Saints + Scripture: Lent —The Long Road Back, I of V

The Popish Plot
Theology Thursday: "The Chair of St. Peter"

Thursday, 22 February was the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle: Apostle-link ūnus, Apostle-link duo, Apostle-link trēs, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

The feast of the Chair of Saint Peter at Rome has been celebrated from the early days of the Christian era on 18 January, in commemoration of the day when Saint Peter held his first service in Rome.

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle
The First Letter of Peter, chapter five, verses one thru four;
Psalm Twenty-three, verses one, two, & three(a); four; five, & six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter sixteen, verses thirteen thru nineteen.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel spells out the importance of Peter’s confession. For it is upon this inspired confession that the Church is built. Not, mind you, on popular opinion, which is shifting and indecisive, and not on personal holiness, which is all too rare. It is built upon the inspired authority of Peter—and I say, "thank God!"

We make this troubling and extraordinary claim that it is through a special charism of the Spirit that Peter and his successors govern the Church. Now, I realize that I have many Protestant readers and that this text has been, between Catholics and Protestants, a stumbling block. Let me clarify what is and is not at stake here.

What is the focus of Peter’s confession? It has to do with who Jesus is. This is the rock upon which the Church is built. We don’t say for a moment that all of Peter’s practical decisions are right, that everything he says is right. But we are saying that he is right about who Jesus is: a man who is also the Son of the living God. And this is the source and ground of the whole operation.

I will say, this is probably my least favorite of all of Bishop Barron's Gospel reflections I've read, for it strikes me as bending over backwards, far too far, to accommodate spurious Protestant objections to Petrine authority & papal apostolic succession.

Video reflection by Fr. Roger Lopez, O.F.M. (Franciscan Media): U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Maximianus of Ravenna, Bishop (499-556), for whom was carved the magnificent Throne of Maximian: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Throne.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Margaret of Cortona, Religious, T.O.S.F. (1247-1297): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Marie of Jesus, Religious, S.M.R. (1818-1878, A.K.A. Émilie d'Oultremont), foundress of the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link S.M.R..

Papal Quote o' That Day

"Let us not waste this season of Lent, so favorable a time for conversion! We ask this through the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary, who, encountering the greatness of God's mercy freely bestowed upon her, was the first to acknowledge her lowliness & to call herself the Lord's humble servant."
—Pope Francis

Little Flower Quote o' That Day

"It is true I am not always faithful, but I never lose courage. I leave myself in the Arms of Our Lord."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' That Day

"The virtue of patience is the one which most assures us of perfection."
—St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church (1567-1622, feast day: 24 January)

Saints + Scripture: Lent

'Tis the festival of Saint Romanus of Condat, Abbot (circa 390-465), founder of the Condat Abbey & the Romainmôtier Priory, among others: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey & Wikipedia-link Priory.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Hilarius, Pope (died 468, also spelt Hilary), forty-sixth Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Usually spelt St. Hilarius to help avoid confusion with the earlier bishop & Doctor of the Church St. Hilary of Poitiers [13 January], whose named is also spelt Hilarius.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Oswald of Worchester, Bishop, O.S.B. (died 992): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: St. Oswald died in 29 February 992. His festival is always observed on the last day of this month, 29 February in leap years & 28 February in non-leap years.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Daniel Brottier, Priest, C.Ss.P. (1876-1936): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Bl. Daniel served as a chaplain to the French army during the First World War, not suffering a single wound despite spending fifty-two months at the front, ministering to the sick, the wounded, & the dying in the thick of battle. He credited his safekeeping to the intercession of St. Thérèse of Lisieux [1 October], the "Little Flower of Jesus."

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Lenten Weekday
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter eighteen, verses eighteen, nineteen, & twenty;
Psalm Thirty-one, verses five & six, fourteen, & fifteen & sixteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty, verses seventeen thru twenty-eight.

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

Friends, today in our Gospel the mother of James and John asks Jesus on their behalf for high places of authority in his kingdom. Ah, there is the voice of ambition. Some people don’t care at all about money or power or pleasure—but they care passionately about honor. A lot of people can identify with James and John. They want to go places, they want to be movers and shakers in society. Perhaps a number of people reading this reflection are filled with these emotions.

But Jesus turns the tables on them: "You do not know what you are asking." He is indeed a King, and he will indeed rule Israel, but his crown will be made of thorns, and his throne will be a Roman instrument of torture.

And so he tries to clarify: "Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" The key to honor in the kingdom of God is to drink the cup of suffering, to be willing to suffer out of love, to give one’s life away as a gift. Look at the lives of the saints. It is not about aggrandizing the ego, but emptying it out.

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

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Let us ask the Virgin Mary—who was humble all her life—to lead us every day on the way of humility… seeking nothing in return, so that we might become worthy of the divine reward."
—Pope Francis

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"O my God, my eternal Love, my whole Good, & my never-ending Happiness, I desire to reserve nothing to myself, but freely & most willingly to sacrifice myself & all that is mine to Thee."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"I thought that continence was a matter of our own strength, & I knew that I had not the strength: for in my utter foolishness, I did not know the word of Your Scripture that none can be continent unless You give it."
—St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church (354-430, feast day: 28 August)

The R.B.D. Black History Month Song o' the Day

Martin Luther King Junior, "'I Have a Dream' Excerpt" from Plea for Peace (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"It is a dream of a land where men of all races, of all nationalities, and of all creeds, can live together as brothers."

The R.B.D. Black History Month Song o' the Day

Sam Cooke, "A Change Is Gonna Come" from Portrait of a Legend, 1951-1964 (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"There been times that I thought I couldn't last for long,
But now I think I'm able to carry on.

"It's been a long, a long time comin',
But I know a change gonna come,
Oh, yes it will!"

