Saints + Scripture: XVI Sunday in Tempus per annum

'Tis the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time during the year"): Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Book of Genesis, chapter eighteen, verses one thru ten(a);
Psalm Fifteen, verses two & three, three & four, & five;
The Letter to the Colossians, chapter one, verses twenty-four thru twenty-eight;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses thirty-eight thru forty-two.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel inspires protests more than almost any other that I’ve preached on. “Hey Bishop, I think Martha gets a bum rap.” And for centuries the story has been read that Martha represents the “active” life and Mary the “contemplative” life. I would like to stress that the active/contemplative reading of the Martha and Mary story is not that helpful. We have to dig a little deeper.

What does he upbraid Martha for? “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and upset about many things.” It is the frantic, divided, unfocused quality of her life that Jesus is drawing attention to. And what is Mary being praised for? Not precisely that she is “contemplative,” but that she has chosen the unum necessarium (the one necessary thing). She sits quietly at the feet of the Lord, not so much eschewing work as gathering herself, learning what she is essentially about.

There is a cacophony of voices calling out to you; there are a thousand influences pulling you this way and that. What’s the one necessary thing? It is to listen to the voice of Jesus as he tells you of his love and as he tells you who you are.

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.

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

Scripture Study—Day 91: Covenant Crag, Day 35
The Book of Genesis, chapter twenty-five, verses seven thru eleven.

Commentary: The Death of Abraham (Genesis, 25:7-11).

Mass Journal: Week 34
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:

The philosophy of Christ is based on discipline, & it is discipline that our modern culture abhors & had rejected with all its strength. It is true that Jesus came to comfort the afflicted, but as [Servant of God] Dorothy Day [Obl.S.B.], journalist, social, activist, & Catholic convert pointed out, he also came to afflict the comfortable. The saints make many modern Catholics uncomfortable because they challenge us to throw off the spirit of the world & to embrace the Spirit of God. Like Jesus, by their example the saints invite us to a life of discipline. Contrary to popular opinion, discipline doesn't stifle or restrict the human person. Discipline isn't something invented by the Church to control or manipulate the masses, nor is it the tool that unjust tyrants & dictators use to make people do things they don't want to do. All these are the lies of a culture completely absorbed in a philosophy of instant gratification. Discipline is the faithful friend who will introduce you to your true self. Discipline is the worthy protector who will defend you from your lesser self. And discipline is the extraordinary mentor who will challenge you to become the best-version-of-yourself & all God created you to be. What are your habits? Are your habits helping you become a-better-version-of-yourself or are they self-diminishing?

†

Otherwise, 21 July would be the festival of Saint Práxedes, Virgin (died circa 165, of Rome; also spelt Praxedis, Praxed): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Daughter of Ss. Pudens [19 May] & Claudia [7 August] & sister of Ss. Prudentia [19 May], Novatus [20 June], & Timotheus [?].

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Simeon the Holy Fool, Hermit (died circa 570, A.K.A. the Insane, Simeon Salus, Simeon Solos): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Arbogast of Strasbourg, Bishop (died circa 678, A.K.A. Arascach), sixth (VI) Bishop of Strasbourg: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link Strasbourg, Wikipedia-link Strasbourg, & Wikipedia-link Prince-Bishops.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest & Doctor of the Church, O.F.M. Cap. (1559-1619, A.K.A. Giulio Cesare Russo): Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Doctors-link, & Wikipedia-link Doctors.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Alberico Crescitelli, Priest & Martyr, P.I.M.E. (1863-1900, A.K.A. Guo Xide), martyred in the reign of the Chinese Guangxu Emperor, a victim of the Boxer Rebellion, one of the one hundred twenty Martyr Saints of China: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Boxer Rebellion, Martyrs-link China, & Wikipedia-link China.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Christians must restore their spiritual & moral unity. It is not enough to say we are Christians. We must live as Christians. Genuine Christians derive the rule, style, & strength of their life from the Faith."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 29 May)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"The sacraments of the New Testament give salvation, the sacraments of the Old Testament promise a savior."
—St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church (354-430, feast day: 28 August)