Saints + Scripture

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Januarius, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 305), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution; whose relics are subject to the periodic blood miracle: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Persecution, Wikipedia-link Feast, & Wikipedia-link Blood.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

While no contemporary sources on his life are preserved, later sources & legends claim that he died during the Great Persecution…. Januarius is the patron saint of Naples, where the faithful gather three times a year in Naples Cathedral [the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary] to witness the liquefaction of what is claimed to be a sample of his blood kept in a sealed glass ampoule.

'Tis also the festival of Our Lady of La Salette (apparition 1846): Madonna-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saints Felix & Constantia, Martyrs (died 68, of Nocera), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Nero: Saint-link Foxtrot, Saint-link Charlie, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Theodore of Canterbury, Bishop (circa 602-690, A.K.A. of Tarsus), who convened the Council of Hereford (672): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Council.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Wednesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter twelve, verse thirty-one thru chapter thirteen, verse thirteen;
Psalm Thirty-three, verses two & three, four& five, & twelve & twenty-two;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter seven, verses thirty-one thru thirty-five.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel the Pharisees compare the eating habits of John the Baptist, who fasted, and Jesus who dined with sinners. In the carefully stratified society of Jesus’ time, a righteous person would never associate with the unrighteous for fear of becoming unclean.

But here is Jesus, scandalizing everyone because he does indeed break down these barriers. How would you feel if you saw me socializing with prostitutes and drug dealers, eating and drinking with terrorists? Would it shock you, dismay you, disappoint you? But this is what Jesus did, precisely because he is the Incarnation of the God who aggressively seeks out the lost.

God looks for us, comes running after us, never lets go, never relents, never gives up. The more we run, the more he runs after; the more we hide, the more he looks; the more we resist, the more he persists. God loves sinners and associates with them.

Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Januarius
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter ten, verses thirty-two thru thirty-six;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-six, verse five;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twelve, verses twenty-four, twenty-five, & twenty-six.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Jesus came to tell us that He wants us all to be in paradise, & that Hell—of which one speaks little in our time—exists & is eternal for all who close their hearts to His love."
—Pope Benedict XVI (born 1927, reigned 2005-2013)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"It is such a folly to pass one's time fretting, instead of resting quietly on the Heart of Jesus."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Humankind has more than the right to peace. It has also the right that all should pledge themselves to get rid of the causes that foment conflicts within a nation & between nations."
—Pope Bl. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)