The Rebel Black Dot Work Sucks Song o' the Day

Semisonic, "This Will Be My Year" from Feeling Strangely Fine (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: A pretty grim R.B.D.S.O.T.D. on what has been a pretty good day.

"Then you tell yourself
What you want to hear,
'Cause you have to believe
This will be my year,
This will be my year,
This will be my year,
This will be my year."

Saints + Scripture — Tuesday, 13 November

The Longest Road Back, Part XIX of XX | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

Tuesday, 13 November was the Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin, M.S.C. (1850-1917, "Mother Cabrini"), foundress of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link; Order-link M.S.C. & Wikipedia-link M.S.C.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

She was [an] Italian-American religious sister, who founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a Catholic religious institute that was a major support to the Italian immigrants to the United States. She was the first naturalized citizen of the United States to be canonized.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Brice of Tours, Bishop (circa 379-444): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Nicholas the Great, Pope (circa 800-867, A.K.A. Nicholas I), one hundredth fifth (CV) Bishop of Rome: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Didacus of Alcalá, Religious, O.F.M. (circa 1400-1463, A.K.A. Diego de San Nicolás) namesake of the Mission San Diego de Alcalá around which grew the city of San Diego: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Mission & Wikipedia-link City.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Carl Lampert, Priest & Martyr (1894-1944), martyred in the reign of the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to Titus, chapter two, verses one thru eight & eleven thru fourteen;
Psalm Thirty-seven, verses three & four, eighteen & twenty-three, & twenty-seven & twenty-nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter seventeen, verses seven thru ten.

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

Friends, as is often the case with Jesus’ more difficult parables, we have to pay careful attention to today’s Gospel story. It’s all about justice, which is rendering to each what is due—a good and noble thing. When justice is your primary consideration, you are basically in charge, morally speaking. But what Jesus is doing today in this striking and annoying story is to shake us out of that understanding of our relationship to God.

The point is this: God owes us precisely nothing. Everything we have, including our very existence, is a sheer gift. We are in absolutely no position ever to demand anything of God. To move into this space is to move out of the stance of faith. And so no matter what God asks, the proper response is: "I am an unprofitable servant; I have done what I was obliged to do."

Video reflection by Father Greg Dobson: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
The Book of Hosea, chapter two, verses sixteen(b/c), seventeen(c/d), twenty-one, & twenty-two;
Psalm Forty-five, verse eleven;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses thirty-eight thru forty-two.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Much to be envied are those who can give their lives for something greater than themselves in loving service to others. This, more than words or deeds alone, is what draws people to Christ."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"He will Himself come down, &, taking you in His arms, will carry you to His Kingdom never again to leave Him."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Catholic Quote o' the Day

"The Church is an old woman with many wrinkles & furrows. But she is my mother. And no one strikes my mother."
—Karl Rahner (1904-1984)

Saints + Scripture: Feast of Saint Andrew

'Tis the Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle (died circa 62), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Nero: Apostle-link ūnus, Apostle-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Apostles & Wikipedia-link Saint Andrew's Day.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Andrew the Apostle was a Christian Apostle & the older brother of Saint Peter [29 June, 22 February]. In the Gospel of Matthew, it is said Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee & saw Andrew & Peter fishing. It is then He asked the two to become disciples & "fishers of men." It was he who told Jesus about the boy with the loaves & fishes, according to [the Gospel of] John, 6:8.

Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Feast of St. Andrew
The Letter to the Romans, chapter ten, verses nine thru eighteen;
Psalm Nineteen, verses eight, nine, ten, & eleven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter four, verses eighteen thru twenty-two.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel reports the Lord’s calling of his first disciples. What is it about this scene that is so peaceful and right? Somehow it gets at the very heart of Jesus’ life and work, revealing what he is about. He comes into the world as the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, a representative from the community which is God—and thus his basic purpose is to draw the world into community around him.

“He said to them, ‘Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” There is so much packed into that simple line. Notice the way that God acts. He is direct, in your face; he does the choosing. Jesus is not offering a doctrine, a theology, or a set of beliefs. He is offering himself: become my disciple, apprentice to me.

“And I will make you fishers of men.” This is one of the best one-liners in Scripture. God is the Creator, the one who makes us from nothing. And what he makes us is always a reflection of himself: a fisher of men.

Video reflection by Anastacio Hinojosa, OSB. Obl., M.A.: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed John of Vercelli, Priest, O.P. (circa 1205-1283, A.K.A. Giovanni Garbella), sixth (VI) Master of the Order of Preachers; founder of the Society of the Holy Name, formally the Confraternity of the Most Holy Name of God & Jesus: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Masters & Wikipedia-link Society.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Cuthbert Mayne, Priest & Martyr (circa 1543-1577), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link XL & Wikipedia-link XL.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Alexander Crow, Priest & Martyr (circa 1550-1586), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link LXXXV & Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

Papal Quote o' This Day

"Just as the Apostles gathered in the Upper Room, so we today share the Bread of everlasting life, as we join our praise to that of the faithful of the whole world. We pause in amazement in silent adoration, before the great Mystery of our Faith."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' This Day

"It is possible to remain little even in the most responsible position."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Catholic Quote o' This Day

"We must be saved together. We must come to God together. Together, we must present ourselves before Him.… What would God say to us if some of us were to return without the others?"
—Charles Péguy (1873-1914)

Archbishop Sheen Quote o' This Day

"I will tell you how I failed once. I've failed many times, but this instance was notable. I was visiting lepers in Biluba, Africa. I had with me 500 silver crucifixes about two inches high. I intended to give each leper a silver crucifix. The first one who came to me had his left arm eaten away by the disease. He held up the stump; there was a rosary around it. He put out his right hand. It was the most foul, fetid, noisome mass of corruption that I ever saw. I held the crucifix above it and dropped it. And it was swallowed up in that volcano of leprosy. And all of a sudden there were 501 lepers in that camp and I was the 501st. For I had taken that symbol of God's identification with man and refused to identify myself with someone who was a thousand times better on the inside than I. Then it came over me the awful thing that I had done. I dug my fingers into his hand and pulled out the crucifix and then pressed it to his hand and so on for all the other 500 lepers. From that time on I learned to love them by touch, by the incarnational principle."
—Venerable Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979)

Saints + Scripture — Monday, 12 November

The Longest Road Back, Part XVIII of XX | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

The Popish Plot
Why We're Catholic Book Club: "The Church & the Sacraments," Part 3

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop & Martyr, O.S.B.M. (circa 1580-1623, of Polotsk; A.K.A. Ioann Kuntsevych), martyred by Orthodox Christians: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

He was a Polish-Lithuanian monk & archbishop of the Ruthenian Catholic Church, who on 12 November 1623 was killed by a mob in Vitebsk, in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (now in Belarus). He is "the best-known victim" of anti-Catholic violence related to implementing the Union of Brest.

