Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

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

National Marriage Week

Saint: Saint Mel (d. 488)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:59 Humility

Mass: 1 Kgs 8:1-7, 9-13; Resp Ps 132; Mk 6:53-56

Lord, go up to the place of your rest.

THEY LAID THE SICK IN THE MARKETPLACES AND BEGGED HIM THAT THEY MIGHT TOUCH ONLY THE TASSEL ON HIS CLOAK; 

AND AS MANY AS TOUCHED IT WERE HEALED.

(Mk 6:56)

Welcome to Monday! We have been busy with Saint Benedict's Chapter 7 on Humility for some days now. As we begin a new week, you there, me here, going about the daily, we focus on the eighth through tenth steps of humility. All concern our manner of speaking and laughing. Essentially, we are about speaking gently, modestly, quietly, with respect for one another, and when we do laugh, we laugh in good humor, certainly not at someone or raucously. Saint Benedict helps by instructing us: In a flood of words you will not avoid sinning, and, A talkative person goes about aimlessly on earth ... only a fool raises her voice in laughter ... a wise man is known by his few words: (RB 7:57-59, 61). Saint Bernard of Clairvaux has something to say about the subject too:

Insofar as you find wisdom in your heart, prudence will flow from your lips ...

Happy is the man who has found wisdom. Even most happy is the man who lives in wisdom, for he perceives its abundance. There are three ways for wisdom or prudence to abound in you; if you confess your sins, if you give thanks and praise, and if your speech is edifying. Man believes with his heart and so he is justified. He confesses with his lips and so he is saved. In the beginning of his speech, the just man is his own accuser, next he gives glory to God, and thirdly, if his wisdom extends that far, edifies his neighbor.

(From a sermon by Saint Bernard, abbot, in Office of Readings, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Monday)

SAINT MEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: We will take a trip to various parts of our country this week, with photos received yesterday from a few family members and friends. We can marvel at the beauty and diversity of America. Yesterday we were at Redwoods, here in California, the Golden State. Today we are at Holliday Park in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Hoosier State. This photo comes compliments of a dear brother, who, although he didn't say, was likely on a walk with his dog Benedict (with a medal of Saint Benedict on his collar!). God bless America. 

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

In other years: Saint Paul Miki (1564/6-1597); SS. Gonsalo Garcia, Peter Baptista and Companions (-1597)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:56-58 Humility

Mass: Is 6:1-2a, 3-8; Resp Ps 138; 1 Cor 15:1-11; Lk 5:1-11

Great is the glory of the Lord.

BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM WHAT I AM.

(1 Cor 15:10)

Welcome to Sunday. Buona domenica! It's a day I have been waiting for. Jesus gets into the boat of fisherman Simon, and into your boat too, and tells us to put out a short distance from the shore (Lk 5:3). And if we take the delightful approach to life of the Sufi Master Hafiz, how could we ever be afraid, and not respond with the Prophet Isaiah, Here I am, send me! (Is 6:8). 

TWO GIANT FAT PEOPLE

God

And I have become

Like two giant fat people

Living in a 

tiny boat.

We

Keep

Bumping into each other and

L

a

u

g

h

i

n

g

.

(The Gift: Poems by Hafiz the Great Sufi Master, p. 199)

SAINT PAUL MIKI AND COMPANIONS,

SAINTS GONSALO GARCIA, PETER BAPTISTA AND COMPANIONS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: From a late afternoon stroll, yesterday around 4:30 p.m.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

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

Catholic Schools Week

First Saturday of the Month

Saint: Saint Agatha, Martyr (3rd century)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:55 Humility

Mass: 1 Kings 3:4-13; Resp Ps 119; Mk 6:30-34

With all my heart I seek you.

MARY, QUEEN OF MARTYRS,

PRAY FOR US.

We conclude the celebration of Catholic Schools Week on this First Saturday of the Month, also the commemoration of Saint Agatha. We invoke many saints today, including all seven female martyrs who are named after the consecration in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I). God is certainly praised!

