Saints + Scripture: Adventus

'Tis the Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent: Advent-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis the festival of Saint Tydecho, Hermit (sixth century; also spelt Tudoc, etc.): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Brother of St. Cadfan [1 November].

'Tis also the festival of Saint Judicaël, Religious (circa 590-658, also spelt Judhael, etc.), king of Domnonée (Brittany): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Brother of Ss. Judoc [13 December] & Winnoc [6 November].

'Tis also the festival of Saint Begga of Ardenne, Abbess (died 693): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Daughter of St. Pepin of Landen [21 February], sister of St. Gertrude of Nivelles [17 March], & great-great-grandmother of Bl. Charlemagne [28 January].

'Tis also the festival of Saint Sturmi of Fulda, Priest & Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 705-779, the "Apostle of the Saxons;" also spelt Sturm, Sturmius), founding abbot of the Abbey of Fulda (747-799): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Fulda.

'Tis also the festival of Saint John of Matha, Priest, O.SS.T. (circa 1160-1223), co-founder of the Trinitarians (O.SS.T.), formally the Order of the Most Holy Trinity & of the Captives: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Order-link O.SS.T. & Wikipedia-link O.SS.T.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
The Book of Genesis, chapter forty-nine, verses two, eight, nine, & ten;
Psalm Seventy-two (R/. see seven), verses one & two, three & four(a/b), seven & eight, & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter one, verses one thru seventeen.

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

Friends, today we read the opening lines of Matthew’s Gospel—the first words that one reads in the New Testament. They are a listing of the genealogy of Jesus, the forty-two generations that stretch from Abraham to Christ. If the Word truly dwelt among us, then he was part of a family that, like most, was fairly dysfunctional—a mix of the good and bad. And this is such good news for us.

Let me highlight just two figures from Jesus’ family. First, Ruth, who was not an Israelite but rather a Moabite, a foreigner. Some of you reading this feel like outsiders, not part of the "in" crowd, looked at askance by others. Well, the Messiah came forth from Ruth the foreigner and was pleased to be her relative.

Then there is Rahab, a prostitute living and working in Jericho. Are there people reading these words who feel like Rahab? Who think that their whole lives have been sunk in sin? Well, the Messiah came forth from Rahab the prostitute, and he was pleased to be her relative.

The good news of Christmas is that God himself pushed into the dysfunctional and ambiguous family of man.

Reflect: How can you better reach out and embrace the Ruths and Rahabs in your own family?

Video reflection by Father John Crossin, O.S.F.S.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Advent of Hope" reflection (Array of Hope):

This Gospel, according to Matthew, reveals Jesus’ genealogy and His credentials. Yes, He came from Abraham, but He also came from gentiles, a prostitute, an adulterer and a bunch of other ordinary people. This is important because it shows that God has come to save all people. Also, it shows that He is victorious over sin and will use even evil events and people of "questionable character" to accomplish His will. This is good news that fills us with hope!

The family is of divine origin. God gave us our families for a reason. He wants us to embrace our families and love our families because d love covers a multitude of sins. Some families experience pain, heartache and separation, but Jesus understands the complexities of family life. Though He was perfect and without sin, and while Mary was free from sin and Joseph a great Saint, Jesus' family tree was less than "perfect." If we find our family riddled with imperfections and even dysfunctions, we should not fear or become despondent, but trust in the nearness of Jesus, His compassion, and His mercy. Jesus is close to families, especially those experiencing difficulty. His desire is to save, to heal, and to redeem.

Today, let us actively work to cultivate a joyful attitude within our families. No matter what situations may arise, may we remain hopeful in Christ.
When we experience frustration and hardship due to the words or actions of family members, let us be quick to forgive. When we in our weakness fail to love our family members as we should, let us be quick to ask for forgiveness. Above all, let us trust that Divine Wisdom is at work and that Christ works all things together for the good.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"How beautiful it is to open our spirit to the history of human life starting from the humble crib at Bethlehem. Oh, the greatness of Christ's littleness! Oh, the coming of Christ at the human level of our lowliness in order to raise us to the heights of His divinity!"
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 29 May)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"If a pastor fails to feed his parishioners with the Word of God, they may well be the first on the Day of Judgment to demand his punishment for having left them spiritually starved. Do we repay our redemption, our vocation, & our other blessings from the Lord by such disregard for His commands? How we shall call on the rocks a& mountains to cover us from His merited indignation!"
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

Chesterton Quote o' the Day

"The Merry Christmas is not slowly dying but slowly reviving."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)