Saints + Scripture

The Popish Plot
Random Catholic Thoughts YouTube Collaboration: "8 Amazing Pilgrimages, Part 4"

'Tis the festival of Saint Romanus of Condat, Priest & Abbot (circa 390-465), founder of the Condat Abbey & the Romainmôtier Priory, et al.: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey & Wikipedia-link Priory.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Brother of the abbot St. Lupicinus [21 March].

'Tis also the festival of Saint Hilarius, Pope (died 468, also spelt Hilary), forty-sixth (XLVI) Bishop of Rome: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Sillan, Abbot, O.S.B. (died circa 610, A.K.A. Síoláin), third or fourth (III or IV) abbot of Bangor Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Abbey-link & Wikipedia-link Abbey.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Oswald of Worchester, Bishop, O.S.B. (died 992): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Both Ss. Hilarius & Oswald died on 29 February, in 468 & 992 respectively. The most common practice is for saints' festivals to observed on the date of their death, or birth into eternal life. As not all years have a 29 February, their festivals are observed on the last day of this month, 29 February in leap years & 28 February in non-leap years.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Daniel Brottier, Priest, C.S.Sp. (1876-1936): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Sirach, chapter five, verses one thru eight;
Psalm One, verses one & two, three, & four & six;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter nine, verses forty-one thru fifty.

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

Friends, in our Gospel, Jesus speaks, with incredible bluntness, about cutting off one’s hand and foot and plucking out one’s own eye. If these things are a block to your salvation, get rid of them, for it is better to enter life maimed than to enter Gehenna with all of your limbs and members.

The hand is the organ by which we reach out and grasp things. The soul is meant for union with God, but instead we have reached out to creatures, grasping at finite things with all of our energies.

The Lord also speaks of the foot. The foot is the organ by which we set ourselves on a definite path. We are meant to walk on the path which is Christ. Do we? Or have we set out down a hundred errant paths, leading to glory, honor, power, or pleasure?

We are designed to seek after and look for God. Have we spent much of our lives looking in all the wrong places, beguiled by the beauties and enticements of this world? And are we willing to pluck out our eye spiritually, to abandon many of the preoccupations that have given us pleasure?

Video reflection by Monsignor James C. Vlaun: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 39
The Book of Exodus, chapter sixteen, verses one, two, & three.

Commentary: Manna from Heaven (Exodus, 16:1-3).

Proverb o' the Day (Sirach, 5:7)

Do not delay to turn to the LORD,
nor postpone it from day to day;
for suddenly the wrath of the LORD will go forth,
and at the time of punishment you will perish.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"The temptation today is to try to build a world for oneself, forgetting the Creator & His design & loving Providence. But sooner or later we must come to grips with this: that to forget God, to feign the death of God, is to promote the death of humankind & of all civilization."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"O my God, my eternal Love, my whole Good, and never-ending Happiness, I desire to reserve nothing to myself, but freely and most willingly to sacrifice myself and all that is mine to Thee."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Bodily renunciation & removal from Egypt, as it were, will be of no value to us… if we have been unable to obtain at the same time the renunciation of heart which is more sublime & more beneficial."
—St. John Cassian (360-435, feast day: 23 July)

Operation ÖSTERREICH: Mea Culpa Special

I apologize for the false impression created by yesterday's "Weekly Wednesday Weight-in" post. I did not intend any of you, my treasured readers, to take seriously my waving the white flag of surrender to perpetual weight gain. I was informed by an interlocutor that my resignation had been taken quite seriously, when I had thought my satirical intent was plain to see; it was not, which means I failed to communicate clearly. Thus this apology. My intention was to vent my spleen & disappointment, but in doing so I erred, I sinned. What I achieved to to communicate an untruth, a lie. For this I am very sorry.

Even before conversing with my beloved interlocutor, my error had been pointed out to me by the sacred Scriptures, which cut me to the quick (Proverbs, 26:18-19):

Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, & death,
is the man who deceives his neighbor & says, "I am only joking!"

I was wrong & I am sorry. I ought to have chosen my words with greater care & expressed myself forthrightly. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

The Rebel Black Dot Exodus 90 Song o' the Day

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra featuring Asian Kung-fu Generation, "Wake Up!" from Ska me Forever (The Last Angry Exodus Rude Boy)

Skammentary: Wake up! Repent & believe in the Gospel. Wake up! For (Psalm 118:24):

This is the day which the LORD has made:
let us rejoice & be glad in it.

Saints + Scripture

'Tis the festival of Saint Anne Line, Martyr (circa 1563-1601, A.K.A. Alice Higham), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link England & Wales XL & Wikipedia-link England & Wales XL.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. St. Anne, Bl. Roger, & Bl. Mark were all martyred together at bloody Tyburn. I list them separately as they are categorized in different choirs of martyrs.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Roger Filcock, Priest & Martyr, S.J. (circa 1570-1601, A.K.A. Arthur Naylor), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link England & Wales LXXXV & Wikipedia-link England & Wales LXXXV.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Mark Barkworth, Priest & Martyr, Obl.S.B. (circa 1572-1601, A.K.A. Mark Lambert), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the one hundred sixty Martyrs of Douai: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link Douai & Wikipedia-link Douai.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed William Richardson, Priest & Martyr (1572-1603, A.K.A. William Anderson), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Bl. William was also martyred at Tyburn, the last martyr in the bloodsoaked reign of the murderous "Good Queen Bess."

'Tis also the festival of Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, Religious, C.P. (1838-1862, A.K.A. Francesco Possenti): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Sirach, chapter four, verses eleven thru nineteen;
Psalm One Hundred Nineteen, verses one hundred sixty-five, one hundred sixty-eight, one hundred seventy-one, one hundred seventy-two, one hundred seventy-four, & one hundred seventy-five;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter nine, verses thirty-eight, thirty-nine, & forty.

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

Friends, today in the Gospel John complains to Jesus that some people not of their group were driving out demons in Jesus’ name. Jesus responds: “Don’t prevent them.…whoever is not against us is for us.” What a wonderful, generous attitude!

John was undoubtedly angry that someone outside of their little circle was going to get credit. If you think that this sort of thing only happened in biblical times, you haven’t spent too much time around the Church! I’m a proud churchman, and I love and admire all of the great people who do so much for Christ’s kingdom, and for very little compensation. But I’ve also been around long enough to see this problem on parish staffs, in diocesan offices, within rectories, and among parish communities. We get so tied up in our little games and protecting our turf, and making sure things go according to the bureaucratic structures that we have established, that we forget what the mission is about.

What Jesus saw was that the mission is what matters. Bringing God’s love to the world, being a conduit of grace: that’s what matters. All of our personal glory, position, privilege—all of that is finally a matter of indifference.

Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Scripture Study—Wisdom Books
The Book of the Psalms, psalm ninety-five (verses one thru eleven);
The Book of the Psalms, psalm one hundred sixteen (verses one thru nineteen);
The Book of the Psalms, psalm one hundred seventeen (verses one & two);
The Book of the Psalms, psalm one hundred thirty (verses one thru Y);
The Book of the Proverbs, chapter twenty-six (verses one thru twenty-eight).

Commentary: A Call to Worship & Obedience (Psalm 95), Thanksgiving for Recovery from Illness (Psalm 116), Universal Call to Worship (Psalm 117), Waiting for Divine Redemption (Psalm 130), & Further Wise Sayings of Solomon (Proverbs, 26:1-28).

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 38
The Book of Exodus, chapter fifteen, verses twenty-two thru twenty-seven.

Commentary: Bitter Water Is Made Sweet (Exodus, 15:22-27).

Proverb o' the Day (Sirach, 4:14)

Those who serve her [Wisdom] will minister to the Holy One;
the LORD loves those who lover her.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Science can purify religion from error & superstition. Religion can purify science from idolatry & false absolutes. Each can draw the other into a wider world, a world in which both can flourish."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"Since we see the way, let's run together."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Christ beside me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ within me."
—St. Patrick (fifth century, feast day: 17 March)

Operation ÖSTERREICH: Exodus 90, Day 38

Weekly Wednesday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 326.4 lbs
This weigh-in: 328.0 lbs.
Difference: +1.6 lbs.

I can admit when I'm beat. There's no point in continuing this farce, I'll never weigh less than I do now. It doesn't matter how I change my diet, how often I'm hungry, I'll never weigh less than I do now; so, why waste everyone's time pretending? In the immortal words of Jar Jar Binks, "My give up."

Bonus! Lied von ÖSTERREICH
Reel Big Fish, "Nothin'" from Turn the Radio Off (The Last Angry Eoxdus Rude Boy)

Skammentary: Yes, this R.B.D.S.O.T.D. violates Exodus 90 protocol, & I don't care.

"Every time I try so hard,
I get nothin', nothin'!
Things you try and you will fail,
You get nothin', nothin'!
I did all that I could
Got nothin', nothin'!
Tried so hard,
Nothin', nothin'!

"I never wanted it that way,
Guess there was nothin' I could say,
I don't know what I want,
But I know I don't want this.
I give up, I give in,
Know I'm never gonna win…"

Saints + Scripture: The Popish Plot Bonus Edition

The Popish Plot
G. K. Chesterton's The Defendant: "Detective Stories"

Saints + Scripture

'Tis the festival of Saint Porphyry of Gaza, Bishop (circa 347-420): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Blesseds Adalbert of Tegernsee, Abbot, & Ottokar of Tegernsee, Religious, O.S.B. (floruit eighth century), founders of the Tegernsee Abbey: Blessed-link Alpha & Blessed-link Oscar; Wikipedia-link Abbey.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Robert Drury, Priest & Martyr, Obl.S.B. (circa 1567-1607, also spelt Drewrie), martyred in the reign of the Anglo-Scottish king James VI & I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link England & Wales & Wikipedia-link England & Wales.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Paula of Saint Joseph Calasanz, Religious (1799-1889, A.K.A. Paula Montal Fornés), foundress of the Sisters of the Pious Schools: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Piedad of the Cross, Religious (1842-1916, A.K.A. Tomasa Ortiz Real), foundress of the Congregation of Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Sirach, chapter two, verses one thru eleven;
Psalm Thirty-seven, verses three & four, eight & nineteen, twenty-seven, & twenty-eight;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter nine, verses thirty thru thirty-seven.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus presents a child as the model for his disciples. Jesus lays out for his disciples what is going to happen to him in Jerusalem, how he will be rejected, tortured, and killed. Oblivious to this, the disciples are discussing who among them is the most important. For Jesus, the path to greatness lies on the road to Calvary, to self-forgetting love; for the disciples—and for most people of most ages—it lies along the road to ego inflation.

What is the antidote? A child is proposed as a kind of living icon to these ambitious disciples. We notice first how Jesus physically identifies with the child, sitting down at his level and placing his arms around him. It is as though he is saying that he himself is like a child. How so? Children don’t know how to dissemble, how to be one way and act another. They are what they are; they act in accordance with their deepest nature.

Why was this story of Jesus’ identification with children preserved by all of the synoptic Gospels? Somehow it gets close to the heart of Jesus’ life and message.

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

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 37
The Book of Exodus, chapter fifteen, verses one thru twenty-one.

Commentary: The Songs of Moses & Mariam (Exodus, 15:1-21).

Papal Quote o' This Day

"In a secularized world, to speak & act in the name of Jesus can bring opposition & even ridicule. It often means being out of step with the majority opinion. Yet if we look at the New Testament, we find encouragement for perseverance in this testing of our faith."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' This Day

"Pain lifted up to Him, is pain no more:
Joy casts aside the weeds that sorrow wore."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' This Day

"The Heart of Christ still beats. It unites millions of other hearts. The Church sees the beauty of these hearts, which will surely proclaim a spiritual revival in our modern world."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)

Saints + Scripture — Saturday, 16 February

The Long Road Back, Part V of V | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

Saturday, 16 February was the festival of Saint Juliana of Nicomedia, Martyr (circa 286-305, A.K.A. of Cumæ), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Persecution.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Filippa Mareri, Abbess, O.S.C. (circa 1195-1236, Anglicized as Philippa): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Nicola Paglia, Priest, O.P. (1197-1256): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Bernardo Scammacca, Religious, O.P. (1430-1487): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Giuseppe Allamano, Priest (1851-1926), founder of the Consolata Missionaries (I.M.C.): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link I.M.C.

Commentary: Nephew of St. Giuseppe Cafasso [23 June].

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Genesis, chapter three, verses nine thru twenty-four;
Psalm Ninety, verses two, three & four(a/b/c), five & six, & twelve & thirteen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter eight, verses one thru ten.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel tells of Jesus feeding the four thousand with seven loaves and a few fish.

An awful lot of contemporary theologians and Bible commentators have tried to explain away the miracles of Jesus as spiritual symbols. Perhaps most notoriously, many preachers tried to explain the multiplication of the loaves and fishes as a “miracle” of charity, with everyone sharing the little that he had.

But I think it’s hard to deny that the first Christians were intensely interested in the miracles of Jesus, and that they didn’t see them as mere literary symbols! They saw them for what they really were: actions of God, breaking into our world.

Video reflection by Marc DelMonico, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 27
The Book of Exodus, chapter twelve, verses one thru twenty.

Commentary: The Passover Instituted (Exodus, 12:1-20).