Wikipedia-link Union

'Tis also the festival of Saint Machar of Aberdeen, Bishop (died circa 540, the "Apostle to the Picts"): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Cuimín Fada, Abbot (died 662, of Kilcummin; also spelt Cumméne, Cummian), founder of a monastery around which grew the village of Kilcummin: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Kilcummin.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Cunibert, Bishop (circa 600-663, of Cologne, of Trier; also spelt Cunipert, A.K.A. Honoberht): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Ymar of Reculver, Religious & Martyr, O.S.B. (died circa 830), martyred by Danish Vikings: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Monday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to Titus, chapter one, verses one thru nine;
Psalm Twenty-four, verses one(b) & two, three & four(a/b), & five & six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter seventeen, verses one thru six.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel we hear Jesus speak about faith. Faith is powerful, for it is a link to the reality of God, the power that made and sustains the cosmos. Sometimes, the power of faith is manifested in spectacular and immediately obvious ways. For example, there is a long tradition of faith healing, stretching back to Jesus himself and through many of the saints. There is also the power of prayer. When some people ask in a spirit of trust, really believing that what they are asking for will happen, it happens.

But more often than not, the power of faith manifests itself in the courage to face trauma, sickness, even the terror of death. It is the confidence that we are being guided and cared for, even when that guidance and care are not immediately apparent.

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

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Josaphat
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter four, verses one thru seven, eleven, twelve, & thirteen;
Psalm Forty, verse five(a);
The Gospel according to John, chapter seventeen, verses twenty thru twenty-six.

Papal Quote o' That Day

"Only by becoming more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ can we hope to travel the path of unity under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Only by accepting Jesus as Lord of our lives can we empty ourselves of negative thinking about each other."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' That Day

"May I not say in my own name & in the name of unbelieving people: 'O God, be merciful to us sinners'?"
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' That Day

"The working of the Holy Spirit deepens our interior life. Connected with this is a search for silence, an aversion to inopportune speech."
—Heinrich Spaemann (1903-2001)

The Rebel Black Dot Work Sucks Song o' the Day

"Weird Al" Yankovic, "First World Problems" from Mandatory Fun (The Last Angry Recluse)

Commentary:

"Some idiot just called me up on the phone,
What?! Don't they know how to text? O.M.G!

"I got—
First World, First World problems!
(First World problems!)
First World, First World problems!
(First World problems!)
First World, First World problems!…"

My specific First World problem is not that someone rang my mobile, but that I was deluged with a series of text messages, to which I replied with a request for a pause in communication so I could catch up; my interlocutor sympathized & wrote that my position was very understandable. She then resumed the deluge unabated.

Saints + Scripture

The Popish Plot
Theology Thursday: "The Book of Mormon (Not the Musical), Part 2"

'Tis the festival of Our Lady of Beauraing (apparitions 29 November 1932-3 January 1933, A.K.A. the Virgin of the Golden Heart): Madonna-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Brendan of Birr, Abbot (died circa 572, A.K.A. the Elder), one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Ireland.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Edward Burden, Priest & Martyr (circa 1540-1588), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link LXXXV & Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

'Tis also the festival of Blesseds Denis of the Nativity, Priest, & Redemptorus of the Cross, Religious; Martyrs, O.C.D. (died 1638, A.K.A. Pierre Berthelot & Tomás Rodrigues da Cunha), martyred in the reign of the Acehnese sultan Iskandar Thani at the instigation of the Protestant Dutch East India Company: Martyr-link Delta November & Wikipedia-link Delta November, Martyr-link Romeo Charlie & Wikipedia-link Romeo Charlie.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Francesco Antonio Fasani, Priest, O.F.M. Conv. (1681-1742): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Thursday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Revelation, chapter eighteen, verses one, two, twenty-one, twenty-two, & twenty-three, & chapter nineteen, verses one, two, three, & nine(a);
Psalm One Hundred, verses one(b) & two, three, four, & five;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty-one, verses twenty thru twenty-eight.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus uses apocalyptic language from the prophet Daniel: “On earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”

I realize how strange and distant all of this can sound, but there is a spiritual point of enormous significance behind all of it: we should not trust in any of the powers of the world to give us security and peace. Such peace will come only with the arrival of God’s kingdom.

One of the most enduring convictions of human beings—you can see it up and down the centuries and across the cultures—is that we can make things right if only we find the correct political, economic, or cultural configuration. But you should never put your ultimate faith in any of the kingdoms, social arrangements, or political programs of the world. They are all, in one way or another, attractive, and they are all destined to fall. They all lead to tribulations.

What you should look to is the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven. Now, is this meant in an ultimate sense? Yes, the second coming signals the end of the world as we know it. But the Son of Man is coming on the clouds of heaven even now in the life of the Church. Think of the clouds of incense that accompany the manifestations of Christ in the high liturgy. Even now the true king, the successor of David, is in our midst.

