Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Monday within the Octave of Easter
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter two, verses fourteen & twenty-two thru thirty-three;
Psalm Sixteen, verses one, two(a), & five; seven & eight; nine & ten; & eleven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-eight, verses eight thru fifteen.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary encounter the risen Jesus. I know that I have harped often on this theme, but I do so only because the Bible harps on it—and also because the culture tends so thoroughly to miss the point. I’m talking about the meaning of Easter. Many people agree with David Cameron, the former Prime Minister of Great Britain, who once said that the message of Easter is "kindness, compassion, hard work, and responsibility."Video reflection by Msgr. James Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Now don’t get me wrong: I’m for all of those things. But so is, I would guess, any decent person from any religious or non-religious background. Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, and fair-minded atheists and agnostics would all sign on for those values.
None of it is getting anywhere near the heart of what Easter really means. What Easter means is that Jesus of Nazareth, who claimed throughout his public life to be speaking and acting in the very person of God, and who was brutally put to death by Roman executioners, rose bodily from the dead. That’s what it’s all about.
†
Otherwise, 2 April would be the festival of Saint Aphian, Martyr (circa 287-305, of Caesarea; also spelt Appian, etc.), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Galerius & Constantius, a victim of the Great Persecution: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Persecution.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Francis of Paola, Hermit, O.M. (1416-1507, A.K.A. the Fire Handler), founder of the Order of Minims: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.M.
'Twould also be the festival of Saint John Payne, Priest & Martyr (1532-1582), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link XL & Wikipedia-link XL.
'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Elizabetta Vendramini, Religious, T.O.S.F. (1790-1860), foundress of the Franciscan Elizabethan Sisters: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.
Papal Quote o' the Day
"Christian renunciation is an authentic way of Christian life. It implies a hierarchical classification of its goods & it stimulates us to choose the better part. It gives us practice in self-control, & it establishes a mysterious economy of expiation, which makes us participants in Christ's redemption."Commentary: The miracle necessary for the canonization of Bl. Paul VI as St. Paul VI has been approved, though a date has not yet been set.
—Pope Bl. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)
Little Flower Quote o' the Day
"I do not regret having offered myself up as a victim to Love."Saint Quote o' the Day
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
"A faint faith is better than a strong heresy."
—St. Thomas More (1478-1535, feast day: 22 June)
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