Saints + Scripture

Better Late than Never
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Norbert, Bishop, O.Praem. (circa 1080-1134; of Xanten, of Magdeburg), founder of the Premonstratensians (A.K.A. the Norbertines, the White Canons), formally the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.Praem.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

He was a bishop of the catholic Church, founder of the Premonstratensian order of canons regular, & is venerated as a saint.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Ceratus of Grenoble, Bishop (circa 400-450), exiled for opposing the Arian heresy: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Heresy.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Gudwal, Bishop (floruit 650): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Claudius of Besançon, Bishop & Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 607-699, A.K.A. the Miracle Worker): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
The Second Letter to Timothy, chapter one, verses one, two, three, & six thru twelve;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-three, verses one(b) & two(a/b), & two(c/d/e/f);
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter twelve, verses eighteen thru twenty-seven.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus is debating the materialists of his day: the Sadducees, those who deny the resurrection. They put forward an almost comical case of seven brothers who died leaving no descendants for the widow. They ask, “At the resurrection whose wife will she be?” Jesus brushes aside this bit of facile casuistry.

The body is a means of communication. The most intense personal communication possible is that which happens between two married people—sexual, psychological, and personal intimacy. Given the limitations and restrictions of our bodies here below, this type of intimacy is possible only with one other person.

The heavenly state involves a body too, but a transformed, transfigured, and elevated body—what Paul called a spiritual body. It is still a means of communication, but now it is so intense and spiritualized that it can mediate an intimate communion with all those who love the Lord. We are not less than bodily in heaven; we are super-bodily. We communicate more extensively and more intimately, and with everyone. Hence, in heaven we are not given to one person in marriage, but to all. All of this becomes plain in the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

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

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Norbert
The Book of Ezekiel, chapter thirty-four, verses eleven thru sixteen;
Psalm Twenty-three, verse one;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter fourteen, verses twenty-five thru thirty-three.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Modern society will find no solution to the ecological problem unless it takes a serious look at its lifestyle."
—Pope St. John Paul II (the Great, 1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"One single act of love will make us know Jesus better… It will bring us closer to Him for all eternity."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"In all things I adore the will of God in my regard."
—St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle (1651-1719, feast day: 7 April)