Papal Quote o' That Day

"In Christ we find hope, because He is the symbol of hope, friendship, unending love, & the Father's indescribable affection for every individual. We know that all the promises & hopes find their complete fulfillment in Christ, because in Christ God's very word has found its 'Yes.'"
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' That Day

"O Lord, You have gone beyond my expectations, & I want to sing of Your mercies."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' That Day

"A question that is worth asking in our American culture is this: 'Are you sick or are you a sinner?' It is not very likely that you would call yourself a sinner in the modern age. Today people are sick. Are we going to a psychiatrist because we've committed adultery? Are we visiting a mental therapist because we're homosexual? Are we being treated by a psychologist because we've been dishonest? There are no sinners. We are not responsible; we are not guilty. We may have an Oedipus complex, an Electra complex; maybe our parents were poor, or we were raised on grade B milk, or there were not sufficient playgrounds in our neighborhood, but a sinner?—that we could never be."
—Venerable Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979)

Saints + Scripture — Saturday, 9 February

The Long Road Back, Part IV of V | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

Saturday, 9 February was the festival of Saint Apollonia, Virgin & Martyr (died circa 249, of Alexandria), martyred by an anti-Christian mob in the reign of the Roman emperors Philip the Arab & Philip the Younger: Martyr-link ūna, Martyr-link duæ & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Ansbert of Rouen, Bishop & Abbot, O.S.B. (died circa 695, A.K.A. of Chaussy), Archbishop of Rouen, abbot of the Abbey of Saint Wandrille, A.K.A. Fontenelle Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Archdiocese & Wikipedia-link Abbey.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Marianus Scotus of Regensburg, Abbot, O.S.B. (died circa 1088; A.K.A. of Ireland, Muiredach mac Robartaig, Muiredach McGroarty), founding abbot of Saint Peter's Cloister in Regensberg: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, Virgin, C.R.S.A. (1774-1824), stigmatic: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Stigmata-link & Wikipedia-link Stigmata.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Miguel Febres Cordero, Religious, F.S.C. (1854-1910, A.K.A. Francisco Luis Febres-Cordero y Muñoz): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter thirteen, verses fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, twenty, & twenty-one;
Psalm Twenty-three, verses one, two, & three9a); three(b) & four; five; & six;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter six, verses thirty thru thirty-four.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel shows Jesus’ compassion for the multitude in the desert. “When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.”

There is the motif of the people Israel in the desert after their escape from Egypt. Isolated, alone, afraid, and without food, they clamored for something from Moses. Here we see people who are dying to be fed, and a prophet who is under threat of death. This crowd around the threatened Jesus is a metaphor for the Church. We have come to him because we are hungry, and we stay even when things look bleak.

Video reflection by Marc DelMonico, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 20
The Book of Exodus, chapter eight, verses twenty thru thirty-two.

Commentary: The Fourth Plague: swarms of Flies (Exodus, 8:20-32).

Papal Quote o' That Day

"Love cannot stop at half measures, as you well know. Love must be ready to offer itself as far as the very ultimate in generosity."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' That Day

"My strength lies in prayer & sacrifice; they are invincible weapons, & touch hearts more surely than words can do, as I have learned by experience."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' That Day

"One of the most exalted descriptions of forgiveness that I have ever read came from a Russian bishop who was sentenced to death by Communist authorities in Russia. His last prayer for his executioners was this: 'Heavenly Father, I offer up for the sins of these men & my own sins, the death of Your Son. But I also forgive my executioners as You forgive me. And so on Judgment Day, when these men stand before You, the angels will ask, "What charge is brought against these men?" There will be no one to charge them with guilt. They are already forgiven.' Thomas More at his death said something similar. There were a couple of fallen priests who came to see him, & he said, 'I will ask the good Lord to forgive you, & then you will not be accused, but we will all meet very merrily in heaven.'"
—Venerable Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979)

Commentary: I respect Archbishop Sheen & reverence his life's work, but I'm not so sure about this one. There is an unsettling whiff of the universalist heresy in this quote; that suspicion could just be the fruit of the bitterness & unforgiveness in my own heart, but methinks I stand on solid ground in light of Revelation, 6:9-10:

Revised Standard Version | Second Catholic Edition
When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God & for the witness they had borne; they cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy & true, how long before You will judge & avenge our blood on those who dwell upon the earth?"

New American Bible
When He broke open the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered because of the witness they bore to the word of God. They cried out in a loud voice, "How long will it be, holy & true Master, before You sit in judgment & avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?"

Saints + Scripture

'Tis the festival of Saint Reginos, Bishop & Martyr (died 362, also spelt Riginos), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Julian the Apostate: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Walpurga, Abbess, O.S.B. (circa 710-779; also spelt Walburga, Valderburg, etc.; A.K.A. Guibor): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Daughter of St. Richard the Pilgrim [7 February], niece of St. Boniface [5 June], & sister of Ss. Willibald [7 June] & Winebald [18 December].

'Tis also the festival of Saint Gerland of Agrigento, Bishop (died circa 1104, A.K.A. of Besançon; also spelt Giullannu): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio, Religious, O.F.M. (1502-1600, the "Angel of Mexico"): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saints Luigi Versiglia, Bishop, & Callistus Caravario, Priest, Martyrs, S.D.B. (died 1930), martyred defending girls from Bolshevik slavers, the last two of the one hundred twenty Martyr Saints of China, A.K.A. Saint Augustine Zhao Rong & Companions: Martyr-link Lima Victor, Martyr-link Charlie Charlie, & Wikipedia-link (List, № 115 & № 116); Martyrs-link China & Wikipedia-link China.

Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Sirach, chapter one, verses one thru ten;
Psalm Ninety-three, verses one(a/b), one(c/d) & two, & five
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter nine, verses fourteen thru twenty-nine.

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

Friends, today in the Gospel Jesus demonstrates the power of the prayer of faith. Have you noticed how Jesus, time and again, says to people before working a miracle, "Do you believe I can do this?" Once, Matthew tells us, Jesus was unable to perform many miracles because he met with so little faith among the people.

Lots of people today, especially in the healing ministry, seem able to reproduce what Jesus did, precisely because of the purity of their faith. Is part of our problem simply a lack of faith? We allow our skepticism to get the better of us; we’re just a little embarrassed by asking God for things, or we’re convinced that he is a distant power only vaguely connected to our lives.

Can you hear the simple faith in the opening line of Jesus’ great prayer: "Abba in heaven…"? Another astonishing line of Jesus in this regard is this: "I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours." Even before you receive it, believe that it is yours and give thanks for it, blithely confident that you will receive it.

Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 36
The Book of Exodus, chapter fourteen, verses twenty-one thru Thirty-one.

Commentary: Crossing the Red Sea (concluded; Exodus, 14:21-25) & the Egyptians Drown in the Sea (14:26-31).

