Saints + Scripture: Quadragesima

The Popish Plot
vLent 2019: "Prayer Intention of the Pope, March 2019"

'Tis the commemoration of Saint Maximilian of Theveste, Martyr (274-295, A.K.A. of Numidia, of Tébessa), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the commemoration of Saint Innocent I, Pope (died 417), fortieth (XL) Bishop of Rome: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Pontiff-link & Wikipedia-link Pontiff.

'Tis also the commemoration of Saint Paul Aurelian of Léon, Bishop (died circa 575; also spelt Pol, Paol Aorelian), one of the Seven Founder Saints of Brittany: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Brittany.

Commentary: Uncle of St. Joavan of Brittany [2 March].

'Tis also the commemoration of Saint Mura of Fahan, Abbot (circa 550-645, A.K.A. Mura McFeredach; also spelt Murin, Murames): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the commemoration of Blessed Angela Salawa, T.O.S.F (1881-1922, also spelt Aniela): Blessed-link ūna, Blessed-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the First Week of Lent
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-five, verses ten & eleven;
Psalm Thirty-four, verses four & five, six & seven, sixteen & seventeen, & eighteen & nineteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter six, verses seven thru fifteen.

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

Friends, the Gospel for today is of great significance, for in it the Son of God teaches us to pray. We hear from not just a guru, a spiritual teacher, or a religious genius, but from the very Son of God. This is why the Our Father, the Lord’s Prayer, is the model of all prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer is the prayer for the Christian journey which has been offered up consistently for the past two thousand years. Think for a moment how this prayer links us to all of the great figures in Christian history, from Peter and Paul to Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Francis of Assisi, John Henry Newman, G.K. Chesterton, John Paul II, and right up to the present day.

Keep in mind that prayer is not designed so much to change God’s mind or to tell God something he doesn’t know. God isn’t like a big city boss or a reluctant pasha whom we have to persuade. Rather, he is the one who wants nothing other than to give us good things—though they might not always be the things we want.

Reflect: Pray the Lord’s Prayer slowly. What word or phrase stands out? Meditate on that word or phrase as an additional prayer.

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

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 51
The Book of Exodus, chapter twenty-one, verse thirty-three thru chapter twenty-two, verse six.

Commentary: Laws concerning Violence & Harm (cont'd; Exodus, 21:33-36) & Laws of Restitution (Exodus, 22:1-6).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"If the members who constitute the parish are numerically many, so are the gifts the Holy Spirit incessantly distributes. So also are the initiatives that He awakens there according to the grace given to each member."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"O Jesus, Your little bird is happy to be weak & little. What would become of it if it were big ? Never would it have the boldness to appear in Your presence, to fall asleep in front of You."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Sorrow not for the dying person; but sorrow for the one who is living in sin!"
—St. John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church (349-407, feast day: 13 September)