Saints + Scripture

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Polycarp, Bishop & Martyr (circa 69-155, of Smyrna), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius, one of the Apostolic Fathers, author of an extant Letter to the Philippians, whose martyrdom is attested in the Martyrdom of Polycarp: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Fathers, Wikipedia-link Philippians, & Wikipedia-link Martyrdom.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

It is recorded by [Saint] Irenaeus [28 June], & by Tertullian, that he had been a disciple of [St.] John the Apostle [27 December]. Saint Jerome [30 September] wrote that Polycarp was a disciple of John & that John had ordained him bishop of Smyrna. He died a martyr, bound & burned at the stake, then stabbed when the fire failed to touch him.

Quoth Minute Meditations from the Popes:

St. Polycarp was so in love with You, Lord Jesus, that nothing else was important to him, not even his life, for he died a Martyr. Grant me that same single-mindedness & that same courage.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Serenus the Gardner, Martyr (died circa 305, of Billom; A.K.A. Sirenatus, Cerneuf, etc.), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Persecution.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Willigis of Mainz, Bishop (circa 940-1011): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Ludwik Mzyk, Priest & Martyr, S.V.D. (1905-1940, also spelt Ludvig), martyred in the reign of the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, one of the One Hundred Eight Blessed Polish Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link Polska & Wikipedia-link Polska.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Stefan Wincenty Frelichowski, Priest & Martyr (1913-1945), martyred in the reign of the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter eleven, verses one thru seven;
Psalm Psalm One Hundred Forty-five, verses two & three, four & five, & ten & eleven;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter nine, verses two thru thirteen.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel presents the Transfiguration of Christ. What is the Transfiguration itself? Mark speaks literally of a metamorphosis, a going beyond the form that he had. If I could use Paul’s language, it is “the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus Christ.” In and through his humble humanity, his divinity shines forth. The proximity of his divinity in no way compromises the integrity of his humanity, but rather makes it shine in greater beauty. This is the New Testament version of the burning bush.

The Jesus who is both divine and human is the Jesus who is evangelically compelling. If he is only divine, then he doesn’t touch us; if he is only human, he can’t save us. His splendor consists in the coming together of the two natures, without mixing, mingling, or confusion.

Note how this same Jesus then accompanies his disciples back down the mountain and walks with them in the ordinary rhythms of their lives. This is the Christ who wants to reign as Lord of our lives in every detail. If we forget about this dimension, then Jesus becomes a distant memory, nothing more than a figure from the past.

Video reflection by Marc DelMonico, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Polycarp
The Book of Revelation, chapter two, verses eight thru eleven;
Psalm Thirty-one, verses three(c/d) & four, six & eight(a/b), & sixteen(b/c) & seventeen;
The Gospel according to John, chapter fifteen, verses eighteen thru twenty-one.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 34
The Book of Exodus, chapter thirteen, verse seventeen thru chapter fourteen, verse nine.

Commentary: The Pillar of Cloud & the Pillar of Fire (Exodus, 13:17-22) & Crossing the Red Sea (14:1-9).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"It is He, it is only He Who can quench the deep & mysterious thirst of your spirits. Jesus, Jesus; He is the light & salvation of the world & of each of us."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"O Jesus, I will wield my sword in this cause all the days of my life!"
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"There has to be some way of overcoming disobedience & rebellion. The one who overcomes this rebellion must be both God & man. He has to be man, otherwise He could not act in our name. If, for example, you are arrested for speeding, I cannot go into the court & say to the judge, 'I will take his place & his punishment.' The judge will say, 'You have nothing to do with this case.' So He Who comes to atone for our rebellion must be human to act in our name. He must also be God in order that His actions will have infinite value, in order that He can redeem us."
—Venerable Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979)