Saints + Scripture

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

The Popish Plot
"Announcing… The Popish Plotcast"

'Tis the festival of Saint Simeon of Jerusalem, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 107), second (II) Bishop of Jerusalem (62-107), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Trajan: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link Jerusalem & Wikipedia-link Jerusalem; & Persecutions-link & Wikipedia-link Persecution.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Son of St. Cleopas [25 September].

'Tis also the festival of Saint Colmán of Lindisfarne, Bishop & Abbot (circa 605-676), third (III) Bishop of Lindisfarne (661-664), founding abbot of the School of Mayo (668-670): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Holy Island, Wikipedia-link Bishop-Abbots, & Wikipedia-link Mayo.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Giovanni of Fiesole, Religious, O.P. (circa 1387-1455, the famous "Fra Angelico" [the "Angelic friar"]; Anglicized as John; A.K.A. Guido di Pietro): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed William Harrington, Priest & Martyr, S.J. (1566-1594), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the one hundred sixty Martyrs of Douai: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link Douai & Wikipedia-link Douai.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed John Pibush, Priest & Martyr (died 1601), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the one hundred sixty Martyrs of Douai: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link Douai & Wikipedia-link Douai.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter of James, chapter one, verses twelve thru eighteen;
Psalm Ninety-four (R/. twelve[a]), verses twelve & thirteen(a), fourteen & fifteen, & eighteen & nineteen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter eight, verses fourteen thru twenty-one.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus warns his disciples against the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod. Conversely, he wanted them to be the leaven that would transform their culture.

The Second Vatican Council spoke of the universal call to holiness—the summons of all the baptized to be a transforming leaven in the wider society. The Vatican II fathers wanted to inspire a generation of great Catholic professionals in the hopes that such people would carry the holiness they learned in the Church out to their areas of specialization in the secular world.

The Church manifests the way of ordering things born of love—love for God and love for neighbor. Generosity, peace, nonviolence, and trust will give rise to a new way of ordering things. This is true of a family, a school, a parish, a community, a nation-state.

Now, how in the world does one get this project off the ground? As should be clear to even the most naïve person, this never happens all at once, overnight. Rather, in small ways, people begin living according to the Lord’s ways. And then, in God’s time, this new community begins to have a leavening effect on the wider society.

Video reflection by Fr. James Vacco, O.F.M. (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 37
The Book of Exodus, chapter fifteen, verses one thru twenty-one.

Commentary: The Songs of Moses & Miriam (Exodus, 15:1-21).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Only those persons who recognize that they are sinners, in need of salvation because they cannot save themselves, only then can they extend their hands to Jesus as to their Savior."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"In other parts of the world, our brothers in Christ are suffering for their faith. And here we are at ease, just undergoing a slight test & dividing our loyalty between Christ & the world. We must realize in minds & hearts that this is a new age, that we will have to be a creative minority, & that the only argument that is left to convince others is holiness. The world has heard every other argument, & it is ready to reject them all, all except one: holiness."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

Catholic Quote o' the Day

"The miracles of Jesus need no defense. Even His enemies found they could not deny or explain them away. They are an essential part of the Gospel. To ignore or downplay the miracles of Jesus is to rob the Gospel of its unique power."
—Matthew Arnold (fl. 2020)

Saints + Scripture

'Tis the Optional Memorial of the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order (fl. 1233), formally the Order of Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1233, O.S.M.): Saints-link ūnus, Saints-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.S.M.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

In 1240, seven nobleman of Florence mutually decided to withdraw from the city to a solitary place for prayer & direct service of God. Their initial difficulty was providing for their dependents, since two were still married & two were widowers. Their aim was to lead a life of penance & prayer, but they soon found themselves disturbed by constant visitors from Florence. They next withdrew to the deserted slopes of Monte Senario.

Quoth Minute Meditations from the Popes:

O Lord, the seven founders of the Servites followed the example of Mary Your Mother in serving God's People. Help me to learn that same generosity & live it everyday of my life.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Lommán of Trim, Bishop (died circa 450; also spelt Lonan, Luman, etc.; A.K.A. Lommán mac Dalláin), Bishop of Trim: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Nephew of St. Patrick [17 March].

