Saints + Scripture: Feast of Saint James

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

Saints of the Day
'Tis the Feast of Saint James, Apostle (died 44, the Greater, the Son of Zebedee, one of the two "Sons of Thunder;" originally Ya'qob, in Latin Iacobus, in English Jacob), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Claudius, at the command of the client tetrarch Herod Agrippa.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Brother of St. John the Apostle (27 December).

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feast of Saint James
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter four, verses seven thru fifteen;
Psalm One HUndred Twenty-six (R/. five), verses one(b/c) & two(a/b), two(c/d) & three, four & five, & six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty, verses twenty thru twenty-eight.

Commentary: Festal Readings.

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

Friends, today in our Gospel, the mother of James and John asks Jesus on their behalf for high places of authority in his kingdom. Ah, there is the voice of ambition. Some people don’t care at all about money or power or pleasure—but they care passionately about honor. A lot of people can identify with James and John. They want to go places; they want to be movers and shakers in society. Perhaps a number of people reading this reflection are filled with these emotions.

But Jesus turns the tables on them: “You do not know what you are asking.” He is indeed a King, and he will indeed rule Israel, but his crown will be made of thorns, and his throne will be a Roman instrument of torture.

And so he tries to clarify: “Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” The key to honor in the kingdom of God is to drink the cup of suffering, to be willing to suffer out of love, to give one’s life away as a gift. Look at the lives of the saints. It is not about aggrandizing the ego but emptying it out.

Video reflection by Monsignor Robert Cannon (U.S.C.C.B.): Festal Reflection.

Saints + Scripture: Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene

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

Saints of the Day
'Tis the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene (died circa 63, the "Apostle to the Apostles").

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene
The Song of Songs, chapter three, verses one thru four(b);
or, the Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter five, verses fourteen thru seventeen;
Psalm Sixty-three (R/. two), verses two, three & four, five & six, & eight & nine;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty, verses one, two, & eleven thru eighteen.

Commentary: Festal Readings.

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

Friends, today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, the first witness of Christ’s rising, who declared the resurrection to the apostles.

In point of fact, the Easter declaration, properly understood, has always been and still is an explosion, an earthquake, a revolution. For the Easter faith is that Jesus of Nazareth, who had been brutally put to death by the Roman authorities, is alive again through the power of the Holy Spirit—and not in some metaphorical sense.

That the resurrection is a literary device or a symbol that Jesus’s cause goes on is a fantasy born in the faculty lounges of Western universities over the past couple of centuries. The still startling claim of the first witnesses is that Jesus rose bodily from death, presenting himself to his disciples to be seen, even handled.

The hope of ancient Israel was the unification of heaven and earth in a great marriage. Recall a central line from the Lord’s Prayer: “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” The bodily resurrection of Jesus is the powerful sign that the two orders are in fact coming together.

Video reflection by Theresa Notare, Ph.D. (U.S.C.C.B.): Festal Reflection.

Saint Quote o' the Day

"f you have the courage to imitate Mary Magdalene in her sins, have the courage to imitate her penance."
—Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, O.F.M.Cap. ("PadrePio;" 1887-1968, feast: 23 September)

Saints + Scripture: Feast of Saint Thomas

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

Saints of the Day
'Tis the Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle (died circa 72, A.K.A. Didymus ["twin"]).

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feast of Saint Thomas
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter two, verses nineteen thru twenty-two;
Psalm One Hundred Seventeen (R/. the Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verse fifteen), verses one(b/c), two;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty, verses twenty-four thru twenty-nine.

Commentary: Festal Readings.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel tells of Thomas’s doubting the Resurrection. Indeed, Catholicism has a rich tradition of questioning, seeking understanding. Aquinas, another great St. Thomas, spent much of his life asking and answering hard questions about the faith.

Do you remember Hamlet’s great line, “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy”? If we stubbornly said—even in the area of science—that we will accept only what we can clearly see and touch and control, we wouldn’t know much about reality.

There is, in most areas of life, a play between knowing and believing. It is not unique to the religious sphere of life. Blaise Pascal summed it up: “The heart has its reasons that reason knows not.”

It is not that we who have not seen and have believed are settling for a poor substitute for vision. No, we are being described as blessed, more blessed than Thomas. God is doing all sorts of things that we cannot see, measure, control, fully understand. But it is an informed faith that allows one to fall in love with such a God.