We have plenty to pray for these days, so why not take Jesus' words to the disciples to heart and go away by yourself to a deserted place and rest a while (Mk 6:31), and spend a little time in prayer, even if only for a minute or two.

THE RESULT OF PRAYER

The result of prayer is life.

Prayer irrigates the 

earth and

heart.

(Saint Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226, in D. Ladinsky, Love Poems from God, p. 54)

Agatha, the name of our saint, means "good." She was truly good, for she lived as a child of God. She was also given as gift of God, the source of all goodness to her bridegroom, Christ, and to us. For she grants us a share in her goodness ...

Agatha, her goodness coincides with her name and way of life. She won a good name by her noble deeds, and by her name she points to the nobility of those deeds. Agatha, her mere name wins all men over to her company. She teaches them by her example to hasten with her to the true Good, God alone.

(From a homily on Saint Agatha by Saint Methodius of Sicily, bishop, in Office of Readings, February 5)

SAINT AGATHA,

SAINT FELICITY,

SAINT PERPETUA,

SAINT LUCY,

SAINT AGNES,

SAINT CECILIA,

SAINT ANASTASIA,

SAINT JOHN BOSCO,

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES,

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

SAINT ANGELA MERICI,

SAINT ALBERT THE GREAT,

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS,

SAINT JOHN CANTIUS,

SAINT JOHN HENRY NEWMAN,

SAINT MARY ELLEN MACKILLOP,

SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER CABRINI,

SAINT KATHERINE DREXEL,

SAINT JEANNE DE LESTONNAE,

BLESSED MARY RIVIER,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: "8 inches of untouched snow on my deck table; almost like frosting on a cupcake." Winter in Carmel, IN. From faithful reader and long-time friend, LM. Ice and snow, bless the Lord.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

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

Catholic Schools Week

First Friday of the Month

2nd International Day of Human Fraternity

Saints: Saint Gilbert of Sempringham, Abbot and Founder (1083-1190); Saint John de Britto (1647-1693); Blessed Marie-Eugene Grialou (1864-1967); Saint Catherine de Ricci OP (1522-1590)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:51-54

Mass: Sirach 47:2-11; Resp Ps 18; Mk 6:14-29

The Lord live! And blessed be my Rock!

HERODIAS HARBORED A GRUDGE AGAINST JOHN ... HEROD FEARED JOHN.

(Mk 6:19-20)

Welcome to the First Friday of the Month. 

Some find today's Gospel account disturbing. I have heard it referred to as "the beheading of John the Baptist." At the same time, there is much to learn from this story, about ourselves and others too. Otherwise, why would Saint Benedict have included these Tools for Good Works: Live by God's commandments every day; treasure chastity, harbor neither hatred nor jealousy of anyone, and do nothing out of envy (RB 4:67). The proclamation of this passage also happens to fall on the 2nd International Day of Human Fraternity. If interested you can find the "Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together", signed by His Holiness Pope Francis and Grand Imam Al-Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, in Ahu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, February 4, 2019. I include here one of several aspirations of the Document

In conclusion, our aspiration is that ...

this Declaration may be a witness to the greatness of faith in God that unites divided hearts and elevates the human soul.

United in faith and prayer, we go forth and pray with our litany of saints.

SAINT GILBERT OF SEMPRINGHAM,

SAINT JOHN DE BRITTO,

BLESSED MARIE-EUGENE GRIALOU,

SAINT CATHERINE DE RICCI,

SAINT JOHN BOSCO,

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES,

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

SAINT ANGELA MERICI,

SAINT ALBERT THE GREAT,

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS,

SAINT JOHN CANTIUS,

SAINT JOHN HENRY NEWMAN,

SAINT MARY ELLEN MACKILLOP,

SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER CABRINI,

SAINT KATHERINE DREXEL,

SAINT JEANNE DE LESTONNAE,

BLESSED MARY RIVIER,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Bird on rock. Cape Mendocino, CA.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

