Saints + Scripture: Christmastide

'Tis still Christmas, which only begins—& does not end—on 25 December: Wikipedia-link Christmastide. Merry Christmas!

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious, S.C. (1774-1821, "Mother Seton"), foundress of the Sisters of Charity (S.C.), formally the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul of New York, & Saint Joseph's Academy & Free School: Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duæ, Saint-link Array of Hope, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link S.C., Wikipedia-link Vincentian-Setonian Tradition, Wikipedia-link Saint Joseph's College, & Wikipedia-link National Shrine.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. The first native-born American saint.

Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

She established a religious community in Emmitsburg dedicated to the care of the children of the poor. This was the first congregation of religious sisters to be founded in the United States, & its school was the first free Catholic school in America.

Quoth Minute Meditations from the Popes:

Lord, You called St. Elizabeth Ann Seton to share her life in charitable service to Your people. Teach me at the same school of love & help me to follow her example of generosity.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Áedh of Kildare, Bishop & Abbot (died 639; also spelt Aidus, Áedh Dubh, Áed Dub mac Colmáin), King of Leinster, second (II) Bishop of Kildare, & abbot of the Abbey of Kildare: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link Kildare & Wikipedia-link Kildare, Wikipedia-link Abbey, & Wikipedia-link Abbots.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Rigobert of Reims, Bishop & Abbot, O.S.B. (died circa 743), Bishop of Reims (circa 698-720), abbot of the Abbey of Orbais: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Reims.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Christiana of the Cross, Religious, O.S.A. (circa 1237-1310, A.K.A. Oringa Menabuoi): Blessed-link ūna & Blessed-link duæ.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Thomas Plumtree, Priest & Martyr (died 1570, "Pastor Rebel"), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, a chaplain to the Rising of the North: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Rising of the North.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Weekday of Christmas Time
The First Letter of John, chapter three, verses seven thru ten;
Psalm Ninety-eight (R/. three[c/d]), verses one, seven & eight, & nine;
The Gospel according to John, chapter one, verses thirty-five thru forty-two.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel two of John the Baptist’s disciples follow Jesus and encounter him.

Jesus’ question to the two young men—"What are you looking for?"—is an indispensably important one. Many people go through life not really knowing what they most fundamentally want, and accordingly, they drift.

The correct answer to Jesus’ question is "eternal life" or "friendship with God" or "holiness." This is the simple, clear, unambiguous articulation of the end goal that any believer should have as he endeavors to lead his life.

Now, other people may know more or less what they want spiritually, but they lack the courage and attention to pursue that end in the face of distractions and opposition. They know that they should be growing in holiness, but the secular culture proposes sex, pleasure, power, and honor so attractively that they lose their way. Or perhaps they receive withering criticism from those who are stuck in the old, standard way of life, and they give in.

What are we looking for?

Video reflection by the Reverend Daniel Merz (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
The Book of Deuteronomy, chapter ten, verses eight & nine;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-eight (R/. "Blessed are those who fear the Lord");
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eleven, verses twenty-five thru thirty.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Loving is not easy. It presupposes affective maturity, willpower, the capacity for self-control, & an attitude of self-denial & giving. It is necessary to learn how to love. This is an apprenticeship that requires years of commitment."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Oh my God, forgive what I have been, correct what I am, & direct what I will be."
—St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821, feast day: 4 January)

Chesterton Quote o' the Day

"The gold is brought to a stable; the kings go seeking a carpenter. The wise men are on the march, not to find wisdom, but rather a strong & sacred ignorance. The wise men came from the East; but they went Westward to find God."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)