Saints + Scripture: Lent

'Tis the festival of Saint Anne Line, Martyr (circa 1563-1601, A.K.A. Alice Higham), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I, one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link XL & Wikipedia-link XL.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. St. Anne, Bl. Roger, & Bl. Mark were all martyred together at Tyburn. I list them separately because they are classed in different choirs of martyrs.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Roger Filcock, Priest & Martyr, S.J. (circa 1570-1601, A.K.A. Arthur Naylor), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales, also one of the one hundred sixty Martyrs of Douai: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link LXXXV & Wikipedia-link LXXXV & Martyr-link CLX & Wikipedia-link CLX.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Mark Barkworth, Priest & Martyr, Obl.S.B. (circa 1572-1601, A.K.A. Mark Lambert), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I, one of the one hundred sixty Martyrs of Douai: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyr-link CLX & Wikipedia-link CLX.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, Religious, C.P. (1838-1862, A.K.A. Francesco Possenti): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Lenten Weekday
The Book of Isaiah, chapter one, verses ten & sixteen thru twenty;
Psalm Fifty, verses eight & nine, sixteen(b/c) & seventeen, & twenty-one & twenty-three;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-three, verses one thru twelve.

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

Friends, our Gospel for today focuses on the pitfalls and ideals of religious leadership. This is a week when priests, ministers, and preachers have to preach to themselves. Jesus turns his sharp eye and withering critique on the many ways that religious leaders fall into corruption.

It is hard to miss the practical application of these texts to our troubled time, a period when clerical corruption and misconduct has been vividly on display. Jesus makes a distinction of capital importance. "The scribes and Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all the things they tell you." The Lord reminds us that they do sit legitimately in teaching offices and that their teaching should be, accordingly, respected.

In the fourth century, St. Augustine faced the challenge of the Donatists. They claimed that only pure and morally upright priests could legitimately dispense the sacraments. Augustine said, no, the personal evil of a minister does not compromise the validity of what he does sacramentally.

This principle is of great significance. Augustine, in imitation of Christ, says that there can be evil men who do and teach the works of God.

Video reflection by Sister Mary McCarrick, O.S.F.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Lord grant us this wisdom to understand properly the difference between talk & action. Teach us the path of doing & help us to take that path."
—Pope Francis

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Inasmuch as we exist, we are good."
—St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church (354-430, feast day: 28 August)

The Explorers' Club, № DCII

Operation AXIOM: The World War
19-21 February 1918: The Capture of Jericho—British & A.N.Z.A.C. forces, having consolidated their hold on Jerusalem & the Gaza-Beersheba line, advanced into the Jordan River Valley, to secure their eastern flank in order to advance north of Jerusalem & into Transjordan & Syria; Enver Pasha fired his German theater commander, Erich von Falkenhayn, replacing him with Otto Liman von Sanders.

Lest we forget.

Saints + Scripture: Lent

'Tis the festival of Saint Porphyry of Gaza, Bishop (circa 347-420): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Blesseds Adalbert of Tegernsee, Abbot, & Ottokar of Tegernsee, Religious, O.S.B. (floruit eighth century), founders of the Tegernsee Abbey: Blessed-link Alpha, Blessed-link Oscar, & Wikipedia-link Abbey.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Robert Drury, Priest & Martyr, Obl.S.B. (circa 1567-1607, also spelt Drewrie), martyred in the reign of the king James VI & I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales, also one of the one hundred sixty Martyrs of Douai: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link LXXXV & Wikipedia-link LXXXV; & Martyrs-link CLX & Wikipedia-link CLX.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Paula of Saint Joseph Calasanz, Religious (1799-1889, A.K.A. Paula Montal Fornés), foundress of the Sisters of the Pious Schools: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Lenten Weekday
The Book of Daniel, chapter nine, verses four(b) thru ten;
Psalm Seventy-nine, verses eight, nine, & eleven & thirteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter six, verses thirty-six, thirty-seven, & thirty-eight.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus calls us to "be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

Mercy or tender compassion (chesed in the Hebrew of the Old Testament) is God’s most distinctive characteristic. St. Augustine reminded us that we are, by our very nature, ordered to God. But since God is tender mercy, "having" God is tantamount to exercising compassion, being merciful ourselves.

And attend to what Jesus says next: "Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you." According to the "physics" of the spiritual order, the more one draws on the divine life, the more one receives that life, precisely because it is a gift and is properly infinite. God’s life is had, as it were, on the fly: when you receive it as a gift, you must give it away, since it only exists in gift form, and then you will find more of it flooding into your heart.

If you want to be happy, Jesus is saying, this divine love, this chesed of God, must be central to your life; it must be your beginning, your middle, and your end.

Video reflection by Msgr. James Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

†

Bible Study—Follow Me: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John, Session Three (of Eight)
The Gospel according to John, chapter three (verses one thru thirty-six);
The Gospel according to John, chapter four, verses one thru forty-two.

Commentary: Session Three is titled: "At the Well: Our Deepest Thirst."

II. The Book of Signs (cont'd): Nicodemus (3:1-21), Final Witness of the Baptist (3:22-39), the One from Heaven (3:31-4:3), & the Samaritan Woman (4:4-42).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Lord, in this Lenten season, give us the grace to learn to blame ourselves, each in his solitude, asking: Have compassion for me, Lord, help me to feel shame & give me mercy, so that I may be merciful with others."
—Pope Francis

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Patience is the companion of wisdom."
—St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church (354-430, feast day: 28 August)

The R.B.D. Black History Month Song o' the Day

Marvin Gaye, "What's Going On" from Motown 1's (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"Mother, mother,
There's too many of you crying,
Brother, brother, brother,
There's far too many of you dying,
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some loving here today, yeah!

"Father, father,
We don't need to escalate,
You see, war is not the answer,
For only love can conquer hate,
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some loving here today, oh!

"Crooked lines (Sister),
And picket signs (Sister),
Don't punish me (Sister),
With brutality (Sister),
Talk to me (Sister),
So you can see (Sister),
Oh, what's going on (What's going on),
What's going on (What's going on),
Yeah, what's going on (What's going on),
Oh, what's going on (What's going on)…"

Saints + Scripture: II Sunday of Lent

'Tis the Second Sunday of Lent: Lent-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: The English word "Lent" is of Germanic origin, from the Old English (A.K.A. Anglo-Saxon) lencten & related etymologically to the Dutch lente & the German lenz, both meaning "spring" (the season, not the water source or the metal curly-cue). The Latin name, Quadragesima, means "fortieth," referring to the penitential season's length.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Second Sunday of Lent
The Book of Genesis, chapter twenty-two, verses one, two, nine(a), ten thru thirteen, & fifteen thru eighteen;
Psalm One Hundred Sixteen, verses ten, fifteen, sixteen & seventeen, & eighteen & nineteen;
The Letter to the Romans, chapter eight, verses thirty-one(b) thru thirty-four;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter nine, verses two thru ten.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel presents the Transfiguration of Christ. What is the Transfiguration itself? Mark speaks literally of a metamorphosis, of going beyond the form that he had. If I can use Paul’s language, it is “the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus Christ.” In and through his humble humanity, his divinity shines forth. The proximity of his divinity in no way compromises the integrity of his humanity, but rather makes it shine in greater beauty. This is the New Testament version of the burning bush.

