Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

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

Saints: Saint John Baptiste de la Salle (1651-1719); Saint Henry Walpole (1558-1595)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 55:1-14 The Clothing and Footwear of the Brothers

Mass: Gn 17:3-9; Resp Ps 105; Jn 8:51-59

The Lord remembers His covenant for ever.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.

(Jn 8:51)

In haste today, we find ourselves sandwiched between Jesus' words above and Saint John Baptiste de la Salle's, founder of the Congregation of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, below. United in faith and prayer, we go forth. Keep the faith. By God's grace I am what I am. 

Let your charity and zeal show how you love the Church. Your work is for the Church, which is the body of Christ. By your diligence show your love for those whom God has given you, just as Christ loved the Church.

(From a meditation by Saint John Baptist de la Salle, priest, in Office of Readings, April 7)

SAINT JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE,

SAINT HENRY WALPOLE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: These were found busy doing their thing, yesterday morning, just out back.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

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

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 54 Letters or Gifts for Monks

Mass: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Resp Ps (Dn 3); Jn 8:31-42

Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

My deliverer from angry nations, you set me above my assailants; you saved me from the violent man, O Lord.

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass)

We have others, along with Susanna from Monday, put to the test in another one of my favorite readings that comes to us at today's Mass, namely, the account of Shedrach, Meschach, and Abednego, who were cast into the white-hot furnace because they would not serve the god, or the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And it happens that I have in front of me a favorite picture postcard from the Catacombs of Priscilla in Rome. It's of a fresco of the three young men in the furnace "unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire" (Dn 3:92). I turn to the many verses left out from today's reading from time to time and today is a good day to join the young men in the furnace, who "walked about in the flames, singing to God and blessing the Lord (Dn 3:24). It was Azariah (Abednego), who "stood up and prayed aloud" ( Dn 3:25), Blessed are you and praiseworthy, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and glorious forever is your name ... (Dn 3:26-45). When the furnace, then, continued to be stoked by the king's men, the angel of the Lord (also in my picture postcard) went down into the furnace and drove out the fiery flames (Dn 3:49). Then all three young men "with one voice sang, glorifying and blessing God" (Dn 3:51): Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever ... Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever ... (Dn 3:52-90). No matter how hot the flames become today, may they be tamed with our praise of the Lord. One never knows what may happen. Hearts may turn from hearts of stone, to natural hearts of flesh (Ezk 36:26), including our own.

Yet is was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured ...

Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth ...

(Is 53:4,7)

Today's photo: It's been since last spring that I've had a look at something like this in Eureka. Let the earth bless the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all forever. 

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

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

Saint: Saint Vincent Ferrer, Priest (1350-1419)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 53:16-24 The Reception of Guests

Mass: Nb 21:4-9; Resp Ps 102; Jn 8:21-30

O Lord, hear my prayer.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to Him will live forever.

(Verse before the Gospel, Mass)

I rather like Saint Vincent Ferrer's teaching below. Today seems a good day, like every day, to approach Jesus. After all, as He tells us in today's Gospel: I do nothing on my own (Jn 8:28), we do nothing without Jesus. Jesus is the way to His Father, who is always with Him, because Jesus always does what is pleasing to His Father (Jn 8:29). May we folllow suit. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven ...

If you truly want to help the soul of your neighbor, you should approach God first with all your heart. Ask Him to simply fill you with charity, the greatest of all virtues; with it you can accomplish what you desire.

(From the treatise On the Spiritual Life by Saint Vincent Ferrer, priest, in Office of Readings, April 5)

SAINT VINCENT FERRER,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Standing tall in the kitchen garden of delights.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

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

Saints: Saint Isidore of Seville, Bishop, Doctor (560-636); Saint Benedict the Moor (1526-1589)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 53:1-15 The Reception of Guests

Mass: Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62; Resp Ps 23; Jn 8:12-20

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

(Jn 8:12)

Monday has rolled around once again. Welcome to it in this Fifth Week of Lent, the week before Palm Sunday and entrance into Holy Week. As usual, it is a busy Monday with going full pelt before the crack of dawn. God is praised.

