Saints + Scripture: Quadragesima

The Popish Plot
vLent 2019: "Fish Friday Rules"

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint John of God, Religious, O.H. (1495-1550, A.K.A. João Duarte Cidade), founder of the Merciful Brothers, formally the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God (O.H.): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.H.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

John of God, O.H. was a Portuguese-born soldier turned health-care worker in Spain, whose followers later formed the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God.

'Tis also the commemoration of Saint Felix of Burgundy, Bishop (died circa 647, the "Apostle of the East Angles;" A.K.A. of Dunwich): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the commemoration of Saint Duthac of Ross, Bishop (circa 1000-1065, the "Chief Confessor of Ireland & Scotland;" also spelt Duthus, etc.): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the commemoration of Saint Jón Ögmundsson, Bishop (1052-1121, the "Apostle to Iceland;" A.K.A. Jón Helgi Ögmundarson, John of Holar): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the commemoration of Blessed Wincenty Kadłubek, Bishop, O.Cist. (1160-1223, Anglicized as Vincent Kadlubek): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Friday after Ash Wednesday
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-eight, verses one thru nine(a);
Psalm Fifty-one, verses three & four, five & six(a/b), & eighteen & nineteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter nine, verses fourteen & fifteen.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel, people ask Jesus why he and his disciples do not fast when John and his disciples do. Jesus’ answer is wonderful: "How can the guests at a wedding fast while the groom is still with them?" Could you imagine people fasting at a wedding banquet? It would be ridiculous!

Jesus later says, "No one pours new wine into old wineskins." The new wine is the Gospel. The receptacle for this wine must be conformed to it, not the other way around.

To take in the Good News, we can’t be living in the cramped space of our sinful souls. We can’t have an "expect the worst" attitude. Instead we repent, or change the minds that we have. Another way to get at this is to say that like is known by like. If God is love, then only a soul that is on fire with love will properly take him in.

Reflect: What benefit do you see from fasting?

Video reflection by Dr. Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. John of God
The First Letter of John, chapter three, verses fourteen thru eighteen;
Psalm One Hundred Twelve, verses one(b/c) & two; three & four; five, six, & seven(a); seven(b) & eight; & nine;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses thirty-one thru forty.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 47
The Book of Exodus, chapter twenty, verses one thru seventeen.

Commentary: The Ten Commandments (Exodus, 20:1-17).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Remember well, a Christian, especially a Catholic, must be strong. I mean spiritual & moral strength. A follower of Christ should not be afraid. Christians should feel surrounded by an atmosphere of Providence that makes all things work out."
—Pope St. John XXIII (1881-1963, feast day: 11 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"Oh!… I love him… My God, I… love… You!"
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"There are two powers by which chiefly this world is ruled: the sacred authority of the priesthood & the authority of kings. And of these the authority of the priests is so much the weightier, as they must render before the tribunal of God an account even for the kings of men."
—Pope St. Gelasius I (died 496, feast day: 21 November)