Wednesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

Saint: Saint Clodoald, Monk (d.560)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Prologue 45-50 

Mass: 1 Cor 7:25-31; Resp Ps 45; Lk 6:20-26

Her raiment is threaded with spun gold.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

DESOLUTE MOTHER,

PRAY FOR US.

Blessed are you who are now weeping.

(Lk 6:21)

This morning I heard from two friends, one in India, now at home after undergoing surgery for prostate cancer; another in Arizona whose wife is on hospice. Then there are others with heart problems, back pain, and other types of cancer. At the same time there are the effects of aging, however gracefully we go about it, that hit us in ways unexpected and not always welcome. As a result of this, I have been thinking about all those who suffer in one way or another and asking Mary to cover them, us, in her protective veil. All of us, united in faith and prayer, are blessed in the eyes of the Lord. We ask the Lord to help us, as He says: Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light (Mt 11:28-30). The Kingdom of God is ours (Lk 6:20).

But as we progress in this way of life, and in faith, we shall run on the path of God's commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of life ...

we shall through patience share in the sufferings of Christ that we may deserve also to share in His kingdom.

Amen. 

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 49-50)

SAINT CLODOALD,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: More yellow than gold, still beauty to behold. So shall the king desire your beauty.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Tuesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

Saint: Blessed Thomas Tzugi, a Jesuit Martyr of Japan (1571-1627)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Prologue 39-44

Mass: 1 Cor 6:1-11; Resp Ps 149; Lk 6:12-19

This is the glory of all the faithful.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

FORSAKEN MOTHER,

PRAY FOR US.

Everyone in the crowd sought to touch Him.

(Lk 6:19)

As it turns out, today's Gospel provides opportunity to pass along more wisdom from Saint Teresa of Calcutta. We reach out then and listen to Mother Teresa: "Put your hand in the hand of Jesus-walk along with Him all the way. We try to hold something else-we are human beings; that's why people need to hold, that's why we hold the hand of Jesus." Because power came from Him and healed them all.

Like a deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God; 

my soul is thirsting for God, the living God.

(Communion Antiphon, Mass)

What is not possible to us by nature, let us ask the Lord to supply by the help of His grace ...

we must run and do now what will profit us forever.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 41, 44)

BLESSED THOMAS TZUGI,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: The Otto Family welcomes you to the area near Mount Adams in southern Washington. Let the high praises of God be in their throats.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Monday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

Labor Day

Saints: Saint Herbert (d. 687); Saint Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Prologue 33-38 

Mass: 1 Cor 5:1-8; Ps 5; Lk 6:6-11 

May your favor, O Lord, be upon us.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

AFFLICTED MOTHER,

PRAY FOR US.

Stretch out your hand.

(Lk 6:10)

In today's Gospel, Jesus tells the man with the withered hand to stretch out his hand. There are all sorts of people who stretch out their hands. And we don't have to go too far to find them as Saint Teresa of Calcutta says: "The fruit of prayer is deepening of faith, and the fruit of faith is love; and the fruit of love is service, in whatever form, even in our family. Love begins at home." Wherever we find ourselves honoring out National Holiday, at home, in community, with friends or relatives, or even enjoying some time alone, we remember this: "What a wonderful thought, that God loves me, and that I can love you, and you can love me, as He loves us. What a wonderful gift of God!" (Saint Teresa of Calcutta). He did so and his hand was restored (Lk 6:10).

On this Labor Day then, "let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Cor 5:8)

The true worth and nobility of man lie in his moral qualities, that is, his virtue; that virtue is, moreover, the common inheritance of all people, equally within the reach of high and low, rich and poor; and that virtue, and virtue alone, wherever found, will be followed by the rewards of everlasting happiness.

(Pope Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum Of Revolutionary Change, Encyclical on Capitol and Labor, May 15, 1891, #24)

"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 never failed me."

(Saint Teresa of Calcutta)

SAINT TERESA OF CALCUTTA,

SAINT HERBERT,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: And may you give success to the work of our hands.

 

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

In other years: Saint Cuthbert (634?-687); Saint Mac Nissi (5th century); Blessed Dina Belanger (1897-1929)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Prologue 21-32 

Mass: Wisdom 9:13-18b; Resp Ps 90; Philemon 9-10, 12-17; Lk 14:25-33

Fill us at daybreak with Your kindness.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SIGHING MOTHER,

PRAY FOR US.

Lord, take me as I am, with my defects, with my shortcomings, but make me become what you want me to be.

(Pope Blessed John Paul I)

Amidst of crowd of some 25,000 faithful, the Holy Father beatified Servant of God, Pope John Paul I, "the smiling pope", today in Saint Peter's Square. God is praised!

In our Gospel, we find great crowds traveling with Jesus, among them we find ourselves, here, there and everywhere. Jesus addresses us in this way: If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple (Lk 14:26). In other words, Jesus comes first. Saint Benedict is clear too: "The love of Christ must come before all else" (Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:21), and "let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ" (RB 72:11). Jesus first, and all else will follow according to His will. If ready, "clothed then with faith and the performance of good works, let us set out on this way, with the Gospel for our guide, that we may deserve to see Him who has called us to His kingdom" (RB Prologue 21). Be prepared though, as Jesus tells us on more than one occasion, Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple (Lk 14:27). United in faith and prayer, we go forth. 

Jesus asks each person to discern carefully their reason for following Him and the consequences that it will entail ...

