Saints + Scripture

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

'Tis the festival of Saint Vitus, Martyr (died circa 303), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution; one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Helpers-link XIV & Wikipedia-link XIV; Wikipedia-link Persecution.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Thomas Scryven, Religious & Martyr, O.Cart. (died 1537), martyred in the reign of the English king Henry VIII, one of the Carthusian Martyrs of London: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link (List); Martyr-link Charterhouse & Wikipedia-link Charterhouse.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Albertina Berkenbrock, Virgin & Martyr (1919-1931), martyred by her attempted rapist, Maneco Palhoça: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
The First Book of Kings, chapter nineteen, verses nine(a) & eleven thru sixteen;
Psalm Twenty-seven, verses seven & eight(a), eight(b) & nine(a/b/c), & thirteen & fourteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter five, verses twenty-seven thru thirty-two.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus exposes the root problems behind sexual sin. Jesus says, "You have heard it said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart." The act is certainly bad, of course. It’s grounded in a dysfunctional attitude, a basic misperception, a compromise of the soul. In order to be aligned to the God who is nothing but love, these underlying problems need to be addressed.

Time and again, we hear that the Church’s moral demands—especially in the sexual arena—are too stringent, that the Church ought to conform itself with societal expectations, or that huge pluralities of Catholics themselves want to lighten the load. What do these data prove? Well, nothing really, except that Catholic moral teaching is difficult. But so what? To dial down our moral ideals is to compromise the Church’s whole purpose. Jesus didn’t dial down the demands of love, and neither does his Church.

Video reflection by Paula Trigo-Galan: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Papal Quote o' This Day

"Three words sum up Mary's attitude: listening, decision, action. They are words that point out a way for us, too, as we face what the Lord asks of us in life. Listening, decision, action."
—Pope Francis (born 1936, reigning since 2013)

Little Flower Quote o' This Day

"To live in love is to sail forever, spreading seeds of joy & peace in hearts."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' This Day

"¡Viva Cristo Rey! (Long live Christ the King!)"
—Bl. Miguel Pro (-, feast day:)