Saints + Scripture

Better Late than Never | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

'Tis the festival of Saint Tabitha (first century, A.K.A. Dorcas): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. The resurrection of St. Tabitha by St. Peter [22 February, 29 June] is recounted in the Acts of the Apostles, 9:36-42.

'Tis also the festival of Saints Chrysanthus & Daria, Martyrs (died circa 283), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Numerian & Carinus: Martyr-link Charlie, Martyr-link Delta, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saints Crispin & Crispian, Martyrs (died circa 286), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian: Martyr-link P-I-N, Martyr-link P-I-A-N, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Marnock of Kilmarnock, Bishop (died 625, A.K.A. Ernin): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh, Bishop (circa 1455-1492, the "White Martyr of Munster," Anglicized as Thaddeus McCarthy): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Forty Martyrs of England & Wales (died 1535-1679), martyred in the reigns of the English & Anglo-Scottish monarchs Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, James VI & I, Charles I, & Charles II, & the warlord Oliver Cromwell: Martyrs-link England & Wales & Wikipedia-link England & Wales.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Romans, chapter seven, verses eighteen thru twenty-five(a);
Psalm One Hundred Nineteen (R/. sixty-eight[b]), verses sixty-six, sixty-eight, seventy-six, seventy-seven, ninety-three, & ninety-four;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twelve, verses fifty-four thru fifty-nine.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, the famous call of the Vatican II fathers to "read the signs of the times" is grounded in Jesus’ exhortation in the Gospel for today. Followers of Jesus are meant to look at the world with clear eyes, to see what is happening, to be attentive. But this attention is of a particular type. It is not the attention of the scientist or the philosopher or the politician—though it can include those. It is an attention to the things of God.

I have often argued that many of us today are still enthralled to a Deist view of God, whereby God is a distant and aloof first cause of the universe, uninvolved with the world he has made. But Thomas Aquinas taught that God is in all things "by essence, presence, and power," and that God providentially cares for every aspect of his creation. Therefore, we should expect to see signs of his presence and activity in nature, in history, and in human affairs.

And once we see, we are meant to speak! In a way, followers of Jesus are not looking at the signs of the times for their own benefit, but rather that they might share their prophetic perspective with everyone else. So look around, look with attention, look with the eyes of faith!

Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Scripture Study—Wisdom Books
The Book of Sirach, chapter nineteen (verses one thru thirty).

Commentary: True Wisdom Contrasted to Cleverness & Evil (Sirach, 19:1-30).

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 91: Decision Dome, Day 33
The Book of Joshua, chapter nineteen, verses one thru nine.

Commentary: The Territory of Simeon (Joshua, 19:1-9).

Proverb o' the Day (Sirach, 19:10)

Have you heard a word? Let it die with you.
Be brave! It will not make you burst!

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Do not be afraid! Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Let us love the Cross & let us remember that we are not alone in carrying it. God is helping us; & in God Who is comforting us, as Saint Paul says, we can do anything."
—St. Gianna Molla (1922-1962, feast day: 28 April)

Chesterton Quote o' the Day

"A nation with a root religion will be tolerant. A nation with no religion will be bigoted."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

Saints + Scripture — Please Stand By

The Rebel Black Dot Hallowe'en Song o' the Day

They Might Be Giants, "Haunted Floating Eye" from Cast Your Pod to the Wind (Mike Papa Wight)

The Rebel Black Dot Hallowe'en Song o' the Day

The Doors, "People Are Strange" from The Future Starts Here: The Essential Doors Hits (Mike Papa Werewolf)

Bonus! Song o' the Day

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "In Honor Of" from While We're at It (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Skammentary: I have no idea what "In Honor Of" is about, but I like to think it refers to the years Dicky Barrett wasted working for America's most racist late-night talk show host, Jimmy Kimmel.

"All is well, I guess, if this is how it ends,
A somber testament that mostly just depends
On how you're looking at the message that it sends,
I'm better off because of him, but we were never friends…"

Saints + Scripture

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Bishop, C.M.F. (1807-1870), Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba; founder of the Claretians (C.M.F.), formally the Congregation of Missionaries, Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary; who participated in the First Vatican Council (1869-1870): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Santiago, Order-link C.M.F. & Wikipedia-link C.M.F., & Wikipedia-link Vatican I.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Among his great initiatives were trade or vocational schools for disadvantaged children & credit unions for the use of the poor. He wrote books about rural spirituality & agricultural methods, which he himself tested first. in 25 August 1855, he founded the Religious of Mary Immaculate together with [Venerable] Maria Antonia Paris. The congregation was considered as the first women religious institute in Cuba. He also visited jails & hospitals, defended the oppressed, & denounced racism. His work stirred up opposition & at Holguin his cheek was stabbed by a would-be assassin. Claret obtained a commutation of the assailant's death sentence to a prison term.

Wikipedia-link Claretian Sisters

'Tis also the festival of Saint Senoch, Priest & Abbot, O.S.B. (died 576), founding abbot of the monastery which gave rise to the commune of Saint-Senoch: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Saint-Senoch.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Martin of Vertou, Deacon & Abbot (527-601, the "Apostle of the Herbauges"), founding abbot of Vertou Abbey & Durieu Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Luigi Guanella, Priest (1842-1915), founder of the Daughters of Saint Mary of Providence (F.S.M.P.); the Guanellians (S.C.), formally the Servants of Charity; & the Pious Union of Saint Joseph: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link F.S.M.P. & Wikipedia-link S.C.

