Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
Paul was reportedly born in Egypt, where he was orphaned at age fifteen. He was also a learned & devout young man. During the persecution of Decius in Egypt in the year 250, Paul was forced to hide in the home of a friend. Fearing a brother-in-law would betray him, he fled to a cave in the desert. His plan was to return once the persecution ended, but the sweetness of solitude & heavenly contemplation convinced him to stay. He went on to live in that cave for the next ninety years.'Tis also the festival of Saint Maurus, Abbot, O.S.B. (512-584), founding abbot of Glanfeuil Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey.
'Tis also the festival of Blessed Pierre of Castelnau, Religious & Martyr, O.Cist. (died 1208, Anglicized as Peter), martyred by the Cathers (A.K.A. the Albigensians), which was the proximate cause of the Albigensian Crusade: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Crusade.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Arnold Janssen, Priest, S.V.D. (1837-1909), founder of the Society of the Divine Word, the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit, & the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters, the "Pink Sisters:" Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link S.V.D., Wikipedia-link S.Sp.S., & Wikipedia-link S.Sp.S.A.P.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The First Book of Samuel, chapter fifteen, verses sixteen thru twenty-three;
Psalm Fifty, verses eight & nine, sixteen(b/c) & seventeen, & twenty-one & twenty-three;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter two, verses eighteen thru twenty-two.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel people ask Jesus why he doesn’t encourage fasting among his followers. Jesus’ answer is wonderful: "How can the guests at a wedding fast while the groom is still with them?" (That’s a typically Jewish style, by the way: answering a question with another question.)Video reflection by Msgr. James Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
This great image of the wedding feast comes up frequently in the New Testament, most obviously in the wedding feast at Cana narrative. And it is echoed in the Tradition. Jesus is the wedding of heaven and earth, the marriage of divinity and humanity; he is the bridegroom and the Church is the bride. In him, the most intimate union is achieved between God and the world.
Could you imagine people fasting at a wedding banquet? Could you imagine going into an elegant room with your fellow guests and being served bread and water? It would be ridiculous! So says Jesus: "As long as the groom is with them, how could they fast?" The mark of the Christian dispensation is joy. Exuberance. Delight. God and the world have come together. What could be better news?
Saint Quote o' the Day
"You have within you everything that you need to purchase the Kingdom of Heaven. Joy will be purchased by your sorrow, glory by your humiliation, & eternal life by your passing death."A Humble Contribution to the New Evangelization
—St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church (354-430, feast day: 28 August)
The Popish Plot—Make-It Monday: "Prayer Organization"
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