Saints + Scripture: III Sunday of Lent

The Long Road Back, II of V

'Tis the Third 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—Third Sunday of Lent, Year B
The Book of Exodus, chapter twenty, verses one thru seventeen
(or the Book of Exodus, chapter twenty, verses one, two, three, seven, eight, & twelve thru seventeen);
Psalm Nineteen, verses eight, nine, ten, & eleven;
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter one, verses twenty-two thru twenty-five;
The Gospel according to John, chapter two, verses thirteen thru twenty-five.

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

Friends, when reading today’s Gospel passage, we shouldn’t be surprised that Jesus, at the climax of his life, came into the Temple and made a ruckus. He was not just being a rabble-rouser. He was rectifying the Temple so as to rectify the people of Israel.

When pressed for a sign, he said that he would tear the Temple down and rebuild it in three days. He was talking, as John tells us, of the temple of his body. He was saying that this old Temple, which had served its purpose relatively well, would now give way to a new and definitive Temple. His own body, his own person, would be the place where divinity and humanity meet, and hence the place of right praise.

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 Readings—Third Sunday of Lent, Year A: First Scrutiny
The Book of Exodus, chapter seventeen, verses three thru seven;
Psalm Ninety-five, verses one & two, six & seven, & eight & nine;
The Letter to the Romans, chapter five, verses one, two, & five thru eight;
The Gospel according to John, chapter six, verses five thru forty-two
(or the Gospel according to John, chapter six, verses five thru fifteen, nineteen(b) thru twenty-six, thirty-nine(a), forty, forty-one, & forty-two).

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

Before Christmas last year, I saw a Jewish scholar interviewed on television. The topic of the discussion was the influence Jesus has exerted on human history. In summary, the scholar concluded, "The impact this man has had on human history is undeniable. Because of this man we call Jesus, the world will never again be the same. Because of Jesus, men & women will never be the same. Regardless of whether or not we believe he was the Son of God, because of this man who walked the earth two thousand years ago, men & women will never live the same, will never be the same."

†

Otherwise, 4 March would have been the festival of Saint Felix of Rhuys, Hermit & Abbot, O.S.B. (died 1038), who rebuilt the Abbey of Rhuys: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also have been the festival of Saint Peter of Pappacarbone, Bishop & Abbot, O.S.B. (died 1123, A.K.A. of Cava), abbot of the Territorial Abbey of La Trinità della Cava: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey.

'Twould also have been the festival of Saint Casimir, Confessor (1458-1484): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, Wikipedia-link, & Wikipedia-link St. Casimir's Fair.

'Twould also have been the festival of Blessed Placide Viel, Religious (1815-1877, A.K.A. Eulalie-Victoire Jacqueline Viel): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Niece of St. Marie-Madeleine Postel [16 July].

Papal Quote o' That Day

"Jesus, give me a drink that will quench my thirst forever. Jesus, change my life! Jesus, fill me with joy! Amen."
—Pope Francis

Little Flower Quote o' That Day

"At the hour of death, in the twinkling of an eye, He will cause rich fruits to ripen on the tree of your soul."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' That Day

"Joy is the net of love in which we catch souls."
—St. Teresa of Calcutta (A.K.A. Mother Teresa, 1910-1997; feast day: 5 September)