Commentary: Brother of Servant of God Caterina Guanella.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Giuseppe Baldo, Priest (1843-1915), founder of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Mary & the Little Daughters of Saint Joseph: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: St. Luigi Guanella & Bl. Giuseppe Baldo were born only two months apart, 19 December 1842 & 19 February 1843, respectively, & died on the very same day, 24 October 1915.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Romans, chapter six, verses nineteen thru twenty-three;
Psalm One (R/. Psalm Forty, verse five), verses one & two, three, & four & six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twelve, verses forty-nine thru fifty-three.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, the statement of Jesus that we have in the Gospel for today is frightening: "I have come to cast a fire upon the earth; how I wish it were already kindled." He’s throwing fire down, much like the God who destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.

Okay, so how do we make sense of all this? I thought the angels on Christmas morning said that he had come as the Prince of Peace? Jesus is the Incarnation of the God who is nothing but love, but this enfleshment takes place in the midst of a fallen, sinful world. Therefore, it will appear as something threatening, strange, off-putting.

The world, on the biblical reading, is a dysfunctional family. When Jesus comes, he necessarily comes as a breaker of the peace, as a threat to the dysfunctional family. Now we can begin to understand that strange language about setting three against two and two against three.

This is why Jesus wants to cast a consuming fire on the earth. He wants to burn away all that is opposed to God’s desire for us. He has to clear the ground before something new can be built. Is this utterly painful? Yes!

Video reflection by Father Roger Lopez, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Anthony Mary Claret
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-two, verses seven thru ten;
Psalm Ninety-six (R/. three), verses one & two(a), two(b) & three, seven & eight, & ten;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter one, verses fourteen thru twenty.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 91: Decision Dome, Day 32
The Book of Joshua, chapter seventeen, verses fourteen thru eighteen.

Commentary: The Tribe of Joseph Protests (Joshua, 17:14-18).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"The way Jesus shows you is not easy. Rather, it is like a path winding up a mountain. Do not lose heart! The steeper the road, the faster is rises toward ever wider horizons!"
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Love the Virgin Mary. She is our tender confidant in difficulty. Mary is the mother who cannot ignore our requests."
—St. Gianna Molla (1922-1962, feast day: 28 April)

Chesterton Quote o' the Day

"It is a well-known fact that people who have never succeeded in anything end by writing books about how to succeed."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

The Explorers' Club, № DCCXIII

Operation AXIOM: After the World War—The Paris Peace Conference, Part VII
16 September-19 November 1919: The Lodge Reservations—The U.S. Senate debated the Treaty of Versailles, including the Covenant of the League of Nations; Senator Henry Cabot Lodge (R., Mass.) favored joining the League, with certain reservations, but the Wilson White House ordered pro-treaty Democrats to reject any & all amendments, allying with the intensely anti-treaty "Irreconcilables."

Lest we forget.

Saints + Scripture

The Popish Plot
"Farewell The Armchair Catholic"

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint John of Capistrano, Priest, O.F.M. (1386-1456, "the Soldier Saint"): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

He was a Franciscan friar & Catholic priest from the Italian town of Capestrano, Abruzzo. Famous as a preacher, theologian, & inquisitor, he earned himself the nickname 'the Soldier Saint' when in 1456, at age seventy he led a crusade against the invading Ottoman Empire at the siege of Belgrade with the Hungarian military commander John Hunyadi.

Wikipedia-link Siege of Belgrade

'Tis also the festival of Saint Romanus of Rouen, Bishop (died circa 640), twentieth (XX) Bishop of Rouen (A.K.A. Rotomagus): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link Rouen & Wikipedia-link Rouen.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Ignatius of Constantinople, Bishop & Abbot (circa 798-877, A.K.A. Niketas), eighty-fifth (LXXXV) Patriarch of Constantinople: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Constantinople.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Giovannangelo Porro, Priest & Hermit, O.S.M. (1451-1505, Anglicized as John Angelo Porro): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Arnould Rèche, Religious, F.S.C. (1838-1890, A.K.A. Julian-Nicolas Rèche): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Romans, chapter six, verses twelve thru eighteen;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-four (R/. eight[a]), verses one(b), two, & three; four, five, & six; & seven & eight;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twelve, verses thirty-nine thru forty-eight.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in today’s Gospel we meet a prudent steward who serves his master wisely. I would like to say something about prudence and wisdom. In the Middle Ages, prudence was called "the queen of the virtues," because it was the virtue that enabled one to do the right thing in a particular situation.

Prudence is a feel for the moral situation, something like the feel that a quarterback has for the playing field. Justice is a wonderful virtue, but without prudence, it is blind and finally useless. One can be as just as possible, but without a feel for the present situation, his justice will do him no good.

Wisdom, unlike prudence, is a sense of the big picture. It is the view from the hilltop. Most of us look at our lives from the standpoint of our own self-interest. But wisdom is the capacity to survey reality from the vantage point of God. Without wisdom, even the most prudent judgment will be erroneous, short-sighted, inadequate.

The combination, therefore, of prudence and wisdom is especially powerful. Someone who is both wise and prudent will have both a sense of the bigger picture and a feel for the particular situatio

Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. John of Capistrano
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter five, verses fourteen thru twenty;
Psalm Sixteen (R/. five[a]), verses one(b), two(a), & five; seven & eight; & eleven;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter nine, verses fifty-seven thru sixty-two.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 91: Decision Dome, Day 31
The Book of Joshua, chapter sixteen, verse ten & chapter seventeen, verses twelve & thirteen.

