be fulfilled.

(Communion Antiphon, Mass)

Welcome to Monday and the Queenship of Mary. All day, and all week, let us turn to Mary, Queen of heaven and earth, for help. She will take us to the heart of her Son, Jesus Christ.

From the earliest ages of the Catholic church a Christian people, whether in time of triumph or more especially in time of crisis, has addressed prayers of petitions and hymns of praise and veneration to the Queen of Heaven. And never has that hope wavered which they placed in the Mother of the Divine King, Jesus Christ; nor has that faith ever failed by which we are taught that Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, reigns with a mother's solicitude over the entire world, just as she is crowned with heavenly blessedness with the glory of a Queen ...

Let all Christians, therefore, glory in being subjects of the Virgin Mother of God, who, while wielding royal power, is on fire with a mother's love.

(Pope Pius XII, Ad Caeli Reginam, Encyclical on Proclaiming the Queenship of Mary, October 11, 1954)

BEHOLD, I AM THE HANDMAID OF THE LORD.

She is loved

and praised

and honored by all.

For men and for angels,

she is

-after God-

the first [object of] love

and praise

and honor.

The whole church of the saints

proclaims her praises:

The daughters of Sion saw her

and declared her highly blessed;

the queens of concubines praised her.

Nor does she herself pass over in silence this grace of

 such great favor:

All generations, she says,

will call me blessed.

(Baldwin of Forde, 1125-1190, in Mary Most Holy: Meditating with the Early Cistercians, p. 354)

SAINT JOHN KEMBLE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: For our Lady, Mother and Queen. Sing to the Lord a new song.

 

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

In other years: Pope Saint Sixtus II and his companions (-258); Saint Cajetan (1480-1547); Blessed Nicholas Postgate (1598-1679); Saint Albert Trapani (c.1240-1307)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 55:1-14 The Clothing and Footwear of the Brothers

Mass: Wisdom 18:6-9; Resp Ps 33; Heb 11:1-2, 8-19; Lk 12:32-48

Our soul waits for the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

HEART OF MARY, UNITED TO THE HEART OF JESUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Arise, O God, and defend your cause, and forget not the cries of those who seek You.

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass, in part)

In today's Gospel, the Lord answers Peter's question with a question of His own: Who then is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? (Lk 12:42). It may be that a faithful and prudent steward is, among other things, someone who pays attention. Someone who, as we sing praise at the end of a psalm, pays attention and gives Praise to the God who is, praise to the God who was, praise to the God who is to come, for ages unending. Amen. So many things pass by without us noticing. Or rather, pass by without me noticing. For example, the beauty of God's creation that surrounds us at every moment. It just so happens that I was paying attention late yesterday afternoon when I went looking for a flower to use with today's reflection. And you can see what I found instead. Stay awake and be ready! For you do not know on what day the Lord will come (Gospel acclamation, Mass). Mary Oliver puts it this way:

Messenger,

by Mary Oliver (1935-2019)

My work is loving the world.

Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird-

    equal seekers of sweetness.

Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums.

Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.

Are my boots old? Is my coat torn?

Am I no longer young, and still not half-perfect? Let me

    keep my mind on what matters.,

which is my work,

which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished. 

The phoebe, the delphinium.

The sheep in the pasture, and the pasture.

Which is mostly rejoicing, since all the ingredients are here,

which is gratitude, to be given a mind and a heart

    and these body-clothes,

a mouth with which to give shouts of joy

    to the moth and the wren, to the sleepy dug-up clam,

telling them all, over and over, how it is

    that we live forever.

It is entirely up to you. If you want Christ to love you and help you, you must love Him and always make an effort to please Him. Do not waver in your purpose, because even if all the saints and every single creature should abandon you, He will always be near you, whatever your needs.

(From a letter by Saint Cajetan, priest, in Office of Readings, August 7)    

POPE SAINT SIXTUS II AND HIS COMPANIONS,

SAINT CAJETAN,

BLESSED NICHOLAS POSTGATE,

SAINT ALBERT TRAPANI,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: See text above. 😊 May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saint: Saint Alphonsus Mary de'Liguori, Bishop, Doctor of the Church, Patron of Confessors and Moralists (1696-1787)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 50 Brothers Working at a Distance or Traveling

Mass: Jeremiah 28:1-17; Resp Ps 118; Mt 14:13-21

I ponder your will.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

You are the light of the world ... 

your light must shine in the sight of all, so that, seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven.

(Mt 5:14, 16)

Welcome to Monday and the first day of August 2022. The summer marches on. 