The Imitation of Christ
Book III: On Interior Conversation
Chapter 1: "On the Way Christ Speaks Inwardly to the Soul"

Papal Quote o' This Day

"The meek endure conflict & jealousy, rivalries that arise within families & among neighbors. They do not, however, passively accept situations of injustice. They are anything but indifferent, but they do not respond to violence with violence, to hared with hatred."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' This Day

"Enlighten me, O Good Jesus, with the brightness of internal light, & cast out all darkness from the dwelling of my heart."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' This Day

"Many of us have seen the Loggia of Raphael. It contains thirteen different rooms with columns & a ceiling on which there are paintings, all rather typical of that period of the Church when she was in a decline: the Reformation. If you remember walking through the Loggia of Raphael, you'll remember seeing peacocks, foxes, & elephants. There are only four religious paintings: the Transfiguration is the last one in the life of our Lord. There is no crucifixion. No cross. You will always know the dark days of the Church when there is a walking away from the cross of Christ."
—Venerable Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979)

The Explorers' Club, № DCLXXIV

Operation AXIOM: After the World War—The Polish-Soviet War, Part I
14-16 February 1919: The Battle of Bereza Kartuska—In the chaos following the withdrawal of the regionally victorious German forces (Ober Ost), both the Soviet government & the nascent Polish republic sought to grab as much territory as possible, at the expense of both Belarus & the Ukraine; the Red Army was thwarted short of "Target Vistula;" the Poles prepared to advance eastward.

Lest we forget.

Saints + Scripture: VII Sunday in Ordinary Time

'Tis the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
The First Book of Samuel, chapter twenty-six, verses two, seven, eight, nine, twelve, thirteen, twenty-two, & twenty-three;
Psalm One Hundred Three, verses one & two, three & four, eight & ten, & twelve & thirteen;
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter fifteen, verses forty-five thru forty-nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter six, verses twenty-seven thru thirty-eight.

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

Friends, our Gospel today is taken from Jesus’s Sermon on the Plain in Luke. It is one of more the puzzling texts in the New Testament. It speaks of loving our enemies—not tolerating them, or vaguely accepting them, but loving them. When you hate your enemy, you confirm him as your enemy. But when you love him in response to his hatred, you confuse and confound him, taking away the very energy that feeds his hatred.

There is a form of oriental martial arts called aikido. The idea of aikido is to absorb the aggressive energy of your opponent, moving with it, continually frustrating him until he comes to the point of realizing that fighting is useless.

Some have pointed out that there is a great deal of this in Jesus’s strategy of nonviolence and love of the enemy. You creatively absorb the aggression of your opponent, really using it against him, to show him the futility of violence. So when someone insults you, send back a compliment instead of an insult.

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

Video reflection by Father Claude Burns (uCatholic): Weekend Reflection with Father Pontifex.

Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D. (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Breaking the Bread.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 35
The Book of Exodus, chapter fourteen, verses ten thru twenty.

Commentary: Crossing the Red Sea (cont'd; Exodus, 14:10-20).

Mass Journal: Week XIII
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:

God created us with legitimate needs. We all have legitimate physical, emotional, intellectual, & spiritual needs. The most basic understanding of these legitimate needs comes from considering our relationship to food, water, & oxygen. To eat & drink are legitimate needs. If you don't eat & drink, you will die. If you don't breathe, you will die even faster. God gave us these needs for a reason. When we hear them calling to us, we hear the voice of God.

†

Otherwise, 24 February would be the festival of Saint Liudhard, Bishop (died circa 600, A.K.A. Letard), who helped establish Saint Martin's Church: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Church.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Chaplain to the Christian queen St. Bertha [1 May], who was married to the pagan king Æthelberht of Kent [see below]. St. Æthelberht was eventually converted to the Faith, by St. Augustine of Canterbury [27 May].

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Æthelberht of Kent (circa 550-616; also spelt Ethelbert, Ædilberct, etc.), King of Kent: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Husband of St. Bertha [1 May] & father of St. Æthelburh [8 September].

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Cumméne Find, Abbot (died 669, of Iona; A.K.A. Cumméne the White), seventh (VII) abbot of Iona Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey.

Commentary: Brother of St. Comman of Iona [18 March].

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Tommaso Maria Fusco, Priest (1831-1891), founder of the Priestly Society of the Catholic Apostolate & the Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Josef Mayr-Nusser, Martyr (1910-1945, the "Martyr of the First Commandment"), martyred in the reign of the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: The martyr Bl. Josef was beatifed on 18 March 2017.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"We must be convinced of the necessity of having a living, authentic, & active faith. That is all the more true today, when we face so many difficulties. It is not enough to have a vague, weak, or uncertain faith."
—Pope St. John XXIII (1881-1963, feast day: 11 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"This sweet Savior has long since forgotten your infidelities. He sees only your longing after perfection, & the sight makes His Heart glad."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"To claim the right to abortion, infanticide, & euthanasia, & to recognize that right in law, means to attribute to human freedom a perverse & evil significance: that of an absolute power over others & against others."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Saints + Scripture

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Polycarp, Bishop & Martyr (circa 69-155, of Smyrna), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius, one of the Apostolic Fathers, author of an extant Letter to the Philippians, whose martyrdom is attested in the Martyrdom of Polycarp: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Fathers, Wikipedia-link Philippians, & Wikipedia-link Martyrdom.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

It is recorded by [Saint] Irenaeus [28 June], & by Tertullian, that he had been a disciple of [St.] John the Apostle [27 December]. Saint Jerome [30 September] wrote that Polycarp was a disciple of John & that John had ordained him bishop of Smyrna. He died a martyr, bound & burned at the stake, then stabbed when the fire failed to touch him.

Quoth Minute Meditations from the Popes:

St. Polycarp was so in love with You, Lord Jesus, that nothing else was important to him, not even his life, for he died a Martyr. Grant me that same single-mindedness & that same courage.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Serenus the Gardner, Martyr (died circa 305, of Billom; A.K.A. Sirenatus, Cerneuf, etc.), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Persecution.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Willigis of Mainz, Bishop (circa 940-1011): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Ludwik Mzyk, Priest & Martyr, S.V.D. (1905-1940, also spelt Ludvig), martyred in the reign of the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, one of the One Hundred Eight Blessed Polish Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link Polska & Wikipedia-link Polska.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Stefan Wincenty Frelichowski, Priest & Martyr (1913-1945), martyred in the reign of the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter eleven, verses one thru seven;
Psalm Psalm One Hundred Forty-five, verses two & three, four & five, & ten & eleven;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter nine, verses two thru thirteen.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel presents the Transfiguration of Christ. What is the Transfiguration itself? Mark speaks literally of a metamorphosis, a going beyond the form that he had. If I could use Paul’s language, it is “the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus Christ.” In and through his humble humanity, his divinity shines forth. The proximity of his divinity in no way compromises the integrity of his humanity, but rather makes it shine in greater beauty. This is the New Testament version of the burning bush.

The Jesus who is both divine and human is the Jesus who is evangelically compelling. If he is only divine, then he doesn’t touch us; if he is only human, he can’t save us. His splendor consists in the coming together of the two natures, without mixing, mingling, or confusion.