'Tis also the festival of Saint Fortchern of Trim, Bishop (fifth century, also spelt Foirtchernn), Bishop of Trim: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Silvin of Auchy, Bishop, O.S.B. (circa 650-718, A.K.A. of Thérouanne), Biashop of Toulouse: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Toulouse.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Evermode of Ratzeburg, Bishop & Abbot, O. Præm. (circa 1100-1178, also spelt Evermod), Bishop of Ratzeburg (1154-1178), abbot of abbeys at Magdeburg (1138-1154) & Gottesgnaden (1134-1138): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Ratzeburg.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Luke Belludi, Religious, O.F.M. (circa 1200-1285): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link (List, by date of death).

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter of James, chapter one, verses one thru eleven;
Psalm One Hundred Nineteen (R/. seventy-seven[a]), verses sixty-seven, sixty-eight, seventy-one, seventy-two, seventy-five, & seventy-six;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter eight, verses eleven, twelve, & thirteen.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel the Pharisees ask Jesus for a sign from heaven. They are testing him because they have no faith nor trust in him.

Faith is an attitude of trust in the presence of God. Faith is openness to what God will reveal, do, and invite. It should be obvious that in dealing with the infinite, all-powerful person who is God, we are never in control.

This is why we say that faith goes beyond reason. If we can figure it out, calculate precisely, predict with complete accuracy, we’re in charge—and by definition, we are not dealing with a person. Would you use any of those descriptors in talking about your relationship with your husband, wife, or best friend? Instead, you enter into an ever-increasing rapport of trust with such people.

One of the most fundamental statements of faith is this: your life is not about you. You’re not in control. This is not your project. Rather, you are part of God’s great design. To believe this in your bones and to act accordingly is to have faith.

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

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order
The Letter to the Romans, chapter eight, verses twenty-six thru thirty;
Psalm Thirty-four (R/. two; or, nine), verses two & three, four & five, six & seven, eight & nine, & ten & eleven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter nineteen, verses twenty-seven, twenty-eight, & twenty-nine.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 36
The Book of Exodus, chapter fourteen, verses twenty-one thru thirty-one.

Commentary: The Crossing of the Red Sea (concluded; Exodus, 14:21-25) & the Egyptians Drown in the Sea (Exodus, 14:26-31).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Mary is the clearest & surest sign that God always comes to us with His love. She sings with all her being that whatever we receive from God is grace. The Virgin is our true teacher in the journey of faith."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"When we're young, we think we're doing well. When we get older, we're sure we're not. Hence, when the adulteress was before our Lord, the woman whom the people wanted to stone, who left first, as Jesus wrote in the sand the sins of those who were there? The eldest: 'they began to leave, beginning with the eldest.' As we grow older, we know that we have done little service. I've been a priest for fifty-five years, for which I thank God I was doing much better thirty years ago in my own mind than I am now. Now I feel as if I have done so little."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

Catholic Quote o' the Day

"The secret to sanctity & happiness rests in our fidelity to the duty of the present moment."
—Father Jean Pierre de Caussaude, S.J. (1675-1751)

Saints + Scripture: VI Sunday in Tempus per annum

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

The Popish Plot
"Bible Bites for February 16th, 2020"

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

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Book of Sirach, chapter fifteen, verses fifteen thru twenty;
Psalm One Hundred Nineteen (R/. one[b]), verses one & two, four & five, seventeen & eighteen, & thirty-three & thirty-four;
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter two, verses six thru ten;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter five, verses seventeen thru thirty-seven
(or, the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter five, verses twenty, twenty-one, & twenty-two[a]; twenty-seven & twenty-eight; thirty-three & thirty-four[a]; & thirty-seven).

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

Friends, today’s Gospel presents Jesus as the new Moses delivering his Sermon on the Mount.

In the Old Testament, we find Moses, the great teacher, going up a mountain to receive the Law, and then sitting down to teach it. Likewise, Jesus goes up a mountain and sits down to teach. However, Jesus is not receiving a law; he is giving one. During his sermon, we hear, “You have heard that it was said . . . But I say . . .” which reveals that Jesus has authority even over the Torah.

