Saints + Scripture: Better Late Than Never

The Popish Plot
Theology Thursday: "Amazing Grace"

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Jerome Emiliani, C.R.S. (1486-1537, A.K.A. Hiëronymus Emiliani), founder of the Somaschi Fathers, formally the Order of Clerics Regulars of Somasca: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link C.R.S.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. My sources disagree as to whether St. Jerome was a priest or not; the Church settles the issue, because his festival is listed as the "Optional Memorial of Saint Jerome Emiliani," compared to, for example, 31 January's "Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest."

Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Jerome devoted his life to helping others, especially children, & therefore is known as the patron saint of abandoned children & orphans.

'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Saint Josephine Bakhita, Virgin, F.D.C.C. (circa 1869-1947): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

For many years, Josephine Bakhita was a slave & resold many times. Eventually, she was able to enter a convent. "Be good, love the Lord, pray for those who do not know Him. What a great grace it is to know God!"

St. Josephine's feast is also, & not coincidentally, the International Day of Prayer & Awareness against Human Trafficking: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Meingold, Confessor (died 892; also spelt Mengold, Meingaud), Count of Huy: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Giuseppina Gabriella of Jesus, Religious (1843-1906, A.K.A. Giuseppina Gabriella Bonino), foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Savigliano: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The First Book of Kings, chapter eleven, verses four thru thirteen;
Psalm One Hundred Six, verses three & four, thirty-five & thirty-six, & thirty-seven & forty;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter seven, verses twenty-four thru thirty.

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

Friends, our Gospel for today, the story of Jesus’ conversation with the Syro-Phoenician woman, is one of those famously problematic passages in the New Testament. This poor woman, a Canaanite, a foreigner, comes forward and tells Jesus of her daughter who is troubled by a demon, and the Lord just ignores her. When she persists, Jesus says, "I have come only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." When she prostrates herself at his feet, Jesus says, "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs."

Of course, the woman responds with one of the best one-liners in the Scriptures, almost all of which otherwise belong to Jesus himself: "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." At this point, Jesus praises her for her faith and cures her daughter.

What’s going on here is really interesting and provocative. The Syro-Phoenician woman is being invited into a life of discipleship, into the following of Jesus. She is resisted, not because Jesus is having a bad day, but because he wants the strength of her faith to show itself.

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

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Jerome Emiliani
The Book of Tobit, chapter twelve, verses six thru thirteen;
Psalm Thirty-four, verse two;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter ten, verses seventeen thru thirty
(or, the Gospel according to Mark, chapter ten, verses seventeen thru twenty-seven).

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Josephine Bakhita
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter seven, verses twenty-five thru thirty-five;
Psalm Forty-five, verse eleven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses one thru thirteen.

Saint Quote o' the Day

"For I have learnt for a fact that nothing so effectively obtains, retains, & regains grace, as that we should always be found not high-minded before God, but filled with holy fear."
—St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Doctor of the Church (1090-1153, feast day: 20 August)

Bonus! Song o' the Day
Dropkick Murphys, "Amazing Grace" from The Gang's All Here (The Last Angry Man)