Video reflection by Deacon Arthur L. Miller (U.S.C.C.B.): Festal Reflection.

Saints + Scripture: Saints Peter & Paul, Apostles

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

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the 3rd Day o' Christmas

The Feast of Saint John, Apostle & Evangelist
Bing Crosby, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/It Came upon a Midnight Clear" from the Christmas with Bing Crosby, Nate King Cole, [&] Dean Martin compilation (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)

The Rebel Black Dot Songs o' Saints Peter & Paul

The Solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul, Apostles
The Blues Brothers, "Peter Gunn Theme" from The Blues Brothers: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)

&

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "The Ballad of Candlepin Paul" from The Magic of Youth (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary: The Solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul is always celebrated on 29 June. This year, I learned that is the case even if 29 June falls on a Sunday, overriding the Nth Sunday in Ordinary Time. We had a fairly late Easter this year; so, rather than Ss. Peter & Paul being relatively isolated in the middle of summer, it is our fifth consecutive blockbuster Sunday: Ascension, Pentecost, Trinity, Corpus Christi, & now Ss. Peter & Paul.

Saints + Scripture: Feast of Saint John

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

'Tis the Feast of Saint John, Apostle & Evangelist (circa 6-101, the "Beloved Disciple" or "the Disciple whom Jesus loved;" A.K.A. of Patmos, the Divine, the Theologian, the Revelator, the Presbyter, the Elder).

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis the Third 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 Rebel Black Dot Song o' the 3rd Day o' Christmas

The Feast of Saint John, Apostle & Evangelist
Taj Mahal, Sam Moore, & Cab Blues, "John the Revelator" from Blues Brother 2000: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary: Cab Blues was played by Joe Morton.

Saints + Scripture: Feast of Saint James

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

Saints of the Day
'Tis the Feast of Saint James, Apostle (died 44, the Greater, the Son of Zebedee, one of the two "Sons of Thunder;" originally Ya'qob, in Latin Iacobus, in English Jacob), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Claudius, at the command of the client tetrarch Herod Agrippa.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Brother of St. John the Apostle (27 December).

Saints + Scripture: Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene

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

Saints of the Day
'Tis the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene (died circa 63, the "Apostle to the Apostles").

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Saint Quote o' the Day

"If you have the courage to imitate Mary Magdalene in her sins, have the courage to imitate her penance."
—Saint Pius of Pietrelcino ("Padre Pio;" 1887-1968, feast: 23 September)

Saints + Scripture: Feast of Saint Thomas

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

Saints of the Day
'Tis the Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle (died circa 72, A.K.A. Didymus ["twin"]).

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Saints + Scripture

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

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle (died circa 61, A.K.A. Joseph).

Commentary: Wayback Machine '20 & Wayback Machine '19.

'Tis the Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.

Saints + Scripture: Feast of Saint Matthias

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

'Tis the Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle (died circa 80).

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter (Latin: Pascha, meaning "Passover"): Pascha-link & Wikipedia-link Paschaltide.

Saints + Scripture: Feast of Saints Philip & James

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

Tis the Feast of Saints Philip & James, Apostles (died circa 80 & 62, respectively).

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis the Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter (Latin: Pascha, meaning "Passover"): Pascha-link & Wikipedia-link Paschaltide.

'Tis the First Friday o' the month: Wikipedia-link First Friday & Wikipedia-link Sacred Heart.

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day

The Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle
Letters to Cleo, "St. Peter" from Wholesale Meats and Fish (Mike Papa Whiskey)

Saints + Scripture: Feast of Saint Bartholomew

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

Saints of the Day
'Tis the Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle (first century, A.K.A. Nathanael).

Commentary: Wayback Machine '21 & Wayback Machine '20.

Saints + Scripture: Feast of Saint James

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

'Tis the Feast of Saint James, Apostle (died 44, the Greater, the Son of Zebedee, one of the two "Sons of Thunder;" originally Ya'qob, in Latin Iacobus, in English Jacob), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Claudius, at the command of the client tetrarch Herod Agrippa: Apostle-link ūnus, Apostle-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Apostles-link & Wikipedia-link Apostles

Commentary: Wayback Machine.Quoth Minute Meditations from the Popes:

Lord Jesus, You promised those who follow You a reward of a hundredfold. Yet so many who have committed themselves to You, like Saint James the Greater, have suffered greatly. Help me to understand the meaning of the Cross You share with us.