The Jesus who is both divine and human is the Jesus who is evangelically compelling. If he is only divine, then he doesn’t touch us; if he is only human, then he can’t save us. His splendor consists in the coming together of the two natures, without mixing, mingling, or confusion.

This same Jesus then accompanies his disciples back down the mountain and walks with them in the ordinary rhythms of their lives. This is the Christ who wants to reign as Lord of our lives in every detail. If we forget about this dimension, then Jesus becomes a distant memory, a figure from the past.

Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Video reflection by Jeff Cavins: Encountering the Word.

Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D.: Breaking the Bread.

Mass Journal: Week Nine
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:

I believe God wants us to be happy. I believe God gave us this yearning for happiness that constantly preoccupies our hearts. It seems He has placed this yearning within each human heart as a spiritual navigational instrument designed to lead us to our destiny. God Himself is the author of our desire for happiness. The philosophy of Christ is the ultimate philosophy of human happiness. It isn't just a way of life; it is the way of life. At the same time, the philosophy of Christ is one of self-donation. This is the great paradox of God's teaching. In our misguided adventures, we may catch glimpses of happiness as we live outside of the philosophy of Christ. You may even taste happiness for a moment living a life contrary to the philosophy of Christ, but these are stolen moment. They may seem real, but they are just shadows of something infinitely greater.

†

Otherwise, 25 February would be the festival of Saint Walpurga, Abbess, O.S.B. (circa 710-779; also spelt Walburga, A.K.A. Vanderburg, etc.): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Daughter of St. Richard the Pilgrim [7 February], niece of St. Boniface [5 June], & sister of Ss. Willibald [7 June] & Winebald [18 December].

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Gerland of Agrigento, Bishop (died circa 1104): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio, Religious, O.F.M. (1502-1600, the "Angel of Mexico"): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saints Luigi Versiglia, Bishop, & Callistus Caravario, Priest, Martyrs (died 1930), martyred defending girls from Bolshevik slavers, the last two of the one hundred twenty Martyr Saints of China (A.K.A. Saint Augustine Zhao Rong & Companions: Martyr-link Lima Victor & Martyr-link Charlie Charlie; Martyrs-link CXX & Wikipedia-link CXX.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Follow Jesus in order to listen to Him. But also let us listen to Jesus in His written Word, in the Gospel. This is what Christian life is. It is a mission for the whole Church, for all the baptized, for us all: listen to Jesus & offer Him to others."
—Pope Francis

Saint Quote o' the Day

"We judge all things according to the divine truth."
—St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church (354-430, feast day: 28 August)

The R.B.D. Black History Month Song o' the Lord's Day

Bernice Johnson Reagon, "We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder" from The Civil War: Original Soundtrack Recording (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"Rise, shine, give God the glory,
Rise, shine, give God your glory,
Rise, shine, give God your glory,
Soldier of the cross…"

Project GLOWWORM

My whiskers must be looking particularly salubrious these days, because the last two days, Friday & Saturday, two different acquaintances praised my beard, out of the clear blue sky & absolutely independent of each other.

The R.B.D. Black History Month Song o' the Day

Michael Jackson, "Man In the Mirror" from Bad (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"I'm starting with the man in the mirror,
I'm asking him to change his ways,
And no message could have been any clearer:
If you want the world to be a better place,
Take a look at yourself and make a change.

"I'm been a victim of
A selfish kind of love…"

The R.B.D. Black History Month Song o' the Day

The Miracles, "Love Machine, Part 1" from Motown 1's (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: Another song had been chosen to be the R.B.D.S.O.T.D., but "Love Machine, Part 1" ran through my head throughout the Knights of Columbus fish fry. As ever, I defer to the muse.

Operation ÖSTERREICH | Project GLOWWORM

Weekly Wednesday Thursday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 339.6 lbs
This weigh-in: 337.4 lbs.
Difference: -2.2 lbs.

Two & one fifth pounds (2.2 lbs.); the opportunity is too good to let pass: For our international, non-American readings, in the last week I lost one kilogram (1 kg). My aim is to lose a kilogram per week. Yes, many persons have lost weight at a far more rapid rate, but I have trouble enough sustaining this pace. If I can drop weight at a consistent pace of one kilogram per week (1 kg/week), but this time next year I will weigh two hundred twenty-three pounds (223 lbs.) or one hundred one kilograms (101.2 kg), which might well be a perfectly healthy weight for a broad-shouldered man, six feet in height (6' or 72", roughly 183 cm). Onward!

I am having real problems keeping my pants up. I've punched additional holes in a couple of my belts, but the difficulty is more fundamental than that. For the first time in years, I need to buy new pants with a smaller waist, instead of with a larger waist. What about my old pants? I think I gave most of them to the poor, but I must check to see if there are any of the older sizes hiding in one or another closet.

Bonus! Lied von ÖSTERREICH
"Weird Al" Yankovic, "Grapefruit Diet" from Running with Scissors (The Last Angry Chunk)

The R.B.D. Black History Month Song o' the Day

Otis Redding, "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay" from Platoon: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"Looks like nothing's gonna change,
Everything still remains the same,
I can't do what ten people tell me to do,
So I guess I'll remain the same.

"Yes, sittin' here restin' my bones,
And this loneliness won't leave me alone,
This two thousand miles I roamed
Just to make this dock my home.

"Now I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay,
Watchin' the tide roll away,
Sittin' on the dock of the bay,
Wastin' time.