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

Papal Quote o' the Day

"All of us who have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ know that our death will not be totally different from the rest of our earthly journey. It too will be God's love coming upon us, but God's love in its transforming fullness."
—Pope John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"All my strength lies in prayer & sacrifice. They are my invincible weapons, & I know, by experience, that they can soften the heart much better than words."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"I love You, Lord, & the only grace I ask is to love You eternally… My God, if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love You, I want my heart to repeat it to You as often as I draw breath."
—St. John Mary Vianney (1786-1859, feast day: 4 August)

Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day

"The love called agape is sacrificial love. This is the love that we preach and we try to inculcate, not eros or just philia alone, because the philia love will come out of this divine love.

Here is an example of how it was practiced. The wife of a friend of mine was one night called downstairs. Her husband was talking to a Nazi. They were Jews who became Christians, Lutherans. And the husband said to the Nazi, 'How many Jews have you killed in the last six weeks?'

'About 25,000,' he replied.

'In what places?' He mentioned the name of cities. 'In this particular village, how many Jews did you kill?'

'I killed all the Jews,' he replied.

'Do you feel any remorse?’

'No.'

'Do you ever think of asking God for pardon?'

'There isn't any such thing in all the world as forgiveness. There isn't any such thing as God.'

My friend said: 'Let us see. My wife is asleep upstairs. She has not heard this conversation. I shall call her down.' She dressed and came down and he said: 'Sabina, this is the man who killed your father and your mother and your three brothers and two sisters.'

She looked at him and then threw her arms around his neck and kissed him and said: 'God forgives you. I forgive you.' And the Nazi threw himself on his knees before the husband and asked him to pray to God for forgiveness. This was the divine forgiving love."
—Venerable Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979)

Saints + Scripture — Sunday, 11 November

The Longest Road Back, Part XVII of XX | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

Sunday, 11 November was the Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of That Week
Mass Readings—Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
The First Book of Kings, chapter seventeen, verses ten thru sixteen;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-six, verses seven, eight & nine, & nine & ten;
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter nine, verses twenty-four thru twenty-eight;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter twelve, verses thirty-eight thru forty-four
(or, the Gospel according to Mark, chapter twelve, verses forty-one thru forty-four).

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

Friends, today we read about the poor widow who gave her all to the Lord. Her simple generosity, her offering of her whole livelihood, was a response to God’s unconditional love. God’s love comes first. When we get this wrong, everything else in the spiritual life is thrown off-kilter. Listen to how St. John expresses this love of predilection: "In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as the expiation of our sins."

If we play the game of loving God in order to get God to love us, then we are lost. If we think that we can earn salvation or we can work our way into God’s heart, then we are lost. Here’s a way to think about it: we wouldn’t exist were it not for God’s love. God needs nothing; therefore, whatever exists outside of God exists because God desires some good for it. Love precedes, therefore, our intelligence, our courage, our wills, our designs and purposes, indeed, our very existence.

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

Video reflection by Father Claude Burns (uCatholic): Weekend Reflection with Father Pontifex.

Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D. (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Breaking the Bread.

Mass Journal: Week Forty-six
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:

Prayer is central to the Christian experience. A Christian life is not sustainable without it, because growth in the Christian life is simply not possible without prayer. Growing in character & virtue, learning to hear the voice of God in our lives & walking where He calls us—all require the discipline of prayer. And it is not enough simply to pray when we feel like it. Prayer requires a daily commitment. Get to know the Shepherd. Stop trying to put together a master plan for your life & for your happiness. Instead, seek out the Master's plan for your life & for your happiness. Allow Him to lead you, to guide you, to be your mentor. He will lead you to green pastures. He will restore your soul. And your cup will overflow.

†

Otherwise, Sunday, 11 November would have been the festival of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop (circa 316-397), founder of the Abbey of Ligugé & the Abbey of Marmoutier: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Lima & Wikipedia-link Mike.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also have been the festival of Saint Turibius of Liébana, Bishop & Abbot, O.S.B. (floruit 533, A.K.A. of Palencia, the Monk), founder of the Monastery of Liébana: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Monastery.

'Twould also have been the festival of Blessed Maria Vincenza, Religious, I.S.M. (1802-1855, A.K.A. Luigia Poloni), co-foundress of the Sisters of Mercy of Verona: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link I.S.M.

'Twould also have been the festival of Blessed Alicja Maria Jadwiga Kotowska, Religious & Martyr, C.R. (1899-1939), martyred in the reign of the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, in the Massacres in Piaśnica; one of the One Hundred Eight Blessed Polish Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Piaśnica, Martyrs-link CVIII, & Wikipedia-link CVIII.

'Twould also have been the festival of Blesseds Eugene Bossilkov, Bishop (C.P.); Josaphat Chichkov, Pavel Djidjov, & Kamen Vitchev, Priests (A.A.); Martyrs (died 1952), martyred in the reign of the Communist dictator Vâlko Chervenkov: Martyr-link Echo Bravo & Wikipedia-link Echo Bravo, Martyr-link Juliett Charlie & Wikipedia-link Juliett Charlie, Martyr-link Papa Delta & Wikipedia-link Papa Delta, & Martyr-link Kilo Victor & Wikipedia-link Kilo Victor,.

Papal Quote o' That Day

"Our understanding is limited: thus the Spirit's mission is to introduce the Church, in an ever new way from generation to generation, into the greatness of Christ's mystery."
—Pope Benedict XVI (born 1927, reigned 2005-2013)

Little Flower Quote o' That Day

"Yes, the Lord will work wonders for me, which will infinitely surpass my immeasurable desires."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' That Day

"Where others lose themselves, those who trust in Christ can do everything. In harmony with order & the justification & magnificence of God, they rise above the disorders & storms of the world with equal courage & order."
—Pope St. Pius X (1835-1914, feast day:21 August)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day

The Atomic Fireballs, "Starve a Fever" from Torch This Place (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"Starve a fever, feed a cold,
Can't forget the ills that I've been sold,
Can't forget the blues, those awful ways,
Slap me once, slap me twice, and send me on my ways.

