TUESDAY OF THE 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEARMystery of the day: Sorrowful
Celebration for the day: St. BENEDICT (Abbot)
(480-547). He was born at Norcia, Italy, and was sent to Rome to be educated. He chose to live a solitary life at Subiaco and eventually organized a form of monastic life in twelve monasteries. The monks who joined Saint Benedict devoted themselves to work and prayer. In the great abbey of Monte Cassino, which he founded, he wrote his Rule in which are wonderfully combined the Roman genius and the monastic wisdom of the Christian East. He was proclaimed Patron of Europe by Pope Paul VI because of his wonderful influence in the formation of Christendom in the Middle Ages.
Theme: Perseverance in the Lord.
"...will not let you go, unless you bless me." (Genesis 32:26)
Persistence or perseverance in prayer or any other good deed is the identity of a true Christian. It entails self-discipline and a paradigm shift from comfort zone to a plain of sacrifice.
In today's first reading we are being refreshed with the story of how Jacob battled with an angel of God. The battle here denotes persistence, requesting for a blessing having known the efficacy of such blessing.
"...will not let you go, unless you bless me." (Genesis 32:26)
He stood firm in his struggle, and at last his identity was changed and he went back as a different personality. This similar helplessness that we have seen in the gospel pericope moved our Lord Jesus with pity to heal the dumb demoniac, and then told his disciples to pray for more labourers into the field. (cf. Matthew 9:32-38)
Indeed, when there are more labourers in the field there will be outright blessing, healing and restoration in the Lord.
Finally, beloved in Christ as we celebrate with the Church the memorial of St. Benedict today, we earnestly pray that through his intercession way persevere in our daily spiritual struggle so that at the end we may enjoy the beatific vision
Peace, be with you!
Let us prayer
O God, who made the Abbot Saint Benedict an outstanding master in the school of divine service, grant, we pray, that, putting nothing before love of you, we may hasten with a loving heart in the way of your commands. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
© The ARCHIVE 11072023
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