Theology Thursday: "(Ask a Stupid Question on) Heaven"
'Tis the festival of Saint Zachary, Pope (circa 679-752, also spelt Zacharias), ninety-first (XCI) Bishop of Rome & last pontiff of the Byzantine Papacy: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff & Wikipedia-link Byzantine.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
'Tis also the festival of Blessed William Hart, Priest & Martyr (1558-1583), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the one hundred sixty Martyrs of Douai: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link CLX & Wikipedia-link CLX.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Louise de Marillac, Religious, D.C. (1591-1660, A.K.A. Louise Le Gras), co-foundress of the Daughters of Charity, formally the Company of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul: Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link D.C.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer, Priest, C.Ss.R. (1751-1820, the "Second Founder of the Redemptorists" & the "Apostle of Vienna;" A.K.A. Johannes Hofbauer): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, Wikipedia-link, & YouTube-link The True Enlightenment, "Saint of the Week."
'Tis also the festival of Blessed Jan Wojciech Balicki, Priest (1869-1948, A.K.A. Jan Adalbert Balicki): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Lenten Weekday
The Book of Exodus, chapter thirty-two, verses seven thru fourteen;
Psalm One Hundred Six, verses nineteen & twenty, twenty-one & twenty-two, & twenty-three;
The Gospel according to John, chapter five, verses thirty-one thru forty-seven.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus says that his Father’s works testify to his identity. Jesus’ words are the Father’s words, and his deeds are the Father’s deeds. His story is the Father’s story.Video reflection by Fr. Roger Lopez, O.F.M. (Franciscan Media): U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Nature speaks of God, the philosophers say true things about God, the arts can reflect him, the lives of the saints can indicate him—but Jesus is the icon.
We sense in this passage, if I can put it this way, the humility of the Logos. Neither the words nor the deeds of Jesus are “his own.” They are received from the Father. The Trinitarian theological tradition respects this when it speaks of the Son as the interior word of the Father and as having received everything from the Father.
†
Bible Study—Follow Me: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John, Session Five (of Eight)
The Gospel according to John, chapter seven (verses one thru fifty-two);
The Gospel according to John, chapter eight (verses one thru fifty-nine);
The Gospel according to John, chapter nine (verses one thru forty-one).
Commentary: II. The Book of Signs (cont'd): The Feast of Tabernacles (John, 7:1-13); the First Dialogue (7:14-31); Officers Sent to Arrest Jesus (7:32-36); Rivers of Living Water (7:37-39); Discussion about the Origins of the Messiah (7:40-52); a Woman Caught in Adultery (8:1-11); the Light of the World (8:12-20); Jesus, the Father's Ambassador (8:21-30); Jesus & Abraham (8:31-59); & the Man Born Blind (9:1-41).
Papal Quote o' the Day
"Lord, give us all grace, for prayer is a grace. Teach us to pray as Moses prayed, in freedom of spirit & with courage. May the Holy Spirit, who is always present in prayer, lead us along this path."Little Flower Quote o' the Day
—Pope Francis
"If I have suffering unrelieved by any gleam of comfort, I manage to make that my joy."Saint Quote o' the Day
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
"I am Patrick, a sinner, most uncultivated & least of all the faithful & despised in the eyes of many."
—St. Patrick (floruit fifth century, feast day: 17 March)
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