To commemorate our saint of the day, Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Patron of Confessors and Moralists, and to pray for all Redemptorists, confessors and moral theologians, we go forth with the following prayer from Pope Saint John Paul II in his Encyclical Letter on the Church's Moral Teaching Veritatis Splendor:

O Mary,

Mother of Mercy,

watch over all people,

that the Cross of Christ

may not be emptied of its power,

that man may not stray

from the path of good

or become blind to sin,

but may put his hope ever more fully in God

who is "rich in mercy".

May he carry out the good works prepared

by God beforehand 

and so live completely

"for the praise of His glory".

SAINT ALPHONSUS MARY LIGUORI,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Feeling a bit sluggish? Be inspired by this banana slug going full speed ahead.  

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

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

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 54 Letters or Gifts for Monks

Mass: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Resp Ps (Dn 3); Jn 8:31-42

Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

My deliverer from angry nations, you set me above my assailants; you saved me from the violent man, O Lord.

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass)

We have others, along with Susanna from Monday, put to the test in another one of my favorite readings that comes to us at today's Mass, namely, the account of Shedrach, Meschach, and Abednego, who were cast into the white-hot furnace because they would not serve the god, or the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And it happens that I have in front of me a favorite picture postcard from the Catacombs of Priscilla in Rome. It's of a fresco of the three young men in the furnace "unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire" (Dn 3:92). I turn to the many verses left out from today's reading from time to time and today is a good day to join the young men in the furnace, who "walked about in the flames, singing to God and blessing the Lord (Dn 3:24). It was Azariah (Abednego), who "stood up and prayed aloud" ( Dn 3:25), Blessed are you and praiseworthy, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and glorious forever is your name ... (Dn 3:26-45). When the furnace, then, continued to be stoked by the king's men, the angel of the Lord (also in my picture postcard) went down into the furnace and drove out the fiery flames (Dn 3:49). Then all three young men "with one voice sang, glorifying and blessing God" (Dn 3:51): Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever ... Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever ... (Dn 3:52-90). No matter how hot the flames become today, may they be tamed with our praise of the Lord. One never knows what may happen. Hearts may turn from hearts of stone, to natural hearts of flesh (Ezk 36:26), including our own.

Yet is was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured ...

Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth ...

(Is 53:4,7)

Today's photo: It's been since last spring that I've had a look at something like this in Eureka. Let the earth bless the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all forever. 

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

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

Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saint: Blessed Alvarez of Cordoba OP (-1430) 

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 16 The Celebration of the Divine Office During the Day

Mass: James 3:1-10; Resp Ps 12; Mk 9:2-13

You will protect us, Lord.

MARY, VIRGIN MOST POWERFUL,

PRAY FOR US.

It is no wonder that Saint Benedict has the subject of Restraint of Speech in Chapter 6 of the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict. What he has to say could well serve as a response to Saint James in our first reading at Mass, There, Saint James warns of the deadly poison that the tongue can be, for "no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing" (Jm 3:8-10). In his chapter on Restraint of Speech, St Benedict, among other things, reminds us of the Prophet's counsel: I said, I have resolved to keep watch over my ways that I may never sin with my tongue, I have put a guard over my mouth (RB 6:1), and refers to the Book of Proverbs, "as it is written: In a flood of words you will not avoid sin; and elsewhere, The tongue holds the key to life and death (RB 6:4-5). As we reflect on this wisdom, we put into practice what we hear from Saint Benedict, immersed as we are in the chapters on the liturgical code. Here, our holy father Benedict quotes the Psalmist: Seven times a day have I praised you (RB 16:1) ... and, let us arise at night to give Him praise (RB 16:1, 5).

Amid all the ranks of saints, the first place for humility, purity, and tender love is held by the blessed Virgin, the mother of Jesus, And in the same way she shines out gloriously above all God's lovers, for the greatness of her charity.

(John of Forde, 1140-1244)

BLESSED ALVAREZ OF CORDOBA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Welcome back to Biarritz, France. Moni knows her way around a camera. Praise and exalt Him above all forever.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Readings of the day: RB 1:1-5 The Kinds of Monks

Mass: Ac 17:15, 22-18:1; Resp Ps 148; Jn 16:12-15

 

Sculpture by Mardi Rees http://www.mardierees.com/work/#/terracotta-studies/

HEAVEN AND EARTH ARE FULL OF YOUR GLORY.

