Saints + Scripture: Eastertide — Better Late than Never

'Tis the festival of Saint Florian, Martyr (died circa 304; of Lorch, of Lentia [Linz]), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Persecution.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. The patron saint of firefighters, who to this day use St. Florian's Cross as their symbol, even in non- &/or anti-Catholic countries like the U.S.A.: Wikipedia-link Cross

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Michael Giedroyc, Religious, O.S.A. (circa 1425-1485; also spelt Michal, A.K.A. Mykolas Giedraitis): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link (List).

Commentary: On the list, Bl. Michael is twenty-second from the bottom, just above St. Nicholas of Flüe [21 March].

'Tis also the festival of Saints Richard Reynolds, Religious (O.Ss.S.); & John Houghton, Robert Lawrence, & Augustine Webster, Priests (O.Cart); Martyrs (died 1535), martyred in the reign of the English king Henry VIII; four of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales & the first group of the Carthusian Martyrs of London: Martyr-link Romeo Romeo & Wikipedia-link Romeo Romeo, Martyr-link Juliett Hotel & Wikipedia-link Juliett Hotel, Martyr-link Romeo Lima & Wikipedia-link Romeo Lima, & Martyr-link Alpha Whiskey & Wikipedia-link Alpha Whiskey; Martyrs-link XL & Wikipedia-link XL; Martyrs-link Carthusian & Wikipedia-link Carthusian.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed John Haile, Priest & Martyr (died 1535), martyred in the reign of the English king Henry VIII: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter fifteen, verses twenty-two thru thirty-one;
Psalm Fifty-seven, verses eight & nine & ten & twelve;
The Gospel according to John, chapter fifteen, verses twelve thru seventeen.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel instructs us in the way of loving others with God’s love. The whole of the Christian life is on display here: God is love. In other words, God is a self-emptying gift on behalf of the other. But this means, paradoxically, that to have God is to be what God is—and that means giving one’s life away.

Now we see the link that Jesus suggests between joy and commandment: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.” Now we begin to understand the laws, commands, and demands of the Church. All are designed to make us more adept at giving ourselves away—more adept at love.

Don’t steal; don’t kill; don’t covet your neighbor’s goods or wife; honor your mother and father; worship God. All of these commands—positive and negative—are meant to awaken love in our lives.

Video reflection by D.J. Bernal: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"The Heart of Christ still beats. It unites millions of other hearts. The Church sees the beauty of these hearts, which will surely proclaim a spiritual acceleration in our modern world."
—Pope Bl. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"Lord, in the sincerity of my heart, I offer myself to You this day, to be Your servant forever, to serve You, & to become a sacrifice of perpetual praise to You."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"For what use is existence to the creature if it cannot know its Maker?"
—St. Athanasius of Alexandria, Doctor of the Church (296-373, feast day: 2 May)