Friday of the Third Week of Advent

The Month of December Dedicated to Advent and the Coming of Christ

Saint: Blessed Mary of the Angels (1661-1717); Saint David, King and Prophet (1040 BC-940 BC); Saint Adelaide, Empress (931-999)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 61:6-14 The Reception of Visiting Monks

Mass: Is 56:1-3a, 6-8; Resp Ps 67; Jn 5:33-36

The earth has yielded its fruits.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, 

my justice about to be revealed.

(Is 56:1)

One way to observe what is right and do what is just, as the Prophet Isaiah prophesies the word of the Lord in today's first reading, is to keep the sabbath free from profanation. And one way to do that is to pray without ceasing (1 Th 5:17), as Saint Paul writes. And what might that mean? We turn to Saint Augustine.

Pray without ceasing. Are we then ceaselessly to bend our knees, to lie prostrate, or to lift up our hands? Is this what is meant in saying: Pray without ceasing? Even if we admit we pray in this fashion, I do not believe that we can do so all the same.

Yet there is another, interior kind of prayer without ceasing, namely, the desire of the heart. Whatever else you may be doing, if you but fix your desire on God's Sabbath rest, your prayer will be ceaseless. Therefore, if you wish to pray without ceasing, do not cease to desire.

The constancy of your desire will itself be the ceaseless voice of your prayer.

(From a discourse on the psalms by Saint Augustine, bishop, in Office of Readings, Third Week of Advent, Friday)

In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

(1 Th 5:18)

BLESSED MARY OF THE ANGELS,

SAINT DAVID,

SAINT ADELAIDE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: God, our God, has blessed us.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Other Saints: Saint Cuthbert of Mayne (1543-1577)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 49 The Observance of Lent

Mass:  Rm 10:9-18; Resp Ps 19; Mt 4:18-22

They are more precious than gold.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

OUR LADY OF VAILANKANNI,

OUR LADY OF MONTILGEON,

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT OF HELFTA,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

(Rm 10:9)

Jesus is walking by. He sees you. Come after me, says the Lord. United in faith and prayer, we follow the lead of Andrew, his brother Simon who is called Peter, and the sons of Zebedee James and John, and follow Him. Immediately.

As soon as Andrew heard the Lord preaching, he left the nets which were his livelihood and way of life,

-and followed the Lord who gives eternal life.

(Office of Readings, Responsory, November 30)

SAINT ANDREW THE APOSTLE,

SAINT SIMON WHO IS CALLED PETER,

SAINTS JAMES AND JOHN THE SONS OF ZEBEDEE,

SAINT CUTHBERY MAYNE,

SAINT MARY ELIZABETH HESSELBLAD,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: An attempt at leaf art. Than a heap of purest gold.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

Saints: Saint Chad (-672); Saint Cedd (-664): Pope Saint Evaristus (d. 107)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 19 The Discipline of the Psalmody

Mass: Eph 6:1-9; Resp Ps 145; Lk 13:22-30

The Lord lifts up all who are falling.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Let us consider how we ought to behave in the presence of God and His angels, and let us stand to sing the psalms in such a way that our minds are in harmony with our voices.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 19:6-7)

If we do the will of God from the heart (see Eph 6:6), we will enter through the narrow gate (see Lk 13:24). Jesus never said it was going to be easy. And as Saint Benedict tells us, "Do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from the road that leads to salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset" (RB Prologue 48). We pray for the strength to keep going. Not my will, Lord, be done, but Yours. 

Let us put on unity of mind, thinking humble thoughts, exercising self-control, keeping ourselves free from all backbiting and slander, being righteous in deed, and not in word only ...

It is our duty then to be eager to do good, for everything is from God ... He urges us, who believe in Him with all our heart, not to be idle or careless in any good work. Our boasting and our confidence must rest on Him. Let us be subject to His will.

(From a letter to the Corinthians by Saint Clement, pope, in Office of Readings, Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time, Wednesday)

SAINT CHAD,

SAINT CEDD,

POPE SAINT EVARISTUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Saints of the Day: Saints Chad and Cedd were brothers, both educated at Lindisfarne under Saint Aidan (d. 651). And a fun fact you've heard before is that I know a Chad and a Cedd, both Benedictine monks in the UK. 

