Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

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

Saints: Saint Colman of Dromore (late 5th, early 6th centuries); Saint Robert of Newminster (c.100-1159); Blessed Anne of Saint Bartholomew (1549-1626)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 7:56-58

Mass: 2 Cor 1:1-7; Resp Ps 34; Mt 5:1-12

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy.

JESUS, MEEK AND HUMBLE OF HEART,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

There is plenty of wisdom in the ninth step of humility: "The ninth step of humility is that a monk controls his tongue and remains silent, not speaking unless asked a question, for Scripture warns, In a flood of words you will not avoid sinning (Prov 10:19), and A talkative man goes about aimlessly on earth (Ps 139 [140]:12) (RB 7:56-58). Rejoice and be glad for your reward will be great in heaven (Mt 5:12).

Christianity shows its greatness when it is hated by the world.

(From a letter to the Romans by Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr, in Office of Readings, Monday, Tenth Week in Ordinary Time)

SAINT COLMAN OF DROMORE,

SAINT ROBERT OF NEWMINSTER,

BLESSED ANNE OF SAINT BARTHOLOMEW,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: The first of three looks at the newest addition to the neighborhood. Welcome to Redwoods little one.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

Year of Saint Joseph

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

In other years: Saint Norbert (1080-1134); Saint Marcellin Champagnat (1789-1840); Saint Jarlath (-540/550)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 7:55

Mass: Ex 24:3-8; Resp Ps 116; Heb 9:11-15; Sequence Laud, O Zion; Mk 14:12-16, 22-26

Laud, O Zion, your salvation.

HEART OF JESUS, TABERNACLE OF THE MOST HIGH,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

There are so many things to consider about today's solemnity that, sadly, I don't know what to write! Memories go to at least two years, one when I had the privilege of being in Orvieto, Italy, on this great feast. Orvieto with it's magnificent cathedral and great Eucharistic procession with participants dressed in period costume. And there was one year in Rome, when I remember preparation for the Eucharistic procession through the neighborhood with the local parish. I see still one of the sisters where I lived sweeping the sidewalk and carefully clearing the area surrounding the convent for the procession. I also remember the name of a textbook I had in early theological studies entitled Between Memory and Hope by Maxwell E. Johnson. I thought of it especially last night when I listened to the reading proclaimed at Vigils. It was an excerpt from a reflection or homily given in 2014 by Bishop Robert F. Morneau, quoted in the publication Give Us This Day (June 2014). Perhaps I also got some comfort in knowing that I am not alone in putting into words the meaning of this great feast.

Thousands of books have been written on the theology of the Eucharist. Theologians have struggled for centuries to put into words the overwhelming mystery of God's self-giving in the sacrament of Jesus' body and blood. That struggle continues ...

One of the great doctors of the Church, St. Thomas Aquinas, maintained that the Eucharist has three major components: memory of the past, a present grace, and hope of eternal life. We experience all of these; we remember what Jesus did at the Last Supper in giving his body and blood and then dying on the cross; we celebrate at the altar God's love and life (grace) that nourish us to go forth in compassion and service; and we look forward to the day when, with the communion of saints, we will participate in the heavenly banquet.

On this feast of the Body and Blood of Christ we cry out our "Amen!" So be it! In affirming our faith in the Eucharist we are also committing ourselves to serving the poor, showing compassion to the suffering, forgiving those who have injured us, and expressing our gratitude for all God's gifts.

After all, as we know from the Lumen Gentium Light of the Nations, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, the Eucharist is the source and summit of the whole Christian life (LG 11). Amen.

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, 

but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. 

SAINT NORBERT,

SAINT MARCELLIN CHAMPAGNAT,

SAINT JARLATH,

SAINT JOSEPH, 

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Yesterday, early evening. Laud with hymns of exaltation, Christ, your king and true shepherd.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

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

First Saturday of the Month

Saints: Saint Boniface, Bishop, Martyr, Apostle of Germany (675?-754)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 7:51-54

Mass: Tobit 12:1, 5-15, 20; Resp Ps (Tb13); Mk 12:38-44

Celebrate days of gladness, and give God praise.

MARY, QUEEN OF APOSTLES,

PRAY FOR US.