The Law is not being abrogated; it is being intensified, raised to a new pitch. Jesus declares that he would not undermine the Law and the prophets but fulfill them.

For instance, Jesus teaches, “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.” To be like God utterly, we obviously have to eliminate cruel and hateful actions. But we have to go deeper, eliminating cruel and hateful thoughts and attitudes as well, for God is love right through.

Video reflection by Father Gregory Reichlen (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

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 35
The Book of Exodus, chapter fourteen, verses ten thru twenty.

Commentary: Crossing the Red Sea (continued; Exodus, 14:10-20).

†

Otherwise, 16 February would be the festival of Saint Juliana of Nicomedia, Martyr (circa 286-305, A.K.A. of Cumæ), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution (303-313): Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Persecutions-link & Wikipedia-link Great Persecution.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Pamphilus of Caesarea, Priest & Martyr (died 309), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Galerius & Maxentius, a victim of the Great Persecution (303-313): Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Persecutions-link & Wikipedia-link Great Persecution.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Filippa Mareri, Abbess, O.S.C. (circa 1190-1236, Anglicized as Philippa), founding abbess of a monastery at Rieti: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Nicola Paglia, Priest, O.P. (1197-1256), founder of monasteries at Perugia & Trani: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Bernardo Scammacca, Priest, O.P. (1430-1487), prior of convents at Catania & Palermo: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Giuseppe Allamano, Priest, I.M.C. (1851-1926), founder of the Consolata Missionaries (I.M.C.): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link I.M.C.

Commentary: Nephew of St. Giuseppe Cafasso [23 June].

Papal Quote o' the Day

"In Christ we find hope, because He is the symbol of hope, friendship, unending love, & the father's indescribable affection for every individual. We know that all the promises & hopes find their complete fulfillment in Christ, because in Christ God's very word has found its 'Yes.'"
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Not very long ago a father brought me his young son, a very self-wise, conceited young delinquent, who had given up his faith & was bitter with himself & everyone he met. The next day the boy ran away from home. He was away for a year. The boy came back as bad as ever, & the father brought him to me & said, 'What shall I do with him?'

"I said, 'Send him to school, but not in the United States.' So I recommended a certain school to him, & about a year later the boy came back to see me.

"He said, 'Would you be willing to give me moral support for an enterprise that I have undertaken in Mexico? There's a group of boys in the college I attend who have built a little school. We have gone all around the neighborhood & brought in the children to teach them catechism. We will also bring in a doctor from the United States once a year, for one month, to take care of all the sick people of the neighborhood.' I asked him how he became interested in this work. 'Well,' he said, 'the boys went down there during the summer, & I thought I would go down too.' He recovered his faith & his morals & everything else, in his neighbor."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

Catholic Quote o' the Day

"We are created to be more than what any job can ask of us; if we grow only to fit the needs of our work, we will be stunted."
—Leah Libresco Sargeant (fl. 2020)

Saints + Scripture: VI Sunday — Please Stand By

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

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Audrey Assad, "Receive" from the Death, Be Not Proud E.P. (St. Mike Papa Whiskey)

The Rebel Black Dot Exodus 90 Song o' Today

Samstag, 15. Februar
Fastball, "Out of My Head" from All the Pain Money Can Buy (St. Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary:

"Was I out of my head, was I out of my mind?
How could I have ever been so blind?
I was waiting for an indication,
It was hard to find.

"Don't matter what I say, only what I do,
I never mean to do bad things to you,
So quiet, but I finally woke up,
If you're sad, then it's time you spoke up, too…"

The Rebel Black Dot Exodus 90 Song o' Thursday

Donnerstag, 13. Februar
Fountains of Wayne, "Can't Get It Out of My Head" (live) from Out-of-State Plates (St. Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary:

"…And I can't get it out of my head,
No, I can't get it out of my head,
Now my whole world has gone for dead
'Cause I can't get it out of my head…"

Saints + Scripture

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

'Tis the festival of Saint Onesimus, Bishop (died circa 95), second (II) Bishop of Ephesus, the principal subject of the Letter to Philemon: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Ephesus & Wikipedia-link Epistle to Philemon.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. The letter to St. Philemon [22 November] was written by St. Paul the Apostle [25 January, 29 June].

