Saints + Scripture: Lent — Don't Call It a Comeback

Saint Quote o' the Day

"The future starts today, not tomorrow."
—Pope St. John Paul II (the Great; 1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

'Tis the festival of Saint Lazarus of Milan, Bishop (died circa 450): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Benedict Curetán, Bishop (died circa 660, also spelt Curitan): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Matilda of Ringelheim (circa 894-968; A.K.A. of Saxony; also spelt Mathilde, Maud), Queen of the East Franks, foundress of Quedlinburg Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey.

Commentary: Mother of St. Bruno the Great [11 October] & mother-in-law of St. Adelaide of Italy [16 December].

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Giacomo Cusmano, Priest (1834-1888), founder of the "Morsel for the Poor," formally the Congregation of Missionary Servants of the Poor, & the Sisters Servants of the Poor: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Lenten Weekday
The Book of Isaiah, chapter forty-nine, verses eight thru fifteen;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-five, verses eight & nine, thirteen(c/d) & fourteen, & seventeen & eighteen;
The Gospel according to John, chapter five, verses seventeen thru thirty.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel we see Jesus as the judge who shows mercy and love. It is hard to read any two pages of the Bible—Old Testament or New—and not find the language of divine judgment.

Think of judgment as a sort of light, which reveals both the positive and the negative. Beautiful things look even more beautiful when the light shines on them; ugly things look even uglier when they come into the light. When the divine light shines, when judgment takes place, something like real love is unleashed.

Someone might avoid seeing the doctor for years, fearful that he will uncover something diseased or deadly. But how much better it is for you when you do, even when the doctor pronounces a harsh "judgment" on your physical condition!

And this is why judgment is the proper activity of a king. It is not the exercise of arbitrary power, but rather an exercise of real love.

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

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Work is part of God's loving plan, we are called to cultivate & care for all the goods of creation & in this way share in the work of creation!"
—Pope Francis

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"I am quite resigned to live or to die, I am even willing to recover & go to Cochin-China if it is God's will."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)