Saints + Scripture

Simplex Edition | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Ezekiel, chapter two, verse eight thru chapter three, verse four;
Psalm One Hundred Nineteen (R/. one hundred three[a]), verses fourteen, twenty-four, seventy-two, one hundred three, one hundred eleven, & one hundred thirty-one;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eighteen, verses one thru five, ten, twelve, thirteen, & fourteen.

Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims God’s concern for children: "It is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost."

After completing her novitiate in Darjeeling, Mother Teresa made temporary vows and began teaching in the convent school there and working part-time as an aide at a small hospital.

Once a man arrived at the hospital with a bundle out of which protruded what appeared to be twigs. When Teresa looked more closely, she saw that they were the impossibly emaciated legs of a child, blind and near death. The man told the young sister that if she didn’t take the boy, he would throw him to the jackals.

Teresa’s journal takes up the story: "With much pity and love, I take the little one into my arms, and fold him in my apron. The child has found a second mother." And then this passage dawned upon her: "And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me." This is the key to the mature practical spirituality of Mother Teresa: in serving the suffering and the poorest of the poor, one is serving Christ.

Video reflection by Father James Vacco, O.F.M. (U.S.C. of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Clare
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter three, verses eight thru fourteen;
Psalm Sixteen (R/. see: five[a]), verses one(b} & two(a), five & seven, & eight & eleven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter nineteen, verses twenty-seven, twenty-eight, & twenty-nine.

Scripture Study—Pierced Hands Bible Reading Plan: Day 7
The Book of Genesis, chapter eleven, verses twenty-seven thru thirty-two;
The Book of Genesis, chapter twelve (verses one thru twenty);
The Book of Genesis, chapter thirteen (verses one thru eighteen);
Psalm Seven (verses one thru seventeen);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter four, verses eighteen thru twenty-five.

Commentary: Descendants of Terah (Genesis, 11:27-32), the Call of Abram (Genesis, 12:1-9), Abram & Sarai in Egypt (Genesis, 12:10-20), & Abram & Lot Separate (Genesis, 13:1-18); Plea for Help against Persecution (Psalm 7); & Jesus Calls the First Disciples (Matthew, 4:18-22) & Jesus Ministers to Crowds of People (Matthew, 4:23-25).

Scripture Study—Pierced Hands Bible Reading Plan: Day 8
The Book of Genesis, chapter fourteen (verses one thru twenty-four);
The Book of Genesis, chapter fifteen (verses one thru twenty-one);
Psalm Eight (verses one thru nine);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter five, verses one thru twelve.

Commentary: Lot's Captivity & Rescue (Genesis, 14:1-16), Melchizedek Blesses Abram (Genesis, 14:17-24), & God's Covenant with Abram (Genesis, 15:1-21); Divine Majesty & Human Dignity (Psalm 8); & the Beatitudes (Matthew, 5:1-12).

Scripture Study—Day 91: Decapitation Rock, Day 9
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter fifteen, verses thirteen thru sixteen & twenty-three.

Commentary: David Flees from Jerusalem (2 Samuel, 15:13-16, 23).

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Gaze upon Him, consider Him, contemplate Him, as you desire to imitate Him."
—St. Clare of Assisi, O.S.C. (1194-1253, feast: 11 August)