G. K. Chesterton's The Defendant: "Useful Information"
'Tis the festival of Saint Brigid of Kildare, Abbess (circa 451-525; also spelt Bride, etc.; A.K.A. Ffraid, of Ireland), co-patroness of Ireland, foundress of the monastery around which arose the town of Kildare: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Kildare.
Commentary: Wayback Machine. Kildare is an Anglicization of the Irish Cill Dara, meaning "church of the oak."
'Tis also the festival of Saint Darlugdach of Kildare, Abbess (died circa 526, also spelt Dar Lugdach): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
Commentary: St. Darlugdach died one year to the day after her predecessor as abbess, St. Brigid.
'Tis also the festival of Blessed John of the Grating, Bishop & Abbot, O.Cist. (1098-1163): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.
Commentary: The epithet "of the Grating" was only given to Bl. John posthumously.
'Tis also the festival of Blesseds Conor O'Devany, Bishop (O.F.M.), & Patrick O'Loughran, Priest, Martyrs (died 1612; A.K.A. Cornelius O'Devany, Concobhar Ó Duibheannaigh; A.K.A. Patrick O'Lougham, Pádraig Ó Lochráin), martyred in the reign of the Anglo-Scottish king James VI & I, two of the Irish Martyrs: Martyr-link Charlie Oscar & Wikipedia-link Charlie Oscar, Martyr-link Papa Oscar & Wikipedia-link Papa Oscar; Martyrs-link Irish & Wikipedia-link Irish.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Henry Morse, Priest & Martyr, S.J. (1595-1645), martyred in the reign of the Anglo-Scottish king Charles I, one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link XL & Wikipedia-link XL.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter ten, verses thirty-two thru thirty-nine;
Psalm Thirty-seven, verses three & four, five & six, twenty-three & twenty-four, & thirty-nine & forty;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter four, verses twenty-six thru thirty-four.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today’s Gospel compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed that "when it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants." It seems to be a law of the spiritual life that God wants good things to start small and grow over time.Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
We’re tempted to say, "You’re God. Just get on with it. Do it!" But why would God work the way he does? We might attempt a few explanations. It is a commonplace of the Bible that God rejoices in our cooperation. He wants us to involve us, through freedom, intelligence, and creativity, in what he is doing. And so he plants seeds, and he wants us to cultivate them.
Consider what God said to St. Francis: "Francis, rebuild my Church." God could have rebuilt his Church without Francis, but he wanted him to get involved.
When things start small, they can fly under the radar while they gain strength and heft and seriousness. Also, those involved can be tested and tried. Suppose you want to do something great in the life of the Church and you pray and God gives you massively what you want. You might not be ready, and your project will peter out. So be patient and embrace the small invitations.
Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 12
The Book of Exodus, chapter five, verses five thru twenty-one.
Commentary: Bricks without Straw (cont'd; Exodus, 5:5-21).
The Imitation of Christ
Book I: Useful Admonitions for the Spiritual Life
Chapter 18: "On the Examples Given by the Holy Fathers"
Papal Quote o' the Day
"'To be perfect' means to love God not a little, but a great deal. It means not to stop at the point at which we have arrived, but with His help to progress in love."Little Flower Quote o' the Day
—Pope Servant of God John Paul I (1912-1978)
"You want my heart—it's here! I utterly cede my desires to You!"Saint Quote o' the Day
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
"The glory of God is man fully alive; moreover man's life is the vision of God."
—St. Irenaeus (130-200, feast day: 28 June)
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