Saints + Scripture

The Popish Plot
"St. Michael Prayer"

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saints Cosmas & Damian, Martyrs (died circa 303), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, victims of the Great Persecution; two of the Holy Unmercenaries (A.K.A. the moneyless ones): Martyrs-link, Martyr-link Charlie, Martyr-link Delta, & Wikipedia-link; Persecutions-link & Wikipedia-link Persecution; & Wikipedia-link Holy Unmercenaries.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

They suffered martyrdom in Syria during the persecution of the emperor Diocletian. A church erected on the site of their burial was enlarged by the emperor Justinian. Legend says that they were twin brothers born in Arabia who were both skilled doctors. They were among those whoa re venerated in the East as the "moneyless ones" because, purportedly, they did not charge a fee for their services. Nine centuries later, [St.] Francis of Assisi [4 October] rebuilt the dilapidated San Damiano chapel outside Assisi.

'Tis the festival of Saints Cyprian of Antioch & Justina, Virgin, Martyrs (died circa 304, A.K.A. of Nicomedia), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, victims of the Great Persecution: Martyr-link Charlie, Martyr-link Juliett, & Wikipedia-link; Persecutions-link & Wikipedia-link Persecution.

'Tis the festival of Saint Colmán Elo, Bishop & Abbot (circa 555-611, A.K.A. Colmán Macusailni), Bishop of Connor, founding abbot of the Abbey of Muckamore: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Connor.

Commentary: Nephew of St. Columba [9 June].

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Haggai, chapter one, verses one thru eight;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-nine, verses one(b) & two; three & four; & five, six(a), & nine(b);
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter nine, verses seven, eight, & nine.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel we see Herod interested in and perplexed by Jesus. Political rulers don’t come across well in the New Testament. In Luke’s Christmas account, Caesar Augustus is compared very unfavorably to the Christ child. And in Matthew’s account that child is hunted down by the desperate Herod. Later, Herod’s son persecutes John the Baptist and Jesus himself. More to it, the Jewish authorities are seen in all of the Gospels as corrupt.

And Pontius Pilate is a typical Roman governor: efficient, concerned for order, brutal. Like the other rulers of the time, he perceives Jesus, quite correctly, as a threat. "So you are a king?" Pilate asks. Jesus says, "My kingdom does not belong to this world."

This does not mean that Jesus is unconcerned for the realities of politics, with the very "this-worldly" concerns of justice, peace, and right order. When he speaks of his kingdom not belonging to the "world," he shades the negative side of that term. The "world" is the realm of sin, selfishness, hatred, violence. What he is saying is that his way of ordering things is not typical of worldly powers like Pilate, Caesar, and Herod.

Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of Ss. Cosmas & Damian
The Book of Wisdom, chapter three, verses one thru nine;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-six, verses one(b/c) & two(a/b), two(c/d) & three, four & five, & six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten, verses twenty-eight thru thirty-three.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 91: Decision Dome, Day 4
The Book of Joshua, chapter two, verses fifteen thru twenty-four.

Commentary: Spies Sent to Jericho (concluded; Joshua, 2:15-24).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Since the passion & death of the Lord Jesus Christ, these souls have seen & see the Divine Essence with an intuitive vision & even face-to-face, without the mediation of any creature by way of object of vision; rather the Divine Essence immediately manifests itself to them, plainly, clearly & openly, & in this vision they enjoy the Divine Essence."
—Pope Benedict XII (1285-1342)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"If created things are so utterly lovely, how gloriously beautiful must be He Who made them! The wisdom of the worker is revealed in his handiwork."
—St. Anthony of Padua, Doctor of the Church (1195-1231, feast day: 13 June)