Saints + Scripture

The Popish Plot
"Catholic T-shirt Club Unboxing 4"

'Tis the Memorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, & Methodius, Bishop ("Apostles to the Slavs;" circa 827-869, A.K.A. Constantine; & circa 815-885, A.K.A. Michael): Saints-link, Saint-link Charlie, Saint-link Mike, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

They are two brothers who were Byzantine Christian theologians & Christian missionaries. They are credited with devising the Glagolitic alphabet, the first alphabet used to transcribe Old Church Slavonic.

Quoth Minute Meditations from the Popes:

O Lord, Sts. Cyril & Methodius spent their lives to share the Word of God. Teach me to share that Word, especially with those who are living without hope.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Valentine of Rome, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 269), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Claudius II Gothicus: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Saint Valentine's Day.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Abraham of Harran, Bishop & Hermit (circa 350-422; also spelt Abraames; A.K.A. of Charres, of Cyrrhus): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Auxentius of Bithynia, Hermit (circa 400-473), who was vindicated by the Council of Chalcedon (451): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Council.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Antoninus of Sorrento, Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 555-625, A.K.A. of Campagna): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Vicente Vilar David, Martyr (1889-1937), martyred in the reign of the Communist president Manuel Azaña: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Genesis, chapter two, verses eighteen thru twenty-five;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-eight, verses one & two, three, & four & five;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter seven, verses twenty-four thru thirty.

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

Friends, our Gospel for today, the story of Jesus’ conversation with the Syro-Phoenician woman, is one of those famously problematic passages in the New Testament. This poor woman, a Canaanite, a foreigner, comes forward and tells Jesus of her daughter who is troubled by a demon. She prostrates herself at his feet, but Jesus says, "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs."

Of course, the woman responds with one of the best one-liners in the Scriptures, almost all of which otherwise belong to Jesus himself: "Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps." At this point, Jesus praises her for her faith and cures her daughter.

What’s going on here is really interesting and provocative. The Syro-Phoenician woman is being invited into a life of discipleship, into the following of Jesus. She is resisted, not because Jesus is having a bad day, but because he wants the strength of her faith to show itself.

Video reflection by Father John Crossin, O.S.F.S.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Memorial of Ss. Cyril & Methodius
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter thirteen, verses forty-six thru forty-nine;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verse fifteen & Psalm One Hundred Seventeen, verses one(b/c), two;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses one thru nine.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 25
The Book of Exodus, chapter ten, verses twenty-one thru twenty-nine.

Commentary: The Ninth Plague: Darkness (Exodus, 10:21-29.

The Imitation of Christ
Book I: Useful Admonitions for the Spiritual Life
Chapter 25: "On the Fervent Amendment of Our Whole Life"

Papal Quote o' the Day

"The person who has been evangelized goes on to evangelize others. It is unthinkable that people should accept the Word & give themselves to the Kingdom without becoming persons who bear witness to it & proclaim it in turn."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"How few there are who accept failure & weakness, who are content to see themselves on the ground & to be found there by others."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Nothing in this world is of value until offered or dedicated to a higher end. What is the worth of land unless we do something with it? What is the worth of our body unless it is spent for Christ?"
—Venerable Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979, feast day:)