The Popish Plot
"Poor Christmas Songs, Part 2"
Commentary: By viewer request, part two!
'Tis the Feast of Saint Stephen, the First Martyr (circa 5-34), martyed in the reign of the Roman emperor Tiberius, one of the first Seven Deacons: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, Martyr-link trēs, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Seven Deacons; & Wikipedia-link Saint Stephen's Day.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feast of St. Stephen
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter six, verses eight, nine, & ten & chapter seven, verses fifty-four thru fifty-nine;
Psalm Thirty-one (R/. six), verses three(c/d) & four, six & eight(a/b), & sixteen(b/c) & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten, verses seventeen thru twenty-two.
Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus predicts the coming persecution of his disciples. And we can see his prophetic word realized through the ages.Video reflection by Marc DelMonico, Ph.D. (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.
Think of St. Peter himself, crucified upside down in the circus of Nero; of Felicity and Perpetua, thrown to wild animals because they wouldn’t deny their faith; of Thomas More, who resisted King Henry VIII and paid for it with his head; of Paul Miki, the Japanese Jesuit, who was crucified for announcing the Christian faith; of Miguel Pro, who was shot to death for defying a repressive Mexican government, shouting as he was shot, "Viva, Cristo Rey!"; of Franz Jägerstätter and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, whom the Nazi regime put to death; of Maximilian Kolbe, who died at Auschwitz, willingly taking the place of another man. And the list goes on and on.
Indeed, the martyrs have come from all corners of the world, and they have spoken Greek, Latin, French, German, English, Japanese, Polish, and many other languages besides. Friends, this, strangely, is the army that undermines the foundations of the fallen world through the centuries. This is the great fighting force that Jesus has unleashed and continues to unleash.
Video reflection by Bishop Earl Boyea: "Bishop Boyea & the Seven Feast Days after Christmas: 26 December: Stephen, the First Martyr"
'Tis the Second 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 seventeen (verses one thru twenty-seven);
Commentary: The Transfiguration (Matthew, 17:1-13), Jesus Cures an Epileptic Boy (Matthew, 17:14-21), Jesus Again Foretells His Death & Resurrection (Matthew, 17:22-23), & Jesus & the Temple Tax (Matthew, 17:24-27).
Other Saints of the Day
'Tis also the festival of Saint Dionysius, Pope (died 268), twenty-fifth (XXV) Bishop of Rome (259-268): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Pontifex-link & Wikipedia-link Pontifex.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Archelaus of Mesopotamia, Bishop (died circa 280), Bishop of Carrhae, a foe of the Manichaeist heresy: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Carrhae, & Heresy-link & Wikipedia-link Manichaeism.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Abadiu of Antinoë, Bishop & Martyr (floruit fourth century), Bishop of Antinoë, martyred by Arian heretics: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Antinoë.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Zosimus, Pope (died 418), forty-first (XLI) Bishop of Rome (417-418): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Pontifex-link & Wikipedia-link Pontifex.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Tathan, Abbot (floruit fifth-sixth centuries; also spelt Tatheus, Tathai, Tathyw, etc.), founder of the monastery at Caerwent: Saint-link, Wikipedia-link Tathan, & Wikipedia-link Tathyw; Wikipedia-link Caerwent.
Commentary: Nephew of St. Samson of Dol [28 July].
'Tis also the festival of Saint Maethlu of Anglesey, Hermit (floruit sixth century; ; A.K.A. of Wales, the Confessor; also spelt Amaethlu, Amaethlin), namesake & patron of Saint Maethlu's Church & Llanfaethlu: Saint-link; Wikipedia-link Saint Maethlu's & Wikipedia-link Llanfaethlu.
Papal Quote o' the Day
"O sweet & gentle Infant of Bethlehem, grant us the gift of sharing with our whole soul in this profound mystery of Christmas. Put into other's hearts the peace that at times they seek so openly & that You alone can give them."Bonus! Papal Quote o' the Day
—Pope St. John XXIII (1881-1963, r. 1958-1963; feast: 11 October)
"In serenity or in life’s darkness let us address Mary, entrusting ourselves to her continuous intercession so that she may obtain for us from the Son every grace & mercy we need for our pilgrimage on the highways of the world."Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day
—Pope Benedict XVI (b. 1927, r. 2005-2013)
"Am I convinced of God's love for me & mine for Him? This conviction is the sunlight that makes the sap of life rise."Saint Quote o' the Day
—St. Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)
"Teacher of children became Himself a Child among children, that He might instruct the unwise. The Bread of Heaven came down to Earth to feed the hungry."
—St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Doctor of the Church (313-386, feast: 18 March)
"When God came to this world, He did not leave heaven empty. When He came to this world, He was not shaved down, whittled down to human proportions. Rather, Christ was the life of God dwelling in human flesh."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)
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