Saints + Scripture: Adventus

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

'Tis the Monday of the Third Week of Advent: Advent-link & Wikipedia-link.

Saints of the Day
'Tis the Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin & Martyr (circa 283-304, of Syracuse), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution.

Commentary: Wayback Machine '19.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Monday of the Third Week of Advent
The Book of Numbers, chapter twenty-four, verses two thru seven, fifteen, sixteen, & seventeen(a);
Psalm Twenty-five (R/. four), verses four & five(a/b), six & seven(b/c), & eight & nine;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-one, verses twenty-three thru twenty-seven.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel, the chief priests and elders question Jesus: "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?"

The Greek word used for "authority" is most enlightening: exousia. It means, literally, "from the being of." Jesus speaks with the very exousia of God, and therefore, his words effect what they say. He says, "Lazarus, come out!" (John 11:43), and the dead man comes out of the tomb. He rebukes the wind and says to the sea, "Be still!" (Mark 4:39), and there is calm. And the night before he dies, he takes bread and says, "This is my body" (Matt. 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19). And what he says is.

Friends, this is the authority of the Church. If we are simply the guardians of one interesting philosophical perspective among many, then we are powerless. If we rely on our own cleverness in argumentation, then we will fail. Our power comes—and this remains a great mystery—only when we speak with the authority of Jesus Christ.

Reflect: How can we, mere humans, "speak with the authority of Jesus Christ"?

Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Advent Reflection.

Video reflection by Doctor Tim Gray (Augustine Institute/Formed.org): Advent Reflection.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Lucy
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter ten, verse seventeen(b) thru chapter eleven, verse two;
Psalm Thirty-one (R/. six), verses three(c/d) & four, six & eight(a/b), & sixteen(b/c) & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses one thru thirteen.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Love is great & authentic not only when it seems easy & pleasant, but also & most of all when it is strengthened in life's small & big trials."
—Pope Saint John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"O eternal light, lift up my blindness! O perfect unity, create in me simplicity of being. Humble my heart to reeceive your graces."
—Saint Louise be Marillac, D.C. (1591-1660, feast: 9 May)

Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day

"Let us not be afraid to be humble, small, helpless, to prove our love for God. The cup of water you give the sick, the way you lift a dying man, the way you feed a baby, the way you teach a dull child, the way you give medicine to someone suffering of leprosy, the joy with which you smile at your own home—all this is God's love in the world today."
—Saint Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)

Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day

"Any book which inspires us to lead a better life is a good book."
—Venerable Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)