Readings of the day: RB 7:10-18Mass: Ezra 9:5-9; Resp. Psalm (Tobit 13); Luke 9:1-6
It sounds so simple: Jesus summons the Twelve. He gives them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases. Jesus then provides a rather straightforward job description: proclaim the Kingdom of God; heal the sick; take nothing for the journey—no walking stick, sack, food, money, or a second tunic. When you enter a house, stay there and leave from there. If you aren’t welcomed then shake the dust from you

Readings of the day: RB 7:5-9Mass: Ezra 6:7-8,12b,14-20; Resp. Psalm 122; Luke 8:19-21
The Holy Wonderworkers and Unmercenary Physicians 
Cosmas and Damian 

In our daily reading of the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict, we are in the thick of Chapter 7, “Humility.” What is humility? Cardinal Basil

Readings of the day: RB 7:1-4Mass: Ezra 1:1-6; Resp. Psalm 126; Luke 8:16-18

What Jesus says to the crowd today reminds of a radio program I listened to years ago. There was a segment where people would call, “Mr. Obvious,” asking a question to which the answer was, well, obvious. I imagine someone in the crowd raising his hand, then

Readings of the day: RB 6Mass: Isaiah 55:6-9; Psalm 145; Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a; Matthew 20:1-16a
In Chapter 6 of the Holy Rule, Saint Benedict addresses the importance of cherishing silence in the monastery. We read: “the disciple’s role is to
be silent and listen.” A most fitting prayer for today can be found in the Gospel Acclamation for Mass and Saint Paul’s Letter to the Philippians.

Readings of the day: RB 5:14-19Mass: 1 Timothy 6:13-16; Resp. Psalm 100; Luke 8:4-15
Today I remember a dear friend, mentor, and teacher, Father Paschal Cheline, OSB (1936-2015), who inculcated me with a love of and reverence for all things liturgical. In one of his classes, Fr Paschal offered a definition of liturgy: “The celebration of the presence of Jesus Christ the Lord among us in signs.” He also gave his students the definition taught him by his friend and confrere, Abbot Bonaventure Zerr,