Today's photo: This one from the archives, 2019. And raises up all who are bowed down.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Thursday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Our Lady of Sorrows

Saint: Saint Mirin (565-620)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 2:33-40 Qualities of the Abbot

Mass: Heb 5:7-9; Resp Ps 31 or 1 Cor 15:1-11; Resp Ps 118; Sabat Mater Sequence; Jn 19:25-27 or Lk 2:33-35

Through Her heart, His sorrow sharing.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, COMFORT OF THE SORROWFUL,

PRAY FOR US.

Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered; and when He was made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.

(Heb 5:8-9)

We suffer in heart and body, through our own suffering, and united with others in theirs. Mary, Mother of Jesus, knew a thing or two about suffering. Go to Mary, "mournful mother weeping, close to Jesus to the last," she "beheld her tender Child." Mary will hold you. O sweet Mother! Font of love, Touch my spirit from above, Make my heart with yours accord. And we pray for all mothers, especially those who grieve the death of their child.

Truly, O blessed Mother, a sword has pierced you heart. For only by passing through your heart could the sword enter the flesh of your Son ...

He died in body through a love greater than anyone had known. She died in spirit through a love unlike any other since His.

(From a sermon by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, abbot, in Office of Readings, September 15)

In this month of September, devoted to Our Lady of Sorrows, pray with the Litany of the Sorrowful Mother. Mother of Our Savior Crucified, pray for us.

SAINT MIRIN,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's image: Mother Do Not Mourn For Me, through the hand of Sister Suzanne, ocso.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

In other years: Pope Saint Pius X (1835-1914)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 64:7-24 The Election of an Abbot

Mass: Is 66:18-21; Resp Ps 117; Heb 12: 5-7, 11-13; Lk 13:22-30

Glorify Him, all you peoples!

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

HEART OF MARY, REFUGE OF SINNERS,

PRAY FOR US.

So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.

(Hebrews 12:12-13)

I read a line from a homily recently, preached by an Abbot at a monk's Solemn Profession. It's a simple line that speaks volumes: "We are transformed only by being limited." In a way, it is a commentary on Jesus' answer in today's Gospel, to a voice from the crowd who asked, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" (Lk 13:23). Jesus replied: Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough (Lk 13:24). No one said discipleship was going to be easy. Jesus certainly didn't. We are meant to pick up our cross and carry it. Jesus certainly picked up His and helps us to carry ours. The "road to glory", as dear Father Paschal, OSB, of happy memory aptly called it, is narrow. The Gospel way limits us in ways that we would have never expected. If we just take the first and greatest commandment, which also happens to be Saint Benedict's first tool of goods, namely, to love the Lord our God with your whole heart, your whole soul and all your strength, and the second, to love your neighbor as yourself (Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:1-2/Mt 22:37-39; Mk 12:30-31; Lk 10:27), we will be limited and busy at that. We put aside our needs and wants and look to God for strength, mercy, and compassion and then extend it to our neighbor, without exception. We "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." Furthermore, "no one is to pursue what she judges better for herself, but instead, what she judges better for someone else" (Rule of Saint Benedict, 72:4-7). The good news is that we do this together, united in faith and prayer, and we will be transformed. The "Lord shows us the way of life" (RB Prologue 20). We look to the Lord, and "clothed then with faith and the performance of good works, let us set out on this way, with the Gospel for our guide, that we may deserve to see Him who has called us to His kingdom" (RB Prologue 20-21). We go forth "and prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may He bring us all together to everlasting life" (RB 72:11-12).

Therefore we intend to establish a school for the Lord's service. In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome. The good of all concerned, however, may prompt us to a little strictness in order to amend faults and to safeguard love. Do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from the road that leads to salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset. But as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God's commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love. Never swerving from His instructions then, but faithfully observing His teaching in the monastery until death, we shall through patience share in the sufferings of Christ that we may deserve also to share in His kingdom. Amen.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 45-50)

POPE SAINT PIUS X,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I managed to get a few good shots Friday morning in our garden of delights. This one kicks us off and inspires us to go out to all the world and tell the good news.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

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

Saint: Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop, Martyr (1118-1170)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 71 Mutual Obedience

Mass: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Resp Ps 96; Lk 2:22-35

Splendor and majesty go before Him.

