MEMORIAL ST BENEDICT, FRIDAY OF THE FOURTEENTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME, JULY 11, 2025
- Olivia M. Bannan
- Jul 10
- 2 min read
Gospel
Jesus said to his Apostles: "Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes."
REFLECTION
"Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.
“Every day, as long as this one day lasts, keep encouraging one another.” (Hebrews 3:13)
When my first born was dropped off at the college dorm, I was reminded of this Gospel. “I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. “ After all the years of Catholic education, hours of Adoration, keeping friendships with kindred spirits, and very independent, she was ready for college life. I was, however, always nearby for advice, help and prayers.
Doubts crept in — Will she forget about God, will her group of new friends lead her astray? St Benedict helped shape my daughter.
Today we celebrate the life of St Benedict. In 529 he founded his first Benedictine abbey at Monte Cassino near Naples. To help the communal life of the monastery, he set up rules for guidance. His Rule of St Benedict acknowledges that many people strive for perfection, but fall well short of it. Knowing this, his “rule for beginners” helps even the least perfect and least able to grow spiritually. He advised whenever we begin any good work, to appeal first to Christ, our Lord, to bring to perfection the good work.
Listen to God and others
Eating, drinking, working, playing and praying should be done in moderation.
Keep your tongue from evil
Keep your lips from deceit.
Turn away from evil and do good.
Seek peace and pursue it.
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