Saints + Scripture: Lent — The Long Road Back, II of III

The Popish Plot
Bonus Episode: "The Popish Vlog Intro"

Commentary: Day three of The Popish Plot's "Turn It Up to 11" fête!

Saturday, 24 March was the festival of Blessed John of the Staff, Religious, O.S.B. (circa 1200-1290; A.K.A. John dal Bastone, Giovanni Bonello Botegoni): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Catherine of Sweden, Abbess, O.Ss.S. (circa 1331-1381, A.K.A. of Vadstena): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Daughter of St. Bridget of Sweden [23 July].

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Didacus Joseph of Cádiz, Priest, O.F.M. Cap. (1743-1801, A.K.A. José Francisco López-Caamaño y García Pérez): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Óscar Romero, Bishop & Martyr (1917-1980): Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: The miracle necessary for Bl. Óscar's canonization has been authenticated, but a date for the canonization has not yet been set. By this time next year, we might well be commemorating the festival of St. Óscar Romero.

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Lenten Weekday
The Book of Ezekiel, chapter thirty-seven, verses twenty-one thru twenty-eight;
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter thirty-one, verses ten, eleven & twelve(a/b/c/d), & thirteen;
The Gospel according to John, chapter eleven, verses forty-five thru fifty-six.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in today’s Gospel, the Pharisees plot to kill Jesus because he raised Lazarus. We see here a particular form of opposition, namely, scapegoating. René Girard identified the scapegoating mechanism as basic to the maintenance of order in most human communities. When tensions arise among people due to competitive desire, scapegoats—usually outsiders—are automatically singled out, and upon them is cast the collective anxiety of the group.

The leaders of the nation are seeking to isolate and eliminate Jesus because they are anxious to soothe tensions among the people. The author of John’s Gospel stresses this dimension when he puts in the mouth of Caiaphas the words: "You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed."

But, in Jesus, the true God will undermine this officially sanctioned scapegoating by becoming the scapegoat himself.

Video reflection by Harry Dudley, D.Min,: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Papal Quote o' That Day

"May we exercise all forms pf power as service for God & for brothers & sisters, with the criteria of love, of justice, & of service to the common good."
—Pope Francis

Little Flower Quote o' That Day

"How I would like to make you understand the tenderness of the Heart of Jesus, what He is asking of you."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' That Day

"Faith means battles; if there are no contests, it is because there are none who desire to contend."
—St. Ambrose of Milan, Doctor of the Church (circa 340-397, feast day: 7 December)