Saints + Scripture — Monday, 4 June

The Long Road Back, Part IV of VI
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

The Popish Plot
Marian Monday: "Mary, Mother of Flint"
&
Summer Book Club: "Marriage"

Monday, 4 June was the festival of Saint Metrophanes of Byzantium, Bishop (died circa 326): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Francesco Caracciolo, Priest, C.R.M. (1563-1608, A.K.A. Ascanio Pisquizio), co-founder of the Adorno Fathers, formally the Clerics Regular Minor: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link C.R.M.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Antoni Zawistowski, Priest & Martyr (1882-1942), martyred in the reign of the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, one of the One Hundred Eight Blessed Polish Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link CVIII & Wikipedia-link CVIII.

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Monday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
The Second Letter of Peter, chapter one, verses two thru seven;
Psalm Ninety-one, verses one & two, fourteen & fifteen(b), & fifteen(c) & sixteen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter twelve, verses one thru twelve.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel tells of the landowner who planted a vineyard and leased it to tenants. This vineyard stands for Israel, but it could be broadened to include the whole world. Like the landowner, God has made for his people a beautiful and productive place, a place where they can find rest, enjoyment, and good work.

When vintage time drew near, the landowner sent his servants to the tenants to obtain the produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Is this not the whole, sorry history of Israel and its prophets, of the world and the people whom God has sent?

Then we hear the event upon which the parable turns: “Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they killed him.” After the terrible treatment that his representatives have received, the owner sends his son? Is he crazy? Yes, a little. But this is the over-the-top patience and generosity of God, his crazy love. “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,” knowing full well what his fate would be.

Video reflection by Msgr. James Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Papal Quote o' That Day

"Faithfulness to Christ & to His Gospel in order to proclaim them with our words & our life, witnessing to God's love without our own love & with our charity to all: These are the luminous examples & teachings that the saints canonized today offer us.

"But they also call into question our Christian life: How am I faithful to Christ?Let us take this question with us, to think about it during the day: How am I faithful to Christ?"
—Pope Francis (born 1936, reigning since 2013)

Little Flower Quote o' That Day

"I desire neither death nor life. Were the Lord to offer me a choice, I would not choose. I will only what He wills, & I am pleased with whatever He does."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' That Day

"Jesus, I love You."
—St. Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-1680, feast day: 14 July)