Memorial of Saint Benedict, Abbot
Intention: For the Brothers of our District as they continue their annual retreat this week.
Today’s Gospel | Matthew 9:32-38
A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
From the Meditation on Saint Benedict | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
Are you careful to keep your students away from whatever might corrupt their morals, especially bad company, and do you inspire them with a horror of such companions? Are you so vigilant over their conduct that you prevent them from doing the least thing wrong when they are in your presence? Do you show them how to avoid all occasions of evil when they are no longer under your supervision? Learn from Saint Benedict how to bring up properly the children whom you have to guide. Act so as to obtain from him by your prayers the grace of guiding them well.
Prayer
Eternal Father, it is true that your Son has called all of us to follow him, not just to walk where he walks, but to walk as he walks. Our journey lies in serving as he served, teaching as he taught, and loving as he loved. Open our eyes and hearts to the faces of need that are around us. Grant that we might be worthy disciples and ambassadors of Christ, caring well for one another, especially those that you have entrusted to us. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.