'Tis also the festival of Saint Auxentius of Mopsuetia, Bishop (died circa 321): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Flannán of Killaloe, Bishop & Abbot (floruit seventh century, A.K.A. Flannán mac Toirrdelbaig): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Samthann of Clonbroney, Abbess (died 739): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Winebald of Heidenheim, Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 701-761, also spelt Wunebald, etc.), founder of the double monastery of Heidenheim am Hahnenkamm: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey.
Commentary: Son of St. Richard the Pilgrim [7 February], nephew of St. Boniface [5 June], & brother of Ss. Willibald [7 June] & Walpurga [5 February].
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter twenty-three, verses five thru eight;
Psalm Seventy-two, verses one & two, twelve & thirteen, & eighteen & nineteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter one, verses eighteen thru twenty-five.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today’s Gospel centers on the intriguing figure of Joseph. Joseph is one of the most beloved of the saints, featured in countless works of art and prominent in the devotional lives of many.
We know almost nothing about him, yet some very powerful spiritual themes emerge in the accounts of Joseph. He had become betrothed to Mary and this union had been blessed by God. And then he finds that his betrothed is pregnant.
This must have been an emotional maelstrom for him. And, at a deeper level, it is a spiritual crisis. What does God want him to do? Then the angel appears to him in a dream and tells him, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home." He realizes at that moment that these puzzling events are part of a much greater plan of God’s. What appears to be a disaster from his perspective is meaningful from God’s perspective.
Joseph was willing to cooperate with the divine plan, though he in no way knew its contours or deepest purpose. Like Mary at the Annunciation, he trusted and let himself be led.
Video reflection by Father Juan Molina, O.SS.T.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Papal Quote o' the Day
"The rulers of the Third Reich wanted to crush the entire Jewish people.… Deep down, those vicious criminals, by wiping out this people, wanted to kill the God Who called Abraham, Who spoke at Sinai, & laid down principles to serve as a guide for mankind, principles that are eternally valid."Little Flower Quote o' the Day
—Pope Benedict XVI (born 1927, reigned 2005-2013)
"This, then, is what I think about the Justice of God; my own way is all confidence & love, & I cannot understand those souls who are afraid of so affectionate a Friend."Saint Quote o' the Day
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
"Let our God-Man return among us, our Lord acknowledged & obeyed, as at every Christmas time. Christ returns in spirit to the crib & offers Himself to all."
—Pope Ven. Pius XII (1876-1958)
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