Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

The Month of January Dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

Saint: Saint Anthony the Great, Abbot (251-356)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 3:7-13 Summoning the Brothers for Counsel

Mass: Heb 6:10-20; Resp Ps 111; Mk 2:23-28 

Great are the works of the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF MONKS AND NUNS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, LORD OF THE SABBATH,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God,

For great is the power of God; by the humble He is glorified.

(Sirach 3:18-19)

We have the privilege to commemorate Saint Anthony the Great, the Father of Western Monasticism, on this Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary. That alone makes this time anything but ordinary. There is plenty to say about dear to all monks and nuns Saint Anthony. The best way to learn about his life is by reading The Life of St. Anthony, written by another great saint, Saint Athanasius (c. 296-373). You can also turn to the second reading in the Office of Readings for January 17. It is in that excerpt from the Life of Saint Anthony that one learns how Anthony got started. When Anthony was about 20 years old, his parents died; Anthony and his younger sister were left to care for themselves. Some months after the death of his parents, Anthony was entering a church just as the Gospel was being proclaimed and he heard the words of the Lord to the rich young man: If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor- you will have riches in heaven. Then come and follow me. In brief, Anthony listened to the Lord's call and gave away all the property he inherited, and his possessions too. He placed his sister in the care of some well-known virgins and arranged for her to be brought up in the convent (I wonder whatever came of the dear nameless girl). Then Anthony gave himself to the ascetical life of prayer and manual labor. People in the local area called Anthony "the friend of God, and they loved him as both son and brother." And from that time on, many men and women have responded to the same call from the Lord and followed Anthony's lead. And we keep at it. Anthony died at the ripe age of 105. Well done, good and faithful servant. 

At the same time, it is a good day to reflect on The Sayings of the Desert Father, here from the alphabetical collection, translated by the late Anglican nun, theologian and historian, Benedicta Ward, SLG (1933-2022). Not surprisingly, the first sayings under Alpha come from Anthony the Great. I've included a few sayings for you here.

Abba Anthony said, 'A time is coming when men will go mad, and they see someone who is not mad, they will attack him saying, "You are mad, you are not like us."'

They said that a certain old man asked God to let him see the Fathers and he saw them all except Abba Anthony. So he asked his guide, 'Where is Abba Anthony?' He told him in reply that in the place where God is, there Anthony will be.

Some say of Saint Anthony that he was 'Spirit-born', that is, carried along by the Holy Spirit, but he would never speak of this to men. Such men see what is happening in the world, as well as knowing what is going to happen. 

Abba Anthony said, 'I no longer fear God, but I love Him. For love casts out fear.' 

Abba Anthony said, 'Whoever hammers a lump of iron, first decides what he is going to make of it, a scythe, a sword, or an axe. Even so we ought to make up our minds what kind of virtue we want to forge or we labor in vain.'

He also said, 'Obedience with abstinence gives men power over wild beasts.'

He also said, 'Nine monks fell away after many labours and were obsessed with spiritual pride, for they put their trust in their own works and being deceived they did not give to the commandment that says, "Ask your father and he will tell you."

And he said this, 'If he is able to, a monk ought to tell his elders confidently how many steps he takes and how many drops of water he drinks in his cell, in case he is in error about it.'

SAINT ANTHONY THE GREAT,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I thought it would be a while before we had this glorious sky. However, things cleared some yesterday. And it looks like some of the same is on tap for today. I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

The Month of January Dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

Saints: Saint Fursa or Fursey (-c.650); Saint Joseph Vaz (1651-1711); Pope Saint Marcellus I (255-309); Saint Priscilla, Roman Matron (1st century)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 3:1-6 Summoning the Brothers for Counsel

Mass: Heb 5:1-10; Resp Ps 110; Mk 2:18-22

Sit at my right hand.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, KING OF GLORY,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

All the earthly shall bow down before you, O God, 

and shall sing to you, shall sing to your name, O Most High!

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass)

Welcome to Monday and we know how Mondays go. Monday is Monday wherever one finds herself. Reflecting on what I might include in today's reflection, it came to me during Lauds when we sung Psalm (66) 67: "The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us. God has blessed us; let all the ends of the earth fear Him." Thanks be to God. United in faith and prayer, we go forth. Thank you for being there, faithful readers. And one last thing (kind of ☺), today we commemorate Saint Priscilla, Roman matron of the first century. The catacombs of Saint Priscilla on the Via Salaria in Rome are awesome. They are full of frescoes, so well preserved they look like they were painted yesterday. One fresco is said to be the earliest image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Then there is the one of the three young men in the fiery furnace, and ... Check those catacombs out if you get the chance. They are my favorite ones to visit. And the Benedictine Sisters of Saint Priscilla look after the sacred site. 

Try to gather more frequently to give thanks to God and to praise Him. For when you come together frequently, Satan's powers are undermined, and the destruction that he threatens is done away with in the unanimity of your faith. Nothing is better than peace, in which all warfare between heaven and earth is brought to an end. 

