Saints + Scripture

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

Saints of the Day
'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Angela Merici, Virgin, C.S.U. (1474-1540), foundress of the Angelines (C.S.U.), formally the Secular Institute of Saint Angela Merici (historically, the Company of Saint Ursula), from which grew the Ursulines (O.S.U.), formally the Order of Saint Ursula.

Commentary: Wayback Machine '20.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter seven, verses eighteen, nineteen, & twenty-four thru twenty-nine;
Psalm One Hundred Thirty-two, verses one & two; three, four, & five; eleven; twelve; & thirteen & fourteen
(R/. the Gospel according to Luke, chapter one, verse thirty-two[b]);
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter four, verses twenty-one thru twenty-five.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel shows how the light of Christ affects our lives. Well, light is wonderful in the measure that it illumines and brightens and delights. But light can also be disconcerting. Think of how bad most of us look in direct light! I discovered this while filming the CATHOLICISM series. I much prefer the indirect light that you can produce indoors. The full glare of the sun reveals every flaw, imperfection, and peculiarity of your face.

Think of what happens when you suddenly shine a light into a dark corner in your basement or down a lonely alley. The bugs and the vermin reveal themselves. Unsavory things scurry about for cover, afraid of the light.

When you invite Jesus into your life, you are inviting the light into your life. Again, this is wonderful, but it is also frightening. Jesus will shine his light in every corner of your life, in every room of your house. Things that look okay in the dark or in the indirect light will suddenly stand out in all of their unpleasantness.

Video reflection by Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers (U.S. Conf. of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

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

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Angela Merici
The First Letter of Peter, chapter four, verses seven(b) thru eleven;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-eight (R/. cf. twelve[a] & thirteen[a]; or, "Alleluia."), verses one(b/c) & two; eleven, twelve, & thirteen(a); & thirteen(c) & fourteen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter nine, verses thirty-four(b) thru thirty-seven.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"As people, we are meant to have human joys: the joy of living, the joy of love & friendship, the joy of work well done. As Christians, we have cause for further joy: like Jesus, we know that we are loved by God our father"
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Do you want to outwit the devil? Never let him catch you idle. Work, study, pray, & you will surely overcome your spiritual enemy."
—Saint John Bosco, S.D.B. (1815-1888, feast: 31 January)

Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day

"We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked, & homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved, & uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty."
—Saint Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)

Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day

"Love cannot remain by itself—it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action, & that action is service."
—Venerable Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)