Saints + Scripture

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Apollinaris, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 79, of Ravenna), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Vespasian: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

[The] Roman Martyrology describes him as "a bishop who, according to tradition, while spreading among the nations the unsearchable riches of Christ, led his flock as a good shepherd & honored the Church of Classis near Ravenna by a glorious martyrdom."

'Tis also the festival of Saint Joseph Barsabbas, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 69; A.K.A. Justus, of Eleutheropolis), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Vespasian: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Margaret of Antioch, Virgin & Martyr (circa 289-304, A.K.A. Marina the Great Martyr), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution; one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Persecution, Helpers-link XIV, & Wikipedia-link XIV.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Luigi Novarese, Priest (1914-1984), co-founder of the Apostolate of the Suffering & the Silent Workers of the Cross, founder of the Marian Priest League & the Brothers & Sisters of the Sick: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Isaiah, chapter thirty-eight, verses one thru six, twenty-one, twenty-two, seven, & eight;
The Book of Isaiah, chapter thirty-eight, verses ten, eleven, twelve(a/b/c/d), & sixteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twelve, verses one thru eight.

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

Friends, again and again in the Gospels, Jesus is portrayed as violating the sacred command to rest on the seventh day. For example, he often cures on the Sabbath, much to the dismay of the protectors of Jewish law.

And then in today’s Gospel, after his disciples pick grain on the Sabbath, Jesus declares himself “Lord of the Sabbath.” It’s hard to express how breathtaking this claim would be for a first-century Jew to make. Yahweh alone could be assigned the title “Lord of the Sabbath,” so what is Jesus implying?

In short, he is claiming that he is above their rituals, even perhaps the defining practice of pious Jews, because he is the Lord. Thus the rules must be placed in subordination to the kingdom of God, the kingdom that the Lord Jesus is ushering in even here and now.

Video reflection by Father Pat O'Brien: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Apollinaris
The Book of Ezekiel, chapter thirty-four, verses eleven thru sixteen;
Psalm Twenty-three, verse one;
The Gospel according to John, chapter ten, verses eleven thru sixteen.

Saint Quote o' This Day

"I have no imagination. I cannot picture God the Father. All that I can see is Jesus."
—St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa, 1910-1997; feast day: 5 September)

Papal Quote o' This Day

"How do we picture Christ? What does Jesus seem to be like at first sight? Once again, His own words help us. He said, 'I am meek & humble of Heart.' This is how Jesus wishes to be seen."
—Pope Bl. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)

Little Flower Quote o' This Day

"On this earth where everything changes, one thing alone does never change—our Heavenly King's treatment of His friends."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)