Saints + Scripture

The Popish Plot
Taco Tuesday: "Día de Muertos"

'Tis the festival of Saint Marcellus the Centurion, Martyr (died circa 298), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Asterius of Amasea, Bishop (circa 350-410): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Gerard of Potenza, Bishop (died 1119, A.K.A. Gerard La Porta): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Benvenuta Bojani, Virgin, T.O.S.D. (1254-1292, of Cividale): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blesseds John Bodey & John Slade, Martyrs (died 1583), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I: Martyr-link Juliett Bravo, Martyr-link Juliett Sierra, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter five, verses twenty-one thru thirty-three;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-eight, verses one & two, three, & four & five;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter thirteen, verses eighteen thru twenty-one.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel compares the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed. It seems to be a law of the spiritual life that God wants good things to start small and grow over time.

We’re tempted to say, "You’re God. Just get on with it. Do it." But why would God work the way he does? We might attempt a few explanations. It is a commonplace of the Bible that God rejoices in our cooperation. He wants us to involve ourselves—through freedom, intelligence, creativity—in what he is doing. And so he plants seeds, and he wants us to cultivate them.

"Francis, rebuild my Church." Heck, God could have rebuilt his Church, but he wanted St. Francis to get involved. God could have renewed the spiritual life of Christianity through a great infusion of grace, but he inspired St. Anthony to leave everything behind and go live alone in the desert.

There’s something else. When things start small, they can fly under the radar for a time, while they gain strength and heft and seriousness. And those involved can be tested and tried.

Video reflection by Msgr. Robert E. Zapfel, S.T.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Papal Quote o' This Day

"God is so great that He can become small. God is so powerful that He can make Himself vulnerable & come to us as a defenseless child, so that we can love Him."
—Pope Benedict XVI (-, feast day:)

Little Flower Quote o' This Day

"The smallest actions done for His love are those which charm His Heart."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' This Day

"A new era is unfolding of faithfulness to the Holy Spirit, of love of the crucified Christ, of dedication to one's brothers & sisters, of the building up of a more human & just society. We do not want to lag behind. Forward, in the Name of the Lord."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)