Saints + Scripture

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

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest, C.M. (circa 1580-1660), co-founder of the Daughters of Charity (D.C.), formally the Company of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, & the Vincentians (C.M.), formally the Congregation of the Mission (A.K.A. the Lazarists, etc.); two members of the broader Vincentian Family: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, Saint-link Array of Hope, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link D.C., Wikipedia-link C.M., & Wikipedia-link Family.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Founder of the Congregation of the Mission (Lazarists, or Vincentians) for preaching missions to the peasantry & for educating & training a pastoral clergy. The patron saint of charitable societies, St. Vincent de Paul is primarily recognized for his charity & compassion for the poor, though he is also known for his reform of the clergy & for his early role in opposing Jansenism [a heresy, a Catholic counterpart to Calvinism].

Wikipedia-link Jansenism

Quoth Minute Meditations from the Popes:

Teach me compassion, O Lord. Make me like St. Vincent de Paul, who reached out to those most in need. Above all, let me remember what he always taught, that the poor owe us nothing when we help them, for the opportunity to help them is already our reward.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Baruc, Hermit (sixth century; also spelt Barrog, Barry, etc.), namesake of Barry Island: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Island.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Ceraunus, Bishop (died circa 614, Frankified as Céran), Bishop of Paris: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Paris.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Elzéar of Sabran & Blessed Delphine of Glandèves, Virgin, T.O.S.F. (circa 1285-1323 & 1283-1358), Count & Countess of Ariano: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link Echo, Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link Delta.

Commentary: Husband & wife; uncle & godfather of Pope Bl. Urban V [19 December].

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Friday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Haggai, chapter two, verses one thru nine;
Psalm Forty-three (R/. five), verses one, two, three, & four;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter nine, verses eighteen thru twenty-two.

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

Friends, the Gospel for today is incomparably rich and mysterious. First, we notice that peculiar question, "Who do people say that I am?" No other religious figure or founder would ask such a question. This is the primordial and peculiar question of the Christian faith. It has to do with Jesus and who he is.

The first group that "responds" is the general public: "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets." A range of opinions—and all of them wrong.

Then that devastating question: "But who do you say that I am?" You who are closest to me, you whom I have chosen. But the disciples don’t speak. Are they afraid? Perhaps. Are they ignorant? Probably.

Finally, Simon Peter speaks: "You are the Messiah." You are the Messhiach, the anointed, the long-awaited Savior; but more to it, as Peter says in other Gospels, you are the Son of God, not just a human hero. This is the mystical faith that stands at the heart of Christianity. This is the standing or falling point. To hold this Petrine faith is to be a Christian; to deny it is not to be a Christian

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

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Vincent de Paul
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter one, verses twenty-six thru thirty-one;
Psalm One Hundred Twelve (R/. one or "Alleluia"), verses one(b/c) & two; three & four; five, six, & seven; seven& eight; & nine;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter nine, verses thirty-five thru thirty-eight.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 91: Decision Dome, Day 5
The Book of Joshua, chapter three, verses one thru six.

Commentary: Israel Passes over the Jordan (Joshua, 3:1-6).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Christ taught us not only how to suffer but also to help those who suffer. And to encourage our generosity, He identified Himself with the person who suffers."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Our Lord took upon Himself a patterned human nature. That human nature was something like a die that a government makes when it wishes to mint coins. When the die is fashioned, millions of coins can be fashioned like it. Christ, our patterned man, was born; He suffered; He overcame temptations; He rose from the dead & was glorified at the right hand of the Father. Because He was born, we are to be born, not physically, but spiritually. Because He denied Himself & suffered, we are to deny ourselves. The cross becomes the condition of the empty tomb. Once our life is patterned upon His crucifixion, then our life shall be patterned also on His glorious Resurrection & ascension. Are we as coins? He will ask for coins & He will say, 'Whose inscription is thereon?' Is it Caesar’s? Do we belong to the world? Or do we belong to God?"
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)