Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Month of January Dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

Catholic Schools Week

In other years: Blessed Archangela Giriani (1460-1495); Blessed Villana de'Botti OP (1332-1361)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:24-30 Humility

Mass: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13; Resp Ps 146; 1 Cor 1:26-31; Mt 5:1-12a

The Lord raises up those who are bowed down.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, MEEK AND HUMBLE OF HEART,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth.

(Zephaniah 2:3)

Welcome to what could be called, "Beatitude Sunday." The Beatitudes, as our Catechism teaches us, are at the heart of Jesus' preaching ... the Beatitudes depict the countenance of Jesus Christ and portray His charity. Furthermore, they express the vocation of the faithful associated with the glory of His Passion and Resurrection; the Beatitudes illuminate the actions and attitudes of our lives as Christians (CCC 1716, 1717). We, as Christians and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, are about Beatitude, and today is a good day to reflect on just what actions and attitudes will bring us authentic happiness or blessedness. And since, as Saint Augustine teaches, we all want to live happily, as it is unlikely that among the whole human race there is not who does not want to live happily,* united in faith and prayer, then, let us be people of the Beatitudes. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

The Beatitudes confront us with decisive choices concerning earthly goods; they purify our hearts in order to teach us to love God above all things.

(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1728)

What choices will you make this week so that you make more room for God in your life so as to better love Him with your whole heart, your whole soul and all your strength, for "God alone satisfies."** Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. 

How is it, then, that I seek you, Lord? Since in seeking you, my God, I seek a happy life, let me seek you so that my soul may live, for my body draws life from my soul and my soul draws life from you.

(Saint Augustine, Confessions, Chapter XX, 29)

BLESSED ARCHANGELA GIRIANI,

BLESSED VILLAIN DE'BOTTI,

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS,

POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II,

PRAY FOR US.

*See Augustine's De moribus ecclesiae Of the Morals of the Catholic Church, in Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), 1718

** See Saint Thomas Aquinas Expositio in symbolum apostolicum Explanation of the Apostles' Creed, in CCC 1718.

Today's photo: Something like this comes and goes quickly. Seen yesterday at midday, if this does not make one aware of her littleness, there may not be much else that can. The Lord shall reign forever.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Saturday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saints: Saint Hildegard of Bingen, Virgin, Doctor (1098-1179); Saint Robert Bellarmine, Bishop, Doctor (1542-1621) 

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 3:7-13 Summoning the Brothers for Counsel

Mass: 1 Cor 15:33-37, 42-49; Resp Ps 56; Lk 8:4-15

In God I trust without fear.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, HAVEN OF THE SHIP-WRECKED,

MARY, FAIR AS THE MOON,

MARY, QUEEN OF DOCTORS,

PRAY FOR US.

As for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word of God, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.

(Lk 8:15)

Welcome to Saturday and on this one we pray to Mary, and two Doctors of the Church, Saint Hildegard of Bingen and Saint Robert Bellarmine. God is praised. We ask all three of them to help us hear the word of God and embrace it with a generous and good heart so that we bear fruit through perseverance! United in faith and prayer, we go for our goal as explained nicely by Saint Robert Bellarmine. 

Sweet Lord, you are meek and merciful. Who would not give himself wholeheartedly to your service, if he began to taste even a little of your fatherly rule? What command, Lord, do you give your servants? Take my yoke upon you, you say. And what is this yoke of yours like? My yoke, you say, is easy and my burden light ... And you will find rest for your souls. And what is this yoke of yours that does not weary, but gives rest? It is, of course, the first and greatest commandment: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart. What is easier, sweeter, more pleasant, than to love goodness, beauty and love, the fullness of which you are, O Lord, my God? ...

If you are wise, then, know that you have been created for the glory of God and your own eternal salvation. This is your goal; this is the center of your life; this is the treasure of your heart. If you reach this goal, you will find happiness. If you fail to reach it, you will find misery.

May you consider truly good whatever leads to your goal and truly evil whatever makes you fall away from it.

(From a treatise On the Ascent of the Mind to God by Saint Robert Bellarmine, in Office of Readings, September 17)

SAINT HILDEGARD OF BINGEN,

SAINT ROBERT BELLARMINE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: In God, whose promise I glory.

© Gertrude Feick 2022