Saints + Scripture: Eastertide

The Popish Plot
Fermentation Friday: "The Daniel Episode"

'Tis the festival of Saint Asicus of Elphin, Bishop (died circa 490, also spelt Assic): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Zita of Lucca, Virgin (circa 1212-1272; A.K.A. Sitha, Citha): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Nicolas Roland, Priest (1642-1678), founder of the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Sisters.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter thirteen, verses twenty-six thru thirty-three;
Psalm Two, verses six & seven, eight & nine, & ten & eleven(a/b);
The Gospel according to John, chapter fourteen, verses one thru six.

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

Friends, in today’s familiar and majestic passage, Jesus exhorts us to trust him: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.”

So much depends on the spiritual meaning of the little word “trust.” Jeremiah the prophet laid it out as starkly and simply as possible: “Cursed be the one who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the Lord.” And conversely, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is in the Lord.”

What does it mean to trust, to have hope, to turn one’s heart to God? It means to root the whole of one’s life in God, and not to ground our concerns in the things of this world: wealth, power, pleasure, and honor.

Ask yourself: “What is the center of gravity in my life?” The Bible consistently proposes this question. For example, read the book of Joshua, when Joshua lays it on the line for the people of Israel: “Do you serve the Lord or some other gods?” That’s the question being asked of you today.

Video reflection by Father Praveen Lakkisetti: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Every believer ought to be an active member of the Church. Every Catholic lay person is invested with the right & has a duty to work in order to testify to & spread the Kingdom of God."
—Pope Bl. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"Love will consume us only in the measure of our self-surrender."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"There is no doubt that God will never be wanting to us, provided that He finds in us that humility which makes us worthy of His gifts, the desire of possessing them, & the promptitude to cooperate industriously with the graces He gives us."
—St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556, feast day: 31 July)