Saints + Scripture: First Sunday of Lent

The Popish Plot
vLent 2019: "Praying with Hats"

'Tis the First Sunday of Lent: Quadragesima-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—First Sunday of Lent
The Book of Deuteronomy, chapter twenty-six, verses four thru ten;
Psalm Ninety-one, verses one & two, ten & eleven, twelve & thirteen, & fourteen & fifteen;
The Letter to the Romans, chapter ten, verses eight thru thirteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter four, verses one thru thirteen.

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

Friends, in our Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent, Luke gives us the story of the temptation in the desert. At every point in the Gospels, we are meant to identify with Jesus. God became man that man might become God. We participate in him and thereby learn what a godly life is like.

Jesus has just been baptized; he has just learned his deepest identity and mission. And now he confronts—as we all must—the great temptations. What precisely is entailed in being the beloved Son of God?

First, the tempter urges him to use his divine power to satisfy his bodily desires, which Jesus dismisses with a word. Having failed at his first attempt, the devil plays a subtler game—the temptation faced by Adam and Eve in the garden: you will decide how and when God will act.

And then the last and perhaps greatest of the temptations: power. Power is extremely seductive. Many would gladly eschew material things or attention or fame in order to get it. Jesus’ great answer in Matthew’s account of this story is "Get away, Satan!" To seek power is to serve Satan—it is stated that bluntly.

Reflect: Which false idol—pleasure, power, honor, or wealth—tempts you the most? Why?

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.

Video reflection by Deacon Al McLaughlin (Array of Hope): Easter of Hope

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

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 49
The Book of Exodus, chapter twenty-one, verses one thru eleven.

Commentary: Laws concerning Slaves (Exodus, 21:1-11).

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

The are certain disciplines that are associated with the lifestyle of an athlete that could also be compared with the lifestyle of a Christian. Athletes abide by certain diets & adhere to certain training regimens. They don't stay out all night partying, because they know they have to wake early the next morning for training. All these are parts of an athlete's lifestyle. So it is with the life of a Christian. There are disciplines & practices that must be embraced & respected if we are to walk faithfully along the path of salvation, fulfill our destiny, become better-versions-of-ourselves each day, & enjoy the happiness God wants to fill is with. Your journey with God will require more discipline than any other quest you will pursue in this life.

†

Otherwise, 10 March would be the commemoration of Saint Simplicius, Pope (died 483), forty-seventh (XLVII) Bishop of Rome: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Pontiff-link & Wikipedia-link Pontiff.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the commemoration of Saint Kessog, Bishop & Martyr (circa 460-520; also spelt Kecsag, Kessock, etc.), martyred by pagans in the vicinity of Loch Lomond: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the commemoration of Saint Himelin, Priest (died circa 750): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Brother of the martyr St. Rumbold of Mechelen [24 June].

'Twould also be the commemoration of Saint John Ogilvie, Priest & Martyr, S.J. (1579-1615, A.K.A. John Watson), martyred in the reign of the Anglo-Scottish king James VI & I: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the commemoration of Saint Marie-Eugénie de Jésus, Religious, R.A. (1817-1898, A.K.A. Anne-Eugénie Milleret de Brou), foundress of the Religious of the Assumption (R.A.): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link R.A.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"People today more willingly listen to witnesses than to teachers. If they do listen to teachers, it is because these teachers are also witnesses."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"O Jesus, I only ask Thee to give me peace! Peace, & above all a love that knows no bounds."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"At least once daily, cast your mind ahead to the moment of death so that you can consider the events of each day in this light."
—St. Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975, feast day: 26 June)