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

Catholic Schools Week

Saints: Saint Ansgar or Oscar, Bishop, Apostle of the North (-865); Saint Blaise, Bishop, Martyr (4th century); Saint Laurence of Canterbury, Missionary, Archbishop of Canterbury; Saint Dunstan of Canterbury, Archbishop of Canterbury (-988); Saint Theodore of Canterbury (602-690), Archbishop of Canterbury; Saint Werburg (7th-8th century); Saint Anne Linn, nee Heigham (1565?-1601); Saint Peter of Ruffia OP, Martyr (c. 1320-1365); Blessed Anthony of Pavonio OP, Martyr (1326-1374); Blessed Bartholomew of Cerverio OP, Martyr c.1420-1466)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: RB 7:49-55

Mass: 1 Kgs 2:1-4, 10-12; Resp Ps (1 Chr 29); Mk 6:7-13

Yours, O Lord, are grandeur and power, majesty, splendor, and glory.

MARY, QUEEN OF MISSIONARIES,

QUEEN OF MARTYRS,

PRAY FOR US.

In our ever-increasing litany of saints, we invoke several missionaries today, with some of them martyrs. Their admirable qualities inspire us in our work as missionaries wherever we find ourselves. We might not be asked to go out two by two and be given authority over unclean spirits (Mk 6:7), as with the early disciples of Jesus in today's Gospel, or go to a foreign land to meet the local people where they are. Still, we are missionaries in our homes, communities, work environments, parishes, and social gatherings. We are meant to be witnesses to our faith, to the love and mercy of Jesus. We face difficulties such as rejection and unbelief, arguments and dismissal. Jesus is clear: Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them (Mk 6:10). Above all, do not be discouraged. As Father Franci Mahieu, ocso (1912-2002), once said, "We have to learn from the mistakes of the disciples who failed to understand Jesus' suffering." And as Jesus Himself said more than once, whoever wishes to come after me, must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. We are united in faith and prayer. Corraggio.

Do not despair. 

Put your trust in God that He may pull you up and move you onwards by favorable winds.

(Francis Mahieu, ocso, d. 2002 at the age of 90, after 65 years of monastic life) 

SAINT ANSGAR,

SAINT BLAISE,

SAINT LAURENCE OF CANTERBURY,

SAINT DUNSTAN OF CANTERBURY,

SAINT THEODORE OF CANTERBURY,

SAINT WERBERG,

SAINT ANNE LINNE,

SAINT PETER OF RUFFIA,

BLESSED ANTHONY OF PAVONIO,

BLESSED BARTHOLOMEW OF CERVERIO,

SAINT JOHN BOSCO,

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES,

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

SAINT ANGELA MERICI,

SAINT ALBERT THE GREAT,

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS,

SAINT JOHN CANTIUS,

SAINT JOHN HENRY NEWMAN,

SAINT MARY ELLEN MACKILLOP,

SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER CABRINI,

SAINT KATHERINE DREXEL,

SAINT JEANNE DE LESTONNAE,

BLESSED MARY RIVIER,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Another one from this past Sunday. Sun and moon; bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever. 

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

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

Catholic Schools Week

World Day for Consecrated Life

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: RB 7:49-50

Mass: Malachi 3:1-4; Resp Ps 24; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40

Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord.

HEART OF JESUS, SALVATION OF THOSE WHO TRUST IN THEE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

What a glorious day it is. On this clear and chilly "frost on pumpkin" morning, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, when Joseph and Mary took their babe in arms son Jesus to present Him to the Lord, as was customary (Lk 2:22). We also celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life, and with the Holy Father pray for "religious sisters and consecrated women, thanking them for their mission and their courage, may they continue to find new responses to the challenges of our times. Thank you for what you are, what you do, and for how you do it." 

About the Feast then, my reflections stem from today's photo, as well as words from Guerric of Igny (1070-1157), taken from one his liturgical sermons and used as our Proclamation at Lauds. The flowers you see in the photo are held by my dear sister and faithful reader, Victoria. After Mass the other day, she was presented with these beautiful roses by the gardener. The exchange was a presentation. Gift given; gift received. A mutual exchange of sharing in the love of Jesus. A sign of the love of the infant Jesus presented in the temple, all exchanges like it should be reason to, with Simeon, take Jesus in our arms, bless Him, and proclaim the Nunc dimitis: "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to our word, for my eyes have seen the salvation, which you have prepared in the sights of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel" (Lk 2:29-32). While we are at it, we join the prophetess, Anna, too, and "give thanks to God and speak about the child" (Lk 2:38) to all those we meet today. 

