Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

In other years: Saint Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941) 

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 60 The Admission of Priests to the Monastery

Mass: Jer 38:4-6, 8-10; Resp Ps 40; Heb 12:1-4; Lk 12:49-53

Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary [celebrated before or after First Vespers (Evening Prayer 1) of the Solemnity]: Chronicles 15:3-4, 15-16;16:1-2; Resp Ps 132; 1 Cor 15:54b-57; Lk 11:27-28

I waited, waited for the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

HEART OF MARY, MOST HUMBLE,

MARY, QUEEN OF MARTYRS,

PRAY FOR US.

Let peace be your quest and aim.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 17/Ps 34:15)

About establishing peace on the earth, Jesus says He has come not to establish peace, but rather division (Lk 12:51). Jesus gives us the peace the world cannot give. The journey to His peace is challenging, difficult, and a cause for opposition, argument and division. We listen to His voice though, as He says, My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. And we follow Him under the condition that whoever follows Him must pick up her cross and follow Him. In doing so, our joy will be complete. We must not grow weary or lose heart, and persevere as the author of the Letter to the Hebrews puts so eloquently:

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before Him He endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken His seat at the right of the throne of God. Consider how He endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In our struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

(Hebrews 12:1-4)

As we go forth, then, on this Sunday, united in faith and prayer, we prepare ourselves for tomorrow's Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and join the woman from the crowd who called out to Jesus: "Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed" (Lk 11:27). To which Jesus replies: Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it (11:28).

For the person who is kindly, modest, merciful and just will not keep his good works to himself but will see to it that these admirable fountains send out their stream for the good of others. Again, the person who is clean of heart, a peacemaker and ardent for truth will order his life so as to contribute to the common good.

(From a homily on Matthew by Saint John Chrysostom, bishop, in Office of Readings, Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

SAINT MAXIMILIAM KOLBE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This one glows. And He stooped toward me. 

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Saturday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saints: Pope Saint Pontian and Saint Hippolytus, Priest, Martyrs (-235); Blessed Michael J. McGivney, Founder of the Knights of Columbus (1852-1890)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 59 The Offering of Sons by the Nobles or by the Poor

Mass: Ezk 18:1-10, 13b, 30-32; Resp Ps 51; Mt 19:13-15

A willing spirit sustain in me.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

HEART OF MARY, BLESSED AMONG ALL HEARTS,

PRAY FOR US.

Children were brought to Jesus that He might lay His hands on them and pray.

(Mt 19:13)

Welcome to Saturday, and this one is a good day to pray for all children, that they may be nurtured, cared for, loved, and formed in the faith of Our Lord Jesus Christ. And may all children know how much Jesus loves them. After He placed His hands on them, He went away (Mt 19:15). We entrust all children to the care and protection of Our Blessed Mother Mary. Mary, source of all consolation, pray for us.

To honor Our Lady, here is part of a meditation on Mary, by Cistercian monk Amadeus of Lausenne (c. 1110-1159), from Mary, Most Holy: Meditating with the Early Cistercians (Cistercian Publications, 2003), p. 87.

Consider

that when the mother gave birth

the face of the universe smiled

and the glad world applauded its Lord.

Reflect

that the clouds were swept away

and the sky put on its beauty

and the stars, saying here we are

blazed with joy

for Him.

And this, from Saint Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997):

If you ever feel distressed during your day, call upon our Lady, just say this simple prayer: "Mary, Mother of Jesus, please be a mother to me now." I must admit, this prayer has never failed me. 

POPE SAINT PONTIAN AND SAINT HIPPOLYTUS,

BLESSED MICHAEL J. MCGIVNEY,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: For the Blessed Mother. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saints: Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Religious (1572-1641); Blessed Isidore Bakanja (c.1886-1909); Saint Muredach (5th century); Saint Attracta (5th or 6th century); Saint Lelia (?); Saint Blaan (-590)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 58:17-29 The Procedure for Receiving Brothers

Mass: Ezk 16:1-15, 60, 63 or Ezk 16:59-63; Resp Ps (Is 12); Mt 19:3-12

My strength and my courage is the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

HEART OF MARY, FULL OF GRACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Receive me, Lord, as you have promised, and I shall live; do not disappoint me in my hope.