Saints of the Day
'Tis also the festival of Saint Christopher, Martyr (died circa 251, A.K.A. Offero, Reprobus), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Decius, a victim of the Decian Persecution (250-251); one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Persecutions-link & Wikipedia-link Decian Persecution, & Holy Helpers-link & Wikipedia-link Holy Helpers.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Olympias of Constantinople, Deaconess (circa 361-408, A.K.A. the Younger; also spelt Olympiad): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Deaconess.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Glodesind of Metz, Abbess (died circa 608): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Rodolfo Acquaviva, Priest & Martyr, S.J. (1550-1583), martyred by Hindu Kshatriyas, one of the twenty martyrs of the Cuncolim Revolt: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Cuncolim.

Commentary: Cousin of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, S.J. [21 June].

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Antonio Lucci, Bishop, O.F.M. Cov. (1682-1752, the "Angel of the Poor;" A.K.A. Angelo Nicola Lucci), Bishop of Bovino (1729-1752): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Bovino.

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the 3rd Day o' Christmas

Feast of Saint John, Apostle & Evangelist
Matt Maher, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" from The Advent of Christmas (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)

Saints + Scripture

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

The Popish Plot
"Bonus Episode: Two Guys Named Tony with a Time Machine"

Saints of the Day
'Tis the Optional Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter & Paul, Apostles (circa 323).

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, Virgin, R.S.C.J. (1769-1852, "Woman-Who-Prays-Always" & the "Lady of Mercy").

'Tis the Friday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.

Saints + Scripture: Feast of Saint James

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

The Popish Plot
"Patron Saints for Your Pets"

'Tis the Feast of Saint James, Apostle (died 44, the Greater, the Son of Zebedee, one of the two "Sons of Thunder;" originally Ya'qob, in Latin Iacobus, in English Jacob), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Claudius, at the command of the client tetrarch Herod Agrippa.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Quoth Minute Meditations from the Popes:

Lord Jesus, You promised those who follow You a reward of a hundredfold. Yet so many who have committed themselves to You, like Saint James the Greater, have suffered greatly. Help me to understand the meaning of the Cross You share with us.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feast of Saint James
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter four, verses seven thru fifteen;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-six (R/. five), verses one(b/c) & two(a/b), two(c/d) & three, four & five, & six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty, verses twenty thru twenty-eight.

Commentary: Festal Readings.

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

Friends, today in our Gospel, the mother of James and John asks Jesus on their behalf for high places of authority in his kingdom. Ah, there is the voice of ambition. Some people don’t care at all about money or power or pleasure—but they care passionately about honor. A lot of people can identify with James and John. They want to go places; they want to be movers and shakers in society. Perhaps a number of people reading this reflection are filled with these emotions.

But Jesus turns the tables on them: “You do not know what you are asking.” He is indeed a King, and he will indeed rule Israel, but his crown will be made of thorns, and his throne will be a Roman instrument of torture.

And so he tries to clarify: “Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” The key to honor in the kingdom of God is to drink the cup of suffering, to be willing to suffer out of love, to give one’s life away as a gift. Look at the lives of the saints. It is not about aggrandizing the ego, but emptying it out.

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

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

Papal Quote o' the Day

"The history of the human race in the world is not a procession of blind forces. It is a marvelous & vital working out of the actual history of the Divine Word. From Him came its first movements & throgh Him it will reach fulfillment."
—Venerable Pope Pius XII (1876-1958, r. 1939-1958)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"To have courage for whatever comes in life—everything lies in that."
—Saint Teresa of Ávila, O.C.D., Doctor of the Church (1515-1582, feast: 15 October)

Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day

"I believe that many people today think the poor are not humans like them. They look down on them. But if they had a deep respect for the poor, I am sure it would be easy for them to come closer to them, & to see that they have as much right to the things of life & to love as anybody has."
—Saint Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)

Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day

"In silence, there is humility of spirit or what might be called 'wise passivity.' In such the ear is more important than the tongue. God speaks, but not in cyclones—only in the zephyrs & gentle breezes."
—Venerable Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)