Commentary: The Territory of Ephraim (Joshua, 16:10) & the Territory of the Half-tribe of Manasseh (West) (Joshua, 17:12-13).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"We are not the sum of our weaknesses & failures; we are the sum of the Father's love for us & our real capacity to become the image of His Son."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"O Jesus, I promise to submit myself to all that You permit to happen to me, make me only know Your Will."
—St. Gianna Molla (1922-1962, feast day: 28 April)

Chesterton Quote o' the Day

"Modern religious intolerance is a funny thing. But we really think modern religious tolerance is funnier still."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

Operation ÖSTERREICH

Weekly Wednesday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 334.0 lbs
This weigh-in: 334.6 lbs.
Difference: +0.6 lbs.

Bonus! Lied von ÖSTERREICH
"Weird Al" Yankovic, "Addicted to Spuds" from Polka Party! (Mike Papa Widebody)

The Rebel Black Dot Hallowe'en Song o' the Day!

The Aquabats!, "The Man with Glooey Hands!" from The Aquabats! vs. the Floating Eye of Death! and Other Amazing Adventures, Vol. 1 (Captain Thumbs Up!)

Bonus! Song o' the Day

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "After the Music Is Over" from While We're at It (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Skammentary: Bidding a fond farewell to a consistently fun & enlightening podcast, which signed off at the end o' today's new episode, The Armchair Catholic. Thanks, gentlemen; good luck & Godspeed in all your future endeavors.

"After the music is over,
When what needs to be's been said,
After the tears have all been shed,
When it's over,
What is after that?…"

Saints + Scripture

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint John Paul II, Pope (1920-2005, the Great; A.K.A. Karol Józef Wojtyła), two hundred sixty-fourth (CCLXIV) Bishop of Rome, seventy-sixth (LXXVI) Archbishop of Kraków, & theologian of the Theology of the Body: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, Saint-link Aleteia, & Wikipedia-link; Pontiffs-link, & Wikipedia-link Pontiff; & Wikipedia-link Kraków & Wikipedia-link Theology of the Body.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

John Paul II is recognized as helping to end Communist rule in his native Poland & eventually all of Europe. John Paul II significantly improved the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, & the Eastern Orthodox Church[es]. He upheld the Church's teachings on such matters as the right to life, artificial contraception, the ordination of women, & a celibate clergy & although he supported the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, he was seen as generally conservative in their interpretation.

Wikipedia-link Vatican II

'Tis also the festival of Saint Marcus of Jerusalem, Bishop & Martyr (died 156; also spelt Mark, A.K.A. Mahalia), sixteenth (XVI) Bishop of Jerusalem (A.K.A. Aelia Capitolina), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Jerusalem & Wikipedia-link Aelia Capitolina.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Mellonius, Bishop (circa 229-314), second (II) Bishop of Rouen (A.K.A. Rotomagus): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link Rouen & Wikipedia-link Rouen.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Donatus of Fiesole, Bishop (circa 829-876), Bishop of Fiesole: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Fiesole.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Bertharius of Monte Cassino, Abbot & Martyr, O.S.B. (circa 810-883), abbot of the Abbey of Monte Cassino, martyred by Muslim Saracens while at prayer: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Abbey-link Monte Cassino & Wikipedia-link Monte Cassino.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Romans, chapter five, verses twelve, fifteen(b), seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty(b), & twenty-one;
Psalm Forty (R/. eight[a] & nine[a]), verses seven & eight(a), eight(b) & nine, ten, & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twelve, verses thirty-five thru thirty-eight.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus urges us to be ready for his second coming. It reminds me of John the Baptist preparing us: "Make ready the way of the Lord, clear him a straight path." He is saying that his job is to prepare for the mighty coming of the Lord. A change is coming, a revolution is on the way, a disaster (the destruction of the old) is about to happen. Prepare the way of the Lord.

And what is the manner of preparation? It is a baptism of repentance. Baptism—an immersion in water—reminded first-century Jews of the exodus, passing through the Red Sea, leaving the ways of slavery behind.

And repentance (metanoia)—going beyond the mind that you have. How our minds are conditioned by the fallen world! How our expectations are shaped, stunted by what has gone before. The world of Tiberius and Pilate and Herod and Caiaphas has shaped our imagination. It’s time, John is saying, for a new mind, a new set of eyes, a new kind of expectation. God is about to act!

Be ready!

Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. John Paul II
The Book of Isiah, chapter fifty-two, verses seven thru ten;
Psalm Ninety-six (R/. three), verses one & two(a), two(b) & three, seven & eight(a), & ten;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty-one, verses fifteen, sixteen, & seventeen.

Scripture Study—Wisdom Books
The Book of Sirach, chapter eighteen (verses one thru thirty-three).

Commentary: God & Man (Sirach, 18:1-33).

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 91: Decision Dome, Day 30
The Book of Joshua, chapter fifteen, verses thirteen thru nineteen.

Commentary: Caleb Occupies His Portion (Joshua, 15:13-19).

Proverb o' the Day (Sirach, 18:19)

Before you speak, learn,
and before you fall ill, take care of your health.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Young people, have you ever thought of committing your existence totally to Christ? Do you think there can be anything greater than to bring Jesus to people & people to Jesus?"
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Look at the mothers who truly love their children: how many sacrifices they make for them. They are ready for everything, even to give their own blood so that their babies grow up good, healthy, & strong."
—St. Gianna Molla (1922-1962, feast day: 28 April)

Chesterton Quote o' the Day

"In order to suppress false doctrine, we must have a definition of true doctrine. And very few people now know exactly what doctrine is true, even if they feel a great many current ones are false… it is, after all, a moral doctrine which declares that mere appeals to mere appetites are wrong. It is a moral doctrine most decent people vaguely feel, but now a little too vaguely to be applied vigilantly… They do emphatically involve immortal and unalterable truth. The fact that a chaotic and ill-educated time cannot clearly grasp the truth does not alter the fact that it always will be the truth."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Green Bay, Wisconsin" from While We're at It (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Skammentary: I really ought to figure out how to make a ringtone out of the opening guitar riff of "Green Bay, Wisconsin," perhaps as the text message alert, because hearing those notes every day would be a great boon.

