Monday, March 12, 2018

Saints + Scripture: Lent

'Tis the festival of Saint Maximilian of Theveste, Martyr (274-295), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Innocent I, Pope (died 417), fortieth (XL) Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Pontiff-link & Wikipedia-link Pontiff.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Paul Aurelian, Bishop (died circa 575, of Léon; also spelt Pol, Paol Aorelian): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Angela Salawa, Confessor, O.F.S. (1881-1922, also spelt Aniela Salawa): Blessed-link ūna, Blessed-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Lenten Weekday
The Book of Isaiah, chapter sixty-five, verses seventeen thru twenty-one;
Psalm Thirty, verses two & four; five & six; & eleven, twelve(a), & thirteen(b);
The Gospel according to John, chapter four, verses forty-three thru fifty-four.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, our Gospel today tells of Jesus healing a royal official’s son. The official asked him to heal his son, who was near death. Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe." But the royal official persisted. And Jesus told him his son would live. The man believed Jesus, and his son recovered.

Theologian Paul Tillich said that "faith" is the most misunderstood word in the religious vocabulary. And this is a tragedy, for faith stands at the very heart of the program; it is the
sine qua non of the Christian thing. What is it? The opening line of Hebrews 11 has the right definition: "Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see."

Faith is a straining ahead toward those things that are, at best, dimly glimpsed. But notice, please, that it is not a craven, hand-wringing, unsure business. It is "confident" and full of "conviction." Think of the great figures of faith, from Abraham to John Paul II: they are anything but shaky, indefinite, questioning people. Like the royal official, they are clear, focused, assured.
Video reflection by Msgr. James Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Papal Quote o' This Day
"The Lord can change us, He wants to change us, He loves to change us. And He does this through love."
—Pope Francis
Little Flower Quote o' This Day
"O Jesus, Your little bird is happy to be weak & little. What would become of it if it were big? Never would it have the boldness to appear in Your presence, to fall asleep in front of You."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' This Day
"O Lord, what are all the consolations of the Earth without You?"
—St. Gemma Galgani (1878-1903, feast day: 11 April)

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