Saints + Scripture: Eastertide — Tuesday, 17 April

The Long Road Back, Part VIII of VIII

Tuesday, 17 April was the festival of Saint Arnoald of Metz, Bishop (circa 540-611, also spelt Arnual): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Father of St. Arnulf [18 July], also bishop of Metz.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Paul of Saint Magdalene, Priest & Martyr, O.F.M. Rec. (circa 1599-1643, A.K.A. Henry Heath), martyred in the reign of the English king Charles I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link LXXXV & Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter seven, verse fifty-one thru chapter eight, verse one(a);
Psalm Thirty-one, verses three(c/d) & four; six, seven(b), & eight(a); & seventeen & twenty-one(a/b);
The Gospel according to John, chapter six, verses thirty thru thirty-five.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel is from the bread of life discourse: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” What God has wanted from the beginning is to sit down with his creatures in a fellowship banquet, sharing life and laughter, giving, receiving, and giving back again.

This is the loop of grace. The more we receive the divine life, the more we should give it away and thereby get more of it.

Throughout the Old Testament, we find images of the holy banquet. On God’s holy mountain, Isaiah says there will be good meats and pure choice wines. And throughout his ministry, Jesus hosts meals to which all are invited. God wants to share his life with us.

This comes to fullest expression at the Eucharist, where Jesus identifies himself so radically with the bread and the wine that they change into his Body and Blood, and then invites all of us around this table to feast and share life, to give and to receive and to give again.

Video reflection by Father Conrad Stachowiak: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Papal Quote o' That Day

"As Christians we should offer our memories to the Lord. Thinking about the past will not alter the reality of your sufferings or disappointments, but it can change the way you look at them."
—Pope St. John Paul II (the Great, 1920-2005; feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' That Day

"Be not afraid… He is here at hand. He is watching."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' That Day

"There is no doubt about it: a person who loves pleasure, who seeks comfort, who flies from anything that might spell suffering, who is over-anxious, who complains, who blames, & who becomes impatient at the least little thing who does not go his way—a person like that is a Christian only in name; he is only a dishonor to his religion, for Jesus Christ has said so: 'Anyone who wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself & take up his cross every day of his life, & follow Me.'"
—St. John Vianney (1786-1859, feast day: 4 August)