The Popish Plot
Saintly Sunday: "International Buy a Priest a Beer Day"
'Tis the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wikipedia-link.
Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Book of Isaiah, chapter thirty-five, verses four thru seven(a);
Psalm One Hundred Forty-six, verses six & seven, eight & nine, & nine & ten;
The Letter of James, chapter two, verses one thru five;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter seven, verses thirty-one thru thirty-seven.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, our Gospel for today has to do with Jesus’ healing of a deaf man with a speech impediment. As always, we have to look at the surface and at the depth. Jesus is performing a physical miracle. But every one of his actions should be read symbolically, so as to uncover a deeper spiritual meaning.Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
So what does Jesus do? He "put his finger in the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue." Jesus establishes, as it were, an electrical current, running from God the Father, through him, to this man. He, almost literally, plugs him into the divine current, compelling him to hear the Word. He says "Ephphatha," be opened. When he does, his speech impediment is immediately overcome. Now he is able to speak the Word of God clearly.
So this deaf man stands for all of us who do not hear the word of God, who have grown oblivious to it. And what is the result of this deafness? A speech impediment. At the spiritual level, if you don’t hear the Word of God clearly, then your capacity to speak it is also severely compromised.
Video reflection by Father Claude Burns: Weekend Reflection with Father Pontifex.
Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D. (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Breaking the Bread.
Mass Journal: Week Thirty-seven
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
Catholicism is not a lifeless set of rules & regulations; it is a lifestyle. Catholicism is a dynamic way of life designed by God to help you explore your incredible potential.†
Otherwise, 9 September would be the festival of Saint Audomar, Bishop, O.S.B. (circa 595-670, A.K.A. Omer), who ordered the founding of the Abbey of Saint Bertin, around which arose the town of Saint-Omer: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey & Wikipedia-link Town.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Peter Claver, Priest, S.J. (circa 1580-1654): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.
'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam (1813-1855, A.K.A. Antoine-Frédéric Ozanam): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link S.S.V.P.
'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Jacques-Désiré Laval, Priest, C.S.Sp. (1803-1864, the "Apostle of Mauritius"): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.
Papal Quote o' the Day
"Love is characterized by a deep respect for all people, regardless of their race, belief, or whatever makes them different from ourselves. Love responds generously to the needs of the poor, & it is marked by compassion for those in sorrow."Little Flower Quote o' the Day
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)
"Jesus is my guiding force. He teaches me to do everything through love, to refuse Him nothing, & to be happy when He gives me the chance to prove my love for Him."Saint Quote o' the Day
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today, let us begin."
—St. Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997, feast day: 5 September)
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