"Thou Art Worthy"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of "Thou Art Worthy":

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for creating each of us and for calling each of us to be a blessing to those we encounter each day.

The Wisdom of St. Clare of Assisi

August 11th is the Feast of Saint Clare of Assisi, who was born in 1194, about 12 years after the birth of Saint Francis of Assisi. She was an early follower of Saint Francis and became the first woman to write a set of monastic guidelines. In a letter to Blessed Agnes of Prague, a Bohemian princess who abandoned her royal status to establish a convent, Clare wrote, "We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become."

It's a piece of wisdom that Clare acquired through her own journey from wealth and status to a renunciation of worldly things, and she passed this wisdom on, just as Francis had passed it on to her after his own journey of renunciation.

When she was a teenager, Clare heard Francis preach and was so inspired that she decided to follow in his footsteps by committing herself to a simple life devoted to God. Francis helped her find a home in a convent, and Clare's sister, Catarina, soon joined her in religious life. Their family objected to this path and tried to persuade both sisters to return home and pursue the type of strong marital alliance that was expected of their high social status.

But Clare and her sister had found what Francis found in renouncing the things of this world to devote themselves completely to God. They found peace in detachment and an ability to love others completely and unconditionally. Clare immersed herself in cultivating a way of life for the women who came to join her order, known today as the Order of Poor Clares, a name that pays homage to her as the foundress and to the vow of poverty at the heart of her rule.

The Poor Clares are in the Franciscan tradition because Clare modeled her rule after the rule established by Francis. The vow of poverty was essential to this tradition because both Francis and Clare viewed it as the surest response to Christ's teaching, when He said in Luke 14:33, "Whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple."

In following this rule and encouraging others to do the same, Francis and Clare charted a path in the footsteps of Christ. And just as Francis had done, Clare modeled humility through a quiet and unassuming approach to leadership. Clare viewed her role as one of service, and it is said that she only gave orders to others in the most humble manner. In this way, she sowed seeds of virtue in all who bore witness to her actions and to all who were so blessed as to take her counsel.

Clare's letters to Blessed Agnes of Prague exemplify the help and support she provided to others who sought her counsel. The wisdom she shared with Agnes demonstrates that loving Christ allows Him into our hearts to shape our souls, and that is how we continually grow closer to Him.

Clare died on August 11th, 1253, just one day after having the rule she wrote for her order approved by Pope Innocent IV. On her deathbed, she is reported to have said, "Blessed be You, O God, for having created me."

In this final expression, Clare demonstrated the hard-won reward for the life of detachment she chose. In letting go, Saint Clare of Assisi was able to live in full appreciation for the simplest gifts of life - and for the gift of life itself.

This essay is this week's "Light One Candle" column, written by Fr. Edward Dougherty, M.M, of The Christophers' Board of Directors; it is one of a series of weekly columns that deal with a variety of topics and current events.)

Background information:

The Christophers

Reflection Starter from Pierre Teilhard De Chardin, SJ

"We are collaborators in creation. What you and I are becoming is what the world is becoming." - Father Pierre Teilhard De Chardin, SJ

"Sing to the Lord a Joyful Song"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of "Sing to the Lord a Joyful Song":

 

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time The assigned readings for the Mass during the day are Isaiah 22:19-23, Romans 11:33-36, and Matthew 16:13-20. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 138 (Psalm 138:1-3, 6-8).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time: Psalm 138 - Lord Your Love is Eternal [YEAR A]

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, z"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"  They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."  He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.  For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Reflections related to these readings:

Community in Mission: Of Peter and the Papacy - A Homily for the 21st Sunday of the Year (22 AUG 26) 

Benedictine College: This Sunday, Break Free From the Power of Hell Through the Authority of Peter (20 AUG 26)

Word on Fire: The Church Prevails (Cycle A * Ordinary Time * 21st Week)

The Pilot: Echoes: Scott Hahn: Oh, the depths (21 AUG 26)

The Quiet Corner: From Fisherman to First Bishop (20 AUG 26)

Belated Birthday Blessings, Jacqueline!!!

Belated birthday greetings to sister-in-law Jacqueline, who recently celebrated her birthday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Belated Anniversary Blessings, Allison and Joseph!!!

Belated anniversary greetings to niece Allison Tanner and her husband Joseph, who recently celebrated their wedding anniversary!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Belated Anniversary Blessings Adam and E-Lynn!!!

Belated anniversary greetings to son Adam and his wife Erin, who recently celebrated their wedding anniversary!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of good security agents on the various levels.

Msr.Pope on Concerns about the Shrinking of Summer

"Not so long ago the middle of August was still a lazy time to enjoy the last few days of summer. It used to be that Labor Day marked the unofficial end of summer - not so much any more in more places for more and more people.

"The erosion of summer is driven mainly by the start of school. I have watched with sadness as the school year seems to begin earlier and earlier and earlier. . . .

"What’s the big rush? Why are some people in such a big hurry to get back to the grind? Families have so little time to spend time together as it is! . . .."

In a recent commentary, Msgr. Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the purpose of rest (both on the Sabbath and on vacation) and on some of the factors driving the reduction of rest time.

To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:

Community in Mission: A Lament on the Shrinking of Summer (13 AUG 26)

Reflection Starter from Pope Leo XIV

"The world does not need an artificial intelligence that diminishes humanity; rather, it needs human intelligence enlightened by wisdom, political authority guided by conscience and technological innovation directed by charity.  Only then will artificial intelligence become not a rival to humanity but a servant of the common good." - Pope Leo XIV