Saints + Scripture

9 Days for Life: Day Six
May those near the end of their lives receive medical care that respects their dignity & protects their lives.

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Vincent, Deacon & Martyr (died circa 304; of Saragossa, of Huesca), martyred in the reign of the emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Persecution.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Vincent was offered release if he would consign Scripture to the fire. Vincent refused. Speaking on behalf of his bishop, he informed the judge that they were ready to suffer everything for their faith, & they that could pay no heed either to threats or promises.

'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Saint Marianne Cope, Virgin, T.O.S.F. (1838-1918, of Moloka'i; A.K.A. Barbara Koob, "Mother Marianne"): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

St. Marianne was [renowned] for her charitable works. In 1883 she relocated with six other Sisters to Hawai'i to care for persons suffering Hansen's Disease on the island of Moloka'i.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Messalina of Foligno, Virgin & Martyr (died circa 250), martyred in the reign of the emperor Decius, a victim of the Decian Persecution: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Persecution.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Ildephonsus of Toledo, Bishop & Abbot (circa 607-667; also spelt Ildefonsus, Hildefuns), who participated in the Eighth Council of Toledo (653) & the Ninth Council of Toledo (655): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link VIII Council & Wikipedia-link IX Council.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Nikolaus Groß, Martyr (1889-1945, also spelt Gross), martyred in the reign of the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter six, verses twelve(b) thru fifteen, seventeen, eighteen, & nineteen;
Psalm Twenty-four, verses seven, eight, nine, & ten;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter three, verses thirty-one thru thirty-five.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus identifies us as his disciples. So what do we discover about ourselves? First, that we are a chosen race. As I’ve said many times, our culture puts a huge premium on choice, our choice, personal choice. We care, above all, about freedom, self-direction, and autonomy.

But the Bible is eminently clear that what matters above all is not our choice but God’s choice. We Christians, we followers of Jesus, have been chosen by God for God’s purposes. And this choice is not a matter of reward, as though we are being singled out because of our gifts. Just the contrary.

Your life is not about you. Your will nestles in an infinitely higher will. Your mind is an ingredient in an infinitely more capacious mind. And so the primary question of your life is not, "What do I want?" but rather, "What does God want?"

Video reflection by Msgr. Robert E. Zapfel, S.T.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Vincent
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter four, verses seven thru fifteen;
Psalm Thirty-four, verse five;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten, verses seventeen thru twenty-two.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Marianne Cope
The Book of Tobit, chapter twelve, verses six thru fourteen(a);
Psalm Thirty-four, verse two;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses thirty-one thru forty-six
(or, the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses thirty-one thru forty).

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Have patience will all things, but first of all with yourself."
—St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church (1567-1622, feast day: 24 January)