(Rule of Saint Benedict 58:21/Ps 118:116)

As on many days, we turn to our saints of the day for inspiration and intercession. We have plenty of them to pray for us today, some more well-known than others. Big inspirations for me are women, those who were wives and mothers, and we have a powerful one to commemorate, namely, Saint Jane Frances de Chantal. Jane, born in Dijon, France in the mid-sixteenth century, married a nobleman and was happily married for nine years as wife and the mother of six children, whom she raised in the faith. After her husband's untimely death in a hunting accident, Jane sought the spiritual guidance of Francis de Sales. As she continued to seek God, Jane served the poor and the sick. In 1610, Jane and Francis founded the Order of Visitation for women who devoted themselves to "total trust in humble and gentle service in the spirit of Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth. " And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy (Lk 1:43-44). My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord (Lk 1:46). Amen. 

In our neighbor we should only observe what is good.

(Saint Jane Frances de Chantal)

The great method of prayer is to have none. If in going to prayer one can form in oneself a pure capacity for receiving the spirit of God, that will suffice for all method.

(Saint Jane Frances de Chantal)

Hell is full of the talented, but Heaven of the energetic.

(Saint Jane Frances de Chantal)

SAINT JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL,

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES,

BLESSED ISIDORE BAKANIA,

SAINT MUREDACH,

SAINT ATTRACTA,

SAINT LELIA,

SAINT BLAAN

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Not looking for something to include in today's reflection, I walked by this and went straight for the camera. Sing praise to the Lord for His glorious achievements.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saint: Saint Clare, Virgin (1193/4-1253)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 58:1-16 The Procedure for Receiving Brothers

Mass: Ezk 12:1-12; Resp Ps 78; Mt 18:21-19:1

Do not forget the works of the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

HEART OF MARY, IMMACULATE FROM THY CREATION.

The concern must be whether the novice truly seeks God.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 58:7)

We are blessed today that we turn to Saint Clare of Assisi for inspiration and intercession. May she help us forgive not seven times by seventy-seven times (Mt 18:22). We pray too in the words of Poor Clare Mother Angelica (1923-2016), "Give me hope, Lord Father, to trust in your forgiveness, and let me always give my neighbor the benefit of the doubt so I may forgive him from my heart."

For God is the splendor of eternal glory, 

the brightness of eternal light, and the mirror without cloud ...

In this mirror blessed poverty, holy humility and ineffable love are reflected. With the grace of God the whole mirror will be your source of contemplation.

(From a letter to Blessed Agnes of Prague by Saint Clare, virgin, in Office of Readings, August 11)

Though my flesh and my heart may fail,

-God is my strength and my portion forever.

(Responsory, Office of Readings)

SAINT CLARE OF ASSISI,

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I like this. 😊

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Feast of Saint Lawrence

Saint: Saint Lawrence, Deacon, Martyr (-258)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 57 The Artisans of the Monastery 

Mass: 2 Cor 9:6-10; Resp Ps 112; Jn 12:24-26

The upright generation shall be blessed.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

HEART OF MARY, TABERNACLE OF GOD INCARNATION,

PRAY FOR US.

Whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

(2 Cor 9:6)

So that in all things God may be glorified.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 57:9/1 Pet 4:11)

Give praise to God as we commemorate Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr, "one of the most celebrated saints in the history of the Church" ... "one of the most venerated martyrs of the Roman church since the fourth century" (Butler's Lives of the Saints). Yes, he of gridiron fame; he "who ransacked Rome for the poor supported by the Church", then "assembled the decrepit, blind, lame, cripples, lepers, orphans, widows, and maidens and invited the prefect [of Rome] to inspect the Church's real treasure." For this Lawrence would perish, slowly. It is to Saint Lawrence that we look for inspiration and intercession. We must keep going, united in faith and prayer. About Saint Lawrence and about us too, Saint Augustine preached this: 

In his life he loved Christ; in his death he followed in His footsteps ... we too must imitate Christ if we truly love Him. We shall not be able to render better return on that love than by modeling our lives on His ... Let us understand, then, how a Christian must follow Christ even though he does not shed his blood for Him, and his faith is not called upon to undergo the great test of the martyr's sufferings ... Christ humbled Himself. Christian, that is what you must make your own. Christ became obedient. How is it that you are proud? When this humbling experience was completed and death itself lay conquered, Christ ascended into heaven. Let us follow Him there, for we hear Paul saying: If you have been raised with Christ, you must lift your thoughts on high, where Christ now sits at the right hand of God.

