Saints + Scripture: Adventus

The Popish Plot
"Saint Lucy's Day"

'Tis the Friday of the Second Week of Advent: Advent-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin & Martyr (circa 283-304, of Syracuse), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution: Martyr-link ūna, Martyr-link duæ, Martyr-link Array of Hope, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Saint Lucy's Day; & Persecutions-link & Wikipedia-link Great Persecution.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

She is a Christian martyr who died during the Diocletianic Persecution. She is venerated as a saint by the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, & Orthodox Churches. She is one of eight women along with the Blessed Virgin Mary who are commemorated by name in the Canon of the Mass.

Wikipedia-link Canon of the Mass (A.K.A. the Roman Canon, Eucharistic Prayer I)

'Tis also the festival of Saint Judoc, Priest (circa 600-668; A.K.A. Josse, Joyce, etc.): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Brother of Ss. Judicaël [17 December] & Winnoc [6 November].

'Tis also the festival of Saint Elizabeth Rose, Abbess, O.S.B. (died circa 1130), founding abbess of the convent of Sainte-Marie-du-Rozoy: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

We also remember Servant of God Bertold of Regensberg, Religious, O.F.M. (circa 1220-1272; also spelt Berthold, Regensburg A.K.A. Ratisbon): Servant of God-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Antonio Grassi, Priest, C.O. (1592-1671, A.K.A. Vincenzo Grassi): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Friday of the Second Week of Advent
The Book of Isaiah, chapter forty-eight, verses seventeen, eighteen, & nineteen;
Psalm One, verses one & two, three, & four & six
(R/. see the Gospel according to John, chapter eight, verse twelve);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eleven, verses sixteen thru nineteen.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus says, "The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’"

The Passover meal was decisively important in salvation history. God commands that his people share a meal to remember their liberation from slavery. This supper provides the context for the deepest theologizing of the Israelite community. Both the bitterness of their slavery and the sweetest of their liberation are acted out in this sacred meal.

Jesus’ life and ministry can be interpreted in light of this symbol. From the very beginning, Jesus was laid in a manger, for he would be food for a hungry world. Much of Jesus’ public outreach centered on sacred meals, where everyone was invited: rich and poor, saints and sinners, the sick and the outcast. They thought John the Baptist was a weird ascetic, but they called Jesus a glutton and a wine-bibber. He embodies Yahweh’s desire to eat a convivial meal with his people.

And of course, the life and teaching of Jesus comes to a sort of climax at the meal that we call the Last Supper. The Eucharist is what we do in the in-between times, between the death of the Lord and his coming in glory. It is the meal that even now anticipates the perfect meal of fellowship with God.

Reflect: Why is the Eucharist the "perfect meal of fellowship with God" here on earth?

Video reflection by D.J. Bernal: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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

In this Gospel, we hear Jesus saying, “wisdom is vindicated by her works.” Meaning "if you want to know who is of God, look to the works one performs." The signs that accompanied the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus pointed to their authenticity.

God promised to give mankind a Savior. God would became man. The Word would become flesh. Hope becomes alive. John the Baptist did his part by proclaiming His arrival and calling for conversion to prepare for His coming. Jesus taught the people to prepare them for His saving act on the cross. By following their respective calls, they announced that God's promises were being fulfilled! We are called to do the same. We need to do our part in announcing the reign of God and sharing the Good News that Jesus has saved us!


There will always be those who will not accept the message or find excuses to dismiss the messenger. They called John "possessed" and Jesus "a glutton and a drunkard." They may accuse you as well. This Advent is our chance to prepare our heart, to be firm in our resolve and to let our actions speak! When we fully embrace the truth of our Faith, it impossible to keep it contained inside. We are being asked to become like Jesus, to do as He did, to live as He lived, to seek out the broken souls, to love others and bring them to God. Now is the time to put our hope into action! Today, be like Jesus by asking yourself, “What would Jesus do?” Consciously discern, where in my life can I work to help build the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Lucy
The Acts of the Apostles/The Book of X/The Letter to X, chapter Y, verses Z;
Psalm Thirty-one (R/. six), verses three(c/d) & four, six & eight(a/b), & sixteen(b/c) & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses one thru thirteen.

Scripture Study Backlog—Wisdom Books
The Book of Sirach, chapter twenty-six (verses one thru twenty-nine);
The Book of Sirach, chapter twenty-seven (verses one thru thirty);
The Book of Sirach, chapter twenty-eight (verses one thru twenty-six);
The Book of Sirach, chapter twenty-nine (verses one thru twenty-eight);
The Book of Sirach, chapter thirty (verses one thru twenty-five);
The Book of Sirach, chapter thirty-one (verses one thru thirty-one);
The Book of Sirach, chapter thirty-two (verses one thru twenty-four);
The Book of Sirach, chapter thirty-three (verses one thru thirty-one).

Commentary: The Good & the Evil in Daily Life (concluded; Sirach, 26:1-28:26); On Lending & Borrowing, Home, & Hospitality (Sirach, 29:1-); Discipline of Children, Right Attitudes (Sirach, 30:1-25); Right Conduct (Sirach, 31:1-32:24); & Practical Advise (Sirach, 33:1-31)

Proverb o' the Day (Sirach, 27:12)

Among stupid people watch for a chance to leave,
but among thoughtful people stay on.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"It was she whom the Son Himself chose to make His Mother & it was from her that the Holy Spirit willed & brought it about that He should be conceived & born from whom He Himself proceeds."
—Pope Bl. Pius IX, on the Immaculate Conception (1792-1878, feast day: 7 February)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Those whose hearts are pure are temples of the Holy Spirit."
—St. Lucy (283-304, feast day: 13 December)

Chesterton Quote o' the Day

"The world grows terrible and white,
And blinding white the breaking day;
We walk bewildered in the light
For something is too large for sight,
And something much too plain to say."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)