"Starve a fever, cool a chill,
Oh, God, I feel so ill!
Been there once, called me too soon,
Jump back, step back, and spit at the Moon…"

Saints + Scripture — Saturday, 10 November

The Longest Road Back, Part XVI of XX | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

The Popish Plot
Vlog Post: "Sneaking into a Seminary"

Saturday, 10 November was the Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, Pope & Doctor of the Church (circa 400-461, A.K.A. Leo I), forty-fifth (XLV) Bishop of Rome: Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, Doctor-link trēs, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff, Doctors-link, & Wikipedia-link Doctors.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

He was a Roman aristocrat, & was the first pope to have been called "the Great." He is perhaps best known for having met Attila the Hun in 452 & persuading him to turn back from his invasion of Italy. He is also a Doctor of the Church, most remembered theologically for issuing the Tome of Leo, a document which was a major foundation to the debates of the Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon [451].

Wikipedia-link Tome, Wikipedia-link Council, & Wikipedia-link Debates.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Grellan, Bishop (floruit fifth century): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Baudolino, Hermit (circa 700-740): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Andrea Avellino, Priest, C.R. (1521-1608; A.K.A. Lancelotto Avellino, Lorenzo Avellino; Anglicized as Andrew): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Odette Prévost, Religious & Martyr (1932-1995), martyred by Salafi jihadist Muslims of the Armed Islamic Group, one of the nineteen Martyrs of Algeria: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link (List); Wikipedia-link Algeria.

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Saturday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter four, verses ten thru nineteen;
Psalm One Hundred Twelve, verses one(b) & two, five & six, & eight(a) & nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter sixteen, verses nine thru fifteen.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel focuses on prudence. In the Middle Ages, prudence was called "the queen of the virtues" because it was the virtue that enabled one to do the right thing in a particular situation. Prudence is a feel for the moral situation, something like the feel a quarterback has for the playing field, or a politician for the voters in his district.

Courage, justice, and temperance are wonderful virtues, but without prudence they are blind and, finally, useless. For a person can be as courageous as possible, but if he doesn’t know when, where, and how to play out his courage, that virtue is useless.

Video reflection by Bishop Earl Boyea: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Most Reverent Earl Boyea is the fifth Bishop of Lansing, my own bishop. The LORD has been extravagantly generous is giving the Diocese of Lansing such a shepherd for such a time as this.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Leo the Great
The Book of Sirach, chapter thirty-nine, verses six thru ten;
Psalm Thirty-seven, verse thirty(a);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter sixteen, verses thirteen thru nineteen.

Papal Quote o' That Day

"The truth that Jesus has revealed remains throughout eternity, taught & defended by the Church, who has been appointed Mother & Teacher of Truth. We must not let ourselves be disconcerted by events; we must always have a supernatural view of things & events."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' That Day

"Jesus, I want to tell all little souls of the wonder of Your love."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' That Day

"Peace is the first thing the angels sang… peace is the dwelling place of eternity."
—Pope St. Leo I the Great, Doctor of the Church (400-461, feast day: 10 November)

Saints + Scripture

'Tis the festival of Our Lady of Kibeho (apparitions 28 November 1981-28 November 1989): Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Sosthenes of Colophon, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 68, A.K.A. of Corinth), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Nero: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint James of the Marches, Priest, O.F.M. (circa 1391-1476, A.K.A. Dominic Gangala), who attended the Council of Florence (1439-1445): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Council.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed James Thompson, Priest & Martyr (died 1582, A.K.A. James Hudson), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Martyrs of Douai: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link Douai & Wikipedia-link Douai.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Catherine Labouré, Virgin, D.C. (1806-1876, A.K.A. Zoë Labouré), to whom Our Lady revealed the Medal of Our Lady of Graces, A.K.A. the Miraculous Medal: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Medal.

Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Revelation, chapter fifteen, verses one thru four;
Psalm Ninety-eight, verses one, two & three(a/b), seven & eight, & nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty-one, verses twelve thru nineteen.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel passage describes the persecution Christians face before the end of the world. When will the Church stop being persecuted? When the Lord returns, but not before.

From the earliest days until the present, the community of Jesus Christ has been the focus of the world’s violence. The old principle of "killing the messenger" applies here. The Church will announce, until the end of time, that the old world is passing away, that a new world of love, nonviolence, and life is emerging. This announcement always infuriates the world of sin, which explains why the twentieth century was the bloodiest on record—and the one with the most martyrs.

What do we do in the meantime? We maintain a detachment from the world that is passing away, our eyes fixed on the world that will never end. And we speak confidently, boldly, provocatively the message of the Gospel, the dying and rising of the Lord.

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

Papal Quote o' This Day

"In Jesus Christ, God Himself was made man & allowed us, so to speak, to cast a glance at the intimacy of God Himself. And there we see something totally unexpected.… The mysterious God is not infinite loneliness, He is an event of love.… The Son Who speaks to the Father exists, & they are both One in the Spirit, Who constitutes, so to speak, the atmosphere of giving & loving which makes them one God."
—Pope Benedict XVI (born 1927, reigned 2005-2013)

Little Flower Quote o' This Day

"I will always bow down beneath the outpouring of divine grace, knowing that it is the gift of God."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' This Day

"Such is the charity of the Christians convinced that their possessions have a social function. For they believe that to use what is superfluous to their needs in favor of one who does not have the necessities is not an optional act of generosity but a duty."
—Pope St. John XXIII (1881-1963, feast day: 11 October)

Archbishop Sheen Quote o' This Day

"A Christian mystic from India, Sadhu Sundar Singh, several years ago wanted to go into Tibet to evangelize. He hired a Tibetan guide to take him over the Himalayas. They had gone but a short distance when they became tired and sat on the snow and ice. Then Singh said, 'I think I hear someone groaning in the abyss.' The Tibetan said: 'Well, what difference does it make? We're almost dead ourselves.' Singh went down, found a man, and dragged him to the base of the Himalayas to a little village. Refreshed by his act of charity, he came back to find the Tibetan guide frozen to death on the ice."
—Venerable Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979)

Operation ÖSTERREICH

Weekly Wednesday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 329.8 lbs
This weigh-in: 329.8 lbs.
Difference: 0.0 lbs.

