Saints + Scripture — Friday, 7 September

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

The Popish Plot
Fermentation Friday: "Vodka"

Friday, 7 September was the festival of Saint Anastasius the Fuller, Martyr (died circa 304), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Persecution.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Cloud, Priest & Abbot (circa 522-560, also spelt Clodoald), founder of the abbey around which arose the town of Saint-Cloud: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Town.

Commentary: Grandson of St. Clotilde [3 June].

'Twas also the festival of Saint Tilbeorht of Hexham, Bishop (died 789, also spelt Tilberht, Tilbert; A.K.A. Gilbert): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Giovanni of Lodi, Bishop & Abbot, O.S.B. Cam. (1025-1106, Anglicized as John of Lodi): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Melchior Grodziecki, S.J.; Marko Križevčanin; & István Pongrácz, S.J., Priests & Martyrs (died 1619, A.K.A. Melichar Grodecký, A.K.A. Marek Križin, A.K.A. Štefan Pongrác), martyred by the Calvinist prince György Rákóczi: Martyr-link Mike Golf & Wikipedia-link Mike Golf, Martyr-link Mike Kilo & Wikipedia-link Mike Kilo, & Martyr-link India Papa & Wikipedia-link India Papa.

'Twas also the festival of Blesseds Ralph Corbie, S.J., & John Duckett, Priests & Martyrs (died 1644, also spelt Corby; A.K.A. Corbington, Corrington, Carlington), martyred by Protestant "Roundheads" (Parliamentarians); Bl. John one of the Martyrs of Douai: Martyr-link Romeo Charlie & Wikipedia-link Romeo Charlie, Martyr-link Juliett Delta & Wikipedia-link Juliett Delta; Martyrs-link Douai & Wikipedia-link Douai.

Commentary: Grandnephew of the martyr Bl. James Duckett [19 April].

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter four, verses one thru five;
Psalm Thirty-seven, verses three & four, five & six, twenty-seven & twenty-eight, & thirty-nine & forty;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter five, verses thirty-three thru thirty-nine.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel people ask Jesus why he doesn’t encourage fasting among his followers. Jesus’ answer is wonderful: “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?” (That’s a typically Jewish style, by the way, answering a question with another question.)

This great image of the wedding feast comes up frequently in the New Testament, most obviously in the wedding feast at Cana narrative. And it is echoed in the Tradition. Jesus is the wedding of heaven and earth, the marriage of divinity and humanity; he is the bridegroom and the Church is the bride. In him, the most intimate union is achieved between God and the world.

Could you imagine people fasting at a wedding banquet? Could you imagine going into an elegant room with your fellow guests and being served bread and water? It would be ridiculous! The mark of the Christian dispensation is joy. Exuberance. Delight. God and the world have come together. What could be better news?

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

Bible Study—Wisdom Books
The Book of Psalms, psalm seventy-three (verses one thru twenty-eight).

Commentary: Book III: Plea for Relief from Oppressors (Psalm 73).

I am now conducting my Bible study out of a new Bible, the brand new Great Adventure Bible from Ascension; the translation is the Revised Standard Version: Second Catholic Edition. Prior to this, I've been using a Saint Joseph Edition from the Catholic Book Publishing Company; the translation is the New American Bible (the N.A.B., not the Revised Edition, the N.A.B.R.E.). In my old Bible, the title of Psalm 73 is "The Trial of the Just."

Papal Quote o' That Day

"There is one truth that we think is self-evident for all to see. When the sacred rights of God & religion are ignored or infringed upon, the foundations of human society will sooner or later crumble & give way."
—Pope St. John XXIII (1881-1963, feast day: 11 October)

Little Flower Quote o' That Day

"Jesus does not ask for great achievements: only surrender & gratitude."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' That Day

"The glory of God is man fully alive; moreover, man's life is the vision of God."
—St. Irenaeus of Lyons, Father of the Church (130-202, feast day: 28 June)