 (From a sermon by Saint Augustine, bishop, in Office of Readings, August 10). 

SAINT LAWRENCE,

PRAY FOR US.

NB. With fond memories I recall 5th and 6th grades at Saint Lawrence Catholic School in Muncie, Indiana, my hometown. It was the same school my father attended as a boy, after he and his parents immigrated from Germany in 1933. God is praised. Saint Lawrence, as of the 2021-22 school year, is now unified with Saint Mary Catholic School (where I attended 4th grade) in a single Catholic School, Saint Michael Catholic School. May Saint Lawrence, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Saint Michael intercede for all students, teachers, and staff, and all the faithful in Muncie, Indiana. 

Today's photo: On the prowl for a flower or greenery, I found this. His generosity shall endure forever.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saints: Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Martyr, Co-Patron Saint of Europe (1891-1942); Saint Nathy; Saint Felim (6th century)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 56 The Abbot's Table

Mass: Ezk 2:8-3:4; Resp Ps 119; Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

Yes, your decrees are my delight.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

HEART OF MARY, SANCTUARY OF THE DIVINE TRINITY,

PRAY FOR US.

Free me from the net they have set for me, for you are my refuge.

(Psalm 31:5)

It was at Lauds this morning that I knew it was good day to turn to the psalms, as are all days. The psalmist sings to us with words of solace, compassion, assistance, and challenge too. Today is an especially good day to turn to the psalms as we commemorate Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein). Born as she was into a Jewish family, Edith would have been familiar with the psalms. At 14, Edith became an atheist, then a scholar of philosophy, studying under Edmund Husserl in Freiburg, Germany. A seeker of the truth, Edith read the autobiography of Saint Teresa Avila and exclaimed, "This is the truth." Subsequently, Edith was baptized into the faith in 1922, and eventually entered the Carmel in Cologne, taking the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. She was moved to a Carmel in the Netherlands during the growing Nazi threat. After all Jewish converts to the faith were arrested, Teresa Benedicta of the Cross was taken to Auschwitz and killed on August 9, 1942. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

When you seek truth you seek God, whether you know it or not.

(Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross)

SAINT TERESA BENEDICTA OF THE CROSS,

SAINT NATHY,

SAINT FELIM,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: More greenery to delight in. I gasp with open mouth.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Monday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saints: Saint Dominic (1170-1221); Saint Mary of the Cross (1842-1909)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 55:15-22 The Clothing and Footwear of the Brothers 

Mass: Ezk 1:2-5, 24-28c; Resp Ps 148; Mt 17:22-27

Praise Him, all you His hosts.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

HEART OF MARY, INSTRUMENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,

PRAY FOR US.

True teaching was in his mouth; no evil found on his lips.

-His words burned like a torch.

(Responsory, Office of Readings, August 8)

Welcome to Monday. And we know how these days go, full as they are with getting on with a new week. We keep going and pray especially for all the Dominicans, the Order of Preachers. May Saint Dominic intercede for them, and for all the faithful. We look to the life of Saint Dominic for inspiration:

Dominic possessed such great integrity and was so strongly motivated by divine love, that without a doubt he proved to be a bearer of honor and grace. He was a man of great equanimity, except when moved to compassion and mercy. And since a joyful heart animates the face,

he displayed the peaceful composure of a spiritual man in the kindness he manifested outwardly and by the cheerfulness of his countenance.

(From various writings on the history of the Order of Preachers, in Office of Readings, August 8)

SAINT DOMINIC,

SAINT MARY OF THE CROSS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Back to a favorite, these particular ones you have not seen. Praise Him, all you His angels.

© Gertrude Feick 2022