Saints + Scripture

'Tis the festival of Saint Hilarion the Great, Hermit (circa 291-371, of Gaza), around whose hermitage was built the Saint Hilarion Monastery (A.K.A. Tell Umm el-'Amr): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Monastery.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Ursula, Virgin, & Companions, Martyrs (died 383), martyred at Cologne by the Huns, atop whose grave is build the Basilica of Saint Ursula; namesake & patroness, though not foundress, of the Ursulines (O.S.U.), formally the Order of Saint Ursula, & the Angelines, formally the Company of Saint Ursula: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Basilica, Wikipedia-link O.S.U., & Wikipedia-link Angelines.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Viator of Lyons, Hermit (died circa 390): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Wendelin of Trier, Abbot (circa 554-617), inaugural (I) abbot of a company of hermits who became Tholey Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Tholey.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Karl of Austria (1887-1922; Emperor Karl I of Austria, King Károly IV of Hungary, & King Karel III of Bohemia, etc.; A.K.A. Karl Franz Joseph Ludwig Hubert Georg Otto Maria von Habsburg): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Giuseppe Puglisi, Priest & Martyr (1937-1993, "Pino"), martyred on the orders of the Mafia gangsters Filippo & Giuseppe Graviano, against whom he crusaded fearlessly: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Monday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Romans, chapter four, verses twenty thru twenty-five;
The Gospel according to Luke (R/. sixty-eight), chapter one, verses sixty-nine & seventy; seventy-one & seventy-two; & seventy-three, seventy-four, & seventy-five;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twelve, verses thirteen thru twenty-one.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, today in our Gospel Jesus tells of a rich man who has been so successful that he doesn’t have space enough to store his harvest. So he tears down his barns and builds bigger ones. But that very night, he dies—and all of it comes to naught. "Thus it will be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God."

No matter how good, how beautiful a state of affairs is here below, it is destined to pass into nonbeing. That sunset that I enjoyed last night—that radiantly beautiful display—is now forever gone. It lasted only a while. That beautiful person—attractive, young, full of life, creative, joyful—will eventually age, get sick, break down, and die.

An image that always comes to mind when I think of these things is the gorgeous firework that bursts open like a giant flower and then, in the twinkling of an eye, is gone forever. Everything is haunted by nonbeing. Everything, finally, is a bubble.

But this is not meant to depress us; it is meant to redirect our attention precisely to the things that are "above," to the eternity of God.

Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 91: Decision Dome, Day 29
The Book of Joshua, chapter fourteen, verses six thru fifteen.

Commentary: Hebron Allotted to Caleb (Joshua, 14:6-15).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Choosing a carpenter for His 'foster father' & becoming a carpenter Himself, Christ has enriched human work with a dignity that cannot be equaled. Now all who work know that they are doing something Divine which can even be linked with God's initial work."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"My own human body is made up of millions & millions of cells, & yet it is one body because it is vivified by one soul, governed by an invisible mind, & presided over by a visible head. So all who later on will be incorporated into this new body of Christ will be one because they will be vivified by one soul, the Holy Spirit, governed by an invisible mind, Christ in heaven, & presided over by a visible head, namely, the one whom Christ chose at the beginning to bear the keys of His kingdom. Therefore, this body of Christ was to be the prolongation of His Incarnation. Our Lord was to grow & expand very much like a cell. We sometimes think that a church is formed by all of us coming together & saying, 'Oh, let’s get together & form a church,' just as we form a tennis club. That’s not the way the body of Christ was formed. God’s power was in the midst of His people"
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

Chesterton Quote o' the Day

"While there are stupid people everywhere, there is a particular minute & microcephalous idiocy which is only found in an intelligentsia."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day

Robbie Williams featuring Jon Lovitz, "Well, Did You Evah!" from Swing When You're Winning (Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary: Upon second thought, "Well, Did You Evah!," while highly amusing, probably doesn't nourish my vital union with the Lord, the source of all life & goodness. The snobbery, the vapidity, the gossip, not to mention the licentiousness—well, did you ever!

"That's a lovely dress,
Do you think I could talk her out of it?…"

Saints + Scripture: XXIX Sunday in Tempus per annum

Better Late than Never | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

'Tis the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time during the year"): Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Book of Exodus, chapter seventeen, verses eight thru thirteen;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-one (R/. confer two), verses one & rwo, three & four, five & six, & seven & eight;
The second Letter to Timothy, chapter three, verse fourteen thru chapter four, verse two;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eighteen, verses one thru eight.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, today’s Gospel exhorts us to pray with persistence. This command is everywhere in the Bible. We see it in Abraham’s steady petition on behalf of the people of Sodom. We see it in today’s account of the persistent widow. We hear it in Jesus’ extraordinary teaching: "Knock and the door shall be opened to you; seek and you will find; ask and it will be given to you."

One reason that we don’t receive what we want through prayer is that we give up too easily. What could be behind this rule of prayer? Augustine said that God sometimes delays in giving us what we want because he wants our hearts to expand. The more ardently we desire something, the more ready we are when it comes, the more we treasure it. The very act of asking persistently is accomplishing something spiritually important. So when the Lord seems slow to answer your prayer, never give up.

Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Video reflection by Father Claude Burns (uCatholic): Weekend Reflection with Father Pontifex.

Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D. (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Breaking the Bread.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 91: Decision Dome, Day 28
The Book of Joshua, chapter fourteen, verses one thru five.

Commentary: The Distribution of Territory West of the Jordan (Joshua, 14:1-5).

