Thursday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

Saints: Saint Paul of the Cross (1694-1775); Blessed Daudi Okelo (1902-1918) and Jildo Irwa (1906-1918); Saint Irene (Iria) of Tomar (7th century)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 16 The Celebration of the Divine Office during the day

Mass: Eph 3:14-21; Resp Ps 33; Lk 12:49-53

Upon those who hope for His kindness.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named ...

May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith.

(Eph 3:17)

Saint Paul's letter to the Ephesians is something else, both overwhelming and marvelous at the same time. Saint Paul, please help us to be rooted and grounded in love, that we may have the strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that we may be filled with all the fullness of God (Eph 3:17-19). Heart of Jesus, source of love and knowledge, have mercy on us.

Be constant in practicing every virtue, and especially in imitating the patience of our dear Jesus, for this is the summit of pure love. Live in such a way that all may know that you bear outwardly as well as inwardly the image of Christ crucified, the model of gentleness and mercy.

(From a letter by Saint Paul of the Cross, in Office of Readings, October 19)

SAINT PAUL OF THE CROSS,

BLESSED DAUDI OKELO AND JILDO IRWA,

SAINT IRENE OF TOMAR,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: To deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Wednesday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

Saints: Saints John de Brebeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests, and their Companions (aka North American Martyrs, Canadian Martyrs, Jesuit Martyrs of North America, and Martyrs of France), (17the century); Saint Philip Howard (1557-1595); Saint Frideswide (-735); Saint Peter of Alcantara (-1562)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 15 The Times for Saying Alleluia

Mass: Eph 3:2-12; Resp Ps (Is 12); Lk 12:39-48

I am confident and unafraid.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

May we never boast, except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the word of the Cross is the power of God to us who have been saved.

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass)

It may not be that we suffer martyrdom in the way the North American Martyrs did, but we are to imitate their firm and solid faith, self-sacrifice, courage, delight and joy in the face of the little and not so little things that come our way each and every day. Saints John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues and their companions were certainly faithful and prudent stewards; may they help us be the same. We can remember too something Isaac Jogues said: "What is suffered is known only to One for whose love and whose cause it is pleasing and glorious to suffer." God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the Lord, and He has been by savior ... Give thanks to the Lord, acclaim His name.

For two days now I have experienced a great desire to be a martyr and to endure all the torments martyrs suffered. 

Jesus, my Lord and Savior, what can I give you in return for all the favors you have first conferred on me? ...

in truth I vow to you, Jesus my Savior, that as far as I have the strength I will never fail to accept the grace of martyrdom, if some day in your infinite mercy should offer it to me, your most unworthy servant.

I bind myself in this way so that for the rest of my life I will have neither permission nor freedom to refuse opportunities of dying and shedding my blood for you, unless at a particular juncture I should consider it more suitable to act otherwise at the time. Furthermore, I bind myself to this so that, on receiving the blow of death, I shall accept it from your hands with the fullest delight and joy of spirit. For this reason, my beloved Jesus, and because of the surging joy which moves me, here and now I offer my blood and body and live. May I die only for you, if you will grant me this grace, since you willingly died for me.

(From the spiritual diaries by Saint John de Brebeuf, priest and martyr, 

in Office of Readings, October 19)

SAINTS JOHN DE BREBEUF AND ISAAC JOGUES AND THEIR COMPANIONS,

SAINT PHILIP HOWARD, 

SAINT FRIDESWIDE,

SAINT PETER OF ALCANTARA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Proclaim how exalted is His name.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Feast of Saint Luke, Evangelist

Respect Life Month

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 14 The Celebration of Vigils on the Anniversary of Saints

Mass: 2 Tim 4:10-17b; Resp Ps 145; Lk 10:1-9

Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord.

SAINT LUKE THE EVANGELIST,

PRAY FOR US.

The Lord stood by me and gave me strength.

