Saints + Scripture: Quadragesima

The Popish Plot
vLent 2019: "Bible Bites for 23 March 2019"

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
The Book of Micah, chapter seven, verses fourteen, fifteen, eighteen, nineteen, & twenty;
Psalm One Hundred Three, verses one & two, three & four, nine & ten, & eleven & twelve;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter fifteen, verses one, two, three, & eleven thru thirty-two.

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

Friends, our Gospel today is Jesus’ best-known parable: the story of the prodigal son.

In considering this narrative, we are dealing with an icon of the Father told by the one who is himself the Icon of the Father. Thus we have Jesus indirectly crafting a subtle self-portrait. The gathering embrace of the father in the story mirrors that of the heavenly Father, which in turn is represented in that of Jesus.

What happens when the father embraces his son and kisses him? The boy speaks: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son." Whenever characters in the Bible come close to the divine grace, they experience a heightened sense of their own unworthiness. This is the dynamic at work in the case of the prodigal son.

But his father ignores his carefully rehearsed speech, and, with an eagerness bordering on impatience, instructs his servants to prepare a celebration. Our participation in the flow of the divine life is, necessarily, a gift. It cannot, in principle, be earned or merited, but only accepted. We can only be embraced by it.

Reflect: Who do you identify most with in the parable of the prodigal son? What can you learn from that identification?

Video reflection by Father Luke Ballman: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Turibius of Mogrovejo
The Second Letter to Timothy, chapter one, verses thirteen & fourteen & chapter two, verses one, two, & three;
Psalm Ninety-six, verses one & two(a), two(b) & three, seven & eight(c), & ten;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter nine, verses thirty-five thru thirty-eight.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 62
The Book of Exodus, chapter twenty-six, verses fifteen thru thirty.

Commentary: The Framework (Exodus, 26:15-30).

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, Bishop (1538-1606), third (III) Archbishop of Lima: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Lima.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

He served as the Archbishop of Lima from 1579 until his death. He first studied in the humanities & law before serving as a professor & later as the Grand Inquisitor at the behest of King Philip II.

'Tis also the commemoration of Saint Æthelwold of Farne, Priest, O.S.B. (died circa 699; A.K.A. the Hermit; also spelt Ethelwald, Oidilwald): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the commemoration of Blessed Edmund Sykes, Priest & Martyr (circa 1550-1587), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link England & Wales & Wikipedia-link England & Wales.

'Tis also the commemoration of Blessed Peter O'Higgins, Priest & Martyr, O.P. (1601-1642, also spelt Peadar Ó Huiggin), martyred in the reign of the English king Charles I, one of the Irish Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link (List); Martyrs-link Éire & Wikipedia-link Éire.

'Tis also the commemoration of Saint José Orioli, Priest (1650-1702, the "Wonder-worker of Barcelona;" Anglicized as Joseph Oriol): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Because all are entrusted with the vast area of charity & material assistance, I invite you to give generously. Give for the maintenance & support of seminarians, for the formation of the laity, in particular of catechists, for the construction of churches, schools, hospitals, & social work."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"To be His, one must remain little, little like a drop of dew!… Oh! how few are the souls who aspire to remain little in this way!"
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Practice & increase in virtue up to the very moment of death."
—St. Bonaventure, Doctor of the Church (1221-1274, feast day: 15 July)