Today with encouraging words from our saint of the day, Saint Boniface, the Apostle of Germany. Saint Boniface, like the widow in today's Gospel, certainly contributed all he had, his whole livelihood. May he intercede for the Church in Germany.

In her voyage across the ocean of this world, the Church is like a great ship pounded by the waves of life's different stresses. Our duty is not to abandon ship but to keep her on her course ...

Let us stand in what is right and prepare our souls for trial. Let us wait upon God's strengthening aid and say to Him: O Lord, you have been our refuge in all generations.

Let us trust in Him who has placed this burden upon us. What we ourselves cannot bear let us bear with the help of Christ, For He is all-powerful and He tells us: My yoke is easy and my burden is light.

(From a letter by Saint Boniface, bishop and martyr, Office of Readings, June 5)

SAINT BONIFACE, THE APOSTLE OF GERMANY,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: The last of Catherine's Memorial Day hike photos, here Indian Plum, a new one for me. They are the first thing to have flowers in the spring so have fruit already. They start out a lovely orange color and change to purple. They are loved by birds. And beautiful too!

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

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

First Friday of the Month

Saints: Saint Clotilde (475-545)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 7:49-50

Mass: Tobit 11:5-17; Resp Ps 146; Mk 12:35-37

Praise the Lord, my soul!

SAINT JOSEPH, PILLAR OF FAMILY LIFE,

PRAY FOR US.

In light of our continuing journey through the Book of Tobit, today with Tobiah bringing his new wife Sarah home to meet the family so to speak, and our saint of the day Saint Clotilde, a married woman with children, and our immersion in the Year of the Family, it is time to include the Pope's June prayer intention. The full text of the intention may be found in several sources, here the report from Vatican News.

Is it true what some people say-that young people don't want to get married, especially during these difficult times? Getting married and sharing one's life is something beautiful.

It's a demanding journey, at times difficult, and at times complicated, but it's worth making the effort. And on this life-long journey, the husband and wife aren't alone; Jesus accompanies them. 

Marriage isn't a "social" act; it's a vocation that's born from the heart; it's a conscious decision for the rest of one's life that requires specific preparation. Please, never forget this. God has a dream for us-love-and He asks us to make it our own. Let us make our own love which is God's dream for us.

And let us pray for young people who are preparing for marriage with the support of a Christian community: may they grow in love, with generosity, faithfulness and patience. Because a great deal of patience is necessary in order to love. But it's worth it, eh?

I am thinking today of at least one young person who says he doesn't want to get married. And I remember two young couples, both expecting their first child. At the same time I remember the parents of a long-time friend who will celebrate 64 years of marriage this year, and then dear friends who were married for 65 years, the wife is burying her husband tomorrow. Something to keep in mind is this, we are all united in faith and prayer. We pray for each other and support each other in our respective God given vocations. May we all grow in love, with generosity, faithfulness and patience.

May the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. 

SAINT CLOTILDE,

SAINT JOSEPH, HEAD OF THE HOLY FAMILY,

SAINT JOSEPH, PATTERN OF PATIENCE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Wild iris this time.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Thursday of the NInth Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

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

Saints: Saints Charles Lwanga and His Companions (-1885/7)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 7:44-48

Mass: Tobit 6:10-11; 7:1bcde, 9-17; 8:4-9; Resp Ps 128; Mk 12:28-34

Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

JESUS, STRENGTH OF MARTYRS,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

The greatest commandments, Jesus tells us in today's Gospel, are these: First, Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is God alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. And second, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. It is no wonder, then, why our holy father Saint Benedict lists them as the first tools for good works (RB 4:1-2).  These are the foundation for the other tools for good works, including honoring everyone (RB 4:8), enduring persecution for the sake of justice (RB 4:33), and two of my favorites, your way of acting should be different from the world's way; the love of Christ must come before all else (RB 4:20-21). Saint Charles Lwanga and his companions certainly lived their lives in such a way. 

Lastly, let us praise God with Sarah first, then Sarah and Tobiah, as the story unfolds this week in the Book of Tobit. 

Blessed are you, O Lord, merciful God, and blessed is your holy and honorable name. Blessed are you in all your works forever!

(Tobit 3:11)

Blessed are you, O God of our fathers, praised be your name forever and ever. Let the heavens and all your creation praise you forever.