(From a letter to the Ephesians by Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr, 

in Office of Readings, Second Week in Ordinary Time, Monday) 

SAINT FURSA,

SAINT JOSEPH VAZ,

POPE SAINT MARCELLUS,

SAINT PRISCILLA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Near the path overlooking the Mattole River, last Friday. He guides me along the right path.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Month of January Dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

In other years: Saint Ita (c.475-570); Feast of Santo Nino (Holy Child), Philippines; Saint Remigius, Remy or Remi (437-533); Saint Paul, the First Hermit (c.227-341); Saint Mauro, Abbot (6th century); Saint John Calibita, Monk (d. 450)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 2:33-40 Qualities of the Abbot

Mass: Is 49:3, 5-6; Resp Ps 40; 1 Cor 1:1-3; Jn 1:29-34   

He stooped toward me and heard my cry.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US. 

JESUS, LAMB OF GOD,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

To you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy, with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(1 Cor 1:2-3)

Saint Paul's greeting to the Corinthians is extended to us and is a wonderful way to begin this Second Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Made glorious in the sight of the Lord with God as our strength (see Is 49:5), we go forth this day, united in faith and prayer, and inspired by Saint Ignatius of Antioch who reminds us of something Saint Benedict teaches in the Holy Rule about our behavior in the presence of God and His angels. In his chapter on the discipline of the psalmody, our holy father Benedict calls us to "stand to sing the psalms in such a way that our minds are in harmony with our voices" (Rule of Saint Benedict, 19:6-7).

So in the harmony of mind and heart the song you sing is Jesus Christ. Every one of you should form a choir, so that, in harmony of sound through harmony of hearts, and in unity taking the note from God, you may sing through one voice through Jesus Christ to the Father. If you do this, He will listen to you and see from your good works that you are members of His Son. It is then an advantage to you to live in perfect unity, so that at all times you may share in God.

(From a Letter to the Ephesians by Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr, in Office of Readings, Second Sunday in Ordinary Time)

SAINT ITA,

SAINT REMIGIUS,

SAINT PAUL THE FIRST HERMIT,

SAINT MAURO,

SAINT JOHN CALIBITA,

SAINT IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH,

SAINT BENEDICT OF NURSIA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: From Friday afternoon's return from the garden. A hymn to our God.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

The Month of January Dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saints: Our Lady of Arabia; Saint Felix of Nola, Priest (early 3rd century); Saint Sava (1174-1235)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 2:30-32 Qualities of the Abbot

Mass: Have 4:12-16; Resp Ps 19; Mk 2:13-17

Refreshing the soul.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, FULL OF GRACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, EXAMPLE OF VIRTUES,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

(Heb 4:12)

The rain keeps on; steady she goes. 

It is true that the above quotation from the Letter to the Hebrews is a favorite; the Word and the Spirit with Him blow where they will. Pay attention; be alert, "no creature is concealed from Him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must render an account" (Heb 4:13). And through it all we give thanks, for Jesus who reminds us why He came: Those who are well do not need a physician, says the Lord, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners (Mk 2:17). Thanks be to God. United in faith and prayer, we join Levi who got up from the customs post and followed Jesus (see Mk 2:14).

In honor of Our Lady, and today especially Our Lady of Arabia, the principal patroness of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, the following is from Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153).

Fear not, Mary,

you have found grace with the Lord.

How much grace?

Full grace

unique grace.

Unique or general?

Both surely,

Because full,

both unique and general.

You have received the general grace uniquely.

Both unique and general, I say,

for you alone found grace above everyone.

Unique

for you alone found it in its fullness.

General

for from that fullness all may receive it.

Blessed are you among women

and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

Uniquely of your womb is the fruit,

but it comes to the being of all

through you.

OUR LADY OF ARABIA,

SAINT FELIX OF NOLA,

SAINT SAVA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: During a brief break in the rain yesterday, I managed this. The Mattole River, full and busy. Rejoicing the hearts.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

The Month of January Dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

Saints: Saint Hilary of Poitiers, “Doctor of the Divinity of Christ”, Bishop, Doctor (-367); Saint Kentigern or Mungo (518-603); Saint Remigius, Bishop of Reims (d. 533)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 2:23-29 Qualities of the Abbot

Mass: Heb 4:1-5, 11; Resp Ps 78; Mk 2:1-12

Keep His commands.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, ANGEL OF GREAT COUNSEL,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Let us be on our guard while the promise of entering into His rest remains.

(Heb 4:1)

On many occasions, I picture the scenes from the Gospel. Just think about today and all those folks wanting to see Jesus; there they were gathered together, so many of them that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door. One might say it was an SRO (standing room only) occasion. Watch out above, friends of a paralytic have opened the roof and let down the mat with the paralytic on it. Alrighty then, whatever it takes go get to Jesus. Do we have the same persistence in our search for God? He is looking for you; He is looking for me. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this" (Mk 2:12).

I am well aware, almighty God and Father, that in my life I owe you a most particular duty. It is to make my every thought and word speak of you ...