Note how this same Jesus then accompanies his disciples back down the mountain and walks with them in the ordinary rhythms of their lives. This is the Christ who wants to reign as Lord of our lives in every detail. If we forget about this dimension, then Jesus becomes a distant memory, nothing more than a figure from the past.

Video reflection by Marc DelMonico, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Polycarp
The Book of Revelation, chapter two, verses eight thru eleven;
Psalm Thirty-one, verses three(c/d) & four, six & eight(a/b), & sixteen(b/c) & seventeen;
The Gospel according to John, chapter fifteen, verses eighteen thru twenty-one.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 34
The Book of Exodus, chapter thirteen, verse seventeen thru chapter fourteen, verse nine.

Commentary: The Pillar of Cloud & the Pillar of Fire (Exodus, 13:17-22) & Crossing the Red Sea (14:1-9).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"It is He, it is only He Who can quench the deep & mysterious thirst of your spirits. Jesus, Jesus; He is the light & salvation of the world & of each of us."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"O Jesus, I will wield my sword in this cause all the days of my life!"
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"There has to be some way of overcoming disobedience & rebellion. The one who overcomes this rebellion must be both God & man. He has to be man, otherwise He could not act in our name. If, for example, you are arrested for speeding, I cannot go into the court & say to the judge, 'I will take his place & his punishment.' The judge will say, 'You have nothing to do with this case.' So He Who comes to atone for our rebellion must be human to act in our name. He must also be God in order that His actions will have infinite value, in order that He can redeem us."
—Venerable Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979)

Saints + Scripture: The Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle

The Popish Plot
G. K. Chesterton's The Defendant: "Baby-Worship"

'Tis the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle: Apostle-link ūnus, Apostle-link duo, Apostle-link trēs, Wikipedia-link Chair, & Wikipedia-link Feast.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

This feast commemorates Christ's choosing Peter to sit in his place as the servant-authority of the whole Church. The gospel reading for the day is Matthew, 16:13-19, in which Jesus declares Peter the rock on which He will build His Church.

Quoth Minute Meditations from the Popes:

O Lord, protect & guide those who have been given authority in the Church, especially Pope Francis & our Bishop Earl. Make them generous & courageous in the exercise of their ministry.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle
The First Letter of Peter, chapter five, verses one thru four;
Psalm Twenty-three, verses one, two, & three(a); four; five; & six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter sixteen, verses thirteen thru nineteen.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel spells out the importance of Peter’s confession. For it is upon this inspired confession that the Church is built. Not, mind you, on popular opinion, which is shifting and indecisive, and not on personal holiness, which is all too rare. It is built upon the inspired authority of Peter—and I say, “thank God!”

We make this troubling and extraordinary claim that it is through a special charism of the Spirit that Peter and his successors govern the Church. Now, I realize that I have many Protestant readers and that this text has been, between Catholics and Protestants, a stumbling block. Let me clarify what is and is not at stake here.

What is the focus of Peter’s confession? It has to do with who Jesus is. This is the rock upon which the Church is built. We don’t say for a moment that all of Peter’s practical decisions are right, that everything he says is right. But we are saying that he is right about who Jesus is: a man who is also the Son of the living God. And this is the source and ground of the whole operation.

Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 33
The Book of Exodus, chapter thirteen, verses one thru sixteen.

Commentary: The Ordinances of the Passover (cont'd; Exodus, 13:1-2), the Feast of Unleavened Bread (13:3-10), & the Consecration of the First-born Males (13:11-16).

The Imitation of Christ
Book II: Considerations for Leading an Interior Life
Chapter 11: "On the Small Number of the Lovers of the Cross"
Chapter 12: "On the Royal Road of the Cross"

'Tis also the festival of Saint Maximianus of Ravenna, Bishop (499-556), for whom was carved the magnificent Throne of Maximian: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Throne.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Margaret of Cortona, Religious, T.O.S.F. (1247-1297): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Marie of Jesus, Religious, S.M.R. (1818-1878, A.K.A. Émilie d'Oultremont), foundress of the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix (S.M.R.): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link S.M.R.

We also remember Venerable Richard Henkes, Priest & Martyr, S.A.C. (1900-1945), martyred in the reign of the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Venerable Richard is scheduled be beatified later in A.D. 2019.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Authority is a duty, a burden, a deb, a ministry to others, to lead them to the life of God. It is a channel, an obligatory, necessary, but saving channel, & it is called the care of souls. This is the pastoral function."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"It is true I am not always faithful, but I never lose courage. I leave myself in the Arms of Our Lord."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"He who deserts the chair of Peter, upon whom the Church was founded, does he trust himself to be in the Church?"
—St. Cyprian (200-258, feast day: 16 September)

The Rebel Black Dot Exodus 90 Song o' the Day

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Holy Smoke" from Don't Know How to Party (The Last Angry Exodus Rude Boy)

Skammentary: I admit today's R.B.D.S.O.T.D. is a rebellion against Exodus 90's musical restrictions, under which I am chaffing: "Only listen to music that lifts the soul to God," a definition so broad that Johnny Socko could drive a big rig through it. "Holy Smoke" actually does lift the soul to God, taking aim as it does against religious hypocrites, who were also frequently remonstrated by our Lord.

"You made your bed, that's where you'll lie,
No pearly gates when you die,
We tried to teach, you didn't learn,
You're going down, you're gonna burn!

"Fast at passing judgement and you're quick to cast a stone,
Hypocrite talking shit, leave me alone,
Thump the book and twist the word, you're setting sinners straight,
Point your finger, wag your tongue then pass around the plate…

"Screaming demons, all hell broke loose, and other dark remarks,
You say that Satan's waiting for me, but I don't give a fuck,
If words and music tick you off, then you're the one that's sick,
But I think its fucking followers that really make you click…"

Saints + Scripture

Better Late than Never | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Peter Damian, Bishop & Doctor of the Church, O.S.B. (circa 988-1073), prior of Fonte Avellana, formally the Verenable Hermitage of the Holy Cross; author of the Liber Gomorrhianus (the Book of Gomorrah), a treatise against the clerical abuses of the day: Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Doctors-link & Wikipedia-link Doctor; & Wikipedia-link Hermitage & Wikipedia-link Liber Gomorrhianus.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

He was a reforming Benedictine monk & cardinal in the circle of Pope [Saint] Leo IX [19 April]. Dante placed him in one of the highest circles of Paradiso as a great predecessor of Saint Francis of Assisi [4 October] & he was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1828.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Pepin of Landen (circa 575-646, also spelt Pippin, etc.; A.K.A. the Elder, the Old), Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia, Duke of Brabant: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Husband of St. Itta of Metz, O.S.B. [8 May] & father of Ss. Begga, O.S.B. [17 December]; Bavo of Ghent [1 October]; & Gertrude of Nivelles, O.S.B. [17 March]

'Tis also the festival of Saint Germanus of Granfelden, Priest & Martyr (circa 612-677), inaugural abbot of Moutier-Grandval Abbey, martyred by henchmen of the Alsatian duke Adalrich: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Robert Southwell, Priest & Martyr, S.J. (circa 1561-1595), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link England & Wales & Wikipedia-link England & Wales.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Noël Pinot, Priest & Martyr (1747-1794, A.K.A. Natale Pinot), martyred in the reign of the French National Convention for refusing an oath to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Constitution.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Genesis, chapter nine, verses one thru thirteen;
Psalm One Hundred Two, verses sixteen, seventeen, & eighteen; nineteen, twenty, & twenty-one; twenty-nine, twenty-two, & twenty-three;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter eight, verses twenty-seven thru thirty-three.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel reports Peter’s confession of faith. In the midst of his disciples, Jesus asks that strange question: "Who do people say that I am?" What he gets by way of response is, first, a public opinion survey: some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.

