Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

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

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 72 The Good Zeal of Monks

Mass: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Resp Ps 96; Lk 2:36-40

Give to the Lord glory and praise.

JESUS, OUR WAY AND OUR LIFE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

In today's first reading, from the First Letter of Saint John, John writes: "Do not love the world or the things of the world" (1 Jn 2:15). Saint Benedict echoes the same in the Holy Rule. In Chapter 2, "Qualities of the Abbot," Benedict counsels the leader of the monastic community that he "must not show too great concern for the fleeting and temporal things of this world" (RB 2:33). And a Tool for Good Works for the entire community to use, day in and day out, is to make their way of acting different from the world's way (RB 4:20). What are some ways, then, that all the faithful can abide by these teachings? We can look again to Saint Benedict, today presented in a most beautiful chapter, Chapter 72, "The Good Zeal of Monks." On this penultimate day of 2021, we read about good zeal for the third and final time this year. May we then, along with the Abbot, not neglect or treat lightly the welfare of anyone entrusted to us (RB 2:33) and remember at all times that the love of Christ must come before all else (RB 4:21). Yet the world and its enticements are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever (1 Jn 2:17)

CHAPTER 72. The Good Zeal of Monks

Just as there is a wicked zeal of bitterness which separates from God and leads to hell, so there is a good zeal which separates from evil and leads to God and everlasting life. This, then, is the good zeal which monks must foster with fervent love: They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other, supporting with greatest patience one another's weaknesses of body or behavior, and earnestly competing in obedience to one another. No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else. To their fellow monks they show the pure love of brothers; to God, loving fear; to their abbot, unfeigned and humble love. Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he bring us all together to everlasting life.

SAINT JOHN,

SAINT BENEDICT,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Berries with snow, from d in West Linn, OR. Very nice. 

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Thursday of the Third Week of Easter

Readings of the day: RB 63:10-19

Mass: Ac 8:26-40; Resp Ps 66; Jn 6:44-51

CHIRST DIED FOR ALL, THAT THOSE WHO LIVE MAY LIVE NOT LONGER FOR THEMSELVES, BUT FOR HIM, WHO DIED FOR THEM AND IS RISEN, ALLELUIA.

(Communion Antiphon, Mass)

This is the second of two days reading St Benedict’s Chapter 63, Community Rank. It is worth noting some of the wisdom contained therein. Rank, or order in a monastic community is based on three criteria: the date of the person’s entry to the monastery; the virtue of her life; and the decision of the abbess. In other words, one’s rank does not depend on level of education, net worth, age, career positions held, or even good looks! For example, if a person with a high school diploma enters the monastery at 1:00 P.M., and a person with a Ph.D. enters at 2 P.M., the former is senior to the latter. One might also leave her business cards behind as there won’t be much use for such things in the monastery. If a 30-year-old enters the monastery at 10:00 A.M., and a 55-year-old at 10:30 A.M., the latter is junior to the former, no matter the professional experience of the latter. St Benedict levels the playing field so to speak. When did you get here? Have you embraced and do you live a virtuous life? Are you loving, caring, compassionate, merciful, and humble…are you seeking God? This is your curriculum vitae so to speak. 

Then Benedict addresses the matters of respect and civility: the younger sisters must respect their seniors, and the seniors must love their juniors; whenever sisters meet, the junior asks her senior for a blessing. When an older sister comes by, the younger rises and offers her a seat, and does not presume to sit down unless the older bids her. In this way, they do what the words of Scripture say: They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other (Rm 12:10). (See RB 63:15-17)

Reflect on the beauty of St Benedict’s way of ordering things. How might Benedict’s way work in your place of employment, your organization or community? How might his way impact our encounters with one another? 

FOR ALL OF YOU WHO WERE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST HAVE CLOTHED YOURSELVES WITH CHRIST. THERE IS NEITHER JEW NOR GREEK, THERE IS NEITHER SLAVE NOR FREE PERSON, THERE IS NOT MALE AND FEMALE; FOR YOU ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS.

(Ga 3:27-28)

Mercy opens the door of the heart because

it makes us feel like we are all children of one Father.

(Pope Francis, Twitter, April 19, 2018)