Saints + Scripture

The Popish Plot
Make-It Monday: "Sugar Skulls"

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint John Paul II, Pope (1920-2005, the Great; A.K.A. Karol Józef Wojtyła), two hundred sixty-fourth (CCLXIV) Bishop of Rome: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Catholic Extension 2018 calendar:

He prepared the Church for the Third Millennium. He was the first non-Italian pope in centuries, who, as a young priest & bishop, stood up to the communist regime in Poland. He traveled all over the world to bring the good news of Jesus. He started World Youth Day as he saw in the youth the future of the Church. He miraculously escaped an assassination attempt, & good-naturedly lived his life-limiting illness until his death.

Wikipedia-link World Youth Day

Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

John Paul II is recognized as helping to end Communist rule in his native Poland & eventually all of Europe. John Paul II significantly improved the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, the Eastern Orthodox Church, & the Anglican Communion. He upheld the Church's teachings on such matters as artificial contraception & the ordination of women, but also supported the Church's Second Vatican Council & its reforms.

Wikipedia-link Council

'Tis also the festival of Saint Marcus of Jerusalem, Bishop & Martyr (died 156; also spelt Mark, A.K.A. Mahalia), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Mellon, Bishop (died 314; also spelt Mellonius, Mallóni, etc.): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Bertharius, Abbot & Martyr, O.S.B. (circa 810-883, of Monte Cassino), martyred by Saracens: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Monday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter two, verses one thru ten;
Psalm One Hundred, verses one(b) & two, three, four(a/b), & four(c) & five;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twelve, verses thirteen thru twenty-one

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

Friends, today in our Gospel Jesus tells of a rich man who has been so successful that he doesn’t have space enough to store his harvest. So he tears down his barns and builds bigger ones. But that very night, he dies—and all of it comes to naught. "Thus it will be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God."

No matter how good, how beautiful a state of affairs is here below, it is destined to pass into non-being. That sunset that I enjoyed last night—that radiantly beautiful display—is now forever gone. It lasted only a while. That beautiful person—attractive, young, full of life, creative, joyful—will eventually age, get sick, break down, and die.

An image that always comes to mind when I think of these things is the gorgeous firework that bursts open like a giant flower and then, in the twinkling of an eye, is gone forever. Everything is haunted by non-being. Everything, finally, is a bubble.

But this is not meant to depress us; it is meant to redirect our attention precisely to the things that are "above," to the eternity of God.

Video reflection by Msgr. James Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. John Paul II
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-two, verses seven thru ten;
Psalm Ninety-six, verse three;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty-one, verses fifteen, sixteen, & seventeen.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"As far as the Christian is concerned, ethical behavior in public life must be restored. However, this must go hand in hand with an awareness of one's identity & of the message of salvation of which one is the humble but diligent witness."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"I do not concern myself about what God might be asking of others. Whatever God asks of me always makes me happy."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Young people, have you ever thought of committing your existence totally to Christ? Do you think there can be anything greater than to bring Jesus to people & people to Jesus?"
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)