Saints + Scripture: Eastertide — Better Late than Never

The Popish Plot
Wordy Wednesday: "Gaudete et Exsultate."

'Tis the Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist (died circa 68, A.K.A. John Mark), inspired author of the Gospel according to Mark: Evangelist-link ūnus, Evangelist-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Gospel.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

St. Mark is the traditionally ascribed author of the Gospel of Mark. Mark is said to have founded the Church of Alexandria, one of the most important episcopal sees of early Christianity.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

The feast of St. Mark the Evangelist is April 25. he was probably the first bishop of Alexandria, Egypt & the founder of the Church of Alexandria.

There is an interesting story about the relics of St. Mark, which are enshrined in the beautiful cathedral (St. Mark's) in Venice. According to legend, priests feared Saint Mark's relics might be damaged or destroyed by the Muslims during the persecution of the Catholic community in Alexandria. Merchants convinced the priests to allow them to return to Venice with the relics of Saint Mark. The relics were then placed in a chest covered by a layer of pork & cabbage. When the Muslim officials asked to inspect the chest, they cried out, "O horror!" at the sight & smell of the pork (according to their custom they are not allowed to touch/eat pork). Thus the evangelist was safely conveyed to Venice, but not before a number of miracles eased his passage across the Mediterranean.

Wikipedia-link Basilica di San Marco.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feast of St. Mark
The First Letter of Peter, chapter five, verses five(b) thru fourteen;
Psalm Eighty-nine, verses two & three, six & seven, & sixteen & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verses fifteen thru twenty.

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

Friends, in today’s reading Jesus commissions his disciples (and us) to proclaim the Gospel to the whole world. Then he is taken up to heaven, where he takes his place at God’s right hand, and the disciples go forth and preach everywhere.

The Ascension of Jesus signals the beginning of the era of the Church. As Jesus leaves the scene (at least in the most obvious sense), he opens the stage for us. What if Caesar, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Churchill were still striding the world stage? No one would have the courage to enter the game. So, Jesus leaves, that we might act in his name and in accord with his spirit.

And it is precisely those who are most focused on the things of heaven that do the most good here below—Gandhi, King, Dorothy Day, John Paul II. Those who pray most intently are most effective in the practical realm. This too is opened up by the Ascension.

Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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'Tis also the festival of Blesseds Robert Anderton & William Marsden, Priests & Martyrs (died 1586), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, two of the Martyrs of Douai: Martyr-link Romeo Alpha, Martyr-link Whiskey Mike, & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link Douai & Wikipedia-link Douai.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Pedro de San José Betancur, Religious, O.F.B. (1626-1667, also spelt Betancourt), founder of the Order of Bethlehemite Brothers: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, Wikipedia-link & YouTube-link The True Enlightenment, "Saint of the Week"; Wikipedia-link O.F.B.

'Tis also the festival of Blesseds Mario Borzaga, Priest (O.M.I.), & Paul Thoj Xyooj, Martyrs (died 1960), martyred by the Communist Pathet Lao, two of the seventeen Martyrs of Laos: Martyr-link Mike Bravo, Martyr-link Papa Tango X-ray, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Laos.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Christians are born for combat."
—Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"Do all in your power to detach your heart from earthly cares… then be assured Our Lord will do the rest."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Give something, however small, to the one in need. For it is not small to one who has nothing. Neither is it small to God, if we have given what we could."
—St. Gregory Nazianzen, Doctor of the Church (329-390, feast day: 2 January)