Mass Journal: Week 47
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:

Mass is not about whom you sit next to. It's not about which priest says Mass. It is not about what you wear or who is there. Mass is not about the music. It's not even about the preaching. It is about gathering as a community to give thanks to God for all the blessings He fills our lives with. It is about receiving the Body & Blood of Christ, not just physically, but spiritually. Perhaps you have been receiving the Eucharist physically every Sunday for your whole life. Next Sunday, prepare yourself, be conscious of the marvel, the wonder, the mystery, & receive spiritually.

†

Otherwise, 20 October would be the festival of Saint Irene of Tomar, Virgin & Martyr (circa 635-653), martyred resisting the assassin-cum-rapist dispatched by her spurned stalker Britald: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Acca of Hexham, Bishop & Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 660-742), seventh (VII) Bishop of Hexham, abbot of Saint Andrew's Abbey (A.K.A. Hexham Abbey): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Hexham & Wikipedia-link Saint Andrew's.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Adelina, Abbess, O.S.B. (died 1125), inaugural (I) abbess of Abbaye Blanche ("White Abbey"): Saint-link; Wikipedia-link Abbaye Blanche.

Commentary: Sister of St. Vitalis of Savigny [16 September].

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Jakub Strzemię, Bishop, O.F.M. Cap. (circa 1340-1411, Anglicized as James of Strepar), sixth (VI) & ultimate Archbishop of Halyč: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Halyč.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Paul of the Cross, Priest, C.P. (1694-1775, "God's Hunter of Souls," A.K.A. Paolo Francesco Danei), founder of the Passionists (C.P.), formally the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Order-link C.P., & Wikipedia-link C.P..

Papal Quote o' the Day

"It is not enough merely to formulate a social doctrine. It must be translated into reality. This is particularly true of the Church's social doctrine, which has truth as its light, justice as its objective, & love as its driving force."
—Pope St. John XXIII (1881-1963, feast day: 11 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Hope expands the heart, increases courage, & lovingly places us in the hands of God."
—St. Paul of the Cross (1694-1775, feast day: 20 October)

Chesterton Quote o' the Day

"Man has mastery of all things except himself."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

Saints + Scripture — Please Stand By

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Lord's Day: XXIX

Garth Brooks, "Unanswered Prayers" from No Fences (Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary:

"…I guess the Lord knows what He's doing after all."

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: Go Blue!

Glenn Miller, "Pennsylvania 6-5000" from Glenn Miller's 50 Finest (Mike Papa Wolverine)

Saints + Scripture — Please Stand By

Saints + Scripture: Feast of Saint Luke

'Tis the Feast of Saint Luke, Evangelist (died circa 84), author of the Gospel according to Luke & the Acts of the Apostles, one of the Four Evangelists: Evangelist-link ūnus, Evangelist-link duo, Evangelist-link Array of Hope, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Gospel, Wikipedia-link Acts, & Wikipedia-link Four Evangelists.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

A physician & companion of St. Paul [25 January, 29 June] whose gospel preserved the most extensive biography of Jesus Christ.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feast of St. Luke
The Second Letter to Timothy, chapter four, verses ten thru seventeen(b);
Psalm One Hundred Forty-five (R/. twelve), verses ten & eleven, twelve & thirteen, & seventeen & eighteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses one thru nine.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, our Gospel shows us what Jesus wants his followers to be doing and how they ought do it. We are a missionary church. We are sent by the Lord to spread his word and do his work. The Gospel is just not something that we are meant to cling to for our own benefit; it is seed that we are meant to give away.

Prayer is not incidental to ministry. It is not decorative. It is the lifeblood of the Church’s efforts. Without it, nothing will succeed; without it, no ministers will come forward. At all times pray, pray, pray.

Poverty and simplicity of life are prerequisites to the effective proclamation of the Gospel. Anthony, Benedict, Chrysostom, Francis and Clare, Dominic, Ignatius, Mother Teresa—across the board, the most effective proclaimers of the Gospel are those who rely on the providence of God and strip themselves of worldliness.

What is the first thing that the minister should do upon entering a city? "Cure the sick there." Christ is Soter, healer of both body and spirit. The second great task of the Church is to proclaim that "the reign of God is at hand." The Church is an announcing, proclaiming, evangelizing organism.

Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 91: Decision Dome, Day 26
The Book of Joshua, chapter thirteen, verses eight thru thirteen.

Commentary: Still Unconquered Parts of Canaan (concluded; Joshua, 13:8-13).

'Tis also the festival of Saint Asclepiades the Confessor, Bishop (died circa 217, of Antioch), tenth (X) Patriarch of Antioch: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Antioch.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Justus of Beauvais, Martyr (circa 278-287), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, prior to the Great Persecution, a cephalophore: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Persecutions-link & Wikipedia-link Cephalophore.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Julian the Hermit (floruit 362, of Mesopotamia): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Amabilis of Riom, Priest (died 475, A.K.A. of Auvergne): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"God's love is tender & merciful, patient & full of understanding. In the Scriptures, & also in the living memory of the Church, the love of God is indeed depicted & has been experienced as the compassionate love of a mother."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"I really cannot imagine anything more cold and more enslaved, more paralyzing to human reason or destructive of freedom than that thing to which millions of people are prostrating themselves every day, namely, the terrible, anonymous authority of “they.” “They say.” “They are wearing green this year.” “They say that Catholics adore Mary.” “They say that the hair will be worn shorter this year.” “They say that Freud is the thing.” Who are they? Countless slaves and puppets are bowing down daily before that invisible, tyrannical myth of they. No wonder dictatorships arose to personalize that terrible slavery. These millions will not accept the authority of Christ who rose from the dead, who continues to live in the Church. We know whom we obey. Millions do not know whom they are obeying. They cannot point to the persons or the object behind that terrible, anonymous “they” But thank God we know. We obey our Lord in the Church."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

Chesterton Quote o' the Day

"The sages get men work, but the saints get them holidays."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day

Magic!, "Red Dress" from Primary Colours (Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary: For propriety's sake, we'll presume the couple in "Red Dress" are in wedded bliss.

