The Popish Plot
vLent 2019: "Final Four 2019: Heaven"
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter seven, verses twenty-three thru twenty-eight;
Psalm Ninety-five, verses one & two, six & seven, & eight & nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eleven, verses fourteen thru twenty-three.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel we learn of a person possessed by a demon. Jesus meets the man and drives out the demon, but then is immediately accused of being in league with Satan. Some of the witnesses said, "By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons."communio, of one bringing things back together.
Jesus’ response is wonderful in its logic and laconicism: "Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?"
The demonic power is always one of scattering. It breaks up communion. But Jesus, as always, is the voice of
Think back to Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand. Facing a large, hungry crowd, his disciples beg him to "dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves." But Jesus answers, "There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves."
Whatever drives the Church apart is an echo of this "dismiss the crowds" impulse, and a reminder of the demonic tendency to divide. In times of trial and threat, this is a very common instinct. We blame, attack, break up, and disperse. But Jesus is right: "There is no need for them to go away."
Reflect: How can you be a force for unification in your parish or Christian group?Video reflection by Father Roger Lopez, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 67
The Book of Exodus, chapter twenty-nine, verses one thru nine.
Commentary: The Ordination of Priests (Exodus, 29:1-9).
'Tis the commemoration of Saint Sixtus III, Pope (died 440) forty-fourth (XLIV) Bishop of Rome (432-440), who approved the canons of the Council of Ephesus (431, the third ecumenical council): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Pontifex-link & Wikipedia-link Pontifex, Council-link & Wikipedia-link Ephesus.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
'Tis also the commemoration of Saint Hesychius of Jerusalem, Priest (died circa 450): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo & Wikipedia-link.
'Tis also the commemoration of Saint Alkelda of Middleham, Religious & Martyr (died circa 800), martyred by Danish vikings: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Tis also the commemoration of Saint Stephen Harding, Priest & Abbot, O.Cist. (circa 1060-1134, Francofied as Étienne Harding), co-founder of the Abbey of Cîteaux & the Cistercian Order: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Abbey-link Cîteaux & Wikipedia-link Cîteaux, Order-link O.Cist. & Wikipedia-link O.Cist..
'Tis also the commemoration of Blessed Christopher Wharton, Priest & Martyr (circa 1540-1600), 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.
Papal Quote o' the Day
"The ultimate goal of fasting is to help each one of us to make a complete gift of self to God."Little Flower Quote o' the Day
—Pope Benedict XVI (born 1927, reigned 2005-2013)
"God alone can sound the heart!"Saint Quote o' the Day
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
"As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus's thirst. He knows your weakness. He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you."
—St. Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997, feast day: 5 September)
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