'Tis the Fifth 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.
'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop & Martyr (circa 1118-1170, A.K.A. of Canterbury), Archbishop of Canterbury (1162-1170), martyred in the reign of the English king Henry II: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, Martyr-link trēs, & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link & Wikipedia-link Canterbury.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Trophimus of Arles, Bishop (died circa 280), inaugural Bishop of Arles (250-280): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link & Wikipedia-link Arles.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Ebrulf of Ouche, Abbot (circa 517-596; also spelt Evroul, etc.), founding abbot of the Abbey of Saint-Evroul: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Saint-Evroul.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Ailerán of Clonard, Religious (died circa 664, A.K.A. Ailerán sapientis ["Ailerán the Wise"]): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Tis also the festival of Blessed Peter the Venerable, Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 1092-1156; A.K.A. of Cluny, of Montboissier), ninth (IX) Abbot (1122-1156) of the Abbey of Cluny: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Abbey-link, Wikipedia-link Cluny, & Wikipedia-link Abbots.
'Tis also the festival of Blessed Gerardo Cagnoli, Religious, O.F.M. (circa 1267-1342): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Tis also the festival of Blessed William Howard, Martyr (1614-1680), first Viscount Stafford, martyred in the reign of the Anglo-Scottish king Charles II, a victim of the perjurer Titus Oates's "Popish Plot" hoax: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Popish Plot-link & Wikipedia-link Popish Plot.
Commentary: Grandson of St. Philip Howard [19 October], one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales [25 October].
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
The First Letter of John, chapter two, verses thre thru eleven;
Psalm Ninety-six (R/. eleven[a]), verses one & two(a), two(b) & three, & five(b) & six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter two, verses twenty-two thru thirty-five.
Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today’s Gospel tells the story of the Presentation of Jesus in the temple.Video reflection by Deacon Arthur L. Miller (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.
The Presentation of Jesus, perfected on the cross, is re-presented every time the Mass is celebrated. The Mass is certainly a festive meal, the moment when God feeds his people with his very Body and Blood; but the Mass is also a sacrifice, for it involves the offering of Jesus’ Body and Blood to the Father.
The Son, bearing the sins of the world, is presented to the Father: "Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever." Does God need this sacrifice? Of course not; God needs nothing. But our salvation is effected through this Presentation, for we are brought back to the Father through the Son.
Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Thomas Becket
The Second Letter to Timothy, chapter two, verses eight thru thirteen & chapter three, verses ten, eleven, & twelve;
Psalm Thirty-four (R/. five), verses two & three, four & five, six & seven, & eight & nine;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter sixteen, verses twenty-four thru twenty-seven.
Commentary: Video reflection by Bishop Earl Boyea: "Bishop Boyea & the Seven Feast Days after Christmas: 29 December: Saint Thomas Becket"
Scripture Study—Bishop's Year of the Bible: Day 31
The Gospel according Matthew, chapter twenty (verses one thru thirty-four);
Commentary: The Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew, 20:1-16), a Third Time Jesus Foretells His Death & Resurrection (Matthew, 20:17-19), the Request of the Mother of James & John (Matthew, 20:20-28), & Jesus Heals Two Blind Men (Matthew, 20:29-34).
Papal Quote o' the Day
"Would it not be beautiful if Christmas were to generate the inner Christ within us: a habit of meditation, a living memory of the great Mystery that we have solemnly commemoriated; a persuasion of faith, now acquired & confirmed? We must live our lives in union with Christ's life."Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, r. 1963-1978; feast: 29 May)
"There is more hunger in the world for love & appreciation in this world than for food."Catholic Quote o' the Day
—St. Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)
"Our life is a gift & a giving to others; therefore it is joy at a profound level. Anyone who seriously makes this idea his own & begins to practice it will find it to be true; he will discover that the will to live it out, that is, to accept everything as a gift from God, can transform our life right down to its roots."Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day
—Servant of God Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988)
"The Magi came from the East. How did they know about Christ? Probably from the prophecy of Daniel concerning the seventy weeks of years; they counted the revolution of the stars. In any case, they knew, & they brought gold because He was king, incense because He was a priest, but also myrrh. That's the way He was buried, with a hundred pounds of spices & myrrh. What would our mothers have thought if the neighbors brought in embalming fluid when we were born? Everywhere there was the shadow of suffering."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)
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