(2 Tim 4:17)

As we commemorate Saint Luke the Evangelist, why not open your Bible to the Gospel According to Luke and read a chapter, a short passage, your favorite parable, or whatever a random opening reveals? How is Our Lord and Savior instructing by words, or by actions, or through His silence? What is He teaching you through word, deed, and silence that will increase your love of Him and your love of your neighbor, perhaps the one you find most difficult? Peace ... the Kingdom of God is at hand for you (Lk 10:5, 9).

And as on all days, there are many people we know who are in need of prayers. Some of them may look to Saint Luke as their patron including artists, bachelors, bookbinders, brewers, butchers, doctors, glass workers, gold workers, goldsmiths, lacemakers, lace workers, notaries, painters, physicians, sculptors, stained glass workers, and surgeons. God is praised! May the Evangelist intercede for all of them.

Our Lord and Savior sometimes gives us instructions by words and sometimes by actions. His very deeds are our commands; and whenever He acts silently He is teaching us what we should do. For example, He sends His disciples out to preach two by two, because the precept of charity is twofold- love of God and love of one's neighbor.

(From a homily on the gospels by Saint Gregory the Great, pope, in Office of Readings, October 18)

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

MARY, QUEEN OF APOSTLES,

MARY, QUEEN OF EVANGELISTS,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: The glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Monday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

Saint: Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop, Martyr (-107)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 13:12-14 The Celebration of Lauds on Ordinary Days

Mass: Eph 2:1-10; Resp Ps 100; Lk 12:13-21

Know that the Lord is God.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is a gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast.

(Eph 2:8-9)

Essentially, if we are going to boast about anything at all, we should make our boast in the Lord (see 2 Cor; 10:17/Rule of Saint Benedict Prologue 32). All is gift; all is grace. Made in the image and likeness of God, we are united in faith and prayer and go forth. We ask another great intercessor, Saint Ignatius of Antioch, whose one desire was to belong to God, to help us be courageous and strong in our faith. Saint Ignatius was not going to let anyone, or anything stand in the way of his martyrdom. On his journey to Rome to be martyred, Ignatius was clear in his letter to the Romans: "I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits of the earth. He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest. He who rose for our sakes is my one desire." Mary, Queen of martyrs, pray for us. 

For we are His handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God has prepared in advance that we should live in them.

(Eph 2:10)

SAINT IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Martyr red berries in honor of Saint Ignatius of Antioch and all the martyrs, past and present. He made us, we are His.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

In other years: Saint Hedwig (c.1174-1243); Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690); Saint Margaret d'Youville (c.1537-1584); Saint Richard Gwyn (c.1537-1584); Saint Gall (-646/650)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 13:1-11 The Celebration of Lauds on Ordinary Days

Mass: Ex 17:8-13; Resp Ps 121; 2 Time 3:14-4:2; Lk 18:1-8

My help is from the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed ...

be persistent whether it is convenient of inconvenient.

(2 Tim 3:14; 4:2)

Reflecting on the scene proclaimed in today's first reading, it was probably not convenient for Aaron and Hur to find a suitable rock for Moses to sit on, then support Moses's hands, one on one side and one on the other. Nevertheless, this needed to be done so that Moses's hands remained steady till sunset (Ex 17:12). It may not be convenient for us to open the Bible in the midst of our busy days either. Still, we have to keep at it, even if it is for a brief look, for as Saint Timothy writes, "all Scripture is inspired by God and useful" (2 Tim 3:16). No matter what, faithful readers, we must be persistent in our life of prayer and do what is needed so that we are competent and equipped for every good work (see 2 Tim 3:17). It is no wonder that Saint Benedict tells us that every time we begin a good work, we must pray to God most earnestly to bring it to perfection (see Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 4). Keep calling on the name of the Lord throughout the day; He will turn His ear to you and hear your words (Ps 17). O God, come to my assistance, O Lord, make haste to help me. Will the Son of Man find faith on earth? (see Lk 18:8). United in faith and prayer, we must do what is needed, whether it is convenient or not, and keep our faith alive. I believe, help my unbelief. Mary, Queen of prayer, pray for us.

