Saints + Scripture

Simplex Complex Edition | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

'Tis the festival of Saints Martinian & Processus, Martyrs (died circa 67, of Rome), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Nero: Martyr-link Mike, Martyr-link Papa, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Swithun of Winchester, Bishop (circa 800-863, also spelt Swithin), eighteenth (XVIII) Bishop of Winchester: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link Winchester & Wikipedia-link Winchester.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Otto of Bamberg, Bishop (circa 1060-1139, "Apostle of Pomerania"), eighth (VIII) Bishop of Bamberg: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link Bamberg, Wikipedia-link Prince-Bishopric, & Wikipedia-link Archdiocese.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Bernardino Realino, Priest, S.J. (1530-1616, the "Apostle of Lecce"): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Genesis, chapter nineteen, verses fifteen thru twenty-nine;
Psalm Twenty-six, verses two & three, nine & ten, & eleven & twelve;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eight, verses twenty-three thru twenty-seven.

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

During the storm, Jesus’ disciples cried out to the Lord in desperation: "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" This is a de profundis prayer. Do you know the de profundis prayer? It comes from Psalm 130: "Out of the depths, I have cried to you, O Lord. O Lord, be attentive to the voice of my pleading." It is the prayer offered at the darkest times of life, when we feel utterly incapable of helping ourselves.

Perhaps there are some people reading this right now who feel themselves in this precise situation. Perhaps you’re reading these words from your hospital bed where you are recovering painfully from surgery, or where you’ve just received some devastating news. Perhaps you find yourself caught in a terrible, unrelenting depression. Maybe you’ve just lost a loved one, and you’re awash in a sea of grief.

If that’s you, then pray as the disciples did. Awaken someone who can help. Jesus sleeping in the midst of the storm is a very powerful symbol of God’s sovereignty over even the darkest and most difficult trials that life throws at us

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

Scripture Study—Day 91: Covenant Crag, Day 16
The Book of Genesis, chapter twelve, verses ten thru twenty.

Commentary: Abram & Sarai in Egypt (Genesis, 12:10-20).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Let no one be under any delusion. Christ is demanding. Christ's life is the narrow way. To be worthy of Him, we must take up our cross. It is not enough to be religious; it is necessary to carry out the Divine Will in actual fact."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 29 May)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"I find nothing in books except in the Gospel. That book alone is sufficient for me."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Commentary: Strike three.

Saint Quote o' the Day

"I need nothing but God, & to lose myself in the Heart of Jesus."
—St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690, feast day: 16 October)