"I said—

"Hey, you with the red dress on,
I got to find a way to take it off,
I got a lot of loving that's growing strong
When I see you with that red dress on…"

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day

Melbourne Ska Orchestra, "Satellite" (from Sierra Kilo Alpha) via YouTube (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Skammentary: Sierra Kilo Alpha is not available in these United States, not for digital download at any rate. Therefore, today's R.B.D.S.O.T.D. comes to us courtesy of our corporate overlords @ Google, via their YouTube division. YouTube-link "Satellite." Thanks, corporate overlords!

Saints + Scripture

The Popish Plot
"Catholic Traditions Collaboration Announcement"

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop & Martyr (circa 35-107, A.K.A. Ignatius Theophorus, Ignatius Nurono), third (III) Patriarch of Antioch, martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Trajan, in his persecution: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Antioch; & Persecutions-link & Wikipedia-link Persecution.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

He was an early Christian writer & bishop of Antioch. While in route to Rome, where he met his martyrdom, Ignatius wrote a series of letters. This correspondence now forms a central part of the later collection known as the Apostolic Fathers.

Wikipedia-link Epistles, Apostolic Fathers-link, & Wikipedia-link Apostolic Fathers.

'Tis also the festival of Saint John the Dwarf, Priest & Abbot (circa 339-405, A.K.A. John Kolobus), one of the Desert Fathers: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Desert Fathers.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Nothhelm of Canterbury, Bishop (died 739), tenth (X) Archbishop of Canterbury: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link Canterbury & Wikipedia-link Canterbury.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Baldassare Ravaschieri, Priest, O.F.M. (1420-1492, of Chiavari): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Richard Gwyn, Martyr (circa 1537-1584, Anglicized as Richard White), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link England & Wales & Wikipedia-link England & Wales.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Thursday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Romans, chapter three, verses twenty-one thru thirty;
Psalm One Hundred Thirty (R/. seven), verses one(b) & two, three & four, & five & six(a/b);
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eleven, verses forty-seven thru fifty-four.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus launches a blistering attack on the scholars of the Law.

The Son teaches, heals, preaches to, and forgives those who feel far from the mercy of God. He is the hand that the Father stretches out to sinners and to those who are lost. And by the same token, he is the judge of a sinful world. When the light of God’s forgiving love appears, the shadows of sin become all the deeper and more obvious. In light of him, there is nowhere to hide. And Jesus, the Word of the Father, gives voice to this judgment: "Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter."

The Son names all those powers that are opposed to the creative and loving intentions of his Father. He speaks a word of judgment on a world grown cozy with sin. He "channels" all of the feelings of the Father toward the world: intense, forgiving love to those who are lost, and equally intense hatred for the structures of darkness.

Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter three, verse seventeen(c) thru chapter four, verse one;
Psalm Thirty-four (R/. five), verses two & three,four & five, six & seven, & eight & nine;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twelve, verses twenty-four, twenty-five, & twenty-six.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 91: Decision Dome, Day 25
The Book of Joshua, chapter thirteen, verses one thru seven.

Commentary: Still Unconquered Parts of Canaan (Joshua, 13:1-7).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Well, Lord. It's Your Church. I'm tired & going to bed."
—Pope St. John XXIII (1881-1963, feast day: 11 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"The best way to understand that the Church is not just an institution is to understand it as the Body of Christ. That’s the way St. Paul understood the Church, & that’s the way we have it in sacred scripture. Our Blessed Lord says all through the gospels that He is going to establish a new body, a new qahal, a new people of God. After all, when people are united for a given purpose, they are a body. Now our Lord did not use the word 'body' precisely because His own physical body was before everyone. He used the word 'kingdom' because that was a word the Jews could understand. But when St. Paul was talking to the pagans, he had to use a word which was more understandable, namely, “body.” Our Lord communicated exactly the same idea. He said that the new people He would unite with Himself would be related to Him as branches & vine. He said, 'I am the vine, you are the branches.' The truth that He had, He said He would give to them. 'My truth I give to you. My power I give you.' Also He communicated the power to forgive sins. Our Blessed Lord said that He would develop & form a new body which would be very small at first like a mustard seed, & then it would grow & spread throughout the entire world."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

Chesterton Quote o' the Day

"Unless we strive every instant to be monsters of virtue, we ourselves may easily be monsters of vice."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day

Got a Girl, "There's a Revolution" from I love You but I Must Drive Off This Cliff Now (Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary: Wisdom:

"There's no time to be satisfied…"

Saints + Scripture

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Hedwig, Religious, O.Cist. (1174-1243, of Silesia, of Andechs; A.K.A. Jadwiga), Duchess of Silesia: Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Aunt of St. Elizabeth the Hungary [17 November] & mother of Servant of God Henry II the Pious.

Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Hedwig persuaded her husband to use her dowry to found a Cistercian monastery for nuns at Trebnitz. Their daughter Gertrude later became abbess of the monastery. Hedwig led a life of piety & solicitude for the sick & poor, including their religious education.

'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin, V.H.M. (1647-1690, the "Disciple of the Sacred Heart"), to whom was revealed the devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (apparitions 1673-1675): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link; Sacred Heart-link & Wikipedia-link Sacred Heart.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Margaret, a self-effacing nun in the Visitation convent at Paray-le-Monial, France, was inspired by the Lord Jesus to establish the devotion of the Holy Hour.

