Saints + Scripture

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

9 Days for Life: Day 9
May all who defend life find strength and renewal in the Holy Spirit.

Knights of Columbus @ March for Life 2020: YouTube-link "College Knights March for Life"

'Tis the festival of Saint Constantius of Perugia, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 170), first (I) Bishop of Perugia, martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Perugia, & Persecutions-link & Wikipedia-link Persecution.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Sulpitius Severus, Priest (circa 363-425): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Sulpitius the Severe, Bishop (died 591, A.K.A. Sulpitius I of Bourges), Bishop of Bourges (584-591), a father of the Third Synod of Mâcon (585): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Bourges & Wikipedia-link Mâcon.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Dallán Forgaill, Martyr (circa 530-598, A.K.A. Eochaid mac Colla) martyred by pirates at the Inishkeel monastery, author of the hymn "Rop tú mo Baile" ("Be Thou My Vision") & the elegy "Amra Coluim Chille" ("Elegy of Saint Columba"): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Inishkeel, Wikipedia-link "Be Thou My Vision", & Wikipedia-link "Elegy of Saint Columba".

We also remember Servant of God Juniper, Religious, O.F.M. (died 1258, the "renowned jester of the Lord"): Servant-link ūnus, Servant-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Francis Taylor, Martyr (circa 1550-1621, A.K.A. Proinnsias Táiliúr), Lord Mayor of Dublin (1595-1596), martyred in the reign of the Anglo-Scottish king James VI & I, one of the Irish Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link Éire & Wikipedia-link Éire.

Commentary: Grandson-in-law of the martyr Bl. Margaret Ball [20 June].

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter seven, verses four thru seventeen;
Psalm Eighty-nine (R/. twenty-nine[a]), verses four & five, twenty-seven & twenty-eight, & twenty-nine & thirty;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter four, verses one thru twenty.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus tells the parable of the sower.

In this famous story of the sower, we focus on the different types of soil and we apply them symbolically to ourselves. Now, there is nothing wrong with this interpretation as far as it goes, but I think that it misses what was at the heart of the parable for Jesus.

Focus your attention on this absolutely mad sower. Imagine a crowd of farmers listening to this parable: a man goes out to sow and he throws the seed on the path, on rocky soil, on thorny soil and finally on good soil. The original hearers of this tale would have have exchanged glances and rolled their eyes at the ridiculousness of this farmer.

That was precisely the reaction that Jesus wanted. For God is like this crazy farmer, sowing the seed of his word and his love—not only on receptive soil, not only to those who will respond, but also on the path, on the rocks, and the thorns, lavishly pouring out his love on those who are least likely to respond. God’s love is irrational, extravagant, embarrassing, unreasonable, completely over the top.

Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D. (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 17
The Book of Exodus, chapter seven, verses fourteen thru twenty-four.

Commentary: The First Plague: Water of the Nile Turned to Blood (Exodus, Exodus 7:14-24).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"It is therefor a service of love which we are all committed to ensure to our neighbor, that his of her life may be always defended & promoted, especially when it is weak or threatened."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great, Evangelium vitae № 77 (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast day: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Remember that Christ has promised us eternal life. What can the world promise? Let it promise anything—it may be making that promise to someone who will die tomorrow. And what does the world threaten? Prisons? Chains? Fires? Torments? Wild beasts? Yes, but not eternal fire. Love what the Almighty promises, & then the whole world becomes vile in our sight, whether it promises or terrifies."
—St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church (354-430, feast day: 28 August)

Catholic Quote o' the Day

"The Church is not simply a human institution. The Church is a sacrament of Jesus. It shares in the very being, life, & energy of Christ. The Church is the Body of Jesus. Not an institution, not an organization, not a collectivity of like-minded people. The Church is an organism made up of interdependent cells & molecules & organs."
—Bishop Robert Barron (b. 1959)

9 Days for Life
Day 1: May the tragic practice of abortion end.
Day 2: May all unborn children be protected in law & welcomed in love.
Day 3: May every expectant mother receive compassionate care & support as she nurtures the life in her womb.
Day 4: May expectant fathers lovingly support the mothers of their children in welcoming new life.
Day 5: May each person suffering from the loss of a child through abortion find hope & healing in Christ.
Day 6: May expectant mothers choosing adoption receive grace & support in embracing this loving option.
Day 7: May all who support or participate in abortion experience a conversion of heart to seek & receive the Lord’s boundless mercy.
Day 8: May civic leaders work for the protection of all human life, in every stage & circumstance.
Day 9: May all who defend life find strength & renewal in the Holy Spirit.