Joy to the world, the Christmastide rolls on: Wikipedia-link Christmastide. Merry Christmas!
'Tis the festival of Saint Tatiana of Rome, Virgin & Martyr (died circa 226), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Alexander Severus: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Benedict Biscop, Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 628-690, A.K.A. Biscop Baducing), abbot of Saint Augustine's Abbey (at the time, Saints Peter & Paul's Abbey) & founder of Monkwearmouth-Jarrow Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Saint Augustine's & Wikipedia-link Monkwearmouth-Jarrow.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Aelred of Rievaulx, Abbot, O.Cist. (1110-1167; also spelt Ailred; A.K.A. Æthelred, Ellast, etc.; of Revensby), fourth (IV) abbot of Rievaulx Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Abbey-link, Wikipedia-link Abbey, & Wikipedia-link Abbots.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Martín of the Holy Cross, Priest, C.R.S.A. (circa 1130-1203, A.K.A. of León): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys, Religious, C.N.D. (1620-1700, the "Mother of the Colony"), foundress of the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal (C.N.D.): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link C.N.D.
Commentary: In the Canadas, St. Marguerite's festival is an obligatory Memorial.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Saturday after Epiphany
The First Letter of John, chapter five, verses fourteen thru twenty-one;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-nine, verses one & two; three & four; five, six(a), & nine(b);
The Gospel according to John, chapter three, verses twenty-two thru thirty.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today’s Gospel focuses on John the Baptist. I think it’s fair to say that you cannot really understand Jesus without understanding John, which is precisely why all four Evangelists tell the story of the Baptist as a kind of overture to the story of Jesus.Video reflection by Father David Baker: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
John did not draw attention to himself. Rather, he presented himself as a preparation, a forerunner, a prophet preparing the way of the Lord. He was summing up much of Israelite history, but stressing that this history was open-ended, unfinished.
And therefore, how powerful it was when, upon spying Jesus coming to be baptized, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God.” No first-century Israelite would have missed the meaning of that: behold the one who has come to be sacrificed. Behold the sacrifice, which will sum up, complete, and perfect the Temple. Moreover, behold the Passover lamb, who sums up the whole meaning of that event and brings it to fulfillment.
And this is why John says, “He must increase and I must decrease.” In other words, the overture is complete, and now the great opera begins. The preparatory work of Israel is over, and now the Messiah will reign.
Papal Quote o' the Day
"Every cross that we see in the word becomes a silent reminder for us. The true victory that overcomes hatred in the world is ultimately self-sacrifice, in constant fidelity flowing from the power of love."Little Flower Quote o' the Day
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)
"Take O Lord, from our hearts all jealousy, indignation, wrath, & contention, & whatsoever may hurt charity & lessen brotherly love."Saint Quote o' the Day
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
"Yesterday is done, tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today, let us begin."
—St. Teresa of Calcutta ("Mother Teresa," 1910-1997; feast day: 5 September)
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