Wikipedia-link Holy Hour

'Tis also the festival of Saint Lullus, Bishop, O.S.B. (circa 710-787, also spelt Lull), inaugural (I) Archbishop of Mainz, founder of Hersfeld Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Mainz & Wikipedia-link Hersfeld.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Gerard Majella, Religious, C.Ss.R. (1726-1755, the "Father of the Poor"): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Anicet Kopliński, Priest & Martyr, O.F.M. Cap. (1875-1941, A.K.A. Adalbert), martyred in the reign of the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, one of the One Hundred Eight Blessed Polish Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link Polska & Wikipedia-link Polska.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Romans, chapter two, verses one thru eleven;
Psalm Sixty-two (R/. thirteen[b]), verses two & three, six & seven, & nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eleven, verses forty-seven thru fifty-four.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus says, “Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.”

Some religious leaders get their kicks from burdening people, laying the law on them heavily, making demands that are terrible, exulting in their own moral superiority. At the core of Jesus’ program is a willingness to bear other people’s burdens, to help them carry their loads. And this applies to the moral life as well. If we lay the burden of God’s law on people, we must be willing, at the same time, to help them bear it.

When were you cured by Christ and how? What was it like to receive, through the Church, his healing touch? When did you feel ostracized, despised, unworthy—and how did Christ, through his Church, restore you to health and communion? Remember that moment and share it.

Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Hedwig
The Book of Sirach, chapter twenty-six, verses one thru four & thirteen thru sixteen;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-eight (R/. one), verses one & two, three, & four & five;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter three, verses thirty-one thru thirty-five.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter three, verses fourteen thru nineteen;
Psalm Twenty-three (R/. one), verses one(b), two, & three(a); four; five; & six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eleven, verses twenty-five thru thirty.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 91: Decision Dome, Day 24
The Book of Joshua, chapter eleven, verses sixteen thru twenty-three & chapter twelve, verses one & twenty-four.

Commentary: Summary of Joshua's Conquests (Joshua, 11:16-23), the Kings Conquered by Moses (Joshua, 12:1), & the Kings Conquered by Joshua (Joshua, 12:24).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"A man remains a Christian as long as he makes the effort to give the central assent, as long as he tries to utter the fundamental Yes of trust, even if he is unable to fit in or resolve many of the details. There will be moments in life when, in all kinds of gloom & darkness, faith falls back on the simple, ‘Yes, I believe You, Jesus of Nazareth; I believe that in You was revealed that divine purpose which allows me to live with confidence, tranquility, patience, & courage.’ As long as this core remains in place, a man is living by faith, even if for the moment he finds many of the details of faith obscure & impracticable. Let us repeat; at its core, faith is, not a system of knowledge, but trust."
—Pope Benedict XVI (born 1927, reigned 2005-2013)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"I need nothing but God, & to lose myself in the Heart of Jesus."
—St. Marharet Mary Alacoque (1647-1690, feast day: 16 October)

Chesterton Quote o' the Day

"The aim of argument is differing in order to agree; the failure of argument is when you agree to differ."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

Operation ÖSTERREICH

Weekly Wednesday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 339.6 lbs
This weigh-in: 334.0 lbs.
Difference: -5.6 lbs.

Bonus! Lied von ÖSTERREICH
"Weird Al" Yankovic, "Theme from Rocky XIII" from "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D (Mike Papa Walrus)

Commentary: On an only vaguely related note, it is not simply possible but feasible for there to be a Rocky XIII. Consider:

Rocky
Rocky II
Rocky III
Rocky IV
Rocky V
Rocky Balboa
Creed
Creed II

That's eight down & only five to go. Also, it is almost eerie how well "Theme from Rocky XIII describes the plot of Rocky Balboa

And now, simply because I like lists & we're already discussing Sylvester Stallone movies:

First Blood
Rambo: First Blood, Part II
Rambo III
Rambo
Rambo: Last Blood.

The Queue

A Devotional Journey into the Mass is excellent, synthesizing much that I already knew into a compelling presentation, while also providing both new nuggets of knowledge & new angles for consideration of facts already known. I plan to film a Popish Plot episode urging viewers to apply the lessons of A Devotional Journey into the Mass into their weekly (or daily) Mass-going experience.

The devotional journey is broken down into eight legs:
1. How to Enter the Church Building
2. How to Make the Sign of the Cross
3. How to Pray the Opening Prayer
4. How to Listen to the Readings
5. How to Prepare the Heart at the Offertory
6. How to Participate in the Eucharistic Prayer
7. How to Receive Communion to the Fullest
8. How to Respond to the Dismissal

Recently
Bishop Robert Barron, Letter to a Suffering Church: A Bishop Speaks on the Sexual Abuse Crisis
Rhonda Gruenewald, Hundredfold: A Guide to Parish Vocation Ministry
Christopher Carstens, A Devotional Journey into the Mass: How Mass Can Become a Time of Grace, Nourishment, and Devotion

Currently
Dom Jean-Baptiste Chautard, Spiritual Handbook for Catholic Evangelists: How to Win Souls without Losing Your Own

Presently
Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit! (Christ Is Alive!)
Matthew Kelly, Rediscover the Saints: Twenty-five Questions That Will Change Your Life

