Commentary: Wayback Machine.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feast of Saint James
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter four, verses seven thru fifteen;
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, verses twenty thru twenty-eight.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel, the mother of James and John asks Jesus in their name that they might play leading roles in his kingdom. This Gospel reveals that the brothers are in a bad spiritual place. We have to move from the play that we are writing, directing, and starring in to the play that God is directing.Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D. (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.
To be fair to them, their request makes a certain amount of sense, as the Messiah was expected to be a new David, and David was a man of tremendous power and honor. Power is the capacity to get things done; without it, nothing of value would ever have been accomplished. Honor is a way of signaling to others something that’s worth noticing.
But James and John are asking for these two things in the wrong spirit. When the ego grabs power and honor for itself, things get dysfunctional very quickly. So what must we do? In other versions of this story, Jesus placed a child in the midst of the Twelve, showing someone who had neither power nor honor. Here he simply says, “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.”
Scripture Study—Day 91: Contentness Plateau, Day 34
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter twelve, verses fifteen thru twenty-three.
Commentary: Nathan Condemns David, & God Punishes Him (cont'd; 2 Samuel, 12:15-23).
'Tis also the festival of Saint Christopher, Martyr (died circa 251, A.K.A. Offero, Reprobus), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Decius, a victim of the Decian Persecution (250-251); one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Persecutions-link & Wikipedia-link Decian Persecution, & Holy Helpers-link & Wikipedia-link Holy Helpers.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Olympias of Constantinople, Deaconess (circa 361-408, A.K.A. the Younger; also spelt Olympiad): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Deaconess.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Glodesind of Metz, Abbess (died circa 608): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Tis also the festival of Blessed Rodolfo Acquaviva, Priest & Martyr, S.J. (1550-1583), martyred by Hindu Kshatriyas, one of the twenty martyrs of the Cuncolim Revolt: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Cuncolim.
Commentary: Cousin of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, S.J. [21 June].
'Tis also the festival of Blessed Antonio Lucci, Bishop, O.F.M. Cov. (1682-1752, the "Angel of the Poor;" A.K.A. Angelo Nicola Lucci), Bishop of Bovino (1729-1752): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Bovino.
Papal Quote o' the Day
"Faith in the God of Jesus Christ means faith in the God who still opens up, really & truly, a future behind the wall of death. Only if that happens is the future truly promised."Saint Quote o' the Day
—Pope Benedict XVI (b. 1927, r. 2005-2013)
"Patience is necessary for the servant of God, & we must not be distressed at trouble, but wait for consolation."Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day
—St. Philip Neri, Cong. Orat. (1515-1595, feast: 26 May)
"I believe that many people today think the poor are not humans like them. They look down on them. But if they had a deep respect for the poor, I am sure it would be easy for them to come closer to them, & to see that they have as much right to the things of life & to love as anybody has."Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day
—St. Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)
"The best way to understand that the Church is not just an institution is to understand it as the body of Christ. That’s the way St. Paul understood the Church, & that’s the way we have it in sacred scripture. Our Blessed Lord says all through the gospels that He is going to establish a new body, a new qahal, a new people of God. After all, when people are united for a given purpose, they are a body. Now our Lord did not use the word 'body' precisely because His Own physical body was before everyone. He used the word 'kingdom' because that was a word the Jews could understand. But when St. Paul was talking to the pagans, he had to use a word which was more understandable, namely, 'body.' Our Lord communicated exactly the same idea. He said that the new people He would unite with Himself would be related to Him as branches & vine. He said, 'I am the vine, you are the branches.' The truth that He had, He said He would give to them. 'My truth I give to you. My power I give you.' Also He communicated the power to forgive sins. Our Blessed Lord said that He would develop & form a new body which would be very small at first like a mustard seed, & then it would grow & spread throughout the entire world."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)
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