Then Jesus turns to those closest to him, and he asks them, "But who do you say that I am?" They are silent, afraid, unwilling to speak. Finally it is Peter who says: "You are the Christ." And he gets it right. Does he get it right because he is the most intelligent? Please. Because he is holy and close to Jesus? No. We know the whole story of Peter’s weakness, which is marked by betrayal and stupidity.

It is the Father who has given Peter this insight—not Peter’s clever mind or searching heart. It is a supernatural gift, a special charism. And it is upon Peter and this inspired confession that the Church is built.

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

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Peter Damian
The Second Letter to Timothy, chapter four, verses one thru five;
Confer Psalm Sixteen, verses five(a);
The Gospel according to John, chapter fifteen, verses one thru eight.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 32
The Book of Exodus, chapter twelve, verses forty-three thru fifty-one.

Commentary: The Ordinance of the Passover (Exodus, 12:43-51).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Christ's love for us: behold the Eucharist! Love that gives itself, love that remains, love that communicates itself, love that multiples itself, love that sacrifices itself. The Eucharist is the love that unites us & the love that saves us."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"The Gospel is my chief support in prayer, & I find in it all that my poor little soul needs."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Let us faithfully transmit to posterity the example of virtue which we have received from our forefathers."
—St. Peter Damian, Doctor of the Church (988-1073, feast day: 21 February)

The Queue: Book Club Special

I highly enjoyed the "A Defence of…" essays in G. K. Chesterton's The Defendant. Even though none of The Popish Plot's fellow Catholic YouTubers joined our book club (several of the Catholic mommy YouTubers are conducting a KonMari collab), I've very glad we read & discussed The Defendant. We have two more episodes to film & three more to post, plus the already filmed bonus episode, "A Defence of the Maginot Line." I pray there is much, much more Chesterton in my future, though I do still prefer the more polemical style of Chesterton's friend & collaborator, Hilaire Belloc.

Mere Christianity has improved considerably since the preface. Woot! Miss Mozart hates it & I am curious to find out why.

Recently
C. S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Margaret MacMillan, Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World
G. K. Chesterton, The Defendant

Currently
C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Devotionally
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ

Perpetually
Norman Davies, Vanished Kingdoms: The Rise and Fall of States and Nations ***suspended***

Presently
Steve Weidenkopf, Timeless: A History of the Catholic Church
Tim Gray & Jeff Cavins, Walking with God: A Journey through the Bible
Diane Moczar, Converts and Kingdoms: How the Church Converted the Pagan West—and How We Can Do It Again
Sherry A. Weddell, Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus
Curtis Martin, Making Missionary Disciples
Dynamic Catholic Ambassadors, Why I Love Being Catholic
Bishop Robert Barron, Seeds of the Word: Finding God in the Culture
Mike Aquilina, Understanding the Mass: 100 Questions, 100 Answers
Xavier Rynne, Vatican Council II
John W. O'Malley, What Happened at Vatican II
Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love)
Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis (The Sacrament of Charity)
Scott Hahn, A Father Who Keeps His Promises: God's Covenant Love in Scripture
Rosario Carello, Pope Francis Takes the Bus and Other Unexpected Stories
Father Mathias D. Thelen, Biblical Foundations for the Role of Healing in Evangelization
Jennifer Fulwiler, Something Other than God: How I Passionately Sought Happiness and Accidentally Found It
Richard Price, Clockers
Sir Richard Francis Burton, translator, "Sinbad the Sailor" from The Arabian Nights
Sir Ernest Shackleton, South: A Memoir of the Endurance Voyage
William F. Buckley Jr., The Unmaking of a Mayor
John le Carré, A Legacy of Spies

The Rebel Black Dot Exodus 90 Song o' Yesterday

Dienstag, 19. Februar
Five Iron Frenzy, "Far, Far Away" from Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo (The Last Angry Exodus Rude Boy)

Skammentary:

"Staring at the shoreline,
Wishing for some hope,
The weight of empty fishing nets
Is more than twisted rope.

"And underneath stern faces,
They wait with baited breath,
With broken hearts from hoping
While casting out their nets.

"See the figure on the shore,
Speaks His words like plain men sing,
His Hands, They still have holes in Them,
Glory to the King!

"Can you hear the bells are ringing
Far, far away?
Can you hear the voices singing
Far, far away?…"

The Rebel Black Dot Exodus 90 Song o' Today

Five Iron Frenzy, "World Without End" from All the Hype That Money Can Buy (The Last Angry Exodus Rude Boy)

Skammentary:

"For all the deepest thoughts compiled,
Philosophy to laws of physics,
No one's ever heard or seen
A more beautiful thing
Than this love that saves us.

"In the soundless awe and wonder,
World fall short to hope again,
How beautiful, how vast Your love is!
New forever,
World without an end.

"The very spark that burns the stars
Drew near to me today,
The God of everything that is
Whispered in my ear that His love is boundless…"

Saints + Scripture

'Tis the festival of Saint Olcán of Derken, Bishop (died circa 480, also spelt Bolcan): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Leo of Catania, Bishop, O.S.B. (circa 703-789, A.K.A. the Thaumaturgus, meaning "Wonder-worker"), who opposed the first bout of the Byzantine Iconoclastic heresy: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Heresy.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Wulfric of Haselbury, Priest (circa 1080-1154, also spelt Ulfrick, etc.): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Amata of Assisi, Religious, O.S.C. (died circa 1250): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Niece of St. Clare of Assisi [11 August].

