Tuesday of the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: RB 31:1-12

Mass: Romans 12:5-16ab; Resp. Psalm 131; Luke 14:15-24

Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans is packed with wisdom for all who seek the God of LOVE and desire to grow in intimacy with Him. Saint Benedict knew this well; he profusely quotes from or alludes to Paul’s letter in the Holy Rule. Today’s first reading could easily be read alongside the chapter we reflect on for the next two days, that is, Ch. 31, “The Qualities of the Cellarer.” The seeker will easily notice how Benedict uses the Letter to the Romans in Ch. 4, “The Tools for Good Works,” Ch. 40, “The Proper Amount of Drink,” and Ch. 53, “The Reception of Guests.” It is Ch. 72, “The Good Zeal of Monks,” though, that I would like to highlight. There, Benedict refers to today’s reading from Romans three times. Ch. 72 has been called the most beautiful chapter in the Holy Rule. Today may be a good day to pray with it while also praying with Romans 12:5-16b.

 

St Benedict

¹Just as there is a wicked zeal of bitterness which separates from God and leads to hell, ²so there is a good zeal which separates from evil and leads to God and everlasting life. ³This, then, is the good zeal which members must foster with fervent love: ⁴“They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other” (Rom. 12:10), ⁵supporting with the greatest patience one another’s weaknesses of body or behavior, ⁶and earnestly competing in obedience to one another. ⁷No one is to pursue what they judge for themselves, but instead, what they judge better for someone else. ⁸Among themselves they show the pure love of sisters and brothers; ⁹to God, reverent love; ¹⁰to their abbess or abbot, unfeigned and humble love. ¹¹Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ ¹²and may Christ bring us all together to everlasting life.

God sent his Only Begotten Son into the world, so that we might have life through him.

(Communion Antiphon, Mass)

Monday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: RB 30

Mass: Romans 11:29-36; Resp. Psalm 69; Luke 14:12-14

Anastasis- written through the hand of Mary Katsilometes

 On a few occasions I have heard one Catholic describe another as “a good Catholic.” I have wondered what someone must do to be “a good Catholic” and then questioned whether I am a one, especially when considering Paul’s words to the Romans, namely, “The gifts and call of God are irrevocable.” It seems to me that whether I or someone else labels me as “good” or “bad” is not the point. God loves each one of us unconditionally; His mercy knows no bounds. We are the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind that Jesus invites to dinner. It is the sick who need a doctor, not the healthy. Jesus, the WISE PHYSICIAN, does not call the righteous, HE calls the sinners. God is not going to throw me out for “bad” behavior. That said, do I acknowledge my short comings, or do I take God’s mercy and love for granted? Am I grateful for the Lord’s enduring love and mercy? Instead of wondering if I am good Catholic, or not, it may be better to ask, first, “am I open to receiving LOVE and MERCY?” and second, “how do I respond to LOVE and MERCY?” It seems I should sing and shout for joy:

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!

For from him and through him and for him are all things.

To God be glory forever.

Amen.

SEE, YOU LOWLY ONES, AND BE GLAD;

YOU WHO SEEK THE LORD, MAY YOUR HEARTS REVIVE!

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: RB 29

Mass: Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10; Resp. Psalm 131; 1 Thess. 2:7b-9, 13; Matthew 23:1-12

Mary Cassett - Mother and Child

I recently received the rare gift of being in the presence of a mother gently nursing her baby boy at the breast. A newborn totally dependent on his mother; a mother putting her needs aside to give all of herself to her child. Paul was gentle with the Thessalonians. So great was his affection that Paul shared not only the Gospel but his very self as well. The nursing mother and the Apostle Paul humbled themselves, opening their hearts to receive the LOVE of our Father in heaven. With hearts overflowing they shared LOVE with those in their care. This is the WORD of LOVE at work in the children of God. We believe, help our unbelief!

Heavenly Father, transform our hearts in LOVE.