Why the Lord should ask us to pray, when He knows what we need before we ask Him may perplex us if we do not realize that our Lord and God does not want to know what we want (for He cannot fail to know it) but wants us rather to exercise our desire through our prayers, so that we might be able to receive what He is preparing for us. His gift is great indeed, but our capacity is too small and limited to receive it ...

The deeper our faith, the stronger our hope, the greater our desire, the larger will be our capacity to receive that gift, which is very great indeed ...

In this faith, hope and love we pray always with unwearied desire ... the more fervent the desire, the more worthy will be its fruit. When the Apostle tells us: Pray without ceasing, he means this: Desire unceasingly that life of happiness which is nothing if not eternal, and ask it of Him who alone is able to give it.

(From a letter to Proba by Saint Augustine, bishop, in Office of Readings, Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

SAINT HEDWIG,

SAINT MARGARET MARY ALACOQUE,

SAINT MARGARET D'YOUVILLE,

SAINT RICHARD GWYN,

SAINT GALL,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: White roses for a Sunday are always nice. He will guard your life.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Saturday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

Saint: Saint Teresa of Avila (Saint Teresa of Jesus), Virgin, Doctor of the Church (1515-1582)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 12 The Celebration of the Solemnity of Lauds

Mass: Eph 1:15-23; Resp Ps 8; Lk 12:8-12

O Lord, our Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

MARY, QUEEN OF DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE, 

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened.

(Eph 1:18)

Some days, and probably most, it is best to be enlightened by the saints we commemorate, and today we have another great saint and intercessor in Saint Teresa of Avila, also known as Saint Teresa of Jesus. A difficulty is deciding what to include for our edification. Here a few things I picked out.

Mental prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us.

(St. Teresa of Avila, The Book of Her Life, Chapter 8, 5)

Whoever lives in the presence of so good a friend and excellent a leader, who went ahead of us to be the first to suffer, can endure all things. The Lord helps us, strengthens us, and never fails; He is a true friend ...

What more do we desire than to have such a good friend at our side, who will not abandon us in our labors and tribulations, as friends in the world do? Blessed are they who truly love Him and always keep Him at their side!

(St. Teresa of Avila, The Book of Her Life, 22: 6, 7)

Although it is a great grace from God to practise self-examination, yet "too much is as bad as too little," as they say; believe me, by God's help, we shall advance more by contemplating the Divinity than by keeping our eyes fixed on ourselves, poor creatures of earth that we are.

I do not know whether I have put this clearly; self-knowledge is of such consequence that I would not have you careless of it, though you may be lifted to heaven in prayer, while on earth nothing is more needful than humility. Therefore, I repeat, not only a good way, but the best of all ways, is to enter first by the room where humility is practised ...

our understanding and our will become more noble and capable of good in every way when we turn from ourselves to God.

(St. Teresa of Avila, The Interior Castle, Chapter II, 9, 10, 11)

With anything we desire to do, we might listen to what the Lord said to Teresa of Avila:

One day while I was anxiously desiring to help the order, the Lord told me: "Do what lies in your power, surrender yourself to me, and do not be disturbed about anything; rejoice in the good that has been given you, for it is very great; my Father takes delight in you, and the Holy Spirit loves you."

(Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Testimonies, 10)

As we commemorate Saint Teresa of Avila then, we look once more to a document from the Second Vatican Council and proclaim the wonderful works of Christ and His servants.

The saints have been traditionally honored in the Church and their authentic relics and images held in veneration. For the feasts of saints proclaim the wonderful works of Christ and His servants, and display to the faithful fitting examples for their imitation. 

(Sacrosanctum Concilium Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 111)

On the subject of saints, I include a passage from an Ann Patchett novel The Dutch House. I smiled when I read it the other day. It is from a conversation between Danny and Sandy. Sandy said of Danny's mother, 

"She's a saint." 

I smiled at her. No one was kinder than Sandy. "She's not a saint. Taking care of someone who doesn't know you doesn't make you a saint." 

Sandy nodded, took a sip of coffee. "I think it's hard for people like us to understand. To tell you the truth, it's unbearable sometimes, at least it is for me. I just want her to be one of us. But when you think about saints, I don't imagine any of them made their families happy."

