MEMORIAL OF SAINT BENEDICT, ABBOT, SATURDAY JULY 11, 2026
- Olivia M. Bannan
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
Gospel
Jesus said to his Apostles: “No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!“ Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”
REFLECTION
do not be afraid
Trust and do not fear echoes throughout our Catholic faith and the many saints who served God well. Pope St John Paul II, St Padre Pio, St Therese Lisieux, St Teresa of Avila, St Francis de Sales, St Faustina, St Catherine of Siena all spoke on not being afraid in this world as God will provide, and give us strength.
Today's saint, St Benedict of Nursia, demonstrated fearless faith amid political turmoil, moral decline and personal opposition. He called his monks to place unwavering trust in God in obedience, humility and perseverance. The Rule of St Benedcit called his communities to follow a simple way of life. The four themes of Listen, Obey, Pray and Labor were a profound path to holiness.
The very first word of the Rule is Listen. to God's voice through Sacred Scriptures, the Church, authority, the Holy Spirit with humility. The ear of the heart is formed through silence.
Obey: Say "yes' to God, follow Christ. Practice humility and not insist on my way. When we surrender selfishness we become free to love.
Pray: We have been taught how to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. We pray, worship, praise, give thanksgiving, repent, intercede and contemplate.
Labor: Do not be idle, serve others, and glorify God in all we do.
In the Benedictine tradition, holiness is found not primarily in extraordinary deeds but in faithfully listening, obediently following Christ, praying continually, and working generously each day.
PAPA visited Monte Cassino in one of our pilgrimages. Monte Cassino abbey was founded by St Benedict around 529 AD. The Catholic monastery is situated high on a rocky hill above the town of Cassino. In 1944 this monastery was the site of a brutal 4 month battle. The Allies destroyed the ancient monastery in a massive air raid, thinking that the German troops were using the abbey as a fortress. It was rebuilt between 1950 and 1960 by the Italian government.
