Thursday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

Saint: Saint Edward the Confessor (1003-1066)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 10 The Arrangement of the Night Office in Summer

Mass: Eph 1:1-10; Resp Ps 98; Lk 11:47-54

Sing to the Lord a new song.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY, 

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before Him.

(Eph 1:3-4)

To reflect upon what Saint Paul writes to the Ephesians can be overwhelming and marvelous at the same time. United in faith and prayer, all the faithful, the laity and religious together have been chosen to be holy and without blemish before Him. We have our vocations, one this and another that. We can turn again to some of the documents promulgated at the Second Vatican Council for insight and encouragement.

Since the laity, in accordance with their state in life, live in the midst of the world and its concerns, they are called by God to exercise their apostolate in the world like leaven, with the ardor of the spirit of Christ ...

Since Christ, sent by the Father, is the source and origin of the whole apostolate of the Church, the success of the lay apostolate depends upon the laity's living union with Christ, in keeping with Lord's words, "He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without me you can do nothing ...

Such a life requires a continual exercise of faith, hope, and charity. Only by the light of faith and by meditation on the word of God can one always and everywhere recognize God in Whom "we live, and move, and have our being" ...

This plan for the spiritual life of the laity should take its particular character from their married or family state or their single or widowed state, from their state of health, and from their professional and social activity. They should not cease to develop earnestly the qualities and talents bestowed on them in accord with these conditions of life, and they should make use of the gifts which they have received from the Holy Spirit.

(Apostolicam Actuositatem Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, 2, 4)

Since the Church has accepted their surrender of self they should realize they are also dedicated to its service.

The service of God ought to inspire and foster in them the exercise of the virtues, especially humility, obedience, fortitude and chastity. In such a way they share in Christ's emptying of Himself and His life in the spirit ...

The monastic life, that venerable institution which in the course of a long history has won for itself notable renown in the Church and in human society, should be preserved with care and its authentic spirit permitted to shine forth ever more splendidly both in the East and the West. The principal duty of monks [and nuns] is to offer a service to the divine majesty at once humble and noble within the walls of the monastery, whether they dedicate themselves entirely to divine worship in the contemplative life or have legitimately undertaken some apostolate or work of Christian charity ...

Religious should remember there is no better way than their own example to commend their institutes and gain candidates for the religious life.

(Perfectae Caritatis Decree on Adaptation and Renewal of Religious Life, 5, 8, 24)

SAINT EDWARD THE CONFESSOR,

POPE SAINT JOHN XXIII,

POPE SAINT PAUL VI,

POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Break into song; sing praise.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Wednesday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

Saints: Saint Wilfrid (634-709); Blessed Jan Beyzym (1850-1912); Our Lady of Aparecida (Brazil)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 9 The Number of Psalms at the Night Office

Mass: Gal 5:18-25; Resp Ps 1; Lk 11:42-46

He is like a tree planted near running water.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

SAINT JOSEPH DEFENDER OF LIFE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.

(Gal 5:25)

In the spirit of commemorating the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, it occurred to me this morning to include passages from some of the documents promulgated at the Second Vatican Council. In this spirit then, and as we live in the Spirit, and desire to follow the Spirit, we pray for the fruit of the Spirit, that is, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Gal 5:22-23). The Spirit will help us bear fruit as we respond to the universal call of holiness. 

In the Church, everyone whether belonging to the hierarchy, or being cared for by it, is called to holiness, according to the saying of the Apostle: "For this is the will of God, your sanctification." However, this holiness of the Church is unceasingly manifested, and must be manifested, in the fruits of grace which the Spirit produces in the faithful; it is expressed in many ways in individuals, who in their walk of life, tend toward the perfection of charity, thus causing the edification of others ...

Every person must walk unhesitatingly according to his own personal gifts and duties in the path of living faith, which arouses hope and works through charity.

(Lumen Gentium Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Ch 5:39, 41)

United in faith and prayer, we belong to Christ Jesus and have crucified our flesh with its passions and desires (see Gal 5: 24). At the same time, we know there will be ongoing suffering, setbacks, obstacles, and failures. No matter, we keep going. Heart of Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life, have mercy on us.

A sincere desire knows how to touch deeply the chords of our being, which is why it is not extinguished in the face of difficulties or setbacks ... obstacles and failures do not stifle desire; on the contrary, they make it even more alive in us.

(Pope Francis, Wednesday General Audience Catechesis, October 12, 2022)

SAINT WILFRID,

BLESSED JAN BEYZYM,

OUR LADY OF APARECIDA,

POPE SAINT JOHN XXIII,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: The Metolius River, Central Oregon. Whose leaves never fade.

© Gertrude Feick 202

Tuesday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

60th Anniversary of the Opening of the Second Vatican Council

Saints: Pope Saint John XXIII "Good Pope John" (1881-1963); Saint Kenneth (515-599); Blessed William Howard (1612-1680)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 8 The Divine Office at Night

Mass: Gal 5:1-6; Resp Ps 119; Lk 11:37-41

Let your mercy come to me, O Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Only faith working through love.

