Our Lady of the Rosary

First Saturday of the Month

Readings of the day: RB 7:56-58

Mass: Baruch 4:5-12,27-29; Resp. Psalm 69; Luke 10:17-24

It may be a good day to reflect on what Jesus means when he speaks of “the childlike.”

I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. 

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY

Saint Francisco de Jesus Marto, Saint Jacinta de Jesus Marto

Servant of God Lúcia de Jesus Rosa dos Santos

PRAY FOR US

SAINT BRUNO (c. 1032-1101); BLESSED MARIE ROSE DUROCHER (1811-1849)

FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

Readings of the day: RB 7:55

Mass: Baruch 1:15-22; Resp. Psalm 79; Luke 10:13-16

I was struck this morning during Vigils with Psalm 79(80) which also serves as today’s Responsorial Psalm. Maybe it was a wake-up call. My first thought was of the tax collector who raised his eyes to heaven, beat his breast and prayed: “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” Then I went to the Psalm:

Do not hold past iniquities against us;

may your compassion come quickly,

for we have been brought very low.

Help us, God our savior for the glory of your name,

Deliver us, pardon our sins for your name’s sake.

Living and true God, if today I hear YOUR voice, harden not my heart.

Grant me the grace to heed your voice, ask for forgiveness,

and embrace your merciful love and compassion.

Those who keep God’s word with a good and perfect heart patiently bear fruit.

(Communion Antiphon, Mass)

SAINT BRUNO

BLESSED MARIE ROSE DUROCHER,

PRAY FOR US.

BLESSED FRANCIS XAVIER SEELOS (d. 1897)

Readings of the day: RB 7:51-54

Mass: Nehemiah 8:1-4a,5-6,7b-12; Resp. Psalm 19; Luke 10:1-12

The reading from the Book of Nehemiah is one of my favorites, especially the line, “men, women, and those children old enough to understand.” The line is so good it is repeated. The passage also reminds me of something I heard some years ago from a Trappist monk. In a conference on forming new members into the monastic tradition, the monk shared what he tells all newcomers. It also bears repeating. If you are going to fidget, move around, cough, sneeze, slouch, or otherwise lose attention at Mass or during the celebration of the Divine Office, never do so when the Word is proclaimed. When the Word is proclaimed, one should be still, attentive, and mind their posture so to speak. I think of those assembled when Ezra read from the book of the law of Moses. They listened attentively; they rose when Ezra opened the scroll; they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the Lord. The whole people was so moved they wept. And Ezra, he read plainly so that all could understand what was read. 

Do I exhibit the same reverence when the Word is proclaimed? Are my ears and heart open to receive the Word? What about my posture? When I proclaim the Word am I prepared? Am I audible so the men, the women, and those children old enough to understand can understand?

Then all the people went to eat and drink, to distribute portions, and to celebrate with great joy, for they understood the words that had been expounded to them.

BLESSED FRANCIS XAVIER SEELOS, PRAY FOR US.

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Readings of the day: RB 7:49-50

Mass: Nehemiah 2:1-8; Resp. Psalm 137; Luke 9:57-62

Someone’s knocking at your door. Go ahead, answer it. It’s Jesus. He has two words for you. “Follow me.” What are you going to do?

No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind

is fit for the Kingdom of God.

Luke 9:62

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI, PRAY FOR US.

Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

 Readings of the day: RB 7:44-48

Mass: Zechariah 8:20-23; Resp. Psalm 87; Luke 9:51-56

The psalmist reminds us of something we can easily forget, namely, God is with us. 

May we be aware of God’s presence this day,

especially when we are troubled, anxious, worried, or distressed.

Remember your word to your servant, O Lord, by which you have given me hope.

This is my comfort when I am brought low.

(Communion Antiphon, Mass)

THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGELS

Readings of the day: RB 7:35-43

Mass: Exodus 23:20-23; Resp. Psalm 91 or Zechariah 8:1-8; Resp. Psalm 102;

Matthew 18:1-5,10

Bless the Lord, all you angels, you ministers, who do his will.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

The Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy provides insight into today’s celebration: 

“Devotion to the Holy Angels gives rise to a certain form of the Christian life which is characterized by:

• devout gratitude to God for having placed these heavenly spirits of great sanctity and dignity [at our service];

• an attitude of devotion deriving from the knowledge of living constantly in the presence of the Holy Angels of God; serenity and confidence in facing difficulties situations, since the Lord guides and protects the faithful in the way of justice through the ministry of His Holy Angels” (216).

In the presence of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

Psalm 137

ANGEL OF GOD,
my guardian dear,
To whom God’s love commits me here;
Ever this (day, night) be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 In other years: Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897)

Readings of the day: RB 7:34

Mass: Ezekiel 18:25-28; Resp. Psalm 25; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 21:28-32

Saint Paul asks us to make his joy complete. Imagine the local and even global impact of doing so in our homes, places of work, schools, and communities. This is how we are to go about it:

Be of the same mind,

with the same love,

united in heart,

thinking one thing.

Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory.

Humbly regard others as more important than myself,

looking out not for my own interests,

but also for those of others.

In other words, each one of us must have the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus. Grant us the grace, O Lord.

By this we came to know the love of God; that Christ laid down his life for us;

so we ought to lay down our lives for one another.

(Communion Antiphon, Mass)