Saints + Scripture

The Popish Plot
Celestial Saturday: "50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing"

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Apollinaris, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 79, of Ravenna), inaugural Bishop of Ravenna, martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Vespasian: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link Ravenna & Wikipedia-link Ravenna.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Martyr whose Apologia, or defense of the faith, is considered one of the most priceless documents of the early Church.

I fear the bulletin editor has confused or conflated today's St. Apollinaris of Ravenna with St. Apollinaris Claudius [8 January], A.K.A. Apollinaris the Apologist, as I can find no other mention of an Apologia by St. Apollinaris of Ravenna.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Joseph Barsabbas, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 68; A.K.A. Justus, [anachronistically] of Eleutheropolis), martyred by order of the future Roman emperor Vespasian: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: One of two men between whom lots were cast to assume the office vacated by Judas Iscariot as one of the Twelve Apostles. The other man, St. Matthias, was the choice of the Holy Spirit.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Margaret of Antioch, Virgin & Martyr (circa 289-304; also spelt Margherita, A.K.A. Marina the Great Martyr), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution; one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Persecution, Helpers-link, & Wikipedia-link Helpers.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Aurelius of Carthage, Bishop (died circa 430), Bishop of Carthage: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link Carthage & Wikipedia-link Carthage.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Luigi Novarese, Priest (1914-1984), co-founder of the Apostolate of the Suffering & the Silent Workers of the Cross, founder of the Marian Priest League & the Brothers & Sisters of the Sick: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Exodus, chapter twelve, verses thirty-seven thru forty-two;
Psalm One Hundred Thirty-six, verses one, twenty-three, & twenty-four; ten, eleven, & twelve; & thirteen, fourteen, & fifteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twelve, verses fourteen thru twenty-one.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel we hear a passage from Isaiah echoing the Baptism of Jesus: "Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased."

In the Greek philosophical tradition, God is the supreme good around which everything in the universe revolves. But that Aristotle’s prime mover would stoop down to the level of a creature and move toward him—that would be unthinkable. And in the Jewish context, God’s absolute holiness was consistently contrasted with human sinfulness. But that God would himself take on the wretchedness of his creatures and stand with them—no way.

Yet, in Christ, God himself moves toward his creatures, takes on their wretchedness, and stands with them. Why? Because God has come in order to forgive sins. This is the heart and soul, the beginning and end of Christian revelation. How often the words and gestures of forgiveness radiate out from Jesus, and how central forgiveness is to the liturgy. "This is the cup of my blood . . . which will be shed so that sins may be forgiven."

This is why "he will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick." God has not come to finish off those who have blown it spiritually and morally, but to stand with them in total solidarity.

Video reflection by Harry Dudley, D.Min.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Apollinaris
The Book of Ezekiel, chapter thirty-four, verses eleven thru sixteen;
Psalm Twenty-three, verses one two, & three(a); four; five; & six;
The Gospel according to John, chapter ten, verses eleven thru sixteen.

Scripture Study—Day 91: Covenant Crag, Day 34
The Book of Genesis, chapter twenty-four, verses twenty-six, twenty-seven, thirty-four, thirty-five, thirty-seven, thirty-eight, & forty thru forty-eight.

Commentary: The Marriage of Isaac & Rebekah (cont'd; Genesis, 24:26-27, 34-35, 37-38, & 40-48).

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Atheism is not a doctrine; it is a cry of wrath. There are two kinds of atheists. There are the simple persons who have read a smattering of science & conclude that there probably is no God. The other type of atheist is the type that might be called militant, such as the communists. They do not deny the existence of God; they challenge God. It is the very reality of God that saves them from insanity. It is the reality of God that gives them an object against which they may vent their hate."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

Papal Quote o' the Day

"The Church gives thanks for all the manifestations of the Feminine Genius…"
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)