Not bad, all things considered. "All things" consisting of the Thanksgiving holiday & a cold that has seen me drinking ginger ale for the palliative effect on my sore, cough-ravaged throat.

Bonus! Lied von ÖSTERREICH
Susan Egan, "The Turkey and the Stuffing" from Winter Tracks (The Last Angry Pilgrim)

Saints + Scripture — Saturday, 3 November

The Longest Road Back, Part XV of XX | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

Saturday, 3 November was the Optional Memorial of Saint Martin de Porres, Religious, O.P. (1579-1639): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Some people do good no matter what happens to them. Martin de Porres did. His mother was an African or Indian from Panama, a former slave. His father was a Spanish soldier & nobleman. Some people made fun of Martin because he came from two different races. Martin wanted to join the Dominicans in their work. He was not allowed to work with them as a servant who swept floors & answered the door (at the time, the law in Peru did not allow persons of other races of mixed races to enter religious life).

'Twas the festival of Saint Gwenhael, Abbot (died circa 590, also spelt Guénaël), abbot of the Abbey of Landévennec: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey.

'Twas the festival of Saint Hubertus, Bishop, O.S.B. (circa 656-727, of Liège, the "Apostle of the Ardennes;" also spelt Hubert), namesake of the traditional cure Saint Hubert's Key: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Key.

Commentary: Father of the bishop St. Floribert of Liège [27 April].

'Twas the festival of Saint Malachy, Bishop (1094-1148, of Armagh; in Irish: Máel Máedóc Ua Morgair, Anglicized as Malachy O'More), abbot of Bangor Abbey, definitely not the author of the Prophecy of the Popes: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Abbey-link, Wikipedia-link Abbey, & Wikipedia-link Prophecy.

Commentary: Brother of the bishop St. Christian of Clogher [12 June].

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter one, verses eighteen(b) thru twenty-six;
Psalm Forty-two, verses two, three, & five(c/d/e/f);
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter fourteen, verses one & seven thru eleven.

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

Friends, our Gospel today is the famous passage from Luke’s Gospel dealing with honor at a banquet. Jesus has been invited to the home of a prominent person, one of the "leading Pharisees," and he notices how people jockey carefully for position, status, prominence.

Who will notice me? Who can I impress? And Jesus puts his finger on the most desperate scenario for an egotist. Trying as hard as he can to be noticed, he gets noticed but for all the wrong reasons! His egotistic games backfire dreadfully, as everyone sees him reduced to embarrassment. So what’s the solution? Stop playing the game. Take the lowest place on purpose. Opt out.

Another strategy is suggested at the end of the parable. It’s also a strategy of noncooperation with evil. I’ll have a dinner for people, but only so that they can pay me back with another dinner. So opt out! Don’t play. Invite people to a party who have no capacity whatsoever to invite you in return. "Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you."

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

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Martin de Porres
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter four, verses four thru nine;
"In You, Lord, I have found my peace;"
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-seven, verses thirty-four thru forty.

Papal Quote o' That Day

"Brother Martin had three loves: Christ crucified, Our Lady of the Rosary, & Saint Dominic. He also had three passions: charity, especially toward the poor & the sick; a very vigorous penance that he regarded as 'the price of love;' & nourishing those virtues, humility."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)

Little Flower Quote o' That Day

"Your love has gone before since I was a child. It has grown with my growth."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Mere Christian Quote o' That Day

"Anyone who has heard the Easter proclamation can no longer go around with a tragic expression on his face & lead the humorless existence of a man who has no hope."
—Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805)

Saints + Scripture — Saturday, 27 October

The Longest Road Back, Part XIV of XX | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

Saturday, 27 October was the festival of Saint Abraham the Poor, Hermit (died 372; A.K.A. the Child, the Simple): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Frumentius of Ethiopia, Bishop (died circa 383, the "Apostle of Ethiopia;" A.K.A. Aba Salama), first Abun of Ethiopian Orthodoxy: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abun.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Odran of Iona, Bishop & Abbot (died circa 563; A.K.A. of Waterford; also spelt Oran, Otteran, etc.), monk at Iona Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Abbey-link & Wikipedia-link Abbey.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Abbán of Magh-Armuidhe (circa 570-620; A.K.A. Abbán moccu Corbmaic, Eibbán, Moabba): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Nephew of St. Ibar of Meath [23 April].

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Bartholomew of Vincenza, Bishop, O.P. (circa 1200-1271, A.K.A. of Braganca): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Saturday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter four, verses seven thru sixteen;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-two, verses one & two, three & four(a.b), & four(c/d) & five;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter thirteen, verses one thru nine.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel includes the parable of a fig tree that bears no fruit.

This is a standard trope in the theological literature of Israel: the tree that bears no fruit is evocative of the moral person who bears no spiritual fruit. Every single person has a mission: to be a conduit of the divine grace into the world. Planted in God—think of Jesus’ image of the vine and the branches—they are meant to bring forth the fruits of love, peace, compassion, justice, nonviolence.

And notice that this should be effortless. The closer God gets, the more alive we become. But the mystery of sin is that we resist the invasion of God; we prefer to go our own way; we cling to our own prerogatives and our own narrow freedom. And the result is lifelessness. It feels like depression, like your life is going nowhere—in Dante’s language, like being "lost in a dark wood."

In Jesus’ parable, the one caring for the tree begs the owner for one more chance to manure the tree and to hoe around it, hoping to bring it back to life. But if no life comes, the tree will be cut down. This is the note of urgency that is struck over and again in the Bible. We can run out of time. We can become so resistant to God’s grace that our leaves dry up. This is not divine vengeance; it is spiritual physics.

So don’t be afraid of God! Surrender to him.

