Saints + Scripture: Adventus

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

The Popish Plot
"Year of Saint Joseph"

Saints of the Day
'Tis the festival of Saint Offa of Essex, Religious (died circa 709), King of Essex: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine '18.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Margaret of Fontana, Virgin, T.O.S.D. (1440-1513): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Maria Vittoria De Fornari Strata, Religious, O.SS.A. (1562-1617), foundress of the Blue Nuns (1605, O.SS.A.), formally the Order of the Most Holy Annunciation: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.SS.A.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Virginae Centurione Bracelli, Religious (1587-1651), foundress of the Sisters of Our Lady of Refuge in Mount Cavalry (1625): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Maria Crocifissa di Rosa, Religious, A.D.C. (1813-1855, A.K.A. Paolina Francesca di Rosa), foundress of the Handmaids of Charity (1840, A.D.C.): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link A.D.C.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Karl Steeb, Priest (1773-1856), founder of the Sisters of Mercy of Verona (1840, I.S.M.): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link I.S.M.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Maria Franziska Schervier, Religious, S.P.S.F. (1819-1876), foundress of the Poor Sisters of Saint Francis (1845, S.P.S.F.) & the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor (1845, S.F.P.): Blessed-link ūna, Blessed-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link S.P.S.F. & Wikipedia-link S.F.P.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Third Week in Advent
The Book of Zephaniah, chapter three, verses one, two, & nine thru thirteen;
Psalm Thirty-four (R/. seven[a]), verses two & three, six & seven, seventeen & eighteen, & nineteen & twenty-three;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-one, verses twenty-eight thru thirty-two.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel highlights the repentance of a son who changed his mind and obeyed his father. This is the way of Jesus. He wants a total renovation of our lives. He wants us to get to the roots of our sin and dysfunction, addressing not just the symptoms but the deep causes.

Perhaps your relational life or sexual life are dysfunctional: Jesus wants to root out the problem and not just change the behavior.

Perhaps your professional life has become tainted by sin: Jesus wants to cut to the roots of it, in your pride or your fear or your ambition. Perhaps there is a pattern of violence in your behavior: Christ wants to get to the envy or the greed that lies behind it. Change your heart and turn to God.

Reflect: How does this Gospel story show what obedience to God really means?

Video reflection by Deacon Arthur L. Miller (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Scripture Study—Bishop's Year of the Bible: Day 17
The Gospel according Matthew, chapter six (verses one thru thirty-four);

Commentary: Concerning Almsgiving (Matthew, 6:1-4), Concerning Prayer (Matthew, 6:5-15), Concerning Fasting (Matthew, 6:16-18), Concerning Treasures (Matthew, 6:19-21), the Sound Eye (Matthew, 6:22-23), Serving Two Masters (Matthew, 6:24), & Do Not Be Anxious (Matthew, 6:25-34).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"The peace of Christ can establish itself only where people are prepared to rid themselves of sin. Those who do not live in peace with God can hardly live in peace with each other."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast: 22 October)

Bonus! Papal Quote o' the Day

"No one is without a family in this world: The Church is a home & family for everyone, especially those who are 'labor & are heavy laden.'"
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast: 22 October)

Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day

"Saint Joseph knew, when Mary became pregnant, that this child was not his child. He saw that she was pregnant but didn't know how. If he had gone to the high priest, she would have been stoned to death. Do you see the charity & thoughtfulness of Saint Joseph? If we have the same kind of charity & thoughtfulness toward each other, our famlies will become the abode of the Most High. How beautiful our families will become where there is total thoughtfulness for others."
—St. Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor & needy. It has eyes to see misery & want. It has the ears to hear the sighs & sorrows of men. That is what love looks like."
—St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church (354-430, feast: 28 August)

Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day

"Just imagine a perfect day in springtime: birds are singing, the rushing river sparkles nearby, mountains are seen in the distance. All nature seems to be reflecting the divine power of the Creator. In all of this peace one man goes to a river where fish live in contentment because they are wet. He takes one fish out of that water and holds it up. Where is that fish at that moment? That fish is in hell. See how close he is to heaven. Everything else is heavenly, but he is in hell because he was made to be wet, we were meant to be with God. Then we will be in heaven."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)