(whistled outro)"

Saints + Scripture: Lent — Better Late Than Never

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Peter Damian, Bishop & Doctor of the Church, O.S.B. (circa 988-1073): Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Saint Peter Damian was a reforming Benedictine monk & cardinal in the circle of Pope [Saint] Leo IX [19 April]. Dante placed him in one of the highest circles of Paradiso as a great predecessor of Saint Francis of Assisi [4 October] & he was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1828.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Pepin of Landen, Confessor (circa 575-646), Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia, Duke of Brabant: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Husband of St. Itta of Metz, O.S.B. [8 May] & father of Ss. Begga, O.S.B. [17 December]; Bavo of Ghent [1 October]; & Gertrude of Nivelles, O.S.B. [17 March]

'Tis also the festival of Saint Robert Southwell, Priest & Martyr, S.J. (circa 1561-1595), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I, one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link XL & Wikipedia-link XL.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Noël Pinot, Priest & Martyr (1747-1794), martyred in the reign of the French National Convention for refusing an oath to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Constitution.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Lenten Weekday
The Book of Jonah, chapter three, verses one thru ten;
Psalm Fifty-one, verses three & four, twelve & thirteen, & eighteen & nineteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eleven, verses twenty-nine thru thirty-two.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus tells the crowds who seek a sign that they will only receive the sign of Jonah: "Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation."

Jonah is called by God to preach to Nineveh, which is described as an enormously large city. It takes, they say, three days to walk through it. I can’t help but think of Nineveh as one of our large, modern cities, a center of all sorts of worldly activity and preoccupation.

What would its conversion look like? A turning back to God as the only enduring good. After hearing the word of Jonah, the Ninevites proclaim a fast, and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth. What is the purpose of these ascetic practices? To wean people away from an attachment to worldly pleasures.

Go beyond the mind that you have. Repent. Live as though nothing in this world finally matters. And you will be living in the kingdom of God!

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

Papal Quote o' the Day

"You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance & error: let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, & forgiven by God."
—Pope Francis

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Peace is better than a fortune."
—St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church (1567-1622, feast day: 24 January)

The R.B.D. Black History Month Song o' the Day

Louis Armstrong, "What a Wonderful World" from Louis Armstrong's All-Time Greatest Hits (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"I see trees of green, red roses, too,
I see them bloom for me & you,
And I think to myself, What a wonderful world!

"I see skies of blue and clouds of white,
The bright, blessed day; the dark, sacred night,
And I think to myself, What a wonderful world!

"The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky,
Are also on the faces of people going by,
I see friends shaking hands, saying, 'How do you do?'
They're really saying, 'I love you.'

"I hear babies crying, I watch them grow,
They'll learn much more than I'll never know,
And I think to myself, What a wonderful world!
Yes, I think to myself, What a wonderful world!"

I really need tomorrow right now.

Saints + Scripture: Lent — Better Late Than Never

The Popish Plot
"Prayer Time Out" (Clip Show #2)

'Tis the festival of Saint Olcán, Bishop (died circa 480; also spelt Bolcan, A.K.A. of Derken): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Leo of Catania, Bishop, O.S.B. (circa 709-789, A.K.A. the Thaumaturgus ["Wonder-worker"]), an opponent of Byzantine iconoclasm: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Iconoclasm.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Wulfric of Haselbury, Priest (circa 1080-1154, also spelt Ulfrick, etc.): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saints Jacinta & Francisco Marto, Confessors (1910-1920 & 1908-1919), two of the three to whom were revealed the apparitions of Our Lady of Fátima (1917): Saints-link, Saint-link Juliett, Saint-link Foxtrot, & Wikipedia-link; Madonna-link & Wikipedia-link Madonna.

Commentary: Ss. Jacinta & Francisco, the youngest non-martyrs ever canonized, were sainted by Pope Francis on 13 May 2017, the centenary of the first Fátima apparition.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Lenten Weekday
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-five, verses ten & eleven;
Psalm Thirty-four, verses four & five, six & seven, sixteen & seventeen, & eighteen & nineteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter six, verses seven thru fifteen.

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

Friends, the Gospel for today is of great significance, for in it the Son of God teaches us to pray. We hear from not just a guru, a spiritual teacher, or a religious genius, but from the very Son of God. This is why the Our Father, the Lord’s Prayer, is the model of all prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer is the prayer for the Christian journey which has been offered up consistently for the past two thousand years. Think for a moment how this prayer links us to all of the great figures in Christian history, from Peter and Paul to Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Francis of Assisi, John Henry Newman, G.K. Chesterton, John Paul II, and right up to the present day.

Keep in mind that prayer is not designed so much to change God’s mind or to tell God something he doesn’t know. God isn’t like a big city boss or a reluctant pasha whom we have to persuade. Rather, he is the one who wants nothing other than to give us good things—though they might not always be the things we want.

Video reflection by Dennis Mahaney: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"We are called as Christians to proclaim the liberating news that forgiveness for sins committed is possible, that God is greater than our sinfulness, that he freely loves us at all times, that we were made for communion & eternal life."
—Pope Francis, The Hope of Lent

Saint Quote o' the Day

"We must fear God out of love, not love Him out of fear."
—St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church (1567-1622, feast day: 24 January)

The R.B.D. Black History Month Song o' the Day

Leon Bridges, "Better Man" from Coming Home (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: In a thousand ways on a thousand days, every man jack of us wants to be a better man—to our sweethearts, to our friends, to our children, to our parents, to our communities, to our coworkers, to strangers. If ever we followed through, what a wonderful world it would be!

The R.B.D. Black History Month Song o' the Day

Matt "Guitar" Murphy, "Blues Don't Bother Me" from Blues Brothers 2000: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"When I was a little boy,
Sittin' on my poppa's knee,
I couldn't have been no older
Than two or three,
He said, 'I am a blues man,
'You're gonna take after me,
'After me.'

"The blues is my companion,
The blues don't bother me,
They don't bother me…"

Saints + Scripture: Lent — The Long Road Back, II of II

Saturday, 17 February was the Optional Memorial of the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order, formally the Order of Servants of Mary: Saints-link ūnus, Saints-link duo, & Wikipedia-link O.S.M.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

The Servite Order is one of the five original Catholic mendicant orders. It's objectives are the sanctification of its members, preaching the Gospel, & the propagation of devotion to the Mother of God, with special reference to her sorrows. The members of the Order use O.S.M. as their post-nominal letters.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Lommán of Trim, Bishop (died circa 450; also spelt: various, A.K.A. Lommán mac Dalláin): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Evermode of Ratzeburg, Bishop, O. Præm. (circa 1100-1178, also spelt Evermod): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Luke Belludi, Religious, O.F.M. (circa 1200-1285): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Saturday after Ash Wednesday
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-eight, verses nine(b) thru fourteen;
Psalm Eighty-six, verses one thru six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter five, verses twenty-seven thru thirty-two.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus tells Matthew, "Follow me." The call of Jesus addresses the mind, but it is meant to move through the mind into the body, and through the body into the whole of one’s life, into the most practical of moves and decisions. "Follow me" has the sense of "apprentice to me" or "walk as I walk; think as I think; choose as I choose." Discipleship entails an entire reworking of the self according to the pattern and manner of Jesus.