You too have received God's mercy; indeed you have received it more abundantly. Take care lest you make grace fruitless through ingratitude. Let your devotion then be full of joy. Glorify and carry in your body every day the One whom Simeon carried today.

(Guerric of Igny)

We continue to prayer with our litany of saints in honor of Catholic Schools Week.

SAINT JOHN BOSCO,

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES,

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

SAINT ANGELA MERICI,

SAINT ALBERT THE GREAT,

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS,

SAINT JOHN CANTIUS,

SAINT JOHN HENRY NEWMAN,

SAINT MARY ELLEN MACKILLOP,

SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER CABRINI,

SAINT KATHERINE DREXEL,

SAINT JEANNE DE LESTONNAE,

PRAY FOR US.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

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

Catholic Schools Week

Saints:Saint Brigid of Kildare, Abbess (451?-525); Saint Henry Morse (1595-1645); Blessed Benedict Daswa (1946-1990); Blessed Candelaria of Saint Joseph (1863-1940)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:35-43 Humility

Mass: 2 Sm 9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30-19:3; Resp Ps 86; Mk 5:21-43

Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me.

HEART OF JESUS, SOURCE OF ALL CONSOLATION,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Welcome to February 2022. I've been thinking about today's Gospel passage, especially about the dear woman afflicted with hemorrhages for 12 years. Can you imagine? My reflections have been spurred on by a thought-provoking little book I am slowly making my way through. It is Shusaku Endo's A Life of Jesus (Paulist, 1978). It just happens that last evening I was with the author's commentary on this story, what he refers to as a "consolation story" (pp. 50-51). I include the author's words here. Perhaps put yourself in the woman's place and with a similar trembling finger, take your suffering to Jesus, reach out and touch His clothing. Jesus will understand. I believe, help my unbelief.

The event too occurred in a town by the Lake of Galilee. The woman, mingling unobtrusively in the crowd that was pressing in to get a close look at Jesus, had suffered so long from her incurable hemorrhaging that her act of touching a trembling finger to His clothing was like a drowning person's catching at a straw. At merely the touch of this timid finger Jesus felt all the burden of her suffering and the desperation which made her grasp at straws.

"Who touched my clothes" He said, turning to the disciples. They laughed, replying, "You see the crowd pressing upon you and yet you ask, 'Who touched me?' How can you avoid being jostled?"

"No, you're wrong," said Jesus, shaking His head. "Somebody has touched my clothing."

Then among all the faces intently watching Him, He distinguished the frightened look on one woman's face. 

The story leads into a miracle story of how Jesus healed the woman's malady, but to me the affecting part is how Jesus felt all the woman's heartbreaking suffering through the touch of her trembling finger against His clothing-more moving than the sequel in which He cures her ailment with a miracle. The woman's finger reaching furtively from behind other people, and when it barely comes in contact with His outer garment, Jesus turns and understands her suffering. From the single trembling finger we complete the picture of the woman's frightened face and the heart-stricken look from the face of Jesus. 

NB. As I thought might be the case, our litany of saints has grown to include more holy ones to intercede during Catholic Schools Week. 

SAINT BRIGID OF KILDARE,

SAINT HENRY MORSE,

BLESSED BENEDICT DASWA,

BLESSED CANDELARIA OF SAINT JOSEPH,

SAINT JOHN BOSCO,

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES,

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

SAINT ANGELA MERICI,

SAINT ALBERT THE GREAT,

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS,

SAINT JOHN CANTIUS,

SAINT JEANNE DE LESTONNAE,

SAINT JOHN HENRY NEWMAN,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: "Lake Tahoe on a smokey evening." Another one from a faithful reader.

© Gertrude Feick 2022