Video reflection by Marc DelMonico, Ph.D. : United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Papal Quote o' That Day

"Sing with your voices, sing with your hearts! Make people understand how beautiful it is to pray singing, as you do, with the Church & for the Church. Spread joy, spread goodness, spread light."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)

Little Flower Quote o' That Day

"Let us give pleasure to Jesus; let us save souls for Him by our sacrifices."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Quasi Catholic Quote o' That Day

"The love of God passes by radiantly, the Holy Spirit goes through every person in his night like a lightning bolt. In this passing the Risen Lord lays hold of you, He burdens Himself with everything that is unbearable & takes it all upon Himself. Only afterward, often much, much later, do you realize: Christ passed by & bestowed grace out of His superabundance."
—Brother Roger Schutz (1915-2005)

Saints + Scripture

'Tis the festival of Saint James Intercisus, Martyr (died 421; A.K.A. the Mutilated, also Anglicized as Jakob Intercisus), martyred in the reign of the Persian king Bahram V: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. "Intercisus" is an epithet, meaning "cut into pieces," not a surname. St. James was cut into twenty-eight pieces.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Siffredus of Carpentras, Bishop (died circa 540; also spelt Siffrein, Syffroy), monk an Lérins Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Abbey-link & Wikipedia-link Abbey.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Fergus the Pict, Bishop (died circa 730; in Latin: Fergustus Pictus, also spelt Fergustian, A.K.A. Fergus Cruithneach): Saint-link, Wikipedia-link Fergus, & Wikipedia-link Fergustus Pictus.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Apollinaris of Monte Cassino, Abbot, O.S.B. (died 828), abbot of the Abbey of Monte Cassino: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link (List); Abbey-link & Wikipedia-link Abbey.

Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Revelation, chapter fourteen, verses fourteen thru nineteen;
Psalm Ninety-six, verses ten, eleven & twelve, & thirteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty-one, verses five thru eleven.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus responds to questions about the end of the world. When will it come? What will happen?

Why were the first Christians interested in these questions? The simplest and deepest answer is that they had experienced the end of the world—precisely in the dying and rising of Jesus.

Jesus came preaching the kingdom of God, and the nations conspired against him. The old world seemed to conquer this new world that Jesus embodied. But then, in the Resurrection, they saw that the old world—the world predicated upon death and the world that had done Jesus in—was now defeated.

So awed were they by the Resurrection—and you can sense it in every book and letter of the New Testament—that they awaited the imminent arrival of the new state of affairs, the return of Jesus and the establishment of God’s kingdom. Though Jesus did not immediately return, the old world was over, broken, compromised, its destruction now just a matter of time.

Video reflection by Father David Muñoz, O.M.I.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Papal Quote o' This Day

"In bringint about the Redemption through suffering, Christ has also raised human suffering to the level of the Redemption. Thus each man, in his suffering, can also be a sharer in the redemptive suffering of Christ."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' This Day

"Nothing is sweeter than love; nothing stronger, nothing higher, nothing more generous, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller or better in heaven or earth: for love proceeds from God, and cannot rest but in God, above all things created."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of This Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Be firm in rejecting injustice! Be strong in conceiving & accomplishing gestures of equity, humanity, & peace, gestures that will unravel the tangled skin of violence. Humanity expects this service from you: it is your honor & your duty."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day

Santo & Johnny, "Sleep Walk" from Canadian American Story (The Last Angry Man)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day

She & Him, "Snow Queen" from Volume 3 (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: It vexes me that the first She & Him album is titled Volume One & the second is titled Volume Two, yet the next non-Christmas album is not titled Volume Three but instead Volume 3.

Saints + Scripture

The Popish Plot
Why We're Catholic Book Club: "Morality & Destiny (Part 5)"

'Tis the festival of Saint Siricius, Pope (circa 334-399), thirty-eighth (XXXVIII) Bishop of Rome: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Conrad of Constance, Bishop (circa 900-975): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Saint Sylvester Gozzolini, Priest & Abbot, O.S.B. Silv. (1177-1267), founder of the Sylvestrine Congregation, an all-male branch of the Benedictine Confederation: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.S.B. Silv. & Wikipedia-link Confederation.

'Tis also the festival of Blesseds Hugh Taylor, Priest, & Maramduke Bowes, Martyrs (died 1585), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, two of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link Hotel Tango, Martyr-link Mike Bravo, & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link LXXXV & Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Gaetana Sterni, Religious (1827-1889): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Giacomo Alberione, Priest (1884-1971, A.K.A. Santiago Alberine, Anglicized as James), founder of the Pauline Family, a congregation of nine religious institutes & one lay association: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Paulines.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Monday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Revelation, chapter fourteen, verses one, two, three, four(b), & five;
Psalm Twenty-four, verses one(b/c) & two, three & four(a/b), & five & six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty-one, verses one thru four.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel tells of the poor widow who gave her last penny to the Temple treasury. Her behavior makes us consider our possessiveness. What do we tell ourselves all the time? That we’re not happy because we don’t have all the things that we should have or that we want to have. What follows from this is that life becomes a constant quest to get, to acquire, to attain possessions.

Do you remember the parable about the foolish rich man? When his barns were filled with all his possessions, he decided to tear them down and build bigger ones. Why is he a fool? Because (and I want you to repeat this to yourself as I say it) you have everything you need right now to be happy.

What makes you happy is always right in front of you because what makes you happy is love. Love is willing the good of the other, opening yourself to the world around you. Love is not a feeling. It’s an act of the will. It is the great act of dispossession.

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

Papal Quote o' the Day

"A vocation is a call that comes from God's sovereign power & free gift. However, such a call must find an open path in the heart. It must enter into the depths of the subject's thoughts, feeling, & will, in order to influence one's moral behavior."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"Everything is grace!"
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Mere Christian Quote o' the Day

"Anyone who knows Easter cannot despair."
—Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945)

The Explorers' Club, № DCLX

Operation AXIOM: After the World War—The Spanish Flu, Part III
November 1918: The influenza pandemic reached Spain, a neutral country where wartime censorship was not in place; King Alfonso XIII (1886-1941) contracted the flu, & his illness & recovery was widely reported; the lack of press censorship created the false impression that Spain was hit harder than the triumphant Entente Powers or the vanquished Central Powers, thus the nickname, the "Spanish Flu."