Upon hearing the address of the Lord, the tax collector, we are told, "got up and followed him." The Greek word behind "got up" is anastas, the same word used to describe the resurrection (anastasis) of Jesus from the dead. Following Jesus is indeed a kind of resurrection from the dead, since it involves the transition from a lower form of life to a higher, from a preoccupation with the temporary goods of this world to an immersion in the goodness of God.

Those who have undergone a profound conversion tend to speak of their former life as a kind of illusion, something not entirely real. Thus Paul can say, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me"; Thomas Merton can speak of the "false self" that has given way to the authentic self; and, perhaps most movingly, the father of the prodigal son can say, "This son of mine was lost and has been found; he was dead and has come back to life."

Video reflection by Harry Dudley, D.Min.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Saint Quote o' That Day

"As a manifestation of the human spirit, music performs a function that is noble, unique, & irreplaceable. When music is truly beautiful & inspired, it speaks to us more than all the other acts of goodness, virtue, & peace."
—Pope St. John Paul II (the Great; 1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Saints + Scripture: Lent

'Tis the festival of Saint Odran, Martyr (died circa 452), St. Patrick's charioteer, martyred by pagans attempting to murder the saintly bishop: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Boniface of Brussels, Bishop, O.Cist. (1183-1260, A.K.A. of Lausanne), who attended the First Council of Lyon (1245): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Council.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Conrad of Piacenza, Hermit, T.O.S.F. (circa 1284-1351; A.K.A. Corrado Confalonieri, of Noto): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed John Sullivan, Priest, S.J. (1861-1933): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Bl. John was declared Venerable (acknowledging a life of heroic virtue) on 7 November 2014. A miracle due to his intercession was approved in 2016 & he was beatified on 13 May 2017. My sources disagree as to whether his festival is observed on the date of his birth, 8 May, or the more traditional date of his death, 19 February; if I err in honoring him this day, I am sorry.

Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Lenten Weekday
The Book of Leviticus, chapter nineteen, verses one, two, & eleven thru eighteen;
Psalm Nineteen, verses eight, nine, ten, & fifteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses thirty-one thru forty-six.

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

Friends, in our Gospel today Jesus tells the crowd that the Son of Man will welcome the righteous into the kingdom, saying: "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me." Puzzled, the righteous will ask when they did this, and he will reply, "Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me."

This is a powerful evocation of Jesus’ teaching about the mutuality of our love for God and neighbor. The absolute love for God is not in competition with a radical commitment to love our fellow human beings, precisely because God is not one being among many, but the very ground of our existence.

Someone who operated very much in the spirit of this teaching was Saint Teresa of Calcutta. A writer was once conversing with her, searching out the sources of her spirituality and mission. At the end of their long talk, she asked him to spread his hand out on the table. Touching his fingers one by one as she spoke the words, she said, "You did it to me."

Video reflection by Msgr. James Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Saint Quote o' This Day

"Charity & devotion differ no more, the one from the other, than the flame from the fire."
—St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church (1567-1622, feast day: 24 January)

Commentary: I praise God for the inspiration, unnoticed by me, that lead to this quote from St. Francis de Sales being paired with today's Gospel, the "Judgment of the Nations" from Matthew. I could not have chosen—not on my best day & not with the most strenuous effort—a Scripture than more brightly illuminated the unity 'twixt charity & devotion.

The Explorers' Club, № DCI

Operation AXIOM: The World War
18 February-3 March 1918: Operation Faustschlag—Frustrated with Soviet procrastination & foot-dragging in the peace negotiations at Brest-Litovsk, the Central Powers launched a massive offensive all along the front, advancing everywhere; Latvia, Lithuania, & Estonia were conquered in the north & Kiev (2 March) in the south; Germans drew within a hundred miles of Petrograd, the Soviet capital.

Lest we forget.

Saints + Scripture: Lent — The Long Road Back, I of II

Friday, 16 February was the festival of Saint Juliana of Nicomedia, Martyr (circa 286-305, A.K.A. of Cumæ), martyred in the reign of the emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Persecution.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Philippa Mareri, Abbess, O.S.C. (circa 1195-1236): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Nicola Paglia, Priest, O.P. (1197-1256): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Bernardo Scammacca, Religious, O.P. (1430-1487): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Friday after Ash Wednesday
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-eight, verses one thru nine(a);
Psalm Fifty-one, verses three & four, five & six(a/b), & eighteen & nineteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter nine, verses fourteen & fifteen.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel, people ask Jesus why he and his disciples do not fast when John and his disciples do. Jesus’ answer is wonderful: "How can the guests at a wedding fast while the groom is still with them?" Could you imagine people fasting at a wedding banquet? It would be ridiculous!

Jesus later says, "No one pours new wine into old wineskins...." The new wine is the Gospel. The receptacle for this wine must be conformed to it, not the other way around.

To take in the Good News, we can’t be living in the cramped space of our sinful souls. We can’t have an "expect the worst" attitude. Instead we repent, or change the minds that we have. Another way to get at this is to say that like is known by like. If God is love, then only a soul that is on fire with love will properly take him in.

Video reflection by Father Jonathan W. Felux: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Saint Quote o' That Day

"Genuine happiness in the home is based on love that gives itself & sacrifices itself, simply & perseveringly. This love can be sustained only with the food of faith, & faith is a gift of God that is nourished in prayer & the Sacraments."
—Pope St. John Paul II (the Great; 1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Saints + Scripture: I Sunday of Lent

'Tis the First Sunday of Lent: Lent-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: The English word "Lent" is of Germanic origin, from the Old English (A.K.A. Anglo-Saxon) lencten & related etymologically to the Dutch lente & the German lenz, both meaning "spring" (the season, not the water source or the metal curly-cue). The Latin name, Quadragesima, means "fortieth," referring to the penitential season's length.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—First Sunday of Lent
The Book of Genesis, chapter nine, verses eight thru fifteen;
Psalm Twenty-five, verses four & five, six & seven, & eight & nine;
The First Letter of Peter, chapter three, verses eighteen thru twenty-two;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter one, verses twelve thru fifteen.