(Gal 5:6)

It is the depth of God's love in each one of us that will inspire us and help us cleanse the inside of our cups and dishes (see today's Gospel Lk 11:37-41). United in faith and prayer, may we go to the depths and cleanse ourselves from any plunder and evil (Lk 11:39). We certainly do not want Jesus to be calling us fools (see Lk 11:40). Heart of Jesus, Source of Truth, Justice, Charity, and Liberty, have mercy on us.

Loving Savior, be pleased to show yourself to us who knock, so that in knowing you we may love only you, love you alone, desire you alone, contemplate only you day and night, and always think of you. Inspire in us the depth of love that is fitting for you to receive as God. So may your love pervade our whole being, possess us completely, and fill our senses, that we may know no other love but love for you who are everlasting. May our love be so great that the many waters of the sky, land and sea cannot extinguish it in us: many waters could not extinguish love.

(From an instruction by Saint Columban, abbot, in Office of Readings, Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday)

As we commemorate Pope Saint John XXIII, we ask him to intercede for us. "Good Pope John", as he was called, gave us eight Encyclical Letters. All of them can be found translated into a variety of languages on www.vatican.va. Here is something from Pacem et Terris, given two months before Good Pope John died.

The family, founded upon marriage freely contracted, one and indissoluble, must be regarded as the natural, primary cell of human society. The interests of the family, therefore, must be taken very specifically into consideration in social and economic affairs, as well as in the spheres of faith and morals. For all of these have to do with strengthening the family and assisting it in the fulfillment of of its mission.

(Pope Saint John XXIII, Pacem et Terris Peace on Earth, On Establishing Universal Peace in Truth, Justice, Charity, and Liberty, April 11, 1963, 16)

POPE SAINT JOHN XXIII,

POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II,

SAINT KENNETH,

BLESSED WILLIAM HOWARD,

PRAY FOR US.

Fun fact: Pope Saint John XXIII and Pope Saint John Paul II were canonized by Pope Francis on the same day, April 27, 2014. Mary, Queen of all saints, pray for us.

Today's photo: I will delight in your commands.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Monday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

Saints: Saint Paulinus (-644); Saint Daniel Comboni (1831-1881)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:62-70 Humility

Mass: Gal 4:22-24, 26-27, 31-5:1; Resp Ps 113; Lk 11:29-32

Praise, you servants of the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

PRAY FOR US.

Every time you begin a good work, you must pray to Him most earnestly to bring it to perfection.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 4)

Welcome to Monday faithful readers. Saint Benedict's words above from the Prologue of the Holy Rule come to mind, so why not let our holy father help us begin another week. Even though we are ending his chapter on humility, the words are not entirely unrelated to how Saint Benedict concludes that chapter. "After ascending all these steps of humility [all twelve of them!], the monk will arrive at that perfect love of God which casts out fear." Benedict continues, "Through this love, all that he once performed with dread, he will now begin to observe without effort, as though naturally, from habit, no longer out of fear of hell, but out of love for Christ, good habit and delight in virtue" (RB 7:67-69). Out of love for Christ then, as we go through life descending by exaltation and ascending by humility (see RB 7:7), every time we begin a good work, we must pray to God most earnestly to bring it to perfection. May all good work that we do come naturally, out of habit and delight in virtue. Heart of Jesus, source of all good, have mercy on us. And may your blessed Mother Mary, help of all Christians, help us be doers of the word and not hearers only ... not hearers who forget but doers who act. Such a one shall be blessed in what he does (see James 1:22, 25).

Those who want to work for moral reform in the world must seek the glory of God before all else. Because He is the source of all good, they must wait for His help, and pray for it in this difficult and necessary undertaking. They must then present themselves to those they seek to reform, as mirrors of every virtue and as lamps on a lampstand. Their upright lives and noble conduct must shine before all who are in the house of God.

(From a letter to Pope Paul V by Saint John Leonardi, priest, in Office of Readings, October 9)

SAINT PAULINUS,

SAINT DANIEL COMBONI,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: High above the nations is the Lord; above the heavens is His glory.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

In other years: Saint Denis, Bishop and Martyr (-258); Saint John Leonardi (1541-1609); Saint John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:60 Humility

Mass: Kings 5:14-17; Resp Ps 98; 2 Tim 2:8-13; Lk 17:11-19

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

PRAY FOR US.

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

(1 Th 5:16-18)

Welcome to Sunday faithful readers. In Saint Benedict's eleventh step of humility, our holy father Benedict looks to the Book of Proverbs for inspiration, as it is written: "A wise man is known by his few words" (Pr 17:27/Rule of Saint Benedict, 7:61). In fact, it takes only two words as it has also been written: "If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough" (attributed to Meister Eckhart, 1260-1328). Thank you, faithful readers, for being there. United in faith and prayer, we glorify God in a loud voice. We thank Him for the gift of faith, and for His unconditional love and mercy. I believe, help my unbelief.

Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.

(Lk 17:19)

Let us turn to the Virgin Mary that She might help us be witnesses of the Gospel, 

enlivened by the example of the Saints.

