Saints + Scripture: Quadragesima

The Popish Plot
"Are You Going to Heaven?"

Life without the Eucharist: Day 7
Why is being under interdict—& thus unable to partake of the Eucharist—so distressing?

That the Eucharist—and thus the whole of Christian life—is a meal shows us that we do not have life in ourselves. We must receive it, eat it. We become what we receive. If we refuse to receive, refuse to eat & drink Him, we remain without life.
—Fr. Wilfrid Stinissen, O.C.D. (b. 1944), from Bread That Is Broken

My only consolation for this inconsolable grief is that I'm not refusing to receive, I've been forbidden to receive.

'Tis the Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent (meaning "Spring;" the Latin name is Quadragesima, meaning "fortieth"): Quadragesima-link & Wikipedia-link Quadragesima.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
The Book of Ezekiel, chapter forty-seven, verses one thru nine & twelve;
Psalm Forty-six (R/. eight), verses two & three, five & six, & eight & nine;
The Gospel according to John, chapter fifteen, verses one thru sixteen.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus heals a man who was physically ill for thirty-eight years. I want to make an observation about another manifestation of Christ’s power: his spiritual healing.

The Gospels are filled with accounts of Jesus’ healing encounters with those whose spiritual energies are unable to flow. Much of Jesus’ ministry consisted in teaching people how to see (the kingdom of God), how to hear (the voice of the Spirit), how to walk (thereby overcoming the paralysis of the heart), how to be free of themselves so as to discover God. It is interesting that Jesus was referred to in the early Church as the Savior—soter in Greek and salvator in Latin. Both terms speak of the one who brings healing.

The "soul" is that still point at the heart of every person, that deepest center, that point of encounter with the transcendent yet incarnate mystery of God. When the soul is healthy, it is in a living relationship with God; it is firmly rooted in the soil of meaning and is the deepest center of the person.

Reflect: In what way does your soul need spiritual healing?

Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M. (U.S.C. of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

"Easter of Hope" Reflection (Array of Hope):

In Today’s Gospel, Jesus heals a man who was ill for thirty-eight years. What a miracle! In this scene we can see how the healing waters of Bethesda foreshadow the healing powers found in the Sacraments. There is true grace and healing that comes from the Sacraments. May we use this time of Lent to receive them as often as we can so we may be strengthened in our own faith and healed from the wounds found within us. Just like those who sought physical healing in today’s reading, we too need healing, whether that be physical, spiritual or emotional. We must bring our wounds to the feet of Jesus so that we may be healed.

Do you want to be well? When Jesus sees the man in the Temple, He reminds him that he must go forth and sin no more. When we experience the healing power of God’s mercy, we must also make a firm promise not to fall back into our old ways. We need to rely on the healing transformation that has taken place, which is the strength of Christ. Our hope is in Christ who has come to heal us of all that prevents us from accepting His love, and thus loving others.

Today’s Tip: Ask God how He wants to heal you this Lent. It may be scary at first to bring up wounds in our lives but remember, God never brings something to the surface that He does not intend to heal.You are so precious to Him and He wants you to be made whole!

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 72
The Book of Exodus, chapter thirty-one, verses one thru six & twelve thru seventeen.

Commentary: Bezalel & Oholiab (Exodus, 31:1-6) & the Sabbath Law (Exodus, 31:12-17).

Scripture Study—The 3:16 Project
The Book of Lamentations, chapter chapter three, verse sixteen.

He has made my teeth grind on gravel,
& made me cower in ashes;

'Tis the commemoration of Saint Hildelith of Barking, Abbess, O.S.B. (died circa 712), second (II) abbess of Barking Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Barking.

'Tis also the commemoration of Saint Bernulf of Asti, Bishop & Martyr (fl. 800, A.K.A. of Mondovì), Bishop of Asti, martyred by Muslim raiders: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Asti.

'Tis also the commemoration of Blessed John of the Staff, Priest, O.S.B. (circa 1200-1290; in Italian dal Bastone; A.K.A. of the Club, Giovanni Bonello Botegoni): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine '19 & Wayback Machine '18.

'Tis also the commemoration of Saint Catherine of Sweden, Abbess, O.Ss.S. (circa 1331-1381, A.K.A. of Vadstena): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Daughter of St. Bridget of Sweden [23 July].

'Tis also the commemoration of Blessed Didacus Joseph of Cádiz, Priest, O.F.M. Cap. (1743-1801, A.K.A. José Francisco López-Caamaño y García Pérez): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the commemoration of Saint Óscar Romero, Bishop & Martyr (1917-1980), fourth (IV) Archbishop of San Salvador (1977-1980), second (II) Bishop of Santiago de María (1974-1977), martyred by a death squad on the orders of Roberto D'Aubuisson: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link San Salvador & Wikipedia-link Santiago de María.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"The Spirit creates joy, & joy is effusive. This, too, is a testimony that you can & must offer to people of our time, so often made cold & unhappy by selfishness."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, r. 1963-1978; feast: 29 May)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Let us not tire of preaching love; it is the force that will overcome the world."
—St. Óscar Romero (1917-1980, feast: 24 March)

Chesterton Quote o' the Day

"Burn from my brain and from my breast
Sloth, and the cowardice that clings,
And stiffens and the soul’s arrest:
And feed my brain with better things."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)