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

Friends, we have come to the great and holy season of Lent. Lent is, by its nature, a desert time, a time of simplicity, purification, and asceticism. We notice today in Mark’s account of the temptation that the Spirit himself led Jesus into the desert.

In so many of the great figures of salvation history—Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, David—a period of testing is required before they can commence their work. We see the same thing in the initiation rituals of tribal peoples as well—and you can see it in Luke Skywalker’s initiation in Star Wars.

The desert represents a stripping away so as to make the fundamental things appear. In the desert, there are no distractions or diversions or secondary matters. Everything is basic, necessary, simple. One survives or one doesn’t.

One discovers in the desert strengths and weaknesses he didn’t know he had. It is like the purifying of a metal in fire. Now, Jesus didn’t have sin to deal with, but in his humanity, he knew temptation. Before we’re ready to resume our work, we have to go with him into the wilderness.

Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Video reflection by Jeff Cavins: Encountering the Word.

Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D.: Breaking the Bread.

Video reflection by Father Thomas Rosica, C.S.B.: Salt + Light

Mass Journal: Week Eight
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:

The human heart is on a quest for happiness. Every person yearns for happiness like the desert years for rain. You have a desire for happiness; I have a desire for happiness. This desire is universal, common to every member of the human family. We simply desire to be happy, & we act from this desire. We often do things that we think will make us happy, only to discover that they end up making us miserable. This is often because we confuse pleasure with happiness. And sometimes long-term misery comes disguised as short-term pleasure.

†

Otherwise, 18 February would be the festival of Saint Simon, Bishop & Martyr (died 106, also spelt Simeon), martyred in the reign of the emperor Trajan: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed John of Fiesole, Religious, O.P. (circa 1387-1455, "Fra Angelico" [the "Angelic friar"]; A.K.A. Guido di Pietro): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed John Pibush, Priest & Martyr (died 1601), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I, of the one hundred sixty Martyrs of Douai: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link CLX & Wikipedia-link CLX.

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Insofar as divine love beautifies our souls & makes us pleasing to His divine Majesty, it is called grace; insofar as it gives us strength to do good, it is called charity; but when it reaches such a degree of perfection, that it makes us not only do the good, but do so carefully, frequently, & readily, then it is called devotion."
—St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church (1561-1622, feast day: 24 January)

The R.B.D. Black History Month Song o' the Lord's Day

James Brown, "The Old Landmark" from The Blues Brothers: Original Soundtrack Recording (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: In point of fact, each & every one of us is on a mission from God.

The Queue

The good news is that I finished Heaven Starts Now. The bad news is that I've fallen behind on the daily reading of Perfectly Yourself, which is just as well, since I'm also behind on Best Lent Ever. Busy days, but good busy, days spent in the service of the Lord & His flock, the Church.

Recently
Matthew Kelly & Co., Beautiful Hope: Finding Hope Every Day in a Broken World
Matthew Warner, Messy & Foolish: How to Make a Mess, Be a Fool, and Evangelize the World
Father John Riccardo, Heaven Starts Now: Becoming a Saint Day by Day

Currently
Matthew Kelly, Perfectly Yourself: Discovering God's Dream for You

Presently
Norman Davies, Vanished Kingdoms: The Rise and Fall of States and Nations ***oft delayed***
Sherry A. Weddell, Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus
William E. Simon Jr., Great Catholic Parishes: How Four Essential Practices Make Them Thrive
Bishop Robert Barron, Seeds of the Word: Finding God in the Culture
Mike Aquilina, Understanding the Mass: 100 Questions, 100 Answers
Xavier Rynne, Vatican Council II
John W. O'Malley, What Happened at Vatican II
Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love)
Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis (The Sacrament of Charity)
Scott Hahn, A Father Who Keeps His Promises: God's Covenant Love in Scripture
Rosario Carello, Pope Francis Takes the Bus and Other Unexpected Stories
Father Mathias D. Thelen, Biblical Foundations for the Role of Healing in Evangelization
Richard Price, Clockers
Sir Richard Francis Burton, translator, "Sinbad the Sailor" from The Arabian Nights
Sir Ernest Shackleton, South: A Memoir of the Endurance Voyage
William F. Buckley Jr., The Unmaking of a Mayor
Margaret MacMillan, Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World
John le Carré, A Legacy of Spies

The R.B.D. Black History Month Song o' the Day

Lee Dorsey, "Working In a Coal Mine" via iTunes (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"'Course I make a little money,
Haulin' coal by the ton,
But when Saturday rolls around,
I'm too tired for havin' fun…"

The R.B.D. Black History Month Song o' the Day

Marvin Gaye, "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" from Motown 1's (The Last Angry Man)

The Explorers' Club, № DC

Operation AXIOM: The World War
15-16 February 1918: The Battle of Rarańcza—The Polish Legions, originally part of the Austro-Hungarian Army to advance the cause of Polish statehood against Imperial Russia, angered by the territorial concessions made to Ukraine at Brest-Litvosk, which they saw as detrimental to Polish ambitions, switched sides to ally with the Polish I Corps, formerly in Russian service, & mutinied.

Lest we forget.

The R.B.D. Black History Month Song o' the Day

Anti-Valentine's '18
Sam & Dave, "I Can't Stand Up" from the Rhino Hi-Five: Sam & Dave E.P. (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: The song is normally titled "I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down" & I have no idea why it is titled "I Can't Stand Up" on the Rhino Hi-Five, other than, you know, "reasons."

Also, just because Valentine's Day is past, doesn't mean romantic love is any less harmful.

"I'm the living result
Of a man who's been hurt a little too much,
Now I tasted, uh huh, the bitterness of my own tears,
Sadness, listen to this, is all my lonely heart can feel.

