Tuesday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Saints: All Saints of Wales; Blessed George Napier (-1610); Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity, Patroness of those who have lost their parents (1880-1906)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 31:13-19

Mass: Titus 2:1-8, 11-14; Resp Ps 37; Lk 17:7-10

Take delight in the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.

(Lk 17:10)

During the month of November as we pray for the faithful departed, and especially for those brothers and sisters in purgatory, we remind ourselves of Saint Benedict's Tools for Good Works. Our holy father Benedict exhorts us to yearn for everlasting life with holy desire; to remind ourselves daily that we are going to die (see Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:46-47). We must be about keeping careful watch over all we do (see RB 4:48) here on earth so as to prepare for union with God. Not to be overly scrupulous by any means, but rather, as Saint Paul exhorts younger men in today's first reading, we should model good deeds in every respect, with integrity ... (see Titus 2:6-7). We had the list of qualities to emulate in yesterday's Daily Lectio reflection, and Saint Paul gives us more today. Older men should be temperate, dignified, sound in faith, and so on. Older women should be reverent in their behavior, teaching what is good, training younger women in the faith (see Servant of God Elisabeth Leseur for how to go about that. She was awesome), and so on. Saint Paul provides a good summary for us: "The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age ... eager to do good (Titus 2:11-14). And if all else fails, we turn again to the monastery cellarer who knows that a kind word is better than the best gift (see RB 31:14). Essentially, we do what we are obliged to do expecting nothing in return while on this earth. Our reward will be great in heaven. Everything passes. In the evening of life, nothing remains but love. Everything must be done for love ... I am going to the light, to love, to life (Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity, November 1, 1906, just days before her death on November 9, 1906).

Purgatory is not an eternal punishment, but a place of preparation, of making satisfaction for the effects of sin, and of being made ready for the eternal wedding feast of the Lamb. As we pray for our brothers and sisters in purgatory, let us live our earthly life preparing for this union with Christ.

(Magnificat, November 8, 2022, Prayer for the Morning, Commentary on the Canticle of Tobit, p. 110)

I would go so far as to say that if there was not purgatory, then we would have to invent it, for who would dare say of himself that he was able to stand directly before God ... Purgatory basically means that God can put the pieces back together again. That He can cleanse us in such a way that we are able to be with Him and can stand there in the fullness of life. Purgatory strips off from one person what is unbearable and from another the inability to bear certain things, so that in each of them a pure heart is revealed, and we can see that we all belong together in one enormous sympathy of being.

(Pope Benedict XVI)*

ALL SAINTS OF WALES,

BLESSED GEORGE NAPIER,

SAINT ELIZABETH OF THE TRINITY,

PRAY FOR US.

*NB. From what I can gather, these words from the Pope Emeritus come from Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, God and the World: A Conversation with Peter Seewald (Ignatius, 2002). 

Today's photo: These roses a gift from a faithful reader visiting family in Davis, CA. Trust in the Lord and do good.

 

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Saint Joseph the Worker

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide

First Saturday of the Month

Year of Saint Joseph

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

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 73 This Rule Only a Beginning of Perfection

Mass: Acts 13:44-52; Resp Ps 98; Jn 14:7-14

Optional memorial: Gn 1:26-2:3 or Col. 3:14-15, 17, 23-24; Resp Ps 90; Mt 13:54-58

Lord, give success to the work of our hands.

JOSEPH, MODEL OF WORKERS,

PRAY FOR US.

Welcome to the First Saturday of the Month and the Optional Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker. As a friendly reminder, and as already included in last Tuesday's reflection, the commemoration of Saint Joseph the Worker was instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1955. Today is an especially good day to "go to Joseph" (Gn 41:55) for intercession. One way to begin and be encouraged is by re-reading the December 8, 2020, Apostolic Letter of Pope Francis, Patris Corde With a Father's Heart. As written there, the aim of the letter "is to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and zeal." The following are two prayers, also already included in previous reflections. The first was made "famous" by Pope Leo XIII in 1889. The second has been prayed by Pope Francis every day for over 40 years after Lauds. The prayer, taken from a 19th century French prayer book of the Congregation of the Sisters of Jesus and Mary, expresses devotion and trust, and even poses a certain challenge to Saint Joseph (Patris Corde, endnote 10). Lastly, whatever you are about today, why not go at it inspired by the words of Saint Paul: Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance of your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ (Col. 323-24). 

Defend, O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen off-spring of Jesus Christ. Keep from us, O most loving Father, all blight of error and corruption. Aid us from on high, most valiant defender, in this conflict with the powers of darkness. As you once rescued the child Jesus from deadly peril, so now defend God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity. Shield us ever under your patronage, that, following your example and strengthened by your help, we may live a holy life, die a happy death, and attain to everlasting bliss in heaven.

Amen.

Glorious Patriarch Saint Joseph, whose power makes the impossible possible, come to my aid in these times of anguish and difficulty. Take under your protection the serious and troubling situations that I commend to you, that they may have a happy outcome. My beloved father, all my trust is in you. Let it not be said that I invoked you in vain, and since you can do everything with Jesus and Mary, show me that your goodness is as great as your power. Amen. 

SAINT JOSEPH THE WORKER,

SAINT JOSEPH, PATRON OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH,

SAINT JOSEPH, PATRON OF WORKERS,

SAINT JOSEPH, GUARDIAN OF THE REDEEMER,

SAINT JOSEPH, PATRON OF A HAPPY DEATH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This photo was included last year on this feast. This lovely statue is in the home of a faithful reader who happens to be one of my brothers. 

© Gertrude Feick 2021