(Resp Ps 148)

Paul’s speech at the Aeropagus contains some of the most moving words in Scripture:

The God who made the whole world and all that is in it, the Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands because he needs anything. Rather it is he who gives to everyone life and breath and everything. He made from one the whole human race to dwell on the entire surface of the earth, and he fixed the ordered seasons and the boundaries of their regions, so that people might seek God, even perhaps grope for him, though indeed he is not far from any one of us.

For ‘In him we live and move and have our being.’

The living and true God gives to me, to you, to each one of us life and breath and everything! Say to God: ‘How awesome are your deeds!’

Praise the Lord from the heavens;

praise him in the heights.

Praise him all you angels;

praise him, all you hosts.

Praise the name of the Lord,

for his name alone is exalted;

His majesty is above earth and heaven.

God is always present, in front of us, waiting for us. When we arrive, He’s there.

When we look for Him, He has already been looking for us.

He is always in front of us, waiting to receive us in His heart, in His love.

(Pope Francis, homily, Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 27, 2014)

Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter

Readings of the day: RB 63:1-9 Community Order

Mass: Ac 8:1b-8; Resp Ps 66; Jn 6:35-40

LET MY MOUTH BE FILLED WITH YOUR PRAISE, THAT I MAY SING ALOUD;

MY LIPS SHALL SHOUT FOR JOY, WHEN I SING TO YOU, ALLELUIA.

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass)

There is intensity in today’s scene from the Acts of the Apostles: severe persecution of the Church in Jerusalem; believers scattered throughout the countryside, except the Apostles; the devout bury the martyr Stephen—meanwhile Saul forcefully tries to destroy the Church.

Undaunted, the scattered go about preaching the word; Philip heads for Samaria and proclaims the Christ; the crowds hear and see signs; they pay attention; unclean spirits cry out in a loud voice; they come out of the possessed; the paralyzed and crippled are cured—there was great joy in the city!

LET ALL THE EARTH CRY OUT TO GOD WITH JOY!

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,

sing praise to his glorious name;

proclaim his glorious praise.

Say to God, ‘How tremendous are your deeds!’

(Resp Ps 66)

‘REJOICE AND BE GLAD’ (Mt 5:12),

Jesus tells those persecuted or humiliated for his sake.

The Lord asks everything of us,

and in return he offers us true life, the happiness for which we were created.

He wants us to be saints and not settle for a bland and mediocre existence.

(Gaudete et Exsultate, 1)

Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter

Readings of the day: RB 62 The Priests of the Monastery

Mass: Ac 7:51-8:1a; Resp Ps 31; Jn 6:30-35

SING PRAISE TO OUR GOD, ALL YOU WHO FEAR GOD,

BOTH SMALL AND GREAT, FOR NOW SALVATION AND STRENGTH HAVE COME, AND THE POWER OF HIS CHRIST, ALLELUIA.

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass)

Sing to the Lord a new song, and you wish to know what praises to sing. The answer is: His praise is in the assembly of the saints; it is in the singers themselves. If you desire to praise him, then live what you express. Live good lives, and you yourselves will be his praise.

(St Augustine)

BE GOD’S PRAISE TODAY!

😊

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)

Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Marianne Cope (d. 1918 after serving lepers in Hawaii for over 30 years)

Saint Vincent, Deacon, Martyr (c. 304)

Readings of the day: RB 5:14-19

Mass: 2 Samuel 6:12b-15; Resp. Psalm 24; Mark 3:31-35

David danced before the Lord with all his might.

The verse above is yet another one of my favorites. When I read it last night, I burst out with the song. ‘The King of Glory’, noted as a traditional Israeli folk song in Breaking Bread (OCP, 2017, #725). How can one not rise from her seat, sing with the psalmist, snap her fingers and dance with all her might: ‘

So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting,

and with sound of trumpet.

Think of David and all the house of Israel—shouting, dancing, with the sound of the trumpet, swaying arms and songs of praise to God!

Lift up your heads, O gates!

and be lifted up, O ancient doors!

that the King of glory may come in.

It is true that if we try this in the local parish, folks might not take too kindly to our behavior (see Michal’s reaction in 2 S 6:16). Still, we might ask ourselves how we respond to the Lord’s presence, in the people with whom we live and work, in the beauty of creation, in the smile of a child, or the tender and gentle touch of one who cares, in the Eucharist.

David then distributed among all the people,

to each man and woman in the entire multitude of Israel,

a loaf of bread, a cut of roast meat, and a raisin cake.

Something to consider in any event.

Then all the people departed, each to his house.