Saints + Scripture: Quadragesima

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

Life without the Eucharist: Day 11
I posted the following to Fortify, the online pornography addiction recovery community to which I subscribe, in response to the question, "Changing events in the world around us have added stress to many individuals and families. How has this all affected you?":

I'm dying inside. I'm physically healthy, but spiritually dying a little bit each day as we lay faithful are forbidden from church & the Mass.

'Tis the Saturday 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—Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter eleven, verses eighteen, nineteen, & twenty;
Psalm Seven (R/. two[a]), verses two & three, nine(b/c) & ten, & eleven & twelve;
The Gospel according to John, chapter seven, verses forty thru fifty-three.

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

Friends, we see in today’s Gospel how Jesus’ preaching caused division. Some hearers believed him, but others wanted to arrest him.

The life, preaching, and mission of Jesus are predicated upon the assumption that all is not well with us, that we stand in need of a renovation of vision, attitude, and behavior. A few decades ago the book I’m OK—You’re OK appeared. Its title, and the attitude that it embodies, are inimical to Christianity.

The fact of sin is so often overlooked today. Look, no one has ever savored being accused of sin, but especially in our culture now there is an allergy to admitting personal fault.

A salvation religion makes no sense if all is basically fine with us, if all we need is a little sprucing up around the edges. Christian saints are those who can bear the awful revelation that sin is not simply an abstraction or something that other people wrestle with, but a power that lurks and works in them.

When we lose sight of sin, we lose sight of Christianity, which is a salvation religion.

Reflect: Is all basically fine with you, or do you personally need a Savior?

Video reflection by Gina Czerwinski (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

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

In today’s First Reading, the prophet Jeremiah is voicing his grievances to the Lord because his life has been threatened by those who oppose his prophecies. Even though his life is on the line, he continues to trust in Our Heavenly Father. This passage also foreshadows Christ’s passion. He, too, will be the “trusting lamb [that is] led to the slaughter.” However, unlike Jeremiah, Jesus does not want vengeance against those who are plotting to kill him. Instead, He wants to save them.

Are you a prophet for Christ? This passage reminds us of the difficulty of living your faith boldly. You will face various trials and tribulations for being a Faithful Catholic. However, it is comforting to know that God is always with us. He will give us the strength and encouragement to accomplish any task He has given us. God has created each one of us for a specific purpose, so let us do our best to fulfill our unique role in His divine plan.

Today’s Tip: Step outside of your comfort zone and be more open with your Catholic Faith. Be bold and share your faith with your family and friends. Be a listening ear to someone who is struggling in their faith journey. Take your entire family to a parish event. Invite a friend who has left the Catholic Church to a Sunday Mass. You never know what seeds you are planting when you involve others in your Catholic faith!

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 76
The Book of Exodus, chapter thirty-two, verses twenty-five thru thirty-five.

Commentary: The Golden Calf (concluded; Exodus, 32:25-35).

Scripture Study—Wisdom Books
The Book of Sirach, chapter forty-four (verses one thru twenty-three);
The Book of Sirach, chapter forty-five (verses one thru twenty-six);
The Book of Sirach, chapter forty-six (verses one thru twenty);
The Book of Sirach, chapter forty-seven (verses one thru twenty-five);
The Book of Sirach, chapter forty-eight (verses one thru twenty-five);
The Book of Sirach, chapter forty-nine (verses one thru sixteen).

Commentary: Praise of Our Fathers (Sirach, 44:1-49:16). These six chapters offer a tour of salvation history, of the major figures of the Old Testament. These chapters wouldn't have made nearly as much sense to me before I went through The Bible Timeline. As St. Jerome said, "Ignorance of Scripture"—referring to the Old Testament—"is ignorance of Christ.

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

"And in that day, says the LORD, you will call me, 'My husband," & no longer will you call me, 'My Baal.'"

'Tis the commemoration of Saint Sixtus III, Pope (died 440) forty-fourth (XLIV) Bishop of Rome (432-440), who approved the canons of the Council of Ephesus (431, the third ecumenical council): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Pontifex-link & Wikipedia-link Pontifex, Council-link & Wikipedia-link Ephesus.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the commemoration of Saint Hesychius of Jerusalem, Priest (died circa 450): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the commemoration of Saint Alkelda of Middleham, Religious & Martyr (died circa 800), martyred by Danish vikings: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the commemoration of Saint Stephen Harding, Priest & Abbot, O.Cist. (circa 1060-1134, Francofied as Étienne Harding), co-founder of the Abbey of Cîteaux & the Cistercian Order: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Abbey-link Cîteaux & Wikipedia-link Cîteaux, Order-link O.Cist. & Wikipedia-link O.Cist..

'Tis also the commemoration of Blessed Christopher Wharton, Priest & Martyr (circa 1540-1600), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link England & Wales & Wikipedia-link England & Wales.

'Tis also the commemoration of Saint Józef Sebastian Pelczar, Bishop (1842-1924), Bishop of Przemyśl (1900-1924), co-founder of the Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (1894): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Przemyśl.

Proverb o' the Day (Sirach, 44:9-11)

And there are some who have no memorial,
who have perished as though they had not lived;
they have become as though they had not been born,
and so have their children after them.
But these were men of mercy,
whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten;
their posterity will remain with their descendants,
and their inheritance to their children's children.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Christians do not estrange themselves from life in society. They assume its history & express its culture. At the same time they strive to radiate to those around them the spiritual realities of which they are bearers."
—Pope St. John Paul II (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"The Rosary is the prayer of those who triumph over everything & everyone. It was Our Lady who taught us this prayer, just as it was Jesus who taught us the Our Father."
—St. Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968, feast: 23 September)

Chesterton Quote o' the Day

"Catholics are almost the only people now defending reason."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)