Friday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

Saint: Pope Saint Callistus I, Martyr (-222)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 11 The Celebration of Vigils on Sunday

Mass: Eph 1:11-14; Resp Ps 33; Lk 12:1-7

Praise from the upright is fitting.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL, 

PRAY FOR US.

In Christ we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of His will, so that we might exist for the praise of His glory, we who first hoped in Christ.

(Eph 1:11-12)

We are presented with more simultaneously overwhelming and marvelous words from Saint Paul. United in faith and prayer, we exist for the praise of God's glory. Whether inside the monastery, or outside it, whatever we do, we go about the daily "so that in all things God may be glorified" (1 Pet 4:11/Rule of Saint Benedict 57:9). And since we are privileged to read from Saint Benedict's chapters on the liturgical code these days, we can turn to many of the chapters for daily reminders. Here are a few: "Vigils begin with the verse: Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall proclaim your praise" (RB 9:1); "As soon as the cantor begins to sing 'Glory be to the Father,' let all the monks rise from their seats in honor and reverence for the Holy Trinity" (RB 9:7); "After the fourth responsory, the abbot begins the hymn 'We praise you, God' ... At the conclusion of the Gospel reading ... the abbot intones the hymn 'To you be praise'" (RB 11:8, 10); "The Prophet says: Seven times a day I have praised you ... At midnight I arise to give you praise ... we should praise our Creator for His just judgments ... let us arise at midnight to give Him praise" (RB 16:1, 4-5); "Sing praise wisely ... In the presence of the angels I will sing to you" (RB 19:4-5). Made in the image and likeness of God, male and female God created us, we reverence and honor all things given to us by God and use them for His glory.

For Sacred Scripture teaches that man was created "to the image of God,", is capable of knowing and loving his Creator, and was appointed by Him as master of earthly creatures that he might subdue them and use them to God's glory. "What is man that you should care for him? You have made him little less than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him rule over the work of your hands, putting all things under his feet."

But God did not create man as a solitary, for from the beginning "male and female he created them." Their companionship produces the primary form of interpersonal communion. For by his innermost nature man is a social being, and unless he relates himself to others he can neither live nor develop his potential.

Therefore, as we read elsewhere in Holy Scripture God saw "all that he had made, and it was very good."

(Gaudium et Spes Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, 12)

POPE SAINT CALLISTUS I,

POPE SAINT JOHN XXIII,

POPE SAINT PAUL VI,

POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II,

SERVANT OF GOD JEROME LEJEUNE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: For upright is the word of the Lord.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Wednesday within the Octave of Easter

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

Saint: Saints Marcellinus, Vincent and Domninus (-374); Saint Bueno (-640); Saint Agnes of Montepulciano OP (1268-1317)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 64:1-6 The Election of an Abbot

Mass: Acts 3:1-10; Resp Ps 105; Lk 24:13-35

Sing to Him, sing praise.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!

(Lk 24:34)

There is much that could be said today, and this week for that matter, when we celebrate Easter every day within this Octave of Easter. Alleluia!

I find it is sometimes best to go with my first reflections, especially when making haste. We have been blessed, in will continue so blessed, with the lively accounts of the nascent church as related in the Acts of the Apostles. We hear about a man crippled from birth, who, with the words and faith of Peter, "In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk" (Acts 3:6), leaps, stands up, walks around, goes to the temple area, walking and jumping and praising God. This was not before his feet and ankles grew strong though (Acts 3:7).😊 If this man can immediately get going after being crippled from birth, just imagine what we can do. We, each of us, are crippled in one way or another. However, call on the name of the Lord, invoke His name, and do what you can. Many, including us, can too be "filled with amazement and astonishment" (Acts 3:10). Glory in His holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord! Look to the Lord in His strength; seek to serve Him constantly (Ps 105).

Jesus, King of glory,

have mercy on us.

SAINT MARCELLINUS, VINCENT AND DOMNINUS,

SAINT BUENO,

SAINT AGNES OF MONTEPULCIANO,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I've never seen one of these before, a favorite of Catherine's, a checkered lily (fritillaria). Wow! Glory in His holy name.

© Gertrude Feick 2022