Saints + Scripture

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

The Popish Plot
"Catholic T-shirt Club Unboxing: St. Jude"

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Paul Miki (S.J.) & Companions, Martyrs (died 1597, A.K.A. the Twenty-six Martyrs of Japan, the Martyrs of Nagasaki), martyred in the reign of the Japanese warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, Martyr-link Aleteia, & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link Nihon & Wikipedia-link Nihon.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

(St. Paul Miki) joined the Society of Jesus & became a well known & successful preacher bringing many converts to Catholicism. Crucified alongside him were Joan Soan de Gotó & Santiago Kisai, also of the Society of Jesus; along with twenty-three other clergy & laity.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Dorothea of Caesarea, Virgin & Martyr (died 311), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Galerius & Licinius, a victim of the Great Persecution: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Persecutions-link & Wikipedia-link Great Persecution.

'Tis also the festival of Saints Ine & Æthelburg of Wessex (circa 670-727, also spelt Ina, Ini; & circa 673-740, also spelt Æthelburh, Ethelburga), King & Queen of Wessex: Saint-link India & Wikipedia-link India, Saint-link Æ & Wikipedia-link Æ.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Relindis of Maaseik, Abbess, O.S.B. (died circa 750; A.K.A. Renildis, Renula; of Eyck), second (II) abbess of the abbey at Maaseik: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Sister of the first abbess St. Herlindis of Maaseik [12 October].

'Tis also the festival of Saint Hildegund, Abbess, O.Praem. (circa 1130-1183), founding abbess of a monastery at Meer: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Mother of St. Hermann Joseph [24 May] & Bl. Hadewych [14 April], both also O.Praem.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Maria Theresia Bonzel, Religious, S.S.F.P.A. (1830-1905; Anglicized as Mary Teresa Bonzel; A.K.A. Regina Christine Wilhelmine "Aline" Bonzel), foundress of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration (1863, S.S.F.P.A.): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link S.S.F.P.A..

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
The First Book of Kings, chapter two, verses one thru four, ten, eleven, & twelve;
The First Book of Chronicles, chapter twenty-nine (R/. twelve[b]), verses ten, eleven(a/b), eleven(d) & twelve(a), & twelve (b/c/d);
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter six, verses seven thru thirteen.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel we find Jesus sending out the Twelve on mission and giving them authority over the unclean spirits.

In the sixties and seventies, it was common, even in seminaries, to dismiss such talk as primitive superstition—or perhaps to modernize it and make it a literary device, using symbolic language evocative of the struggle with evil in the abstract. But that approach just does not do justice to the Bible. The biblical authors knew all about the world of fallen or morally compromised spirits.

Imagine a truly wicked person who is also very smart, talented, and enterprising. Now raise that person to a far higher pitch of ontological perfection, and you will have some idea of what a devil is like.
Jesus, through his death and Resurrection, has won victory over these dark forces. And he has entrusted to his Church the means to apply this victory. These are the sacraments (especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation), the Bible, personal prayer, the rosary, etc.

Jesus sent out the Twelve to battle dark spirits. He still empowers his Church to do the same. Don’t be reluctant to use the weapons—and the healing balms—that he has given.

Video reflection by Father Roger Lopez, O.F.M. (U.S. Con. of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Paul Miki & Companions
The Letter to the Galatians, chapter two, verses nineteen & twenty;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-six (R/. five), verses one(b/c) & two(a/b), two(c/d) & three, four & five, & six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-eight, verses sixteen thru twenty.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 25
The Book of Exodus, chapter ten, verses twenty-one thru twenty-nine.

Commentary: The Ninth Plague: Darkness (Exodus, 10:21-29).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Suffering for the sake of love, truth, & justice is a sign of fidelity to the God of life & of hope. It is the blessedness of those who suffer for Christ, who fall to the ground like grains of wheat & are promised life & resurrection."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast day: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Ask Christ to help you become happy."
—St. Paul Miki (1562-1597, feast day: 6 February)