Saints + Scripture: Pascha

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

'Tis the Thursday of the Second Week of Easter (Latin: Pascha, meaning "Passover"): Pascha-link & Wikipedia-link Paschaltide.

Saints of the Day
'Tis the Memorial of Saint Stanislaus, Bishop & Martyr (1030-1079, of Szczepanów, of Kraków; also spelt Stanisław Szczepanowski), seventh (VII) Bishop of Kraków (1072-1079), martyred personally by the Polish king Bolesław II "the Cruel."

Commentary: Wayback Machine '21& Wayback Machine '20.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Thursday of the Second Week of Easter
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter five, verses twenty-seven thru thirty-three;
Psalm Thirty-four (R/. seven[a]; or, "Alleluia"), verses two & nine, seventeen & eighteen, & nineteen & twenty;
The Gospel according to John, chapter three, verses thirty-one thru thirty-six.

Commentary: Easter Readings.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel declares that the Son of God does not ration his gift of the Spirit. At the cathedral in Chartres, the figure of Jesus is surrounded by seven doves, symbolizing these seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. The Messiah will be filled up with all of the powers and energies of God’s Spirit.

These seven gifts have played a prominent role in our tradition, appearing in theologians as diverse as Gregory the Great, Augustine, and Thomas Aquinas. These gifts are signs that the Christian is participating in Jesus Christ. In holding up this image, therefore, the Church is asking us to meditate on the people that we are called to be: participants in Jesus.

How does one come by these gifts? We can’t really earn them or work our way toward them. But they do come from Jesus Christ, and therefore from our proximity to him through the Church and the sacraments. As we wait in joyful hope for the coming of the Lord, pray for the conformity to him that consists in the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Video reflection by Paul Jarzembowski (U.S.C.C.B.): Easter Reflection.

Video reflection by Doctor Tim Gray (Augustine Institute/Formed.org): Easter Reflection.

Audio reflection by Miss Joan Watson (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Letters from Home.

Mass Readings—Memorial of Saint Stanislaus
The Book of Revelation, chapter twelve, verses ten, eleven, & twelve(a);
Psalm Thirty-four (R/. five), verses two & three, four & five, sex & seven, & eight & nine;
The Gospel according to John, chapter seventeen, verses eleven(b) thru nineteen.

Commentary: Memorial Readings.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"What is of greatest importance is that people be fired with loving enthusiasm for prayer. In addition, they must spread the warmth of that flame to others with zeal & self-sacrifice."
—Pope Saint John XXIII (1881-1963, r. 1958-1963; feast: 11 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Whatever you do, think of the glory of God as your main goal."
—Saint John Bosco, S.D.B. (1815-1888, feast: 31 January)

Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day

"Do we believe that God's love is infinitely more powerful, His mercy more tender than the evil of sin, than all the hatred, conflicts, & tensions that are dividing the world? Do we believe that God's love is more powerful than the most powerful bombs & guns ever made by human hands & minds?"
—Saint Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)

Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day

"An unsuffering Christ Who did not freely pay the debt of human guilt would be reduced to the level of an ethical guide."
—Venerable Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)