THE THOUGHTS OF MANY HEARTS MAY BE REVEALED.

(Lk 2:35)

In today's Gospel, Simeon, a man righteous and devout (Lk 2:25), takes Jesus into his arms, blesses God, and says, "My own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel"! (Lk 2:30-32). In what ways, small and great, have you seen the salvation of God revealed during these days of the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord? God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all (1 Jn 1:5).

SAINT THOMAS BECKET,

MARY, QUEEN OF MARTYRS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Moni sent many photos for us to enjoy. This one to honor all the martyrs we commemorate this week, red lights in Freiburg.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Friday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

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

National Back to School Month

Saints: Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Cistercian Abbot and Doctor, "Last of the Fathers" (1090-1153)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 64:1-6 The Election of an Abbot

Mass: 

Solemnity of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux: Wisdom 7:7-10, 15-16 or Sirach 39:8-14; Ph 3:17-4:1; Mt 5:13-19 or Jn 17:20-26

Feria: Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22; Resp Ps 146; Mt 22:34-40

For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

How fitting it is on this day that we celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, that we also begin Saint Benedict's Chapter 64 on the Election of an Abbot. It is there in the Holy Rule that Saint Benedict writes, "Goodness of life and wisdom in teaching must be the criteria for choosing the one to be made abbot" (RB 64:2). Saint Bernard of Clairvaux was certainly one who was blessed with goodness of life and wisdom in teaching. The following comes from one of his sermons on the Song of Songs, 37:1. 

You remember that you have agreed with me that no one is saved without self-knowledge, since it is the source of that humility on which salvation depends, and the fear of the Lord that is as much the beginning of salvation as of wisdom. No one, I repeat, is saved without that knowledge ... 

But what if you have no knowledge of God? Is hope of salvation compatible with ignorance about God? Surely not. For you cannot love what you do not know, nor possess what you do not love. Know yourself and you will have a wholesome fear of God; know him and you will also love him. In the first, wisdom has its beginning, in the second its crown, for "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and "love is the fulfilling of the law." You must avoid both kinds of ignorance, because without fear and love salvation is not possible.

SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX,

MARY, OUR LADY OF CITEAUX,

MARY, OUR LADY OF CLAIRVAUX,

MARY, OUR LADY OF LA TRAPP,

MARY, OUR LADY OF NAZARETH,

MARY, OUR LADY OF KLAARLAND,

MARY, OUR LADY OF THE REDWOODS,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: My oldest sister Kathy and I saw this tempura and gold on wood piece at the Indianapolis Museum of Art in 2017. By Italian artist Agnolo Gaddi (1350-1396), it was once part of a larger altarpiece whose center panel is now missing. The four saints you see, from left to right, are Saint Mary Magdalene, Saint Benedict, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, and Saint Catherine of Alexandria.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Fourth Sunday of Lent: Laetare Sunday

Readings of the day: RB 33 Personal Possessions in the Monastery

Mass: 2 Ch 36:14-16, 19-23; Resp Ps 137; Ep 2:4-10; Jn 3:14-21

For Year A: 1 S 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Resp Ps 23; Ep 5:8-14; Jn 9:1-41

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,

so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.

John 3:16—one of the most oft quoted verses of the Bible. Think about the places you’ve seen someone silently holding a placard aloft that reads:John 3:16—athletic events, parades, wherever large numbers of people gather—the scene that comes to my mind is a freezing cold Packers game with swirling snow and folks bundled up. There stands a loyal Green Bay ‘cheesehead’ with sign held high—John 3:16.

The WORD gives us cause to rejoice this Laetare Sunday. Even in the midst of the penitential season of Lent, we rejoice: ‘For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned.’ St Paul reminds us: By grace we have been saved through faith. This is God’s gift to us. So, let us boast in the Lord as we ask for pardon for our shortcomings. The LIGHT of CHRIST has come into the world and draws us closer and closer to the LOVE that loves us.

Living and true God, increase our faith.

Help us to ‘live the truth and come to the LIGHT

so that our works may be clearly seen as done in you.’

In what way will you rejoice in the Lord today?

THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH!

(Ne 8:10)