Saints + Scripture

The Popish Plot
Why We're Catholic Book Club: "Saints & Sinners (Part 4)"

'Tis the festival of Saint Ecgbert of York, Bishop (died 766, also spelt Egbert): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Toto, Abbot, O.S.B. (died 815, also spelt Tuto), founder of Ottobeuren Abbey: Saint-link; Abbey-link & Wikipedia-link Abbey.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Mechtilde of Helfta, Religious, O.S.B. (circa 1240-1298, "the Nightingale of Helfta," A.K.A. of Hackeborn): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Giacomo Benefatti, Bishop, O.P. (died 1332, of Mantua; Anglicized as James Benefatti): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Revelation, chapter one, verses one thru four & chapter two, verses one thru five;
Psalm One, verses one & two, three, & four & six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eighteen, verses thirty-five thru forty-three.

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

Friends, today in the Gospel passage we see Jesus’ mercy toward the blind man as a hallmark of his ministry. Jesus comes as healer, savior, inaugurator of the kingdom. He is the embodiment of hope. Jesus wanted to connect human suffering to the very source of life and health. The energy of God pours through him to the needy.

Now, I realize a question may be forming in your mind: "Well, why doesn’t he simply cure everyone then?" The answer is obviously wrapped up in the mystery of God’s will, but the important point is this: Jesus is healer in many senses, but ultimately in the sense that he heals us from sin and death, not only physical maladies. What appears historically in Jesus is an eschatological anticipation, a hint and foreshadowing of what is coming in God’s time and in God’s way.

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

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Peace is needed. This refers to inner peace, peace of the conscience freed from all the fragmentation caused by sin & open to the true good. It also means peace with others, in mutual respect & friendship, made of truth & love."
—Pope St. John Paul Ii the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"My life is but an instant, an hour that passes by: To love You, my dearest God, I only have today."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Whoever sees God has obtained all the goods of which he can conceive."
—St. Gregory of Nyssa (circa 335-395)