Saints + Scripture: The Feast of Saint Thomas

Better Late than Never, Simplex Complex Edition | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

The Popish Plot
"33 Days to Morning Glory, Week 3: St. Mother Teresa"

'Tis the Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle (died circa 72, A.K.A. Didymus ["twin"]): Apostle-link ūnus, Apostle-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Apostles-link & Wikipedia-link Apostles.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Thomas the Apostle, also called Didymus, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, according to the New Testament. Thomas is commonly [& unfairly] known as "Doubting Thomas" because he doubted Jesus's Resurrection when first told of it; later, he confessed his faith—"My Lord & my God!"—on seeing Jesus's crucifixion wounds.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feast of St. Thomas
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter two, verses nineteen thru twenty-two;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verse fifteen &
Psalm One Hundred Seventeen, verses one(b/c), two;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty, verses twenty-four thru twenty-nine.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel celebrates St. Thomas the Apostle. Why do we love this story of doubting Thomas so much? Perhaps because he is a saint especially suitable for our time. Modernity has been marked, from its beginning, by two great qualities: skepticism and empiricism, the very qualities we can discern in Thomas: "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

And I think a good amount of skepticism and "show-me" empiricism is called for in many situations and contexts. We shouldn’t be credulous, gullible, or naïve. Sometimes it is indeed good to wipe the slate clean, to clear out old cobwebs and intellectual humbugs, perhaps especially in the area of religion. Indeed, Catholicism has a very rich intellectual tradition, a tradition of questioning, wondering, and seeking understanding.

Yet when the risen Jesus reappears, this time in the presence of Thomas, he invites the doubter to look, to see, and to touch. Then that devastating line: "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

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

Scripture Study—Day 91: Covenant Crag, Day 17
The Book of Genesis, chapter thirteen, verses one thru twelve.

Commentary: Abraham & Lot Separate (Genesis, 13:1-12). This was a daily Mass reading just last week.

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'Tis also the festival of Saint Hyacinth of Caesarea, Martyr (circa 96-108), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Trajan: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Anatolius of Laodicea, Bishop (died 283, A.K.A. of Alexandria), Bishop of Laodicea: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Leo II, Pope (611-683), eightieth (LXXX) Bishop of Rome, one of the Byzantine Popes, who clarified & confirmed the acts of the Third Council of Constantinople (680-681, the sixth ecumenical council): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Pontiffs-link, Wikipedia-link Pontiff, & Wikipedia-link Byzantine Papacy; & Council-link & Wikipedia-link Council.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Christ belongs to you! Do not be afraid anymore—not even of the Cross, His Cross that He will share with you. The royal triumph of Jesus leads to the Cross. But, we repeat, do not be afraid: in this way life, true life will be assured for you tomorrow."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 29 May)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"If we really understood the Mass, we would die of joy."
—St. Jean Vianney (1786-1859, feast day: 4 August)