'Tis also the festival of Saints Francisco Marto & Jacinta Marto (1908-1919 & 1910-1920) two of the three to whom were revealed the apparitions of Our Lady of Fátima (1917): Saints-link, Saint-link Foxtrot Mike, Saint-link Juliett Mike, & Wikipedia-link; Madonna-link & Wikipedia-link Fátima.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Genesis, chapter eight, verses six thru thirteen, twenty, twenty-one, & twenty-two;
Psalm One Hundred Sixteen, verses twelve & thirteen, fourteen & fifteen, & eighteen & nineteen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter eight, verses twenty-two thru twenty-six.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel records Jesus healing a blind man at Bethsaida. That Jesus was a wonderworker is taken for granted in the Gospels. Along with his preaching and his death on the cross, his working of miracles is one of the surest and most basic things we know about him.

He preached in order to share the truth of God’s kingdom; he went to the cross in order to demonstrate the range of the divine love; he worked miracles because he was the embodiment of Yahweh’s desire to save his people.

Listen to the words of the prophet Isaiah: “Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf cleared. Then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the dumb will sing.”

These are tremendous words, expressive of Israel’s hope in the saving God. God intends life and abundant life for his people, and he is impatient with a world gone wrong. He longs to set it right, to recreate what sin and fear and death have uncreated.

Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 31
The Book of Exodus, chapter twelve, verses thirty-seven thru forty-two.

Commentary: The Exodus: From Rameses to Succoth (cont'd; Exodus, 12:37-42).

The Imitation of Christ
Book II: Considerations for Leading an Interior Life
Chapter 10: "On Gratitude for God's Grace"

Papal Quote o' the Day

"In a world that often reduces sex to the pursuit of pleasure, & in some cases to domination, the Church has a special mission. She is to place sex in the context of conjugal love & of generous & responsible openness to parenthood."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"I realize better than ever before how tender & merciful Our Lord is; He has sent me this cross when I am capable of bearing it, whereas before I should have given way to discouragement."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Even if we claim not to believe, we still experience the moral effects of guilt. Some years ago, one of the archbishops of France, the archbishop of Paris, was preaching a sermon in which he said, 'Years ago, some boys came into Notre Dame Cathedral & stood outside a confessional box, & they bet one another, "Who is brave enough to go in and make a mock confession? We will give ten francs to anyone who does it." One boy said he would go in & make a mock confession. So he went in & made a mock confession, & he was given a penance. He came out & asked for the ten francs. They said, "Well, you haven't said your penance. You must have received one. What is your penance?" So he walked up to the communion rail & knelt before a crucifix, & he raised his fist & he said to our Lord on the cross, "You died for me, but I don't give a ___." He couldn't finish it.' The archbishop concluded the sermon saying, I am that boy."
—Venerable Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979)

Operation ÖSTERREICH: Exodus 90, Day 31

Weekly Wednesday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 327.0 lbs
This weigh-in: 326.4 lbs.
Difference: -0.6 lbs.

Ah, the sweet, sweet taste of failure! Yes, I lost weight, but I failed to meet two intertwined objectives: one, to lose the standing goal of two pounds per week (2 lbs./week) & thereby to set a new low weight (the current record stands at three hundred twenty-five & three-fifths pounds [325.6 lbs.]). I was undone by an old foe, an old familiar friendly enemy—the Sam Sheepdog to my Ralph Wolf: crackers & cheese. I cheated against the Exodus 90 disciplines, in spirit if not in letter, adding crackers & cheese at the end of meals when really that eating ought to have been classified as snacking, & thus verboten; so, it is no small grace that I didn't actually gain weight.

Next week: The second attempt at setting a new low weight. I must lose four-fifths of a pound (0.8 lbs.) to set that new low weight. I aim, as ever, to lose at least two. The work begins today, an Exodus 90 fast day, with my angrily growling stomach.

Saints + Scripture

The Popish Plot
G. K. Chesterton's The Defendant: "Slang"

'Tis the festival of Saint Odran, Martyr (died circa 452), martyred defending Saint Patrick [17 March], whom Saint Odran served as charioteer, from pagans: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Boniface of Brussels, Bishop, O.Cist. (1183-1260, A.K.A. of Lausanne), who attended the First Council of Lyon (1245): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Council.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Conrad of Piacenza, Hermit, T.O.S.F. (circa 1284-1351; A.K.A. Corrado Confalonieri, of Noto): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Álvaro of Córdoba, Priest, O.P. (circa 1350-1430, also spelt Alvarez, Albaro): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed John Sullivan, Priest, S.J. (1861-1933): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Genesis, chapter six, verses five thru eight & chapter seven, verses one thru five & ten;
Psalm Twenty-nine, verses one(a) & two; three (a/c) & four; & three(b), nine(c), & ten;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter eight, verses fourteen thru twenty-one.

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

Friends, a few days ago, we read about Jesus’ multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Then in today’s Gospel, which takes place just a few verses later, the disciples ask again about bread. But Jesus turns their attention elsewhere.

He warns them about "the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." What does he mean by this? He’s referring to the contagious and dangerous "food" offered by these leaders. For example, the Pharisees knew the law of God but used it to oppress people rather than liberate them. They could point out, with great accuracy and articulation, the wicked things that people were doing, in order to bring those people down, to humiliate them.

Beware of that sort of food, Jesus suggests. Instead, seek the true bread of heaven, which multiplies grace upon grace.

Video reflection by Father Paul D. Seil: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Scripture Study—Wisdom Books
The Book of the Psalms, psalm seventy-seven (verses one thru twenty);
The Book of the Proverbs, chapter nineteen (verses one thru twenty-nine).

Commentary: God's Mighty Deeds Recalled (Psalm 77) & Solomon's Proverbs on Life & Conduct (Proverbs, 19:1-29).

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 30
The Book of Exodus, chapter twelve, verses thirty-one thru thirty-six.

Commentary: The Tenth Plague: The Death of Egypt's First-born (concluded; Exodus, 12:31-32) & The Exodus: From Rameses to Succoth (Exodus, 12:33-36).

The Imitation of Christ
Book II: Considerations for Leading an Interior Life
Chapter 9: "On the Want of All Comfort"

Proverb o' the Day (Proverbs, 19:17)

He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,
and He will repay him for his deed.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Only those persons who recognize that they are sinners, in need of salvation because they cannot save themselves, only they can extend their hands to Jesus as to their Savior."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"Jesus needs neither books nor Doctors of Divinity in order to instruct souls; He, the Doctor of Doctors, He teaches without noise of words."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Indeed, the pro-abortion culture is especially strong precisely where the Church's teaching on contraception is rejected… [Contraception] & abortion are often closely connected, as fruits of the same tree."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Saints + Scripture

Commentary: The server for one of our paramount sources is "not responding." The backup source is full of advertisements, with which your patience is greatly appreciated. Regular service has been restored.

'Tis the festival of Saint Simeon of Jerusalem, Bishop & Martyr (died 106, also spelt Simon), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Trajan: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, Martyr-link trēs, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Son of St. Cleopas [25 September].