"Probably not." I couldn't remember the saints themselves, much less about their families.

(Ann Patchett, The Dutch House, Harper, 2019, p. 327)

When we read the lives of the saints, it is not difficult to imagine that some of them did not make their families happy. Living with some of the saints must have posed many challenges for others. Two saints come quickly to mind, namely, Francis of Assisi and Catherine of Siena. On the other hand, Teresa of Avila has many good things to say about her family as related in the The Book of Her Life. She writes of her virtuous and God-fearing parents. Her father was charitable, compassionate, honest; he was an upright man. Her mother had many virtues. Even though she suffered much from sickness during her life (she died when Teresa was twelve), her mother was modest, beautiful, gentle and very intelligent; her death was a truly Christian one. Teresa's brothers and sisters (they were in all three sisters and nine brothers) did not in any way hold her back from the service of God. Teresa writes, "If I start to complain about my parents, I am not able to do so, for I saw nothing but good in them and solicitude for my own good" (The Book of Her Life, 1:1, 2 ,3, 4, 8).

SAINT TERESA OF AVILA,

SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA,

SAINT THERESE OF LISIEUX,

SAINT HILDEGARD OF BINGEN,

POPE SAINT JOHN XXIII,

POPE SAINT PAUL VI,

POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This was picked just for Saint Teresa of Avila. I think she likes it. ☺How glorious is your name over all the earth!

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Friday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

Saint: Pope Saint Callistus I, Martyr (-222)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 11 The Celebration of Vigils on Sunday

Mass: Eph 1:11-14; Resp Ps 33; Lk 12:1-7

Praise from the upright is fitting.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL, 

PRAY FOR US.

In Christ we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of His will, so that we might exist for the praise of His glory, we who first hoped in Christ.

(Eph 1:11-12)

We are presented with more simultaneously overwhelming and marvelous words from Saint Paul. United in faith and prayer, we exist for the praise of God's glory. Whether inside the monastery, or outside it, whatever we do, we go about the daily "so that in all things God may be glorified" (1 Pet 4:11/Rule of Saint Benedict 57:9). And since we are privileged to read from Saint Benedict's chapters on the liturgical code these days, we can turn to many of the chapters for daily reminders. Here are a few: "Vigils begin with the verse: Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall proclaim your praise" (RB 9:1); "As soon as the cantor begins to sing 'Glory be to the Father,' let all the monks rise from their seats in honor and reverence for the Holy Trinity" (RB 9:7); "After the fourth responsory, the abbot begins the hymn 'We praise you, God' ... At the conclusion of the Gospel reading ... the abbot intones the hymn 'To you be praise'" (RB 11:8, 10); "The Prophet says: Seven times a day I have praised you ... At midnight I arise to give you praise ... we should praise our Creator for His just judgments ... let us arise at midnight to give Him praise" (RB 16:1, 4-5); "Sing praise wisely ... In the presence of the angels I will sing to you" (RB 19:4-5). Made in the image and likeness of God, male and female God created us, we reverence and honor all things given to us by God and use them for His glory.

For Sacred Scripture teaches that man was created "to the image of God,", is capable of knowing and loving his Creator, and was appointed by Him as master of earthly creatures that he might subdue them and use them to God's glory. "What is man that you should care for him? You have made him little less than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him rule over the work of your hands, putting all things under his feet."

But God did not create man as a solitary, for from the beginning "male and female he created them." Their companionship produces the primary form of interpersonal communion. For by his innermost nature man is a social being, and unless he relates himself to others he can neither live nor develop his potential.

Therefore, as we read elsewhere in Holy Scripture God saw "all that he had made, and it was very good."

(Gaudium et Spes Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, 12)

POPE SAINT CALLISTUS I,

POPE SAINT JOHN XXIII,

POPE SAINT PAUL VI,

POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II,

SERVANT OF GOD JEROME LEJEUNE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: For upright is the word of the Lord.

© Gertrude Feick 2022