Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917), Patroness of Immigrants

The Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance celebrate the Feast of All Saints of the Benedictine Family

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917)
 Patroness of Immigrants  

Readings of the day: RB 35:12-18

Mass: Wisdom 1:1-7; Resp. Psalm 139; Luke 17:1-6/Feast: Isaiah 61:9-11; John 15:1-8

INCREASE OUR FAITH.

(Luke 17:5)

BY THIS IS MY FATHER GLORIFIED,

THAT YOU BEAR MUCH FRUIT AND BECOME MY DISCIPLES.

(John 15:8)

See how the Lord in his love shows us the way of life.

Clothed then with 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 (1 Thess. 2:12).

(RB Prologue 20)

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 love.

(RB Prologue 49)

SAINT FRANCES XAVIER CABRINI, PRAY FOR US.

ALL SAINTS OF THE BENEDICTINE FAMILY, PRAY FOR US.

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: RB 35:1-11

Mass: Wisdom 6:12-16; Resp. Psalm 63; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13

Today’s readings made me think of triathlon. What does triathlon have to do with the spiritual life? More than one might think. Many may think that triathlon consists of three disciplines, namely, swimming, cycling, and running. In fact, there are five disciplines—swimming, transition 1, cycling, transition 2, and running. Training for the sport requires not only physical training, but mental as well. For anyone who excels in the sport, she must spend hours training in both areas, as well as others. The motto taught me by my coach was, “Don’t forget nothing,”  adapted from Rogers’ Rangers Standing Orders, by Army Major Robert Rangers, 1759. The prepared triathlete knows what she has to do before she even does it. This is especially important during transitions, where races can be won or lost. All movements in the transition must become instinctual. Therefore, the transition area must be organized; everything in its proper place. In other words, don’t forget nothing. 

Looking to today’s gospel, Jesus tells us to stay awake, for we know neither the day nor the hour. Five of the virgins in the parable were wise. They were alert and prepared; their lamps trimmed, oil ready. They forgot nothing. They were ready to meet the bridegroom and be welcomed to the feast.

The athlete and pilgrim on the journey to God have much in common. The lover of Saint Paul knows this well (1 Cor. 9:24-27). The disciplined and trained triathlete cannot predict what will happen with weather, race conditions, or her physical and emotional responses to the intensity of the sport. What she can do is train and prepare as best she can, taking nothing for granted, and forget nothing. The one seeking God can also prepare as best she can. With grace, she is faithful to a disciplined life of prayer while serving God and her sisters and brothers in love. With the guidance of a trusted and wise spiritual companion (a coach!), she is better able to navigate the vicissitudes of life. Like an athlete, the one who seeks God cannot predict what will come on a daily basis, but she can learn to respond in ways that help her grow in intimacy with the Living and True God. Son of the Living God, grant us the grace.

Wisdom is found by those who seek her.

Saint Martin of Tours (d. 397)

Readings of the day: RB 34

Mass: Romans 16:3-9, 16, 22-27; Resp. Psalm 145; Luke 16:9-15

GOD KNOWS YOUR HEARTS.

Lord, you have probed me, you know me;

you know when I sit and stand;

you understand my thoughts from afar.

My travels and my rest you mark;

with all my ways you are familiar.

Even before a word is on my tongue, Lord, you know it all.

Behind and before you encircle me and rest your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is beyond me,

far too lofty for me to reach.

(Psalm 139)

Living and true God, grant us purity of heart.

SAINT MARTIN OF TOURS,

PRAY FOR US.

Saint Leo the Great

Readings of the day: RB 33

Mass: Romans 15:14-21; Resp. Psalm 98; Luke 16:1-8

The steward in today’s Gospel intrigues me. He is caught squandering his boss’ property; the boss decides to fire the dishonest steward. First, though, he wants the steward to account for his stewardship. The steward gets worried and begins to plot. At the same time, he recognizes his weaknesses—he’s not suited for manual labor; his ego keeps him from begging. He decides to give his boss’ debtors what is their due—money he was in the practice of skimming off the top. 

What is motivating the steward? Is he simply saving his own hide, or is he extending authentic Christian charity? I question my own motives.

SAINT LEO THE GREAT,

PRAY FOR US.

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Readings of the day: RB 32

Mass: Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12: Resp. Psalm 46; 1 Cor. 3:9c-11, 16-17; John 2:13-22

DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT YOU ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD,

AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLS IN YOU?

(1 Cor. 3:16)

WHOEVER FAILS TO KEEP THE THINGS BELONGING TO THE MONASTERY CLEAN OR TREATS THEM CARELESSLY SHOULD BE REPROVED.

(RB 32:4)

Wednesday of the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: RB 31:13-19

Mass: Romans 13:8-10; Resp. Psalm 112; Luke 14:25-33

OWE NOTHING TO ANYONE ACCEPT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.

It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

(1 Cor. 13:4-8)

YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.

Few people really know how to love.

You must know how to be patient, to have a deep respect for the other’s countenance, and to help only in making his own features become more patent. 

[M. Timai in C. Lebreton, Born from the Gaze of God: The Tibhirine Journal of a Martyr Monk (1993-1996), 154-55]

Tuesday of the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: RB 31:1-12

Mass: Romans 12:5-16ab; Resp. Psalm 131; Luke 14:15-24

Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans is packed with wisdom for all who seek the God of LOVE and desire to grow in intimacy with Him. Saint Benedict knew this well; he profusely quotes from or alludes to Paul’s letter in the Holy Rule. Today’s first reading could easily be read alongside the chapter we reflect on for the next two days, that is, Ch. 31, “The Qualities of the Cellarer.” The seeker will easily notice how Benedict uses the Letter to the Romans in Ch. 4, “The Tools for Good Works,” Ch. 40, “The Proper Amount of Drink,” and Ch. 53, “The Reception of Guests.” It is Ch. 72, “The Good Zeal of Monks,” though, that I would like to highlight. There, Benedict refers to today’s reading from Romans three times. Ch. 72 has been called the most beautiful chapter in the Holy Rule. Today may be a good day to pray with it while also praying with Romans 12:5-16b.

 

St Benedict

¹Just as there is a wicked zeal of bitterness which separates from God and leads to hell, ²so there is a good zeal which separates from evil and leads to God and everlasting life. ³This, then, is the good zeal which members must foster with fervent love: ⁴“They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other” (Rom. 12:10), ⁵supporting with the greatest patience one another’s weaknesses of body or behavior, ⁶and earnestly competing in obedience to one another. ⁷No one is to pursue what they judge for themselves, but instead, what they judge better for someone else. ⁸Among themselves they show the pure love of sisters and brothers; ⁹to God, reverent love; ¹⁰to their abbess or abbot, unfeigned and humble love. ¹¹Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ ¹²and may Christ bring us all together to everlasting life.

God sent his Only Begotten Son into the world, so that we might have life through him.

(Communion Antiphon, Mass)