(Pope Francis, homily, Mass for the Canonization of Bishop Giovanni Baptista Scalabrini, 1839-1905, and Artemide Zatti, 1880-1951, October 9, 2022)

SAINT GIOVANNI BAPTISTA SCALABRINI,

SAINT ARTEMIDE ZATTI,

SAINT DENIS,

SAINT JOHN LEONARDI,

SAINT JOHN HENRY NEWMAN,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: A view from Skyline Drive, Canon City, Colorado. In the sight of the nations He has revealed His justice.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Saturday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saint: Saint Pelagia the Penitent (4th century) 

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:59 Humility

Mass: Gal 3:22-29; Resp Ps 105; Lk 11:27-28

Sing to Him, sing His praise.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

PRAY FOR US.

For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. 

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

(Gal 3:26-27)

In haste on this Saturday dedicated to the Virgin Mary, we can learn what another great intercessor has to say. Saint Gregory of Nazianzus (329-390) teaches us that "Baptism is God's most beautiful and magnificent gift." Furthermore, "we call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift" (in CCC 1216).* That should give us enough to absorb for one day. At the same time, we have been enlightened in our understanding. In Baptism, we received "the Word, 'the true light that enlightens every person,' the person baptized has been 'enlightened,' and becomes a son or daughter 'of light,' indeed, each one of us becomes 'light' himself" (CCC 1216). As sons and daughters of light, we are all one in Christ Jesus. United in faith and prayer, as brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, we go forth, with the Blessed Virgin Mary to help us hear the word of God and observe it (see Lk 11:28). What is one thing you will do today to share the most beautiful and magnificent gift of your Baptism and bring light to someone you meet? And since we are on the subject of Baptism, do you know the date of yours? If not, find out and celebrate this most precious gift. I believe, help my unbelief.

Truly it is a great consolation for Christians to know that we are so united ... Where there is faith, there is no distance in time or space, no parents, no children; only one thing exists, and that is God, and there we shall all end up sooner or later.

(Saint Rafael Arnaiz in The Collected Letters: Saint Rafael Arnaiz, p. 104)

All I can tell you about the Virgin Mary is this: in the world and in La Trapa and wherever I find myself, the Virgin has helped me in some way ... in a way only she knows how.

You don't have to be a saint to love her very much. Just do it, and you'll find that the thorns you come across on your path soften with Mary's help, and perhaps even become flowers.

No, Dolores, you don't have to be a saint to love Her, the consolation and refuge of sinners.

I assure you that with a little love for God and lots for the Virgin, even here on earth you'll have everything your Trappist cousin hopes for.

Whenever he comes to mind, I beg you, pray to Her for him.

(Saint Rafael Arnaiz, to his cousin, Dolores Baron Osorio, p. 224)

We too, pray to Her for one another. Mary, help of Christians, pray for us.

SAINT PELAGIA THE PENITENT,

PRAY FOR US.

* Friendly reminder: CCC = Catechism of the Catholic Church. See 1216 for what else Saint Gregory of Nazianzus has to say.

Today's photo: For Our Lady. Glory in His holy name.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Friday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

Our Lady of the Rosary

First Friday of the Month

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:56-58 Humility

Mass: Gal 3:7-14; Resp Ps 111; Lk 11:15-26

Majesty and glory are His work.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

OUR LADY OF VICTORIES,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

PRAY FOR US.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Welcome to the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary, on the first Friday of the month of October, devoted to the Most Holy Rosary. In brief, today's commemoration, in honor of Our Lady of Victories, was instituted by Pope Pius V (1504-1572, Pontificate 1566-1572) to celebrate the anniversary of the defeat of the Turkish fleet at the Battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571. This victory was due in large part to the faithful praying the Rosary. One of the best things to do today, and throughout this month is to pray the rosary. Pope Leo XIII* gives us reason enough. Pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

It has always been the habit of Catholics in danger and in troublous times to fly for refuge to Mary, to seek for peace in her maternal goodness; showing that the Catholic Church has always, and with justice, put all her hope and trust in the Mother of God. And truly the Immaculate Virgin, chosen to be the Mother of God and thereby associated with Him in the work of man's salvation, has a favour and power with her Son greater than any human or angelic creature has ever obtained, or ever can gain. And, as it is her greatest pleasure to grant her help and comfort to those who seek her, it cannot be doubted that she would deign, and even be anxious, to receive the aspirations of the universal Church.

(Pope Leo XIII, Supremi apostolatus officio, 2)

*NB. Fun Fact: Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903, Pontificate 1879-1903), wrote twelve encyclicals and five apostolic letters on the rosary. You can find them on www.vatican.va. In the last one, Diuturni temporis, given in 1898, the Holy Father wrote: "We have never ceased to encourage the constant use of the Rosary among Christians, by publishing every year since September 1, 1883, an Encyclical Letter on this subject, besides frequently issuing Decrees on this subject" (2). You can learn the history about the devotion to the Most Holy Rosary in paragraph 4 of the first encyclical, Supremi apostolatus officio, given in 1883. Thank you, Pope Leo XIII.

Today's photo: Gracious and merciful is the Lord.

© Gertrude Feick 2022