'Tis also the festival of Saint Colmán of Lindisfarne, Bishop & Abbot (circa 605-675), third (III) Bishop of Lindisfarne: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Lindisfarne & Wikipedia-link Bishop-Abbots.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed John of Fiesole, Religious, O.P. (circa 1387-1455, "Fra Angelico" [the "Angelic friar"]; A.K.A. Guido di Pietro): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed John Pibush, Priest & Martyr (died 1601), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Martyrs of Douai: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Douai.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Genesis, chapter four, verses one thru fifteen & twenty-five;
Psalm Fifty, verses one & eight, sixteen(b/c) & seventeen, & twenty & twenty-one;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter eight, verses eleven, twelve, & thirteen.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel the Pharisees demand Jesus give them a sign in order to prove his authority, perhaps a miracle. But I’d like to draw your attention to the final line in the passage: “He left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.”

Whose boat was this? Well, the previous verses confirm it belonged to his disciples. Jesus entering the boat calls to mind his first encounter with Peter. One day, Peter was going about his ordinary business, washing his nets and preparing for a catch. Then without warning, without asking permission, Jesus got into his boat. Now, the boat was everything for Peter; it was his livelihood, his security. But Jesus just got in and began giving orders.

So it goes in the order of grace. The true God cannot be manipulated, determined by us, or controlled through our efforts. We can’t act like the Pharisees in today’s Gospel, demanding that God behave for us. Rather, he comes into our lives—often unbidden and unexpected—and determines us, controls us. His presence is pure grace.

Don’t demand signs from God. Instead, do what the disciples did and let him enter your boat.

Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 29
The Book of Exodus, chapter twelve, verses twenty-nine & thirty.

Commentary: The Tenth Plague: The Death of Egypt's First-born (Exodus, 12:29-30).

The Imitation of Christ
Book II: Considerations for Leading an Interior Life
Chapter 2: "On Humble Submission"
Chapter 3: "The Peaceful Person"
Chapter 4: "On Purity of Mind & a Simple Intention"
Chapter 5: "On Knowing Yourself"
Chapter 6: "On the Joy of a Good Conscience"
Chapter 7: "On the Love of Jesus above All Things"
Chapter 8: "On the Familiar Friendship of Jesus"

Commentary: I had fallen behind on my devotional reading of The Imitation of Christ, but was able not only to catch up but also to start to pull ahead (as will be necessary to finish the one hundred fourteen chapters of the book in the ninety days o' Exodus 90) thanks to an extra hour of adoration, subbing for Foxtrot Kilo. Thanks, Foxtrot!

Papal Quote o' the Day

"There is a higher wisdom: a wisdom that reveals the true meaning of our human weakness & our pain. That wisdom is revealed in Christ. He knows what it is to suffer; He experienced it on the road to Calvary."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"I feel we must tread the same road to Heaven—the road of suffering & love."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Christ does not force our will, He takes only what we give Him. But He does not give Himself entirely until He sees that we yield ourselves entirely to Him."
—St. Teresa of Jesus, Doctor of the Church (1515-1582, feast day: 15 October)

Saints + Scripture: VI Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Popish Plot
"The Many, Many Reasons to Join the Knights of Columbus"

'Tis the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter seventeen, verses five thru eight;
Psalm One, verses one & two, three, & four & six;
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter fifteen, verses twelve & sixteen thru twenty;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter six, verses seventeen & twenty thru twenty-six.

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

Friends, our Gospel for today is Luke’s version of the Beatitudes, less well known than Matthew’s but actually punchier, more to the point. It all hinges on that decisively important spiritual attitude of detachment—apatheia in the Greek fathers, indifferencia in Ignatius of Loyola. It means that I am unattached to worldly values that become a substitute for the ultimate good of God.

How bluntly Luke’s Jesus puts things. Look at Luke’s first beatitude, a model for all: “Blessed are you poor; the reign of God is yours.” What if we translated this as, “How lucky you are if you are not addicted to material things.” When we place material things in the center of our concerns, we find ourselves caught in an addictive pattern.

Because material goods don’t satisfy the hunger in my soul, I convince myself that I need more of them. So I strive and work to get more nice things—cars, homes, TVs, clothes—and then I find that those don’t satisfy me. So I strive and strive, and the rhythm continues.

Therefore, how lucky I would be if I were poor, unattached to material goods, finally indifferent to them.

Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Video reflection by Father Claude Burns (uCatholic): Weekend Reflection with Father Pontifex.

Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D. (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Breaking the Bread.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 28
The Book of Exodus, chapter twelve, verses twenty-one thru twenty-eight.

Commentary: The Passover Instituted (cont'd; Exodus, 21:21-28).

Mass Journal: Week Twelve
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church wastes no time in addressing this truth. The opening point of Chapter One, Section One reads, "The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God & for God; & God never ceases to draw man to Himself. Only in God will man find the truth & happiness he never stops yearning for.

†

Otherwise, 17 February would be the festival of Saint Lommán of Trim, Bishop (died circa 450; also spelt Lonan, Luman, etc.; A.K.A. Lommán mac Dalláin): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Nephew of St. Patrick [17 March].

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Silvin of Auchy, Bishop, O.S.B. (circa 650-718, A.K.A. of Thérouanne): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Evermode of Ratzeburg, Bishop & Abbot, O. Præm. (circa 1100-1178, also spelt Evermod): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order, formally the Order of Servants of Mary (O.S.M., floruit 1240): Saints-link ūnus, Saints-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth Minute Meditations from the Popes:

O Lord, the seven founders of the Servites followed the example of Mary Your Mother in serving God's People. Help me to learn that same generosity & live it everyday of my life.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Luke Belludi, Religious, O.F.M. (circa 1200-1285): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link (List, by date of death).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Mary is the clearest & surest sign that God always comes to us with His love. She sings with all her being that whatever we receive from God is grace. The Virgin is our true teacher in the journey of faith."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"God would not give you the desire to be possessed by Him, by His Merciful Love if He were not reserving this favor for you."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Samson, the strong man, fell in love with a woman named Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines went up to the country to see her and said, 'Coax him and find out what gives him his great strength, & how we can master him, bind him, & hold him captive.' And Delilah tried to find out what gave Samson strength, until finally he told her the secret.

"He said, 'If my head were shaved, then my strength would leave me & I should become as weak as any other man.' Delilah then told the Philistines. She lulled Samson to sleep on her knees & summoned a man, & he shaved the seven locks of Samson's hair for her, & they made him captive. And Samson's strength left him. But the strength was not in the hair, as is so often erroneously said. Samson had taken the Nazirite vow which committed him first to totally abstain from women & from strong wine. The growing of the hair was a symbol of that vow, so that the cutting of the hair was also the symbol of the breaking of the vow.

"And then Delilah cried, 'The Philistines are upon you, Samson.' He woke from his sleep and said, 'I will go out as usual & shake myself.' In other words, I'm as strong as I ever was. He did not know that the Lord had left him. We're not as strong as we were."
—Venerable Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979)