'Tis the festival of Saints Juliana & Paul, Martyrs (died circa 270, of Ptolemais), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Aurelian: Martyr-link Juliett, Martyr-link Papa, & Wikipedia-link.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Eusebius, Pope (died circa 310), thirty-first (XXXI) Bishop of Rome, exiled in the reign of the Roman emperor Maxentius: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Joan of the Cross, Religious (1666-1736, A.K.A. Jeanne Delanoue), foundress of the Congregation of Saint Anne of Providence: Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link.
'Tis also the festival of Blessed Marie-Élisabeth Turgeon, Religious (1840-1881), foundress of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Rosary: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Ezekiel, chapter sixteen, verses one thru fifteen, sixty, & sixty-three;
or, the Book of Ezekiel, chapter sixteen, verses fifty-nine thru sixty-three;
The Book of Isaiah, chapter twelve, verses two & three, four(b/c/d), & five & six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter nineteen, verses three thru twelve.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus teaches about the sanctity and permanence of marriage. Now we begin to see why the love of a husband and wife is a sacrament of God’s love. The Father and the Son—while remaining distinct—give themselves utterly to each other, and this mutual giving is the Holy Spirit.Video reflection by Paula Trigo-Galan: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
So when two people come together in love and form one flesh, they mimic the love between the Father and the Son. And when their love gives rise to a child, this mimics sacramentally the spiration of the Holy Spirit. Father, mother, and children are evocative of the divine Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
And this is why Jesus speaks so forcefully about marriage, and why his Church, at its best, has echoed him up and down the centuries. It is because marriage is such a sacred sign that the Church has sought so assiduously to protect it.
I know that the Church gets a bad rap for surrounding marriage and sexuality with so many rules. I realize that libertarians through the ages have fought against the supposed uptight moralism of the Church. But human beings always surround precious things with laws, restrictions, and prohibitions.
Bible Study—Pauline Epistles
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter four (of four, verses one thru twenty-three).
Commentary: VI. Instructions for the Community: Live in Concord (Philippians, 4:1-3) & Joy & Peace (4:4-9), VII. Gratitude for the Philippians' Generosity (4:10-20), & VIII. Farewell (4:21-23).
Bible Study—Catholic Epistles
The First Letter of Peter, chapter one (of five, verses one thru twenty-five);
The First Letter of Peter, chapter two (verses one thru twenty-five);
The First Letter of Peter, chapter three (verses one thru twenty-two);
The First Letter of Peter, chapter four (verses one thru nineteen);
The First Letter of Peter, chapter five (of five, verses one thru fourteen).
Commentary: I. Address: Greeting (1 Peter, 1:1-2); II. The Gift & Call of God in Baptism: Blessing (1:3-12), Obedience (1:13-16), Reverence (1:17-21), Mutual Love (1:22-25), & God's House & People (2:1-10); III. The Christian in a Hostile World: Christian Examples (2:11-12), Christian Citizens (2:13-17), Christian Slaves (2:18-25), Christian Spouses (3:1-7), Christian Conduct (3:8-12), Christian Suffering (3:13-22), Christian Restraint (4:1-6), & Christian Charity (4:7-11); IV. Advice to the Persecuted: Trial of Persecution (4:12-19), Advice to Presbyters (5:1-4), & Advice to the Community (5:5-11); & V. Conclusion (5:12-14).
Bible Study—Wisdom Books
The Book of Psalms, psalm forty-five (verses one thru eighteen);
The Book of Psalms, psalm forty-six (verses one thru twelve);
The Book of Psalms, psalm forty-seven (verses one thru ten);
The Book of Psalms, psalm forty-eight (verses one thru fifteen);
The Book of Proverbs, chapter seventeen (verses one thru twenty-eight).
Commentary: Song for a Royal Wedding (Psalm 45); God, the Protector of Zion (Psalm 46); the Ruler of All the Nations (Psalm 47); & the Splendor of the Invincible City(Psalm 48); II. First Collection of the Proverbs of Solomon (cont'd; Proverbs, 17:1-28).
Proverb o' the Day (Proverbs, 17:27)
He who spares his words is truly wise,Papal Quote o' the Day
and he who is chary of speech is a man of intelligence.
"Extol the concept of the family, with consciousness of its being, its function, & its destiny, as a community of love, as the dispenser of God's creative power. Extol it as the sign & the outpouring of the charity with which Christ loved & continues to love us."Little Flower Quote o' the Day
—Pope Bl. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)
"How can my confidence have any limits?"Saint Quote o' the Day
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
"The Church… guards [this teaching & faith] with care, as dwelling in but a single house, & similarly believes as if having one soul & a single heart, & preaches, teaches, & hands on this faith with a unanimous voice, as if possessing only one mouth."
—St. Irenaeus of Lyon, Father of the Church (130-202, feast day: 28 June)
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