Eventually
I. Edward Sri, No Greater Love: A Biblical Walk through Christ's Passion
II. Scott Hahn, A Father Who Keeps His Promises: God's Covenant Love in Scripture
III. Tim Gray & Jeff Cavins, Walking with God: A Journey through the Bible
IV. Trent Horn, Hard Sayings: A Catholic Approach to Answering Bible Difficulties
V. Steve Weidenkopf, Timeless: A History of the Catholic Church
VI. Diane Moczar, Converts and Kingdoms: How the Church Converted the Pagan West—and How We Can Do It Again
VII. Sherry A. Weddell, Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus
VIII. Curtis Martin, Making Missionary Disciples
IX. Dynamic Catholic Ambassadors, Why I Love Being Catholic
X. Bishop Robert Barron, Seeds of the Word: Finding God in the Culture
XI. Mike Aquilina, Understanding the Mass: 100 Questions, 100 Answers
XII. Sam Guzman, The Catholic Gentleman: Living Authentic Manhood Today
XIII. Ulrich L. Lehner, God Is Not Nice: Rejecting Pop Culture Theology and Discovering the God Worth Living For
XIV. Xavier Rynne, Vatican Council II
XV. John W. O'Malley, What Happened at Vatican II
XVI. Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love)
XVII. Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis (The Sacrament of Charity)
XVIII. Rosario Carello, Pope Francis Takes the Bus and Other Unexpected Stories
XIX. Father Mathias D. Thelen, Biblical Foundations for the Role of Healing in Evangelization
XX. Jennifer Fulwiler, Something Other than God: How I Passionately Sought Happiness and Accidentally Found It
XXI. Richard Price, Clockers
XXII. Sir Richard Francis Burton, translator, "Sinbad the Sailor" from The Arabian Nights
XXIII. Sir Ernest Shackleton, South: A Memoir of the Endurance Voyage
XXIV. William F. Buckley Jr., The Unmaking of a Mayor
XXV. John le Carré, A Legacy of Spies
XXVI. Chris Stepien, Three Days: The Search for the Boy Messiah

Perpetually
Norman Davies, Vanished Kingdoms: The Rise and Fall of States and Nations

Saints + Scripture

The Popish Plot
Bonus Episode: "Auction"

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin & Doctor of the Church, O.C.D. (1515-1582, of Ávila; A.K.A. Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada), co-foundress of the Discalced Carmelites (O.C.D.), formally the Order of the Discalced Carmelites of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel: Doctor-link ūna, Doctor-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link; Doctors-link & Wikipedia-link Doctors; & Order-link O.C.D. & Wikipedia-link O.C.D.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

She is among the most important figures of all time for Catholic spirituality. Her works—especially the four best known (The Life, The Way of Perfection, The Mansions [A.K.A. The Interior Castle], & The Foundations)—together with her more historical works, contain a doctrine which encompasses the whole of the spiritual life, from the first steps right up to intimacy with God at the center of the Interior Castle.

Wikipedia-link Way of Perfection & Wikipedia-link The Interior Castle

'Tis also the festival of Saint Aurelia of Strasbourg, Virgin (fourth century): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Severus of Trier, Bishop (died circa 455), Bishop of Trier: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link Trier & Wikipedia-link Trier.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Canus Natus of Marseille, Bishop (died 490, also spelt Cannatus), Bishop of Marseille & namesake of the commune of Saint-Cannat: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Marseille & Wikipedia-link Saint-Cannat.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Magdalene of Nagasaki, Martyr (circa 1610-1634), martyred in the reign of the Japanese warlord Tokugawa Iemitsu: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Romans, chapter one, verses sixteen thru twenty-five;
Psalm Nineteen, verses two & three, four & five;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eleven, verses thirty-seven thru forty-one.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, Jesus concludes today’s Gospel by prescribing giving alms as a key to holiness. I’ve quoted to you before some of the breathtaking remarks of saints and popes about almsgiving. Leo XIII says that once the demands of necessity and propriety have been met, the rest of your money belongs to the poor. John Chrysostom says, "The man who has two shirts in his closet, one belongs to him; the other belongs to the man who has no shirt."

The deepest root of all of this is in the prophets, who continually rail against those who are indifferent to the poor. The prophets teach us that compassion is key to biblical ethics, feeling the pain of others in our own hearts. We’re not dealing with an abstract Aristotelian moral philosophy, but rather with something more visceral.

This is precisely why the two great commandments are so tightly linked: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart… and love your neighbor as yourself." In loving God you feel the feelings of God, and God is compassionate to the poor and oppressed. That’s all the argument that a biblical person needs.

Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus
The Letter to the Romans, chapter eight, verses twenty-two thru twenty-seven;
Psalm Nineteen (R/. ten), verses eight, nine, ten, & eleven;
(or, R/. the Gospel according to John, chapter six, verse sixty-three);
The Gospel according to John, chapter fifteen, verses one thru eight.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 91: Decision Dome, Day 23
The Book of Joshua, chapter eleven, verses one thru fifteen.

Commentary: The United Kings of Northern Canaan Defeated (Joshua, 11:1-15).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Certainly a life lived by faith resembles more an expedition up a mountain than a quiet evening spent reading in front of the fire; but anyone who embarks upon this expedition knows & experiences more & more that the adventure to which it invites us is worthwhile."
—Pope Benedict XVI (born 1927, reigned 2005-2013)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"You pay God a compliment by asking great things of Him."
—St. Teresa of Ávila, Doctor of the Church (1515-1582, feast day: 15 October)

Chesterton Quote o' the Day

"Orthodoxy is the only persecuted heresy."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day

Me First & the Gimme Gimmes, "Me & Julio Down by the Schoolyard" from Me First & the Gimme Gimmes Have a Ball (Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary:

"Whoa!
Every couple of days they come & take me away,
But the press gets the story & leak,
Now when the radical priest come to get me released,
It was all on the cover of Newsweek…"

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day

Fountains of Wayne, "Radiation Vibe" from Fountains of Wayne (Mike Papa Whiskey)