The work week begins with one of my favorite readings taken from the Book of the Prophet Daniel, the long version too. Have you ever been the target of calumny? It is not pleasant, just ask beautiful and God-fearing Susanna about it. At one point, Susanna says, "I am completely trapped" (Dn 13:22). At another, "the whole assembly cried aloud, blessing God who saves those who hope in Him" (Dn 13:60). No matter what comes your way this day, remember Saint Benedict's tool for good works: "Place your hope in God alone" (Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:41). 

Prayer purifies us, readings instructs us. Both are good when both are possible. Otherwise, prayer is better than reading.

If a man wants to be always in God's company, he must pray regularly and read regularly. When we pray, we talk to God; when we read, God talks to us.

(From the Book of Maxims by Saint Isidore, bishop, in Office of Readings, April 4)

SAINT ISIDORE OF SEVILLE,

SAINT BENEDICT THE MOOR,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: These delights were found yesterday morning, in our kitchen garden, certainly a place of beauty.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Fifth Sunday of Lent

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

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 52 The Oratory of the Monastery

Mass: Is 43:16-21; Resp Ps 126; Ph 3:8-14; Jn 8:1-11 or Ezk 37:12-14; Resp Ps 130; Rm 8:8-11; Jn 11:1-45

The Lord has done great things for us.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Neither do I condemn you. 

(Jn 8:11)

Thoughts this morning go to an exchange I learned about some years ago, between Cardinal Basil Hume (1923-1999) and a member of the faithful.* Cardinal Hume had recently announced his diagnosis with inoperable stomach cancer. The Cardinal had accepted his illness and was at peace as revealed in a letter to the priests in his diocese: "I intend to carry on working as much and as long as I can. I have no intention of being an invalid until I have to submit to the illness. But nevertheless, I shall be a bit limited in what I can do" (p. 136). As one might imagine, with the Cardinal's status, as well as his popularity with so many of the people throughout England and Wales, when his "terminal illness became publicly known, he received, in a short few weeks before be died, some 5,000 letters" (p. 137), as noted by one his nephews. Here is part of one letter, though, that was not so supportive. The woman wrote: "You have accepted your illness and are at peace ... I learned I was terminally ill the same day as you made that announcement. I am far from happy-I am frightened and I am angry and I am especially angry with you because everyone will pray for you-but no one will pray for me-a lapsed Catholic who is divorced ..." (pp. 139-140). With compassion, the Cardinal promptly replied: "Don't ever say no one will pray for you for from this day on I will pray for you every day." The letter writer responded in haste: "I was so ashamed when I read your generous letter ... I was angry and bitter, forgive me" (p. 140. This is a powerful witness of the mercy and forgiveness of God constantly available to each one of us, then extended to our brothers and sisters. And what about the poor woman in today's Gospel who was brought and made to stand in the middle of the temple area? (Jn 8:3). I imagine she too was frightened, angry, and bitter. How do you reach out to her? We just never know what goes on with others, or even ourselves sometimes. As I was reminded by a fellow student, now priest, many years ago just after I made a derogatory comment about a classmate, "Some addictions are more visible than others." I add now, some addictions, illnesses, hurts and scars, are more visible than others. Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her (Jn 8:7), says the Lord.

Dear friends, let us learn from the Lord Jesus not to judge and not to condemn our neighbor. Let us learn to be intransigent with sin starting with our own! and indulgent with people. May the holy Mother of God, free from all sin, who is the mediatrix of grace from every repentant sinner, help us in this.

(Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus Address, Fifth Sunday of Lent, March 21, 2010)

See, I am doing something new! ...

The people I have formed for myself, that they might announce my praise.

(Is 43:19, 21)

* NB. What is related here can be found in G. Feick, Cardinal Basil Hume: A Pilgrim's Search for God (Gracewing, 2019), pp. 135-140. All original sources are referenced there. 

Today's photo: Clothed in Lenten violet, this one was found in Eureka, CA.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent

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

Saints: Saint Francis of Paola (1436-1507); Saint John Payne (c.1550-1582); Blessed Pedro Calungsod (-1672)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 51 Brothers on a Short Journey

Mass: Jer 11:18-20; Resp Ps 7; Jn 7:40-53

O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Blessed are they who kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance.

