Liturgical Readings for : Thursday, 11th July, 2024
11-07 St Benedict, Abbot, Patron of Europe
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Proverbs 2:1-9
Apply your heart to truth.
My son, you take my words to heart,
if you set store by my commandments, tuning your ear to wisdom,
and applying your heart to truth: Yes, if your plea is for clear perception,
if you cry out for discernment, if you look for it as if it were silver,
and search for it as for buried treasure,
you will then understand what the fear of the Lord is, and
discover the knowledge of God.
For the Lord himself is giver of wisdom,
from his mouth issue knowledge and discernment.
He keeps his help for honest men, he is the shield of those whose ways are honourable;
he stands guard over the paths of justice, he keeps watch on the way of his devoted ones.
Then you will understand what virtue is, justice, and fair dealing, all paths that lead to happiness.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 33
Response I will bless the Lord at all times.
Or Taste and see that the Lord is good.
1. I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise always on my lips;
in the Lord my soul shall make its boast. The humble shall hear and be glad. Response
2. Glorify the Lord with me. Together let us praise his name.
I sought the Lord and he answered me; from all my terrors he set me free. Response
3. Look towards him and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed.
This poor man called; the Lord heard him and rescued him from all his distress. Response
4. The angel of the Lord is encamped around those who revere him, to rescue them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good. He is happy who seeks refuge in him. Response
5. Revere the Lord, you his saints. They lack nothing, those who revere him.
Strong lions suffer want and go hungry but those who seek the Lord lack no blessing. Response
Gospel Acclamation Mt 5: 3
Alleluia, Alleluia!
How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 19:27-29 Glory to you, O Lord
Everyone who has followed me will be repaid a hundred times over.
Peter spoke to Jesus.
‘What about us?’ he said ‘We have left everything and followed you.
What are we to have, then?’
Jesus said to him,
‘I tell you solemnly, when all is made new and the Son of Man sits on his throne of glory,
you will yourselves sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or land for the sake of my name will be repaid a hundred times over, and also inherit eternal life.
Many who are first will be last, and the last, first.’
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Wed, 11th July, St Benedict, abbot, Patron of Europe, Matthew 19:27-29
‘The first monks in Italy and Gaul followed Eastern models and rules, which were usually marked by extreme austerity. It was Saint Benedict who adapted monasticism to European needs, and laid the foundations of the great monastic system which bears his name. Benedict was born in Norcia in Italy about the year 480, and as a youth studied in Rome. Disliking the licentiousness of the city, and feeling that he had a special call from God, he retired to a cave at Subiaco, about forty miles south of Rome. He lived there for three years. His manner of life attracted followers, and this led to the establishment of a monastery at Subiaco, which still exists. Later, probably in 528 or 529, he went further south and built the great abbey of Monte Cassino in the central Apennines.
He remained there until his death in 547, and it is there that he drew up his famous Rule for Monks’ (Website of Mount St Joseph’s Abbey, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, Ireland). Saint Benedict taught his monks the value of the common life. They would often pray alone, but they would also pray and work together and show hospitality to visitors. Having left their families and home, the monks discovered a new family, the community of their brother monks and of the wider world. In response to Peter’s question in the gospel reading, ‘What about us? We have left everything to follow you. What are we to have then?’ Jesus promises his disciples that everyone who has left home and family for his sake will be repaid a hundred times over. Most of us are not called to leave home and family for Jesus’ sake. Yet, there is always something we have to leave or let go of if we are to remain the Lord’s faithful followers. Jesus assures us that if we are prepared to take this path of letting go for his sake, we will always receive more from him than we have let go.
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The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd.
