The Popish Plot
"The Holy Innocents in Christmas"
'Tis the Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs (A.K.A. the Massacre of the Innocents): Martyrs-link ūnus, Martyrs-link duo, Martyrs-link trēs, & Wikipedia-link.
O Lord, today we commemorate the sacrifice of the Holy Innocents. But the innocents are still dying; may I fight with all my might & resources to pretect them.Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feast of the Holy Innocents
The First Letter of John, chapter one, verse five thru chapter two, verse two;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-four (R/. seven), verses two & three, four & five, & seven(c/d) & eight;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter two, verses thirteen thru eighteen.
Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today’s Gospel tells the story of Herod’s massacre of the innocents, which mimics, of course, Pharoah’s murder of the male children of the Hebrews at the time of Moses’ birth.Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.
John Courtney Murray commented that a major motif of the Gospels is the ever-increasing agon (struggle) that characterizes Jesus’ life. From the very beginning, he is opposed: Herod trembles in fear at his birth and then tries in the most brutal manner possible to stamp him out, forcing him and his family into exile. And from the first moments of his public ministry, he awakens fierce opposition, from both the cosmic powers and the representatives of the religious establishment. As the narrative unfolds, the warfare only becomes more intense, verbal violence giving way to threats of physical harm and finally to institutional violence that culminates in execution by crucifixion.
The theological meaning of this struggle is made clear in Peter’s post-Pentecost speech to the crowds gathered in the temple precincts: "You rejected the Holy and Righteous One… and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead." The opposition to Jesus is divine judgment on the dysfunction of the world.
Video reflection by Curtis Mitch (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Daily Reflection.
Video reflection by Bishop Earl Boyea: "Bishop Boyea & the Seven Feast Days after Christmas: 28 December: The Holy Innocents."
'Tis the Fourth Day in the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord, within the Christmastide: Wikipedia-link Octave, Wikipedia-link Christmastide, & Wikipedia-link Twelve Days of Christmas.
The Gospel according Matthew, chapter nineteen (verses one thru thirty);
Commentary: Teachings about Divorce (Matthew, 19:1-12), Jesus Blesses the Children (Matthew, 19:13-15), & the Rich Young Man (Matthew, 19:16-30).
Other Saints of the Day
'Tis also the festival of Saint Theonas of Alexandria, Bishop (died 300), sixteenth (XVI) Patriarch of Alexandria (282-300): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Alexandria & Wikipedia-link Patriarchs.
'Tis also the festival of Saints Romulus & Conindrus, Bishops (died circa 450), missionary bishops to the Isle of Man: Saint-link Romeo, Saint-link Charlie, & Wikipedia-link (List).
'Tis also the festival of Saint Anthony of Lérins, Religious (circa 468-520, A.K.A. the Hermit): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Matthia dei Nazzarei, Abbess, O.S.B. (1253-1319), abbess of the convent of Santa Maria Maddalena (1279-1319): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Santa Maria Maddalena.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Caterina Volpicelli, Religious (1839-1894), foundress of the Maids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1874): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Tis also the festival of Blessed Hryhoriy Khomyshyn, Bishop & Martyr (1867-1947, A.K.A. Grzegorz Chomyszyn), Bishop of Stanislaviv (1904-1947, now Ivano-Frankivsk), martyred in the reign of the Soviet Communist dictator Joseph Stalin, one of the twenty-five Martyrs Killed under Communist Regimes in Eastern Europe: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Stanislaviv, & Martyrs-link Eastern Europe.
Papal Quote o' the Day
"Human life is sacred. From its inception it reveals the creating hand of God. Those who violate His laws offend the Divine Majesty & degrade themselves & humanity. They also sap the vitality of the political community of which they are members."Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day
—Pope St. John XXIII (1881-1963, r. 1958-1963; feast: 11 October)
"I did not know that our work would grow so fast or go so far. I never doubted that it would live but I didn't think it would be like this. Doubt I never had because I had this conviction that if God blesses it, it will prosper."Saint Quote o' the Day
—St. Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)
"Amid all the fear that characterizes our time, we Christians are summoned to live in joy & communicate joy—joy in spite of fear, joy in the midst of fear."
—Servant of God Hans Urs von Balthsar (1905-1988)
No comments:
Post a Comment