To follow Him does not mean to become part of a court or triumphal procession, or even to receive a lifetime insurance policy. On the contrary, it means "carrying one's cross": shouldering like Him one's own burdens and those of others, making one's life a gift, not a possession, spending it in imitation of His own generous and merciful love for us. These are the decisions that engage the totality of our lives. For this reason, Jesus desires that His disciples prefer nothing to His love, even their greatest affections and deepest treasures.

(Pope Francis, homily, Holy Mass and Beatification of Servant of God, Pope John Paul I, Saint Peter's Square, September 4, 2022)

If you want to kiss Jesus crucified, "you cannot help bending over the cross and letting yourself be pricked by a few thorns of the crown on the Lord's head."

(Pope Blessed John Paul I)

POPE BLESSED JOHN PAUL I,

SAINT CUTHBERT,

SAINT MAC NISSI,

BLESSED DINA BELANGER,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: That we may shout for joy and gladness all out days.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Saturday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

First Saturday of the Month

Saint: Pope Saint Gregory the Great, first monk to be elected pope, “Servant of the Servants of God” (540-604)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Prologue 14-20

Mass: 1 Cor 4:6b-15; Resp Ps 145; Lk 6:1-5  

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MOURNFUL MOTHER,

PRAY FOR US.

Welcome to the First Saturday of the Month. Mary, comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.

Listen with the ear of your heart; the Lord is calling. "Is there anyone here who yearns for life and desires to see good days? If you hear this and your answer is 'I do,' God then directs these words to you: If you desire true and eternal life, keep your tongue free from vicious talk and your lips from all deceit; turn away from evil and do good; let peace be your quest and aim" (RB Prologue 15-17). And Our Lord, through Saint Benedict continues: "Once you have done this, my eyes will be upon you and my ears will listen for your prayers; and even before you ask me, I will say to you: Here I am" (RB Prologue 18). And "what, dear sisters, is more delightful than this voice of the Lord calling to us? See how the Lord in His love shows us the way of life" (RB Prologue 19-20). With this good news, we go forth, united in faith and prayer, and speak the praise of the Lord. May all flesh bless His holy name forever (Ps 145). 

Who am I - what kind of watchman am I? I do not stand on the pinnacle of achievement; I languish rather in the depths of my weakness. And yet the creator and redeemer of mankind can give me, unworthy though I be, the grace to see life whole and power to speak effectively of it. It is for love of Him that I do not spare myself in preaching Him.

(A sermon of Saint Gregory the Great, in Office of Readings, September 3)

POPE SAINT GREGORY THE GREAT,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: And holy in all His works.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Friday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

First Friday of the Month

Saints: Blessed Andre Grasset (1758-1792); The Protomartyrs of Communism: The Martyrs of September (18th century)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Prologue 8-13

Mass: 1 Cor 4:1-5; Resp Ps 37; Lk 5:33-39

Take delight in the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SORROWFUL MOTHER,

PRAY FOR US.

The Lord will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will receive praise from God.

(1 Cor 4:5)

Welcome to the First Friday of the Month. Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity, have mercy on us. Inspired by Saint Benedict, "let us get up then, at long last, for the Scriptures rouse us when they say: It is time for us to arise from sleep. Let us open our eyes to the light that comes from God, and our ears to the voice from heaven that every day calls out this charge: If you hear His voice today, do not harden your hearts" (RB Prologue 8-10). 

Run while you have the light of life, that the darkness of death may not overtake you.

(RB Prologue 13)

United in faith and prayer, we keep going and sing with the psalmist, trust in the Lord and do good ... take delight in the Lord, and He will grant you your heart's requests. 

BLESSED ANDRE GRASSET,

THE MARTYRS OF SEPTEMBER,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: He will grant you your heart's requests.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Thursday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

Saints: Saint Giles (c.650-c.710); Saint Margaret Redi of the Sacred Heart (1747-1770); Saint Simeon the Stylite (390-459)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Prologue 1-7 

Mass: 1 Cor 3:18-23; Resp Ps 24; Lk 5:1-11

Such is the race that seeks for Him.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MOTHER OF THE CRUCIFIED,

PRAY FOR US.

All belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God.

(1 Cor 3:23)

We begin anew in at least two areas on this Thursday.

First, welcome to September and the month traditionally dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows (or Dolours). And we welcome the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15. This month, then, we will invoke our Mother Mary with titles given her in the Litany of Our Lady of Sorrows. We also celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the 8th and the Most Holy Name of Mary on the 12th. Throughout this month, we ask Mary to cover us in her protective veil.

Second, we are with the Prologue of the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict, commencing our third read through of the year. We recall from Ch 66, The Porter of the Monastery, that the rule is be read often in the community, so that none of the sisters can offer an excuse of ignorance (RB 66:8). We listen, then, to the master's instructions, and attend to them with the ear of our hearts (RB Prologue 1). Every time we begin a good work, we must pray to the Lord most earnestly to bring it to perfection (RB Prologue 4). United in faith and prayer, we go forth. They left everything and followed Him (Lk 5:11).

Seven Sorrows of Our Lady of Sorrows

The prophecy of Simeon (Lk 2:34-35).

The flight into Egypt (Mt 2:13-14).

The loss of the Child Jesus in the temple (Lk 2:43-44).

The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross (Lk 23:27)

The Crucifixion (Jn 19:18, 25-27).

The taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross (Mk 15:43-46).

The burial of Jesus (Jn 19:41-42).

SAINT GILES,

SAINT MARGARET REDI OF THE SACRED HEART,

SAINT SIMEON THE STYLITE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: More from our greenhouse of delight. The Lord's are the earth and its fullness.

© Gertrude Feick 2022