Saints + Scripture: II Sunday in Tempus per annum

Better Late than Never | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

The Popish Plot
"Billboards (Ineffective Evangelization Series)"

'Tis the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Book of Isaiah, chapter forty-nine, verses three, five, & six;
Psalm Forty (R/. eight[a] & nine[a]), verses two & four, seven & eight, eight & nine, & ten;
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter one, verses one, two, & three;
The Gospel according to John, chapter one, verses twenty-nine thru thirty-four.

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

Friends, in our Gospel today John the Baptist gives witness to the role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ Baptism.

Baptism is the moment when the Holy Spirit draws us out of this fallen world and into a new world. And with this in mind, we can understand the relationship between Baptism and the other sacraments. Baptism is birth in the spiritual order, the beginning of a properly spiritual life. The other sacraments represent specifications of that life.

For instance, a living thing needs to be nourished. This is the role that the Eucharist plays. But do you see why only baptized people can receive the Eucharist? If you’re not alive, there is no point in feeding you.

Video reflection by Father Gregory Reichlen (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Video reflection by Father Claude Burns (uCatholic): Weekend Reflection with Father Pontifex.

Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D. (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Breaking the Bread.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 7
The Book of Exodus, chapter three, verses seven thru twenty-two.

Commentary: Moses & the Burning Bush (concluded; Exodus, 3:7-12) & God Reveals His Name (Exodus, 3:13-22).

†

Otherwise, 19 January would be the festival of Saint Germanicus of Smyrna, Martyr (died circa 156), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Pontianus of Spoleto, Martyr (circa 156-175), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, buried beneath & namesake of the Basilica of San Ponziano: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link San Ponziano.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Bassianus of Lodi, Bishop (circa 320-413), Bishop of Lodi (373-413), buried within the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Lodi Cathedral); participant at the Council of Aquileia (381) & the Synod of Milan (389): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link Lodi, Wikipedia-link Lodi, & Wikipedia-link Cathedral Basilica; & Wikipedia-link Aquileia & Wikipedia-link Milan.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Remigius of Rouen, Bishop (died 771), third (III) Archbishop of Rouen (753-762): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Arsenius of Corfu, Bishop (died 959, A.K.A. of Kerkyra), first (I) Bishop of Corfu: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"We strongly deny the assertion that there is no obligation for us to put the message of Christ at the disposal of all. Indeed, we claim with full conviction that it is our right & our duty to do no less."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast day: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Love, love, love, & remember that you were loved even before you were created. For God who sees Himself, passionately loves the beauty of His creation, & He created it because His love is boundless, to give it eternal life & to allow it to enjoy the indescribable blessedness which He Himself possesses."
—St. Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church (1347-1380, feast day: 29 April)