Saints + Scripture

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'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)