Sunday, January 21, 2018

Saints + Scripture: III Sunday in Ordinary Time

'Tis the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Book of Jonah, chapter three, verses one thru five & ten;
Psalm Twenty-five, verses four & five, six & seven, & eight & nine;
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter seven, verses twenty-nine, thirty, & thirty-one;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter one, verses fourteen thru twenty.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, our Gospel today is Jesus’ inaugural address, setting the tone for the whole of his preaching. Mark tells us that he was proclaiming the Good News of God, and that this was "the time of fulfillment."

Something was being brought to completion. What was it? It was everything that the Old Testament had spoken of. Jesus gathered up in his person everything that Israel was about—and this is why his presence was so compelling and why following him was of paramount importance. This is why he says, "Repent and believe in the gospel." The Good News is him. So now it’s time to make a decision.

Friends, this is the whole story. Everything else is commentary. We are meant to see ourselves in Simon and Andrew, in James and John. When Jesus passes by, we have to respond. The time is now. They got this, and that’s why they responded so promptly.

Now here’s the catch: to follow him means to do what he does, to call other people to the kingdom. "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." That line is addressed to all of us, to all the baptized, to all the disciples.
Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M. (Franciscan Media): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Video reflection by Jeff Cavins (Ascension): Encountering the Word.

Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D. (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Breaking the Bread.


Mass Journal: Week Four
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
The story of Jesus Christ is the most powerful in history & has directly or indirectly influenced every noble aspect of modern civilization. But amid the hustle & bustle of our daily lives, it is easy to become distracted & distance ourselves from this story. From time to time, someone comes along who reminds us of the spellbinding power the Gospel has when it is actually lived.

Otherwise, 21 January would be the festival of Saint Publius, Bishop & Martyr (circa 33-112, of Malta), martyred in the reign of the emperor Trajan: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Agnes, Virgin & Martyr (circa 291-304, of Rome), martyred in the reign of the emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution; martyred at the site of the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone & buried in the Catacombs of Saint Agnes, atop which sits the basilica of Sant'Agnese fuori le mura: Martyr-link ūna, Martyr-link duae, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Persecution; Wikipedia-link in Agone, Wikipedia-link Catacombs, & Wikipedia-link outside the Walls.


Commentary: Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
Almost nothing is known of this saint except that she was very young—twelve or thirteen—when she was martyred in the last half of the third century. Various modes of death have been suggested—beheading, burning, strangling. Agnes was condemned, executed, & buried near Rome in a catacomb that was eventually named for her. The daughter of Constantine built a basilica in her honor.
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Bríga of Kilbride, Abbess (floruit sixth century; also spelt Brigid, A.K.A. of Killbrige), foundress of the monastery at Oughter Ard: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Monastery.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Meinrad, Hermit & Martyr (circa 797-861), martyred by Richard & Peter, brigands who beat him to death once they discovered he possessed nothing worth stealing: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Alban Roe, Priest & Martyr, O.S.B. (1583-1642), martyred in the reign of the king Charles I, one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyr-link XL & Wikipedia-link XL.

Saint Quote o' the Day
"Christ made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace & virtue. I belong to Him whom the angels serve."
—St. Agnes (circa 291-304, feast day: 21 January)

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