Lest we forget.

Saints + Scripture: Solemnity of Christ the King

'Tis the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe: Christ the King-link, Wikipedia-link King, & Wikipedia-link Feast.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Christ the King Sunday is celebrated on the last Sunday of Ordinary Time (last Sunday after Pentecost), before the beginning of Advent that starts the new Church Year. As the last Sunday of the Christian Church Year, Christ the King Sunday is the climax & conclusion of the Church's liturgical journey through the life of Christ & the Gospel message.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
The Book of Daniel, chapter seven, verses thirteen & fourteen;
Psalm Ninety-three, verses one, one & two, & five;
The Book of Revelation, chapter one, verses five thru eight;
The Gospel according to John, chapter eighteen, verses thirty-three(b) thru thirty-seven.

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

Friends, today we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. And though the very notion of kingship is rather alien to us, the metaphor should remain. For the whole idea is that Christ must become the Lord of our lives, the one to whom an absolute submission is required.

Things do become a bit easier to take when we see precisely what kind of King Jesus Christ is. Bottom line: we are not dealing with another Napoleon or Caesar Augustus; just the contrary. We are dealing with the one who rightly reigns over those earthly potentates but who bears very little resemblance to them.

Our first clue as to his identity comes from the Gospel for today, an account of Jesus’ conversation with the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, who asks, "Are you the king of the Jews?" And Jesus responds that his kingdom "does not belong to this world."

So what precisely is his kingship? Worldly kingship has to do primarily with power and self-aggrandizement. But the kingship that Jesus represents is a ruling ordered to the truth. Its purpose is to guide people to the Truth, which is another way of saying, toward God.

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

Video reflection by Father Claude Burns (uCatholic): Weekend Reflection with Father Pontifex.

Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D. (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Breaking the Bread.

Mass Journal: Week Forty-eight
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:

Three or four years ago, my brother Andrews gave me a copy of a book titled Letters to a Young Poet. It is a small book that contains a collection of letters written by the great German lyric poet Rainer maria Rilke to Franz Kappus, who at the time was a young aspiring poet. In one of the Letters, Rilke penned some words that have remained ingrained on my heart since I read & underlined them in the small volume:

"Be patient toward all that is unresolved in your heart & try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms & like books that are written in a foreign tongue. Do not seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live among some distant day into the answer."

†

Otherwise, 25 November would be the festival of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin & Martyr (circa 287-310, A.K.A. of the Wheel), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Maxentius & Galerius, a victim of the Great Persecution; one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers: Martyr-link ūna, Martyr-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Persecution, Helpers-link XIV, & Wikipedia-link XIV.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Peter of Alexandria, Bishop & Martyr (died 311, A.K.A. Pope Peter I of Alexandria), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Maxentius & Galerius, a victim of the Great Persecution: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Persecution.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Beatrice of Ornacieux, Religious, O.Cart. (circa 1240-1309, A.K.A. of Eymeu): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Elizabeth of Reute, Religious, T.O.S.F. (1386-1420, A.K.A. Elizabeth Achler), a stigmatist: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Stigmata-link & Wikipedia-link Stigmata.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"The event of Christ's death & Resurrection [is] the heart of Christianity, principal fulcrum of our faith, powerful lever of our certainty, impetuous wind that sweeps away every fear & indecision, every doubt & human calculation."
—Pope Benedict XVI (born 1927, 2005-2013)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"I have noticed in all the serious circumstances of my life that nature always reflected the image of my soul. On days filled with tears the heavens cried along with me; on days of joy the sun sent forth its joyful rays in profusion, and the blue skies were not obscured by a single cloud."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Every individual is a living expression of unity, & the human body is not just an instrument or item of property but shares in the individual's value as a human being. It follows, therefore, that the body cannot be treated as something to be disposed of at will."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

The R.B.D. Song o' the Lord's Day: Christ the King

Melanie Rea & the Holy Redeemer Band, "You Are My King (Amazing Love)" from Mercy (The Last Angry Saint)

Commentary:

"You are my king,
You are my king,
Jesus, You are my king,
Jesus, You are my king…

"Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my king, would die for me?
Amazing love, I know it's true,
And it's my joy to honor You,
In all I do, I honor You,
In all I do, I honor You,
In all I do, I honor You."

Saints + Scripture

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc, Priest, & Companions, Martyrs (died 1820-1862; A.K.A. the Martyrs of Vietnam, of Tonkin, of Annam, of Indochina), martyred in the reigns of the Vietnamese Lê, Tây Sơn, & Nguyễn dynasties: Martyr-link Alpha Delta Lima & Wikipedia-link Alpha Delta Lima; Martyrs-link ūnus, Martyrs-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Through the missionary efforts of various relogious families beginning in the sixteenth century & continuing until 1866, the Vietnamesepeople heard the message of the gospel, & many accepted it despite persecution & even death. On 19 June 1988, Pope [St.] John Paul II [22 October] canonized one hundred seventeen persons martyred in the [nineteenth] century.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Chrysogonus, Priest & Martyr (died 304) martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Persecution.

'Tis also the festival of Saints Flora & María of Córdoba, Martyrs (died 851), martyred in the reign of the Umayyad king Abd ar-Rahman II, two of the forty-eight Martyrs of Córdoba: Martyr-link Foxtrot, Martyr-link Mike, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Córdoba.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Albert of Louvain, Bishop & Martyr (1166-1192), martyred in the reign of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Saturday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Revelation, chapter eleven, verses four thru twelve;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-four, verses one, two, & nine & ten;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty, verses twenty-seven thru forty.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel reports a conversation Jesus had with some of the Sadducees, who held that there is no life after death. We could practically hear their speech on the lips of secularists today. But Jesus is having none of it. The dead shall indeed rise, he says. Otherwise, how could Moses have spoken of God as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, all of whom were long dead by Moses’ time? But their risen existence, though in continuity, even bodily continuity, with what has gone before, will be transformed, transfigured, raised up.

