Sunday, February 18, 2018

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)

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