Saturday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

St. Paul discusses in today’s first reading what being an apostle entailed for him.

For as I see it, God has exhibited us apostles as the last of all,
like people sentenced to death

Paul knew that is wasn’t easy to be an Apostle, but required the virtue of perseverance. I’ve been taught as a monk how important it is to persevere through challenges in life. I can tell you that the greatest graces I have experienced came when I wanted to quit something I was doing. The best blessings really do come when you just want to give up.

I once went on a fishing expedition to catch a flathead catfish. I fished for quite a long time and didn’t find a flathead. I never thought I would catch one and almost gave up trying. Finally, I put out into a deeper part of the river, and I found the fish I was seeking.

I remember the day I caught that fish, September 19, 2014. This all happened during a time when I was making a shift in my own vocational journey. I began to discern monastic life after this, and I caught this fish two days before the feast of the saint whose name I would take as a patron, St. Matthew, on September 21. I always associated fishing with Christian life. Fishing takes a great deal of perseverance if you want to have a good catch. I believe this applies to Christian life as well. Perseverance is a necessary attribute to succeeding in the Christian life.

Reflection: Perseverance is a cousin of patience. One walks while the other guides. Pray that your life may be guided by patience and perseverance, which are granted by the Holy Spirit.

Reflection by Br. Matthew Marie, OSB