(Verse before the Gospel, Mass)

This is what the guards are saying about Jesus in today's Gospel: "Never before has anyone spoken like this man" (Jn 7:46). What is Jesus saying to you today? 

Fix your minds, then, on the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Inflamed with love for us, He came down from heaven to redeem us. For our sake He endured every torment of body and soul and shrank from no bodily pain. He Himself gave us an example of perfect patience and love. We, then, are to be patient in adversity ...

Be peace-loving. Peace is a precious treasure to be sought with great zeal ... be converted, then, with a sincere heart. Live your life that you may receive the blessing of the Lord. Then the peace of God our Father will be with you always.

(From a letter by Saint Francis of Paola, in Office of Readings, April 2)

SAINT FRANCIS OF PAOLA,

SAINT JOHN PAYNE,

BLESSED PEDRO CALUNGSOD,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: It's the deep, penetrating color of the leaves on this Lily of the Valley bush that attract me. It's one of my favorites around here.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent

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

First Friday of the Month

Saint: Saint Ceallach (1080-1129)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 50 Brothers Working at a Distance or Traveling 

Mass: Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22; Resp Ps 34; Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Welcome to the First Friday of the Month on this first day of April. April showers bring May flowers, I was taught as a youngster. At the same time, many flowers are already busy around here, and as shown in today's photo, from my dear cousin in Windsor, CA.

I have been with a line from the first reading from today's Mass that comes from the Book of Wisdom. It is there that we hear about what the wicked are saying among themselves. They are talking about the one whose "life is not like others, and different are his ways" (Wis 2:15). 

I think of an early Christian text, the author unknown, titled The Epistle to Diognetus. It is an early Christian apology. It is not long and various translations of the text can be found in PDF format on the web. The epistle is addressed to Diognetus who desires to learn more about the Christian religion. It addresses three "puzzles": First, what "sort of cult is Christianity to enable its adherents to spurn both pagan gods and the superstition of the Jews?"; Second, "What is the secret for their love for one another?"; Third, "Why did the new religion come into existence at so late a date in the history of the world?" (in Ancient Christian Writers: The Works of the Fathers in Translation, No. 6, "The Epistle to Diognetus", p. 127).  A commentator writes: "The writer's portrayal of Christian life in Chapters 5 and 6 is of great beauty. Christians are citizens and aliens at the same time. Unostentatious in their civic relations, they yet draw upon themselves the admiration of the whole world. 'In the world, yet not of the world' is their motto" (p. 128). We are reminded of Saint Benedict's tool for good works, namely, our way of acting should be different from the world's way (Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:20). By way of two examples, here are some things we learn in Chapters 5 and 6, echoes as they are from today's reading from the Book of Wisdom. The author of the Epistle to Diognetus writes about Christians: "They love all men, but are persecuted by all. They are unknown, yet are condemned; they are put to death but it is life that they receive. They are poor, and enrich many; destitute of everything, they abound in everything. They are dishonored, and in their dishonor find their glory. They are calumniated, and are vindicated. They are reviled, and they bless; they are insulted and render honor. Doing good, they are penalized as evildoers; when penalized, they rejoice because they are quickened into life" (Ch 5, 11-16). And, "Christians love those that hate them" (Ch. 6, 5). So it is was with Jesus, who many "were trying to kill" (Jn 7:1). May we follow Him, all the way. Heart of Jesus, Victim for our sins, Salvation of those who trust in Thee, have mercy on us.

How fine a thing it is to move from festival to festival, from prayer to prayer, from holy day to holy day. The time is now at hand when we enter on a new beginning; the proclamation of the blessed Passover, in which the Lord was sacrificed ...

This feast guides us through the trials that meet us in the world. God now gives us the joy of salvation that shines out from this feast, as He brings together to form one assembly, uniting us all in spirit in every place, allowing us to pray together and to offer common thanksgiving, as is our duty on this feast. Such is the wonder of His love; He gathers to this feast those who are far apart, and brings together in unity of faith those who may be physically separated from each other.

(From an Easter letter by Saint Athanasius, bishop, in Office of Readings, Fourth Week of Lent, Friday)

We go forth, united in faith and prayer. They know we are Christians by our love.

SAINT CEALLACH,

PRAY FOR US.

© Gertrude Feick 2022