Lectio: Saturday, Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Peter Claver, Memorial

Readings of the day: RB 1:6-12; Col. 1:21-23; Resp. Psalm 54; Luke 6:1-5

Today’s Gospel prompted me to recall how my family spent Sundays when I was growing up. I don’t remember all the details, but there are significant moments that stand out. We piled in the station wagon and went to Mass, filling up the same pew, week in and week out. We enjoyed the customary Sunday dinner which often consisted of pot roast and mashed potatoes, among other comforts. One of my favorite activities was going for a ride in the car, especially those moments when we were on a country road and my dad would drive over a small hill—my stomach would make a turn as I screamed for more. Sundays stood out as a special day; a day of being together and doing things we didn’t do during the week. I would now call those days holy. How can we make tomorrow especially holy, a day when we sing with the psalmist: This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Saint Peter Claver, pray for us.

FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Readings of the day: RB 1:1-5; Micah 5:1-4a or Romans 8:28-30; Resp. Psalm 13/Is 61:10; Matthew 1:1-16,18-23

Holy Mary, of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. His greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace. We contemplate the gift.

Let us celebrate with joy the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for from her arose the sun of justice, Christ our God. (Entrance Antiphon, Mass)

MARY, CAUSE OF OUR JOY, PRAY FOR US.

Lectio: Thursday, Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: RB Prol. 45-50; Colossians 1:9-14; Resp. Psalm 98; Luke 5:1-11

One of the most beautiful verses in all the Holy Rule is the penultimate one of the Prologue: “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.” Just thinking about this brings a smile to my face and puts a bounce in my step. With heart bursting, then, to whom will I reach out in love today—someone who is troubled or anxious, or someone with whom I am in conflict, or someone who just needs me to listen. How about you?

Living and true God, strengthen us in faith and grant us the grace to follow your commandment of love. Amen.

Lectio: Wednesday, Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: RB Prol. 39-44; Col. 1:1-8; Luke 4: 38-44

Today we hear of Simon’s mother-in-law and her response to Jesus’ healing presence: She got up immediately and acted, serving Jesus and others. In today’s passage from the Holy Rule, Saint Benedict calls us to make haste—to run and act in a way that will profit us forever. Now is the time to be more aware of God’s presence in our lives, to be alert and prepare our hearts and minds to do His will, namely, to love and serve God and our neighbor. Simon’s mother-in-law gave us the example. 

Dear Jesus, please give us the graces we need this day to be open to your healing presence and touch as we sing with the psalmist: “I will thank you always for what you have done, and proclaim the goodness of your name before your faithful ones.”

Lectio: Tuesday, Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: RB Prol. 33-38; 1 Thess. 5:1-6,9-11; Luke 4:31-37

In today’s Gospel those who heard Jesus were astonished at HIS teaching—HE spoke with authority. Their question: “What is there about

HIS WORD? Saint Benedict reminds us of our Lord’s teaching: “Whoever hears these WORDS of mine and carries them out is wise. These are the ones who build their house upon a ROCK.”

Our questions: How am I responding to the WORD, in word and deed? Upon whose ROCK am I standing?

Please God, may we encourage one another and build one another up.

Learning Christ - A Prayer for Lent

Teach me, my Lord, to be gentle

In all the events of life -

in all the disappointments,

in the thoughtlessness of others,

in the insincerity of those I trusted,

in the unfaithfulness of those on whom I relied.

Let me put myself aside,

to think of the happiness of others,

to hide my little pains and heartaches,

so that I may be the only one to suffer from them.

Teach me to profit by the suffering that

comes across my path.

Let me so use it that it may mellow me,

not harden nor embitter me;

that it may make me patient, not irritable,

that it may make me broad in my

forgiveness, not narrow, haughty and overbearing.

   May no one be less good for having come within my influence.

No one less pure, less true, less kind, less noble for having been

a fellow-traveler in our journey toward ETERNAL LIFE.

   As I go my rounds from one distraction to another, 

let me whisper from time to time, a word of love to thee.

May my life be lived in the super-natural, full of

power for good, and strong in its purpose of sanctity.

(source unknown)

Monastic Experience Weekends for Young Women

February 11-14, 2016 
September 1-4, 2016

This is an opportunity to listen deeply for God's voice as you experience the richness of monastic life: silence, the beauty of nature, private and communal prayer, and meditation. Sisters will be available to guide discernment.

The schedule includes participation in the monastic hours of prayer, Eucharist, and meditation with the sisters in the monastic choir. There will be conferences on prayer and monastic spirituality as well as time for hikes in our old growth redwood forests as weather and time permit. Meals will be taken with the sisters and lodging is in the Guest House. Some time for manual labor may also be included.

Click here to download a schedule of the event

Find out about upcoming weekends - contact Sr. Suzanne, vocationdirector@redwoodsabbey.org