Saints + Scripture: Eastertide — Better Late than Never

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint John I, Pope & Martyr (died 526), fifty-third (LIII) Bishop of Rome, martyred in the reign of the Gothic king Theodoric, an Arian heretic: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff & Wikipedia-link Heresy.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

He was sent on a diplomaic mission to Constantinople by the Ostrogoth King Theodoric to negotiate better treatment for Arians. Although relatively successful, upon his return to Ravenna, Theodoric had the Pope imprisoned for allegedly conspiring with Constantinople.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Eric of Sweden, Martyr (circa 1120-1161, A.K.A. King Eric IX, the Lawgiver), martyred by pagans led by the usurper Magnus Henriksson: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Felix of Cantalice, Religious, O.F.M. Cap. (1515-1587, A.K.A. Felice Porri): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Marcin Oprządek, Priest & Martyr, O.F.M. (1884-1942, A.K.A. Jan Oprządek), martyred in the reign of the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, one of the One Hundred Eight Blessed Polish Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link (list, № 4); Martyrs-link CVIII & Wikipedia-link CVIII.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter twenty-five, verses thirteen(b) thru twenty-one;
Psalm One Hundred Three, verses one & two, eleven & twelve, & nineteen & twenty(a/b);
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty-one, verses fifteen thru nineteen.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel tells of the great engagement between the risen Jesus and Peter. Peter knows his sin—he betrayed Jesus three times. But Jesus brings him through the process of repentance and gives him the key to transformation. Three times Peter denied the Lord, and so three times Jesus asks him to reaffirm his faith: "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Notice that Christianity is not a set of ideas or convictions or principles. It is a relationship with a person. Do you love Jesus? Has he become your friend?

When Simon says yes, Jesus tests him: "Feed my lambs; tend my sheep; feed my sheep." The test of love is action. Are we willing to do what Jesus did? Are we willing to go on mission on his behalf?

Then we hear that wonderful closing section: "As a young man you fastened your belt and went about as you pleased; but when you are older you will stretch out your hands, and another will tie you fast and carry you off against your will." The ultimate test of discipleship is our willingness to abandon our egos and be carried by a power greater than ourselves.

Video reflection by Paula Trigo-Galan: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. John I
The Book of Revelation, chapter three, verses fourteen(b), twenty, twenty-one, & twenty-two;
Psalm Twenty-three, verse one;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty-two, verses twenty-four thru thirty.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"What was visible in our Savior has passed over into his mysteries."
—Pope St. Leo I the Great (400-461, feast day: 10 November)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"It is so wonderful to think that God is really just, that God takes into account our weakness and our frailty."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Blood! Blood! Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit."
—St. Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church (1347-1380, feast day: 29 April)