Saints + Scripture

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest, C.M. (1581-1660), co-founder of the Daughters of Charity, formally the Company of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, & the Vincentians, formally the Congregation of the Mission: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link D.C. & Wikipedia-link C.M.

Commentary: Wayback Machine '17. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

French Roman Catholic priest who dedicated himself to serving the poor. He was renowned for his compassion, humility, & generosity. After working for some time in Paris among imprisoned galley slaves, he returned to be the superior of what is now known as the Congregation of the Mission, or the "Vincentians" (in France known as "Lazaristes"). These priests, with vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, & stability, were to devote themselves entirely to people in smaller towns & villages.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Baruc, Hermit (floruit sixth century; also spelt Barrog, Barry, etc.), namesake of Barry Island: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Island.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Elzéar of Sabran & Blessed Delphine of Glandèves, T.O.S.F. (1285-1323 & 1283-1360): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link Echo, Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link Delta.

Commentary: Wayback Machine '16. Husband & wife.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Ecclesiastes, chapter one, verses two thru eleven;
Psalm Ninety, verses three & four, five & six, twelve & thirteen, & fourteen & seventeen(b/c);
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter nine, verses seven, eight, & nine.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel we see Herod interested in and perplexed by Jesus. Political rulers don’t come across well in the New Testament. In Luke’s Christmas account, Caesar Augustus is compared very unfavorably to the Christ child. And in Matthew’s account that child is hunted down by the desperate Herod. Later, Herod’s son persecutes John the Baptist and Jesus himself. More to it, the Jewish authorities are seen in all of the Gospels as corrupt.

And Pontius Pilate is a typical Roman governor: efficient, concerned for order, brutal. Like the other rulers of the time, he perceives Jesus, quite correctly, as a threat. "So you are a king?" Pilate asks. Jesus says, "My kingdom does not belong to this world."

This does not mean that Jesus is unconcerned for the realities of politics, with the very "this-worldly" concerns of justice, peace, and right order. When he speaks of his kingdom not belonging to the "world," he shades the negative side of that term. The "world" is the realm of sin, selfishness, hatred, violence. What he is saying is that his way of ordering things is not typical of worldly powers like Pilate, Caesar, and Herod.

Video reflection by Father Roger Lopez, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Vincent de Paul
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter one, verses twenty-six thru thirty-one;
Psalm One Hundred Twelve, verse one;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter nine, verses thirty-five thru thirty-eight.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Christ taught us not only how to suffer but also to help those who suffer. And to encourage our generosity, He identified Himself with the person who suffers."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"Jesus will reward you a hundredfold for the sweet joys you have given up for Him."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Catholic Quote o' the Day

"If the only prayer you said in your life was 'I thank You,' that would be enough."
—Meister Eckhart (1260-1328)