Saints + Scripture

Simplex Complex Edition | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope (1835-1914, the "Pope of the Blessed Sacrament;" A.K.A. Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto), two hundred fifty-seventh (CCLVII) Bishop of Rome (1903-1914), Patriarch of Venice (1893-1903), & Bishop of Mantua (1884-1893): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, Saint-link trēs, Saint-link quattuor, & Wikipedia-link; Pontifex-link & Wikipedia-link Pontifex; Diocese-link & Wikipedia-link Mantua; & Wikipedia-link Venice & Wikipedia-link Patriachs.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth Minute Meditations from the Popes:

Lord Jesus, increase my love for the Church & the Eucharist after the example of Pope St. Pius X. May it lead me to the sanctity we see in him.

'Tis also the festival of Our Lady of Knock (apparition 21 August 1879): Madonna-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Euprepius of Verona, Bishop (died circa 72), inaugural Bishop of Verona (60-72): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link & Wikipedia-link Verona.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Abraham of Smolensk, Priest & Abbot (circa 1172-1222), abbot of the Mother of God Monastery: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Victoire Rasoamanarivo (1848-1894): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Brunon Zembol, Religious & Martyr, O.F.M. (1905-1942, A.K.A. Jan Zembol), martyred in the reign of the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, one of the One Hundred Eight Blessed Polish Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link (List, № 1); Martyrs-link Polska & Wikipedia-link Polska.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Friday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Ezekiel, chapter thirty-seven, verses one thru fourteen;
Psalm One Hundred Seven (R/. one), verses two & three, four & five, six & seven, & eight & nine;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-two, verses thirty-four thru forty.

Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus says that the whole law depends on love of God and love of neighbor. I want to reflect on the love of neighbor. For many, to love is equivalent to being a nice guy, or in Flannery O’Connor’s formulation, "having a heart of gold." Now, there is nothing in the world wrong with being a nice guy or having a heart of gold, but you can easily achieve both of those states and not have love.

For love is not really about fitting in and being friendly; it is willing the good of the other as other. It is wanting what is best for another person and then doing something about it. And this means that real love can be as tough as nails or as disagreeable as a slap in the face—indeed, in Dostoevsky’s phrase, something "harsh and dreadful."

Compelling an addict to get help or questioning a dysfunctional style of life both involve the willing of the good of the other—and neither will cause people to characterize you as a nice guy. This is why the God who is love is not a kindly Santa Claus who magically makes troubles disappear.

Video reflection by Deacon Mike Pawelek (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Video reflection by Doctor John Bergsma (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Daily Reflection.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Pius X
The First Letter to the Thessalonians, chapter two, verses two(b) thru eight;
Psalm Eighty-nine (R/. two), verses two & three, four & five, twenty-one & twenty-two, & twenty-five & twenty-seven;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty-one, verses fifteen, sixteen, & seventeen.

Scripture Study—Day 91: Decapitation Rock, Day 19
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter eighteen, verses twenty-one thru twenty-seven.

Commentary: David Hears Tidings (2 Samuel, 18:21-27).

Scripture Study—Pierced Hands Bible Reading Plan: Day 21
The Book of Genesis, chapter thirty-nine (verses one thru twenty-three);
The Book of Genesis, chapter forty (verses one thru twenty-three);
The Book of the Psalms, psalm twenty-one (verses one thru thirteen);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten, verses thirty-four thru forty-two;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eleven, verse one.

Commentary: Joseph & Potiphar's Wife (Genesis, 39:1-23) & the Dreams of Two Prisoners (Genesis, 40:1-23); Thanksgiving for Victory (Psalm 21); & Taking Up One's Cross (Matthew, 10:34-49) & Rewards (Matthew, 10:40-11:1).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Pius X knew no other road that the Eucharist by which he could arrive at heroism in his love of God. He knew no other road by which he cold return to the Redeemer of the world, Who by means of the Eucharist poured out the wealth of His Divine love on humans."
—Pope Ven. Pius XII (1876-1958, r. 1939-1958)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"My hope is in Christ, Who strengthens the weakest by His Divine help. I can do all in Him Who strengthens me."
—Pope St. Pius X (1835-1914, r. 1903-1914; feast: 21 August)

Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day

"'Mother, how can you remains so joyful surrounded by all this suffering & aware that so many are indifferent?' The question always makes me smile. Jesus is the source of my joy, not anything in this world. I go to prayer, every day, so He can full me with His joy. When I am weary & discouraged, I go & sit with Jesus. He invited us to do that. 'Come to Me, all you who are weary & burdened, & I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you & learn from me, for I am gentle & humble of heart, & you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy & my burden is light.'"
—St. Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)

Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day

"Not only does faith give certitude, but it also gives us a new outlook, a new outlook on birth, suffering, death, joy, pleasure, literature, & art. Those who have what Saint Paul calls the carnal mind cannot understand the things of faith. It is very much like trying to make a blind man understand color. Very often, those who lack the gift of faith wonder why it is that we are so certain about life. Why do we have this outlook on suffering? Why are we not depressed? Why do we not contemplate suicide? Well, it is simply because we see things more clearly. We have a light that they don’t have. A man has the same eyes at night that he has in the day. But he does not see at night. Why? Because he lacks the light of the sun. Let two people look at the same problem. They see it very differently. It is because one has only his reason & his senses, & the other has faith."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)