Saints + Scripture

'Tis the festival of Saint Onesiphorus, Martyr (died circa 60), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Nero: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Mansuetus of Toul, Bishop (died 375, the "Apostle of Lorraine;" also spelt Mansuy): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Chagnoald, Bishop (died 633, of Laon; also spelt Cagnou), who attended the First Council of Reims (circa 625): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Council.

Commentary: Brother of Ss. Faro of Meaux [28 October] & Burgundofara [3 April].

'Tis also the festival of Saint Magnus of Füssen, Priest & Abbot, O.S.B. (died circa 666, the "Apostle of the Allgäu;" also spelt Mangoald, Mang), founder of Saint Mang's Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Gondulphus of Metz, Bishop (died 823, A.K.A. Gondon): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter three, verses eighteen thru twenty-three;
Psalm Twenty-four, verses one(b/c) & two, three & four(a/b), & five & six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter five, verses one thru eleven.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel gives us the story of the miraculous draught of fishes. In many ways, the whole of the spiritual life can be read off of this piece.

Without being invited, Jesus simply gets into the fisherman’s boat. This is to insinuate himself in the most direct way into Simon’s life. And without further ado, he begins to give orders, first asking Simon to put out from the shore and then to go out into the deep. This represents the invasion of grace. The single most important decision that you will ever make is this: Will you cooperate with Jesus once he decides to get into your boat?

In many ways, everything else in your life is secondary, is commentary. When the Lord Jesus Christ gets into your boat, he will always lead you to the depths. Duc in altum, as St. John Paul II loved to quote. More dangerous? Yes. More exciting? Yes.

Now, mind you, the depths we’re talking about here are spiritual depths. The excitement we’re talking about is the true excitement that comes from spiritual transformation. The depths have nothing to do with what the world considers important or exciting.

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

Bible Study—Wisdom Books
The Book of Psalms, psalm sixty-nine (verses one thru thirty-seven);
The Book of Psalms, psalm seventy (verses one thru six);
The Book of Psalms, psalm seventy-one (verses one thru twenty-four);
The Book of Psalms, psalm seventy-two (verses one thru twenty).

Commentary: A Cry of Anguish in Great Distress (Psalm 69), Prayer for Divine Help (Psalm 70), Prayer in Time of Old Age (Psalm 71), & A Prayer for the King (Psalm 72).

Papal Quote o' This Day

"Pray, pray, pray; prayer is the key to the treasures of God. It is the weapon of combat & of victory in every battle for good over evil."
—Venerable Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)

Little Flower Quote o' This Day

"No harm can come to me since, in whatever happens, I see only the tender hand of Jesus."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' This Day

"Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile."
—St. Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997, feast day: 5 September)