Saints + Scripture

The Popish Plot
Bonus Episode: "Auction"

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin & Doctor of the Church, O.C.D. (1515-1582, of Ávila; A.K.A. Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada), co-foundress of the Discalced Carmelites (O.C.D.), formally the Order of the Discalced Carmelites of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel: Doctor-link ūna, Doctor-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link; Doctors-link & Wikipedia-link Doctors; & Order-link O.C.D. & Wikipedia-link O.C.D.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

She is among the most important figures of all time for Catholic spirituality. Her works—especially the four best known (The Life, The Way of Perfection, The Mansions [A.K.A. The Interior Castle], & The Foundations)—together with her more historical works, contain a doctrine which encompasses the whole of the spiritual life, from the first steps right up to intimacy with God at the center of the Interior Castle.

Wikipedia-link Way of Perfection & Wikipedia-link The Interior Castle

'Tis also the festival of Saint Aurelia of Strasbourg, Virgin (fourth century): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Severus of Trier, Bishop (died circa 455), Bishop of Trier: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link Trier & Wikipedia-link Trier.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Canus Natus of Marseille, Bishop (died 490, also spelt Cannatus), Bishop of Marseille & namesake of the commune of Saint-Cannat: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Marseille & Wikipedia-link Saint-Cannat.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Magdalene of Nagasaki, Martyr (circa 1610-1634), martyred in the reign of the Japanese warlord Tokugawa Iemitsu: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Romans, chapter one, verses sixteen thru twenty-five;
Psalm Nineteen, verses two & three, four & five;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eleven, verses thirty-seven thru forty-one.

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

Friends, Jesus concludes today’s Gospel by prescribing giving alms as a key to holiness. I’ve quoted to you before some of the breathtaking remarks of saints and popes about almsgiving. Leo XIII says that once the demands of necessity and propriety have been met, the rest of your money belongs to the poor. John Chrysostom says, "The man who has two shirts in his closet, one belongs to him; the other belongs to the man who has no shirt."

The deepest root of all of this is in the prophets, who continually rail against those who are indifferent to the poor. The prophets teach us that compassion is key to biblical ethics, feeling the pain of others in our own hearts. We’re not dealing with an abstract Aristotelian moral philosophy, but rather with something more visceral.

This is precisely why the two great commandments are so tightly linked: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart… and love your neighbor as yourself." In loving God you feel the feelings of God, and God is compassionate to the poor and oppressed. That’s all the argument that a biblical person needs.

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

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus
The Letter to the Romans, chapter eight, verses twenty-two thru twenty-seven;
Psalm Nineteen (R/. ten), verses eight, nine, ten, & eleven;
(or, R/. the Gospel according to John, chapter six, verse sixty-three);
The Gospel according to John, chapter fifteen, verses one thru eight.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 91: Decision Dome, Day 23
The Book of Joshua, chapter eleven, verses one thru fifteen.

Commentary: The United Kings of Northern Canaan Defeated (Joshua, 11:1-15).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Certainly a life lived by faith resembles more an expedition up a mountain than a quiet evening spent reading in front of the fire; but anyone who embarks upon this expedition knows & experiences more & more that the adventure to which it invites us is worthwhile."
—Pope Benedict XVI (born 1927, reigned 2005-2013)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"You pay God a compliment by asking great things of Him."
—St. Teresa of Ávila, Doctor of the Church (1515-1582, feast day: 15 October)

Chesterton Quote o' the Day

"Orthodoxy is the only persecuted heresy."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)