Saints + Scripture — Saturday, 21 July

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

Saturday, 21 July was the Optional Memorial of Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest & Doctor of the Church, O.F.M. Cap. (1559-1619, A.K.A. Giulio Cesare Russo): Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Doctors.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

He was a Roman Catholic priest & a theologian as well as a member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. Lawrence wrote a commentary on Genesis & several treatises against Luther, but Lawrence's main writings are in the nine volumes of his sermons.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Praxedes, Virgin (died circa 165, of Rome): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Daughter of Ss. Pudens [19 May] & Claudia [7 August] & sister of Ss. Prudentia [19 May], Novatus [20 June], & Timotheus [?].

'Twas also the festival of Saint Simeon Salus, Hermit (died circa 570, the "Holy Fool"): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Arbogast of Strasbourg, Bishop (died circa 678, A.K.A. Arascach): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of Yesterday
Mass Readings—Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Micah, chapter two, verses one thru five;
Psalm Ten, verses one & two, three & four, seven & eight, & fourteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twelve, verses fourteen thru twenty-one.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel we hear a passage from Isaiah echoing the Baptism of Jesus: "Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased."

In the Greek philosophical tradition, God is the supreme good around which everything in the universe revolves. But that Aristotle’s prime mover would stoop down to the level of a creature and move toward him—that would be unthinkable. And in the Jewish context, God’s absolute holiness was consistently contrasted with human sinfulness. But that God would himself take on the wretchedness of his creatures and stand with them—no way.

Yet, in Christ, God himself moves toward his creatures, takes on their wretchedness, and stands with them. Why? Because God has come in order to forgive sins. This is the heart and soul, the beginning and end of Christian revelation. How often the words and gestures of forgiveness radiate out from Jesus, and how central forgiveness is to the liturgy. "This is the cup of my blood…which will be shed so that sins may be forgiven."

This is why "he will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick." God has not come to finish off those who have blown it spiritually and morally, but to stand with them in total solidarity.

Video reflection by Harry Dudley, D.Min.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Lawrence of Brindisi
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter four, verses one, two, five, six, & seven;
Psalm Forty, verses eight(a) & nine(a);
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter four, verses one thru ten & thirteen thru twenty
(or, the Gospel according to Mark, chapter four, verses one thru nine).

Mass Readings—Nuptials of Echo Kilo Delta & Alpha Papa Papa
The Book of Sirach, chapter twenty-six, verses one thru four & thirteen thru sixteen;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-eight, verses one & two, three, & four & five;
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter thirteen, verse thirty-one thru chapter fourteen, verse eight(a);
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter ten, verses six thru nine.

Papal Quote o' Yesterday

"There is an urgent need for the emergence of a new generation of apostles anchored firmly in the word of Christ, capable of responding to the challenges of our times& prepared to spread the Gospel far & wide."
—Pope Benedict XVI (born 1927, reigned 2005-2013)

Little Flower Quote o' Yesterday

"I picture my soul as a patch of bare ground & I beg the Blessed Virgin to clear it from all rubbish (my imperfections) & then build there a vast pavilion fit for heaven & adorn it with her own jewels."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' Yesterday

"Christians must restore their spiritual & moral unity. It is not enough to say we are Christians. We must live as Christians. Genuine Christians derive the rule, style, & strength of their life from the Faith."
—Pope Blessed Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)