"I can't stand up for falling down,
I can't stand up for falling down…"

Saints + Scripture: Lent

'Tis the festival of Saint Onesimus, Bishop (died circa 90): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: St. Onesimus, then a runaway slave, is the principal subject of St. Paul's [25 January, 29 June] Letter to Philemon: Wikipedia-link Epistle.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Berach of Cluain Coirpthe, Abbot (died 595; A.K.A. of Termonbarry, of Kilbarry): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saints Sunaman, Deacon; Unaman, Priest; & Winaman, Subdeacon; Martyrs, O.S.B. (died circa 1040), martyred by pagan Swedes in the reign of the good king Anund Jakob: Martyr-link Sierra, Martyr-link Uniform, & Martyr-link Whiskey & Wikipedia-link Whiskey.

Commentary: Nephews of & missionaries with St. Sigfrid.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Sigfrid of Sweden, Bishop, O.S.B. (died circa 1045, the "Apostle of Sweden;" also spelt Siegfried, Sigurd, et al.): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Claude de la Colombière, Priest, S.J. (1641-1682), promoter of devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus; imprisoned (ruinous to his health) & banished from England, a victim of the perjurer Titus Oates' "Popish Plot" hoax: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Sacred Heart & Wikipedia-link Popish Plot.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Thursday after Ash Wednesday
The Book of Deuteronomy, chapter thirty, verses fifteen thru twenty;
Psalm One, verses one & two, three, & four & six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter nine, verses twenty-two thru twenty-five.

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

Friends, our Gospel today from Luke lays out Jesus’ conditions for discipleship: "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it."

How do we overcome pain? How do we attain joy? Not from a Stoic resignation, nor from a Buddhist negation of the self, nor from a Platonic contemplation of the eternal forms, but rather from the sacrifice of the self in love. Jesus is going to Jerusalem in order to give himself away, to sacrifice himself in love for the other—and in this, he will become a source of life to others.

Ronald Knox talked about the sign of the cross this way: the first two gestures form the letter "I" and the next two cross it out. That’s what the cross of Jesus meant and means. The path of discipleship is the path of self-sacrificing love—and that means the path of suffering.

Video reflection by Fr. Roger Lopez, O.F.M. (Franciscan Media): U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Saint Quote o' the Day

"The Eucharist is the privileged summit of the meeting of Christ's love for us; a love that is made available for each of us, a love that is made to be sacrificial lamb & food for our hunger for life. As the Apostle says, 'He loved me & gave Himself up for me.'"
—Pope Bl. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)

Operation ÖSTERREICH

Weekly Wednesday Thursday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 342.4 lbs
This weigh-in: 339.6 lbs.
Difference: -2.8 lbs.

There's good news & there's bad news. The good news is that I've achieved a new low weight for this latest iteration of ÖSTERREICH. Hooray! The bad news is the same news, just viewed from a different perspective, because now I've set myself a metaphorically higher bar. Scheiße!

Bonus! Lied von ÖSTERREICH
"Weird Al" Yankovic, "Inactive" from Mandatory Fun (The Last Angry Faster)

The Queue

I did not succeed in my goal of finishing Heaven Starts Now before Ash Wednesday, to clear the board for Perfectly Yourself, which is a part of this year's Best Lent Ever from Dynamic Catholic. Heaven Starts Now is a wee little thing, only a hundred thirty-odd pages, so it's not as if I've been slogging through it; for most of January, it simply sat untouched on my nightstand. I hope to make quick work of the remaining two chapters, but shall not do so at the expense of falling behind on the daily Perfectly Yourself reading, & the farcical three different Bible studies I'm participating in this Lent—The Bible and the Virgin Mary, presented by Dr. Scott Hahn; The Bible and the Sacraments, presented by Matthew Leonard; & Follow Me: Meeting Jesus In the Gospel of John, presented by Dr. Edward Sri. (In addition to leading the non-Bible study Epic: A Journey through Church History, presented by Steve Weidenkopf.)

The busier I am, the more productive I am.

Recently
Scott & Kimberly Hahn, Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism
Matthew Kelly & Co., Beautiful Hope: Finding Hope Every Day in a Broken World
Matthew Warner, Messy & Foolish: How to Make a Mess, Be a Fool, and Evangelize the World

Currently
Matthew Kelly, Perfectly Yourself: Discovering God's Dream for You
Father John Riccardo, Heaven Starts Now: Becoming a Saint Day by Day

Presently
Norman Davies, Vanished Kingdoms: The Rise and Fall of States and Nations ***oft delayed***
Sherry A. Weddell, Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus
William E. Simon Jr., Great Catholic Parishes: How Four Essential Practices Make Them Thrive
Bishop Robert Barron, Seeds of the Word: Finding God in the Culture
Mike Aquilina, Understanding the Mass: 100 Questions, 100 Answers
Xavier Rynne, Vatican Council II
John W. O'Malley, What Happened at Vatican II
Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love)
Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis (The Sacrament of Charity)
Scott Hahn, A Father Who Keeps His Promises: God's Covenant Love in Scripture
Rosario Carello, Pope Francis Takes the Bus and Other Unexpected Stories
Father Mathias D. Thelen, Biblical Foundations for the Role of Healing in Evangelization
Richard Price, Clockers
Sir Richard Francis Burton, translator, "Sinbad the Sailor" from The Arabian Nights
Sir Ernest Shackleton, South: A Memoir of the Endurance Voyage
William F. Buckley Jr., The Unmaking of a Mayor
Margaret MacMillan, Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World
John le Carré, A Legacy of Spies

Bonus! Song o' Ash Wednesday

Aloe Blacc, "Here Today" from Lift Your Spirit (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris (Remember, O man, that thou art dust, & to dust thou shalt return).

"'Cause we're here today (Hey!) & gone tomorrow,
We're here today (Hey!) & gone tomorrow,
Lead the way (Hey!), never follow,
Here today (Hey!) & gone tomorrow…"

Saints + Scripture: Ash Wednesday

The Popish Plot
Wacky Wednesday: "Ash Wednesday"

'Tis Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent: Wikipedia-link Ash Wednesday & Wikipedia-link Lent.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Ash Wednesday
The Book of Joel, chapter two, verses twelve thru eighteen;
Psalm Fifty-one, verses three & four, five & six(a/b), twelve & thirteen, & fourteen & seventeen;
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter five, verse twenty thru chapter six, verse two;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter six, verses one thru six, sixteen, seventeen, & eighteen.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel prescribes the disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. I want to speak about the Biblical principle behind almsgiving. I know I’ve quoted to you before some of the breathtaking remarks of saints and popes. For example, Pope Leo XIII said, "Once the demands of necessity and propriety have been met, the rest of your money belongs to the poor." St. John Chrysostom [13 September] said—and St. Ambrose [7 December] echoed him—"For the man who has two shirts in his closet, one belongs to him; the other belongs to the man who has no shirt." These ideas are, of course, rooted in the biblical prophets, who continually rail against those who are indifferent to the poor.

