Solemnity of the Transitus of St. Benedict, Abbot

Today's Mass Readings

Today’s readings have a common theme of life-giving waters. In the first reading, we hear about the waters that flow from the temple of the LORD. This water turns into a river that makes the salty waters fresh, brings life to animals and fish, and waters all the plant life so that their leaves never fade and they bear fresh fruit.

We have been bathed in these waters through our baptism, which transforms the salty waters of our sins and makes them fresh and pure so that we may be brought into the life of Christ. Through this grace, we live in the life of Christ and are given the strength to bear fresh fruit. Our lives and the fruit we bear will serve as food and our leaves as medicine for all our brothers and sisters we encounter. But as we receive grace in baptism to bear fruit to feed others, we must remember that we are to be fed by our brothers and sisters who also bear this life-giving fruit.

At times we might forget to receive this food and will look for healing and fulfillment in other pools of water that do not give life. It is in these times that we encounter Jesus saying to us, “Do you want to be well?” and we must ask ourselves, “do I really want to be well?” If we say yes, then Jesus will raise us up and lead us back into the His life-giving waters.

Reflection by Br. Placid Dale, OSB