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;

but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)

First Saturday of the Month

Readings of the day: RB 28

Mass: Romans 11:1-2a, 11-12, 25-29; Resp. Psalm 94; Luke 14:1, 7-11

Charles Borromeo—a busy man! I am reminded of my daily commutes a piedi to school while studying in Rome. My route serpentined through the narrow streets and alleyways of the city. On Via di Ripetta I motored past the giant statue of Saint Charles Borromeo located in front of the apse of San Carlo al Corso, one of several churches in Rome dedicated to the great saint. This doesn’t mean I didn’t pass by without giving Charles a wave! Not idle, Charles received the clerical tonsure at the age of 12; he was a Doctor of Canon and Civil Law; his uncle was Pius IV; he guided the last session of the Council of Trent. Charles was a reformer in matters of liturgical music and clerical abuses “removing ignorant and unworthy clergy” while founding seminaries for clerical education. As Archbishop of Milan, Charles “started by adopting a very simple standard of living and giving away to the poor much of his considerable revenue.” A pastor, Charles provided relief to victims of famine and plague. Charles was “tireless, energetic, always on the move, he was worn out by the time he was forty-six.” Charles died November 3, 1584; he is buried in the cathedral at Milan. (For reference, see D. Farmer, The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, 59-60).

Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,

but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO,

PRAY FOR US.

Saint Martin de Porres (1579-1639)

Readings of the day: RB 27

Mass: Romans 9:1-5; Resp. Psalm 147; Luke 14:1-6

Jesus’ openness to others, including those who meant him harm, knew no bounds. Jesus embraced everyone: those who watched him closely and tested him, others who tried to run him out of town; the jealous, envious, and self-righteous; the sick, lame, despised, poor, weak, and shunned. Saint Martin de Porres followed Jesus giving witness to His boundless love. He nursed and cured the sick and plague-stricken; he was especially dedicated to serving the poor, irrespective of race and color (D. Farmer, The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, 368).

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, grant us the grace to give witness to this same love.

“Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern,

would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?”

Amen, I say to you: That you who have left all and followed me will receive a hundredfold and possess eternal life.

(Communion Antiphon, Mass)\

SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES,

PRAY FOR US.

THE COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

Readings of the day: RB 26

Mass: Wisdom 3:1-9; Resp. Psalm 23; Romans 5:5-11 or Romans 6:3-9; John 6:37-40

Readings of the day: RB 26

Mass: Wisdom 3:1-9; Resp. Psalm 23; Romans 5:5-11 or Romans 6:3-9; John 6:37-40

Ujehova ungumalusiwami angiyikuswela.

If my memory serves me right, the above is Psalm 23:1, in Zulu. This psalm verse became dear to me when I was serving in the U.S. Peace Corps in the Republic of South Africa nearly 20 years ago. It happened on several occasions that I needed to hitchhike in order to get from point A to point B, simply for the fact that the distance was too far cycle in one day, and also because I was not in the mood to go to the taxi rank and wait for the next road worthy (on a good day!) taxi to fill with people. All said, one might imagine what it looked like for a 30ish Caucasian woman to be hitching a ride in rural South Africa. I decided I needed an introductory line when I got to the car of whoever pulled over. So, I memorized Psalm 23:1 in Zulu. Thanks be to God, it was a hit with drivers and other passengers too. As a consequence, and gift, Psalm 23 became my friend.

I think of the Psalm today as we Commemorate All the Faithful Departed. What better Psalm to serve as today’s Responsorial Psalm at Mass. I include Psalm 23 for your personal reflection:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

In verdant pastures he gives me repose;

beside restful waters he leads me;

he refreshes my soul.

He guides me in right paths

for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk in the dark valley

I fear no evil; for you are at my side

with your rod and your staff

that give me courage.

You spread the table before me

in the sight of my foes;

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Only goodness and kindness follow me

all the days of my life;

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

for years to come.

LET US PRAY.

For the dead whom we have loved in life.

For all the dead among those who have harmed us.

For all the dead whom no one remembers in prayer.

(Adapted, Magnificat, November 2017, 36.)

IF WE HAVE DIED WITH CHRIST,

WE BELIEVE THAT WE SHALL ALSO LIVE WITH HIM.

SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS

Readings of the day: RB 25

Mass: Rev. 7:2-4, 9-14; Resp. Psalm 24; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a

LORD, THIS IS A PEOPLE THAT LONGS TO SEE YOUR FACE.

Psalm 24

By word and example, the saints kindled and enlightened others, and declared for us the solemn joy of this supreme knowledge of you, for which we look hereafter, when we shall see you as you are and face to face.

(William of St. Thierry)

Let us all rejoice in the Lord, as we celebrate the feast day in honor of all the Saints,

at whose festival the Angels rejoice and praise the Son of God.

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass)

Amen.

Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving,

honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever.

Amen

ALLELUIA!