Compassion is key to Christian ethics, learning to suffer with and feel with the other. We’re not dealing with an abstract Aristotelian moral philosophy, but rather with something more visceral.

This is precisely why the two great commandments are so tightly linked: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart…and love your neighbor as yourself." In loving God, you feel the feelings of God, and God is compassionate to the poor and oppressed. That’s all the argument that a biblical person needs.

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

Otherwise, 14 February would be the festival of Saint Valentine of Rome, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 269), martyred in the reign of the emperor Claudius Gothicus: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Abraham of Harran, Bishop & Hermit (died circa 422; also spelt Abraames; A.K.A. of Charres, of Cyrrhus): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Auxentius of Bithynia, Hermit (circa 400-473), who attended the Council of Chalcedon (451): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Council.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Antoninus of Sorrento, Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 555-625, A.K.A. of Campagna): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saints Cyril, Monk, & Methodius, Bishop (circa 827-869, A.K.A. Constantine; & circa 815-885, A.K.A. Michael): Saints-link, Saint-link Charlie, Saint-link Mike, & Wikipedia-link.

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Someone would have a poor idea of human & marital love by thinking that affection & joy vanish when difficulties come. This is when we really see what motivates people. Here also is where gift & tenderness are consolidated, because true love does not think about itself, but about how to increase the good of the beloved."
—Pope St. John Paul II (the Great; 1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

The R.B.D. Black History Month Song o' the Day

Against Valentine's Day
Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, "The Tracks of My Tears" from The Ultimate Collection: Smokey Robinson & the Miracles (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: Romantic love will leave ye weeping & lonely, broke & brokenhearted. Don't say ye were never warned.

"So, take a good look at my face,
You'll see my smile looks out of place,
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears…"

Saints + Scripture

The Popish Plot
Taco Tuesday: "Fat Tuesday"

'Tis the festival of Saint Fulcran, Bishop (died 1006, of Lodève): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Jordan of Saxony, Religious, O.P. (circa 1190-1237, A.K.A. Jordan de Alamania): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Archangela Girlani, Religious, O.Carm (1460-1495, A.K.A. Eleanora Girlani): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine '16 & Wayback Machine '17.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The Letter of James, chapter one, verses twelve thru eighteen;
Psalm Ninety-four, verses twelve & thirteen(a), fourteen & fifteen, & eighteen & nineteen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter eight, verses fourteen thru twenty-one.

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

Friends, a few days ago, we read about Jesus’ multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Then in today’s Gospel, which takes place just a few verses later, the disciples ask again about bread. But Jesus turns their attention elsewhere.

He warns them about "the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." What does he mean by this? He’s referring to the contagious and dangerous "food" offered by these leaders. For example, the Pharisees knew the Law of God but used it to oppress people rather than liberate them. They could point out, with great accuracy and articulation, the wicked things that people were doing, in order to bring those people down, to humiliate them.

Beware of that sort of food, Jesus suggests. Instead, seek the true bread of heaven, which multiplies grace upon grace.

Video reflection by Father James Vacco, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Since baptism is a true entry into the holiness of God through incorporation into Christ & the indwelling of His Spirit, it would be a contradiction to settle for a life of mediocrity, marked by a minimalist ethic & a shallow religiosity."
—Pope St. John Paul II (the Great; 1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

The R.B.D. Black History Month Song o' the Day

Anti-Valentine's '18
The Marvelettes, "Please Mr. Postman" from Motown 1's (The Last Angry Man)

The Explorers' Club, № DXCIX

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Russian Civil War, Part II
9 February 1918: Amidst protracted negotiations at Brest-Litovsk, the Central Powers recognized the Ukraine as a protectorate, independent of Soviet Russia, exchanging military aid for food stuffs (Brotfrieden, "bread for peace"); the Ukrainians had been pushed toward the Vierbund by Bolshevik aggression & sabotage, especially the armed uprising at the Kiev Arsenal (29 January-4 February).

Lest we forget.

Saints + Scripture

'Tis the festival of Saint Sedulius, Priest (floruit fifth century, A.K.A. Siadhel): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Æthelwold of Lindisfarne, Bishop (died circa 740; also spelt Ethelwald, etc.): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Benedict of Aniane, Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 747-821, the "Second Benedict;" A.K.A. Witiza): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Antony Kauleas, Bishop & Abbot (circa 829-901, A.K.A. Anthony II of Constantinople): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Julian the Hospitaller, Confessor (possibly legendary, A.K.A. Julian the Poor): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The Letter of James, chapter one, verses one thru eleven;
Psalm One Hundred Nineteen, verses sixty-seven, sixty-eight, seventy-one, seventy-two, seventy-five, & seventy-six;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter eight, verses eleven, twelve, & thirteen.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel, the Pharisees demand Jesus give them a sign in order to prove his authority, perhaps a miracle. But I’d like to draw your attention to the final line in the passage: "He left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore."

Whose boat was this? Well, the previous verses confirm it belonged to his disciples. Jesus entering the boat calls to mind his first encounter with Peter. One day, Peter was going about his ordinary business, washing his nets and preparing for a catch. Then without warning, without asking permission, Jesus got into his boat. Now the boat was everything for Peter; it was his livelihood, his security. But Jesus just got in and began giving orders.

So it goes in the order of grace. The true God cannot be manipulated, determined by us, or controlled through our efforts. We can’t act like the Pharisees in today’s Gospel, demanding that God behave for us. Rather, he comes into our lives—often unbidden and unexpected—and determines us, controls us. His presence is pure grace.

Don’t demand signs from God. Instead, do what the disciples did and let him enter your boat.

Video reflection by Msgr. James Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Saint Quote o' the Day

"All the Christian faithful… are called to the fullness of the Christian life & to the perfection of charity."
—Pope St. John Paul II (the Great; 1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)