Saints + Scripture: Advent

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The Popish Plot
"The Feast of Saint Nicholas"

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Nicholas, Bishop (circa 270-346, of Myra, of Bari): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Saint Nicholas's Day.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker. His reputation evolved among the faithful, as was common for early Christian saints, & his legendary habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus ("Saint Nick").

Wikipedia-link Santa Claus via Wikipedia-link Sinterklaas

'Tis also the festival of Saint Abraham of Kratia, Bishop & Abbot (circa 474-558): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Peter Paschal, Bishop & Martyr, O. de M. (circa 1227-1300, A.K.A. Peter Pascual), martyred in the reign of the Nasrid king Muhammad II: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed János Scheffler, Bishop & Martyr (1887-1952), martyred in the reign of the Communist dictator Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Advent of the First Week in Advent
The Book of Isaiah, chapter twenty-six, verses one thru six;
Psalm One Hundred Eighteen, verses one, eight, & nine; nineteen, twenty, & twenty-one; & twenty-five, twenty-six, & twenty-seven(a);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter seven, verses twenty-one & twenty-four thru twenty-seven.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel asks how we apply the Lord’s teaching. "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse." This is the heart of it: if you are rooted in God, then you can withstand anything, precisely because you are linked to that power which is creating the cosmos. You will be blessed at the deepest place, and nothing can finally touch you.

But the one who does not take Jesus’ words to heart "will be like the fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined." When the inevitable trials come, the life built on pleasure, money, power, or fame will give way.

So the question is a simple one: Where do you stand? How goes it with your heart? On what, precisely, is the whole of your life built?

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

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Nicholas, Bishop
The Book of Isaiah, chapter six, verses one thru eight;
Psalm Forty, verses eight(a) & nine(a);
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses one thru nine.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Over the centuries shining pages have been written of heroism in suffering accepted & offered in union with Christ. Likewise we see humble service to the poor & the sick, in whose tormented flesh the presence of the poor, crucified Christ has been recognized."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"When I feel nothing, when I am incapable of praying or practicing virtue, then is the moment to look for small occasions, nothings that give Jesus pleasure… a smile or a friendly word, when I would much prefer to say nothing at all."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Most people have no idea what God would make of them if they would only place themselves at his disposal."
—St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556, feast day: 31 July)