Saints + Scripture: Christmas

Better Late than Never | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

Joy to the world, the Christmastide rolls on: Wikipedia-link Christmastide. Merry Christmas!

The Popish Plot
Bonus Episode: "Late Night Filming"

'Tis the Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop, C.Ss.R. (1811-1860): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Shrine.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Neumann spent most of his life building churches, schools, & asylums for his diocese. He was devoted to education & was the first ecclesiastic to organize a diocesan school system in the United States.

Quoth Minute Meditations from the Popes:

O Lord, grant me the courage that inspired St. John Neumann to leave his homeland in order to serve the American people. Teach me how to invite others to share the Faith.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Telesphorus, Pope & Martyr (died circa 138), eighth (VIII) Bishop of Rome, martyred in the reign of a Roman emperor, either Hadrian or Antoninus Pius: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Simeon Stylites the Elder, Hermit (circa 390-459): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Cera of Kilkeary, Abbess (died 679; A.K.A. of Ireland, also spelt Keira, etc.): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Marcellina Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Religious (1827-1911, A.K.A. Marcelina Darowska, Marcelina Kotowicz), co-foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Christmas Weekday
The First Letter of John, chapter three, verses eleven thru twenty-one;
Psalm One Hundred, verses one(b) & two, three, four, & five;
The Gospel according to John, chapter one, verses forty-three thru fifty-one.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel, Nathaniel recognizes Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel. Like Nathaniel, once we make the decision for Jesus, once we determine that he is the supreme good, then every other claimant to supremacy must fall away. As I’ve argued many times before, every one of us has something or some set of values that we consider greatest. There is some center of gravity around which everything else turns.

Perhaps it is money and material things. Perhaps it is power and position. Perhaps it is the esteem of others. Perhaps it is your country or your political party or your ethnic identity. Perhaps it is your family, your kids, your wife, your husband.

None of this is false; and none of these things are bad. However, when you place any of them in the absolute center of gravity, things go awry. When you make any of them your ultimate or final good, your spiritual life goes haywire. When you attach yourself to any of them with an absolute tenacity, you will fall apart.

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

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. John Neumann
The Book of Isaiah, chapter six, verses one thru eight;
Psalm Eighty-nine, verse two;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-eight, verses sixteen thru twenty.

Scripture Study—Prophetic Books
The Book of Jonah, chapter one (of four, verses one thru seventeen);
The Book of Jonah, chapter two (verses one thru ten);
The Book of Jonah, chapter three (verses one thru ten);
The Book of Jonah, chapter four (of four, verses one thru eleven).

Commentary: Jonah Tries to Flee God (Jonah, 1:1-10), Jonah Is Thrown into the Sea & Swallowed (1:11-17), Jonah's Prayer & Deliverance (2:1-10), Nineveh Repents (3:1-10), Jonah's Anger (4:1-5), 7 God Reproves Jonah (4:6-11).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Today, faced with the contradictions of the adult world & the rapidity of change, evangelizers could become discouraged & be tempted to limit their missionary effort. We must revive the Master's invitation to the whole world! To all creatures! To the ends of the earth!"
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"The Divine Heart's Goodness & Merciful Love are little known! It is true that to enjoy these treasures we must humble ourselves, must confess our nothingness & here is where many a soul draws back."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Remember that you have been created for greater things. Never stoop lower than that ideal. Let nothing satisfy you but God."
—St. Teresa of Calcutta ("Mother Teresa," 1910-1997; feast day: 5 September)