Saints + Scripture: Christmastide

Joy to the world, the Christmastide rolls on: Wikipedia-link Christmastide. Merry Christmas!

The Popish Plot
Bonus Episode: "In-Between Episodes"

'Tis the Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus: Holy Name-link ūnus, Holy Name-link duo, Wikipedia-link Holy Name, & Wikipedia-link Feast.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Saint Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians that Jesus's Name is above every other name. It is the Name in which we are all saved.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Daniel of Padua, Deacon & Martyr (died 168), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Anterus, Pope & Martyr (died 236), nineteenth (XIX) Bishop of Rome, martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Maximinus Thrax: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Genevieve, Religious (circa 419-512): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Christmas Weekday
The First Letter of John, chapter two, verse twenty-nine thru chapter three, verse six;
Psalm Ninety-eight, verses one, three(c.d) & four, & five & six;
The Gospel according to John, chapter one, verses twenty-nine thru thirty-four.

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

Friends, our Gospel for today contains one of the most important and misunderstood lines in all of Christian Scripture. Spying Jesus, John the Baptist says, "Behold the Lamb of God." In a very casual survey, I asked a number of people what this phrase means, and the answer I typically got was this: it means that he is gentle and humble and good, like a lamb.

But for a first-century Jew, the phrase had little if anything to do with that: it had to do with sacrifice. It meant that Jesus was someone who was destined to be sacrificed as a sin offering to God.

John the Baptist’s characterization of Jesus as the Lamb of God has to do with Temple sacrifice. He will be the one who offers the final and definitive sacrifice which reconciles divinity and humanity. He will offer something to the Father which will deal finally with the problem of sin, and in this we will find our salvation.

Video reflection by Msgr. Robert Zapfel, S.T.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter two, verses one thru eleven;
Psalm Eight, verses two(a/b), four & five, six & seven, & eight & nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter two, verses twenty-one thru twenty-four.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Modern society is barely conscious of the ills that assail it. It conceals its miseries beneath a prosperous, glittering, & trouble-free exterior. In such a society the Immaculate Virgin manifests herself to an innocent child of Lourdes."
—Pope Ven. Pius XII (1876-1958)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"My sufferings may reach their limit, but I am certain that He will never abandon me."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Love is itself the fulfillment of all our works. There is the goal; that is why we run: We run toward it, & once we reach it, in it we shall find rest."
—St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church (354-430, feast day: 28 August)