 (Tobit 8:5)

SAINTS CHARLES LWANGA AND HIS COMPANIONS,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This is look but don't touch death camas. All parts of the plant are toxic, relates one source, dangerous to both humans and livestock. Another beauty though, from Catherine's Memorial Day hike.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

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

Saints: Saints Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs (-304); Saints Pothinus and Blandina, Martyrs (-177)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 7:35-43

Mass: Tobit 3:1-11a, 16-17a; Resp Ps 25; Mk 12:18-27

Your ways, O Lord, make known to me, teach me your paths.

MARY, QUEEN OF MARTYRS,

PRAY FOR US.

Since we are busy commemorating martyrs this week, it is fitting and right to turn to Saint Benedict and his chapter on humility, which we are also busy with this week. Today, our holy father Saint Benedict presents us with the fourth step of humility (RB 7:35-43). The step begins with describing obedience under difficult, unfavorable, or even unjust conditions, when one's heart quietly embraces suffering and endures it without weakening or seeking escape (RB 7:35-36). Certainly, everyone is presented with circumstances similar to these at home, work, in community, and all sorts of places. It's how we handle these circumstances, with the grace of God, that matters. This may also be why Saint Benedict makes it clear early in the Holy Rule, in the Prologue where he writes, "do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from the road that leads to salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset" (RB Prol. 48). He also makes it clear in Chapter 58 on the reception of new members. There, we learn that the concern must be whether the novice truly seeks God and whether he shows eagerness for the Work of God, for obedience and for trials. Furthermore, and of great importance, the novice should be clearly told all the hardships and difficulties that will lead him to God (RB 58:7-8). What is also important to keep in mind is that, as an experienced person may know some of the hardships and difficulties that arise, many hardships are unexpected, arise at what might seem to be unlikely places and at inconvenient times, and are not necessarily welcome guests. We turn to Saint Benedict for some last words:

For Scripture has it: Anyone who perseveres to the end will be saved (Mt 10:22), and again, Be brave of of heart and rely on the Lord (Ps 26[27]:14). Another passage shows how the faithful must endure everything, even contradiction, for the Lord's sake, saying in the person of those who suffer, For your sake we are put to death continually; we are regarded as sheep marked for the slaughter (Rm 8:36; Ps 43[44]:22). They are so confident in their expectation of reward from God that they continue joyfully and say, But in all this we overcome become of him who so greatly loved us (Rm 8:37). Elsewhere Scripture says: O God, you have tested us, you have tried us as silver is tried by fire; you have led us into a snare, you have placed afflictions on our backs (Ps 65[66]:10-11). Then, to show that we ought to be under a superior, it adds: You have placed men over our heads (Ps 65[66]:12).

In truth, those who are patient amid hardships and unjust treatment are fulfilling the Lord's command: When struck on one cheek, they turn the other; when deprived of their coat, they offer their cloak also; when pressed into service for one mile, they go two (Mt 5:39-41). With the Apostle Paul, they bear with false brothers, endure persecution, and bless those who curse them (2 Cor 11:26; 1 Cor 4:12).

(Rule of Saint Benedict 7:36-43)

SAINTS MARCELLINUS AND PETER,

SAINT POTHINUS AND BLANDINA,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: There is someone hiking in this photo. She is my dear sister, vfo, here on the Rogue River hiking trail near Grants Pass, Oregon.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

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

Saints: Saint Justin Martyr (-165)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 7:34

Mass: Tobit 2:9-14; Resp Ps 112; Mk 12:13-17

The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.

Welcome to June! One way to start of a new month is to pray with the words from the Gospel acclamation: May the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to His call. The versicle comes from Saint Paul's Letter to the Ephesians, 1:17-18. Looking to the verses that come before it and after, may we not cease in giving thanks for one another, and remember one another in prayer (Eph 1:16). 

He (Jesus) said that we must be slain and hated for His name's sake and that many prophets and false Christs would come forward in His name and would lead many astray. And this is the case, For many have taught what is godless and wicked, falsely stamping their teaching with His name and have taught what has been put into their mind by the unclean spirit of the devil.

(Saint Justin Martyr)

SAINT JUSTIN MARTYR,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Cat's ear from Catherine's Memorial Day hike.

© Gertrude Feick 2021