+(Intro) Today we have the memorial of Bl. Guerric of Igny. Guerric like Gidion in our first reading this morning felt himself to be lowly and insignificant among his people. As we begin this Eucharist let us be sorry for sins & failings.
(After the gospel) As one of our monks has said: Blessed Guerric was:
“perhaps, the most approachable of the Cistercian Fathers. Certainly, he was the most unobtrusive, doing what we all do in the monastic life. Blessed Guerric made no name for himself, being neither famous nor heroic. He was just faithful, a kindly, wise old man, who couldn’t understand why the abbatial office was thrust upon him. He was very conscious of his limits, largely from old age, precluding his being an example of monastic observance to anyone. He was merely a replacement of the first Abbot of Igny who said, “I’m quitting”, packed his bags and returned to his motherhouse, Clairvaux. His action was against St. Bernard’s orders to him to stay put. Bernard had no choice but to find a substitute so he sent dependable old Guerric..” [Fr James of Berryville]
Bl. Guerric was intent on following the Lord Jesus despite his weakness and frailty and thus was given a place of authority in the Order. Having done all he could to serve his community for the sake of the kingdom of God, he received a hundred times more and has inherited eternal life.
Judg 6:11-24a; Matt 19:23-30