Saints + Scripture: Eastertide

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker (floruit first century B.C.-first century A.D., of Nazareth): Guardian-link ūnus, Guardian-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Saint Joseph's Days.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

A figure in the Gospels who was married to Mary, Jesus's mother, &, in the Christian tradition, was Jesus's legal father. Joseph is regarded as the patron saint of workers, patron & protector of the Catholic Church, in addition to his patronages of the sick & of a happy death.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Marcouf, Priest & Hermit (circa 500-558, also spelt Marculf, etc.): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Bertha of Kent, Confessor (circa 539-612, A.K.A. Aldeberge), queen of Kent: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Great-granddaughter of St. Clotilde [3 June] & wife of St. Æthelberht [25 February].

'Tis also the festival of Saint Peregrine Laziosi, Priest, O.S.M. (circa 1260-1345): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter fourteen, verses nineteen thru twenty-eight;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-five, verses ten & eleven, twelve & thirteen(a/b), & twenty-one;
The Gospel according to John, chapter fourteen, verses twenty-seven thru thirty-one(a).

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us an antidote for fear. Whom or what are you afraid of? That is a very important spiritual question. One way to understand our lives is to look at those things that we seek: wealth, power, privilege, honor, pleasure, friendship. But another way is to turn that question around and determine what or who it is that we fear.

We might fear the loss of material things, the loss of a job, the loss of physical health, the loss of the esteem of others, the loss of personal intimacy, or ultimately, the loss of life itself. We are afraid of many things, but I’d be willing to bet that there is a primary or principal fear. What is it for you?

Now, after identifying that, listen to Jesus: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid." Any and all of the things that we customarily fear—loss of money, fame, pleasure, and power—have to do with this world. What Jesus is saying is that we should not let those fears come to dominate or define our lives, for he is with us—and with him is his peace.

Video reflection by Sister Denise Roche, G.N.S.H.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker
The Book of Genesis, chapter one, verse twenty-six thru chapter two, verse three;
or, the Letter to the Colossians, chapter three, verses fourteen, fifteen, seventeen, twenty-three, & twenty-four;
Confer Psalm Ninety, verse seventeen(b);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter thirteen, verses fifty-four thru fifty-eight.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Work is not something that people do for the sole purpose of earning a living; it is a human dimension that can & must be sanctified. In this way, work will enable people to fulfill their vocation as creatures made in the image & likeness of God."
—Pope St. John Paul II (the Great, 1920-2005; feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"I know that He is better pleased to see you stumbling in the night upon a stony road, than walking in full light of day upon a path carpeted with flowers, because these flowers might hinder your advance."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Though you have recourse to many saints for your intercessors, go especially to St. Joseph, for he has great power with God."
—St. Teresa of Ávila, Doctor of the Church (1515-1582, feast day: 15 October)