Saints + Scripture

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

'Tis the festival of Saint Leo III, Pope (died 816), ninety-sixth Bishop of Rome, who crowned Charlemagne the inaugural Holy Roman Emperor: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff & Wikipedia-link Emperor.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Eskil, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 1131), martyred by pagan Swedes: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Yolanda of Poland, Abbess, O.S.C. (1235-1298; also spelt Jolenta, A.K.A. Helen, of Hungary): Blessed-link ūna, Blessed-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Grand-niece of St. Hedwig of Silesia [16 October], niece of St. Elizabeth of Hungary [17 November], & sister of Ss. Margaret of Hungary [18 January] & Kinga of Poland [24 July].

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Lorenzo Maria of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest, C.P. (1782-1856, A.K.A. Lorenzo Salvi): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
The First Book of Kings, chapter seventeen, verses seven thru sixteen;
Psalm Four, verses two & three, four & five, & seven(b) & eight;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter five, verses thirteen thru sixteen.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus uses the images of salt and light to show how we are to bring salvation to the world. In our rather privatized and individualistic culture, we tend naturally to think of religion as something for ourselves designed to make our lives richer or better. Now there is a sense in which that is true, but on the biblical reading, religiosity is like salt, light, and an elevated city: it is meant not for oneself, but for others.

Perhaps we can bring these two together by saying that we find salvation for ourselves precisely in the measure that we bring God’s life to others. The point is that we followers of Jesus are meant to be salt, which effectively preserves and enhances what is best in the society around us. We effectively undermine what is dysfunctional in the surrounding culture.

We are also light by which people around us come to see what is worth seeing. By the very quality and integrity of our lives, we shed light, illuminating what is beautiful and revealing what is ugly. The clear implication is that, without vibrant Christians, the world is a much worse place.

Video reflection by Deacon Miguel Santos: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Papal Quote o' This Day

"The Eucharist sanctifies us, purifies us, & unites us in a marvelous communion with God. In that way we learn that the Eucharist is not a prize for the good, but strength for the weak; for sinners it is pardon; it is the viaticum that helps us move forward, to walk."
—Pope Francis (born 1936, reigning since 2013)

Little Flower Quote o' This Day

"Only that which is eternal can satisfy us."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' This Day

"Work in full simplicity."
—St. Paola Frassinetti (1809-1882, feast day: 11 June)