Impart to us, then, the meaning of the words of Scripture and the light to understand it, with reverence for the doctrine and confidence in its truth. Grant that we may express what we believe. Through the prophets and apostles we know about you, the one God the Father, and the one Lord Jesus Christ. May we have the grace, in the face of heretics who deny you, to honor you as God, who is not alone, and to proclaim this as truth.

(From a sermon On the Trinity by Saint Hilary, bishop, in Office of Readings, January 13)

SAINT HILARY OF POITIERS,

SAINT KENTIGERN,

SAINT REMIGIUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This was from the morning regimen a few days before Christmas. Do not forget the deeds of God.

© Gertrude Feick

Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

The Month of January Dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

Saint: Saint Aelred of Rievaulx, Cistercian Abbot (1110-1167); Saint Margaret Bourgeoys (1620-1700); Saint Benet (Benedict) Biscop (c.628-690); Saint Antonio Maria Pucci, Priest (1819-1892); Saint Arcadius, Martyr (d. 302)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 1:16-22 Qualities of the Abbot

Mass: Heb 3:7-14; Resp Ps 95; Mk 1:40-45  

For He is our God.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, ETERNAL WISDOM,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil and unfaithful heart, so as to forsake the living God.

(Heb 3:12)

The above from the Letter to the Hebrews is one reason why we invoke Saint Michael the Archangel every day, and throughout the day too. Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil ...

One of our saints of the day, Saint Margaret Bourgeoys, the first woman saint of the Catholic Church in Canada to be canonized (by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1982), lived a life of profound imitation of the Virgin Mary, who was, as Margaret noted, "not cloistered," but "everywhere preserved an internal solitude" and "never refused to be where charity or necessity required help."* The Virgin Mary then, like her Son in today's Gospel did what needed to be done like tending to others, going to deserted places to pray to the Father and refresh, all while people kept coming to them from everywhere. So, Saint Margaret Bourgeoys followed their lead. We hear then from another saint of the day, one dear to our Order, Saint Aelred of Rievaulx, Cistercian Abbot, who had plenty to say about the Virgin Mary.

She,

filled with God

greater than the world

higher than heaven

more fertile than Paradise

the splendor of virgins

the glory of women

the praise of humanity

the gladness of angels

she whom the Son of God chose

to be His mother,

called herself a handmaiden.

United in faith and prayer then, we pray with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God: Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.

SAINT AELRED OF RIEVAULX,

SAINT MARGARGET BOURGEOYS,

SAINT BENEDICT BISCOP,

SAINT ANTONIO MARIA PUCCI,

SAINT ARCADIUS,

PRAY FOR US.

* Please read about another remarkable woman, Saint Margaret Bourgeoys, on Catholic News Agency, "Saint Margaret Bourgeoys."

Today's photo: With all this rain, the Thompson Creek is busy. 

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

The Month of January Dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

Saint: Saint Theodosius (423-528); Blessed Bernard Scammacca OP (1430-1487)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 2:11-15 Qualities of the Abbot

Mass: Heb 2:14-18; Resp Ps 105; Mk 1:29-39  

Sing to Him, sing His praise.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, DIVINE PHYSICIAN,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Because He Himself was tested through what He suffered, He is able to help those who are being tested.

(Heb 2:18)

Jesus has a busy day in today's Gospel. First, he goes to Simon's mother-in-law who lay sick with a fever, approaches her, grasps her hand, and the fever leaves her. In haste, the mother-in-law (what do you suppose her name was?) waits on her visitors. Later in the evening, when the whole town gathers at the door of the Divine Physician, He gets busy and cures those with various diseases not without driving out demons. After a night's rest, Jesus goes off to deserted place to pray. Not surprisingly, everyone is looking for Him. So, Jesus keeps going and preaches and drives out more demons. May we get busy and keep going too, inspired by Jesus, and also by Pope Francis who began a new cycle of catechesis at today's General Audience. The Holy Father calls us to renew the passion for evangelization, that is, apostolic zeal. Pope Francis tells us that "when Christian life loses sight of the horizon of evangelization, horizon of proclamation, it grows sick: it closes in on itself, becomes self-referential, it becomes atrophied. Without apostolic zeal, faith withers. Mission, on the other hand, is the oxygen of Christian life: it invigorates and purifies us. Let us embark, then, on a process of rediscovering the evangelizing passion, starting with the Gospel and the Church's teaching, to draw apostolic zeal from its sources." We go forth, then, and turn to today's Gospel so as to steer clear of atrophy; to be invigorated and purified.  Keep going.

The Father's purpose is revealing the Son to make Himself known to us all and so to welcome into eternal rest those who believe in Him, establishing them in justice, preserving them from death. To believe in Him means to do His will.

From the treatise "Against the Heresies" by Saint Irenaeus, in Office of Readings, 

Wednesday, First Week in Ordinary Time)

SAINT THEODOSIUS,

BLESSED BERNARD SCAMMACCA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Welcome to Windsor, CA, where with the rain there are flowers. Proclaim all His wondrous deeds.

© Gertrude Feick 2023