Those who hold to the resurrection of the body are those who are most effective at working for justice and peace in this world. If you are a complete materialist and secularist, you hold that everything and everybody, in the end, just fades away. But if you believe in the resurrection of the body, then everything in this world is destined for redemption. Everything matters.

Video reflection by Marc DelMonico:, Ph.D. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Andrew Dũng-Lạc & Companions
The Book of Wisdom, chapter three, verses one thru nine;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-six, verse five;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten, verses seventeen thru twenty-two.

Scripture Study—Catholic Letters
The Second Letter of Peter, chapter one (of three; verses one thru twenty-one);
The Second Letter of Peter, chapter two (verses one thru twenty-two);
The Second Letter of Peter, chapter three (of three; verses one thru eighteen).

Commentary: Salutation (2 Peter, 1:1-2), the Christian's Call & Election (1:3-15), Eyewitnesses of Christ's Glory (1:16-21), False Prophets & Their Punishment (2:1-22), the Promise of the Lord's Coming (3:1-13), & Final exhortation & Doxology (3:14-18).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"The Church reminds us & admonishes us: Christians, be conscious of your state; Christians, be consistent; Christisns, be faithful; Christians, be strong. In a word, Christians, be Christians!"
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"Our Lord never asks sacrifices from us beyond our strength. At times, it is true this Divine Savior makes us feel all the bitterness of the chalice that He is offering our soul. When He asks the sacrifice of all that is precious in this world, it is impossible, without a very special grace, not to cry out like Him in the garden of agony… It is very consoling to think that Jesus, the Strong God, knew our weaknesses."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Catholic Quote o' the Day

"If you carry your cross joyfully, it will carry you.
—Thomas à Kempis (1379-1471)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: Go Blue!

The University of Michigan Marching Band, "The Victors" from Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue (The Last Angry Wolverine)

The Rebel Black Dot Thankful Song o' the Day

Sam & Dave, "I Thank You" from the Rhino Hi-Five: Sam & Dave E.P. (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"You didn't have to… but you did, and I thank you…"

Saints + Scripture

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Clement I, Pope & Martyr (died circa 101, of Rome), fourth (IV) Bishop of Rome, martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Trajan, author of the First & Second Letters of Clement, one of the Apostolic Fathers: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, Martyr-link trēs, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff, Wikipedia-link 1 Clement & Wikipedia-link 2 Clement, & Fathers-link & Wikipedia-link Fathers.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Your humble narrator has read The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. I should read it again. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Saint Clement, Bishop of Rome, holding office from 88 to his death in 99. He is considered to be the first Apostolic Father of the Church.

'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Saint Columban, Abbot (543-615, also spelt Columbanus), founder of the Abbey of Luxeuil & the Abbey of Bobbio: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Abbey-link Lima, Wikipedia-link Lima, & Wikipedia-link Bravo.

Commentary: Not to be confused with his contemporary & fellow Irish missionary St. Columba [9 June]. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Columbanus taught an Irish monastic rule & penitential practices for those repenting of sins, which emphasized private confession to a priest, followed by penances levied by the priest in reparation for the sins.

'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, Priest & Martyr, S.J. (1891-1927), martyred in the reign of the Mexican strongman Plutarco Elías Calles, during the Cristero War: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link War.

Commentary: "¡Viva Cristo Rey!" Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Blessed Miguel was a fun-loving young Jesuit, & faced a firing squad. He refused a blindfold & asked only for time to pray. He had offered his life for the faith of Mexican people.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Clement of Metz, Bishop (floruit first century): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Felicitas of Rome, Martyr (circa 101-165, Anglicized as Felicity), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Mother of the Seven Holy Brothers [10 July], also martyrs.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Margaret of Savoy, Religious, T.O.S.D. (1382-1464): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Friday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Revelation, chapter ten, verses eight thru eleven;
Psalm One Hundred Nineteen, verses fourteen, twenty-four, seventy-two, one hundred three, one hundred eleven, & one hundred thirty-one;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter nineteen, verses forty-five thru forty-eight.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel we see Jesus cleansing the Temple. What did it mean for a provincial prophet to come into the holy city of Jerusalem and make a ruckus in the Temple? Well, you can probably imagine. To make matters worse, Jesus says something that is as shocking as His actions. He says, "I will destroy this temple and in three days rebuild it." No wonder that it was precisely this act that led to His crucifixion.

So what was He doing and why? First, in showing His lordship over even this most sacred symbol, He was announcing Who He was. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus acts in the person of God. Secondly, He was instituting a new temple, the temple of His crucified and risen body. Jesus Himself is the place where God dwells, and we, in the measure that we are grafted on to Him, are temples of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is passing judgment on all of the inadequate, corrupt forms of human religion and is establishing the new and eternal covenant, the new temple, in His Own Person.

Video reflection by Doctor Oswald John Nira: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Clement I
The First Letter of Peter, chapter five, verses one thru four;
Psalm Eighty-nine;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter sixteen, verses thirteen thru nineteen.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Columban
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-two, verses seven thru ten;
Psalm Ninety-six, verse three;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter nine, verses fifty-seven thru sixty-two.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of Bl. Miguel Agustín Pro
The Book of Sirach, chapter fifty-one, verses one thru eight;
Psalm Thirty-one, verse six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten, verses twenty-eight thru thirty-three.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"His death on the Cross is the culmination of that turning of God against Himself in which He gives Himself in order to raise man up & save him. This is love in its most radical form."
—Pope Benedict XVI (born 1927, reigned 2005-2013)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"I understood that love comprises all vocations—that love is everything, & because it is eternal, embraces all times & places. My vocation is love. It is You, O my God, who has given it to me. In the heart of the Church, my Mother, I shall be love. Thus I shall be everything & my dream will be realized."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"To preach the Gospel of forgiveness seems absurd to human politics, because in the natural economy justice does not often permit forgiveness. But in the Christian economy, it is not absurd. Difficult, yes, but not absurd."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)