'Tis also the festival of Saints Faustinus, Priest, & Jovinus, Deacon, Martyrs (died 120, A.K.A. Jovita), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Hadrian: Martyr-link Foxtrot, Martyr-link Juliett, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Berach of Cluain Coirpthe, Abbot & Martyr (died 595; also spelt Barachias, Barry; A.K.A. of Termonbarry, of Kilbarry), founding abbot of an abbey at Termonbarry (Tearmann Bearaigh, "St. Barry's sanctuary"): Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Termonbarry.

Commentary: Nephew of St. Freoch [?] & brother of St. Midabaria [22 February].

'Tis also the festival of Saints Sunaman, Deacon; Unaman, Priest; & Winaman, Subdeacon; Martyrs, O.S.B. (died circa 1040), martyred by pagan Swedes in the reign of the good king Anund Jakob: Martyr-link Sierra, Martyr-link Uniform, Martyr-link Whiskey, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Nephews of St. Sigfrid of Sweden [15 February]; see: below.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Sigfrid of Sweden, Bishop, O.S.B. (died circa 1045, the "Apostle of Sweden;" also spelt Siegfried, Sigurd, etc.; A.K.A. of Växjö, of Wexlow): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Claude de la Colombière, Priest, S.J. (1641-1682), promoter of devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus & foe of the Jansenist heresy; imprisoned (ruinous to his health) & banished from England, a victim of the perjurer Titus Oates's "Popish Plot" hoax: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Sacred Heart-link & Wikipedia-link Sacred Heart; Heresy-link & Wikipedia-link Jansenism; & Popish Plot-link & Wikipedia-link Popish Plot.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Michał Sopoćko, Priest (1888-1975), founder of the Congregation of Sisters of Merciful Jesus, promoter of devotion to the Divine Mercy: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Divine Mercy.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
The First Book of Kings, chapter twelve, verses twenty-six thru thirty-two & chapter thirteen, verses thirty-three & thirty-four;
Psalm One Hundred Six (R/. four[a]), verses six & seven(a/b), nineteen & twenty, & twenty-one & twenty-two;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter eight, verses one thru ten.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus feeds the crowd of four thousand, which is a wonderful biblical illustration of what I have often called the loop of grace.

The constant command of the Bible is this: what you have received as a gift, give as a gift—and you will find the original gift multiplied and enhanced. God’s grace, precisely because it is grace, cannot be held on to; rather, it is had only in the measure that it remains grace—that is to say, a gift given away. God’s life, in a word, is had only on the fly. One realizes this truth when one enters willingly into the loop of grace, giving away that which one is receiving.

At the outset of the story, the disciples refuse to serve the crowd, preferring to send them away to the neighboring towns to fend for themselves. At the climax of the narrative, the disciples become themselves the instruments of nourishment, setting the loaves and fishes before the people. Within the loop of grace, they discover their mission and are themselves enhanced, transfigured.

Video reflection by Marc DelMonico, Ph.D. (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 34
The Book of Exodus, chapter thirteen, verse seventeen thru chapter fourteen, verse nine.

Commentary: The Pillar of Cloud & the Pillar of Fire (Exodus, 13:17-22) & Crossing the Red Sea (Exodus, 14:1-9).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"God created man in His own image & likeness: calling him to existence through love, He called him at the same time for love."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Evil works in us. Love declines. And then we hesitate about changing. St. Thomas says we can hate truth & fear goodness. We can hate truth because it means a change. For that reason we often resent the truth that is told about ourselves. We rationalize what we have done. We will stay away from a doctor, lest he find cancer. We do not want to know the truth. We like to hear about social action & political-moral problems, but we’re not too keen on hearing the truth about ourselves. Truth hurts. We fear goodness because we like to keep our own standards. We have moved away from the standard of Christ to the standard of the world. We do not ask ourselves, 'Does this please Christ?' but 'Does this please the world? So I will dress & act in such a way that I will not be separate from the world; I want to be with it. We marry this age, & we become a widow in the next one. We take on its verbiage, its fashions. This is one reason for so much instability in the Church today: the sand on which we are walking is shifting. We’ve given up the rock which is Christ."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

Convert Quote o' the Day

"If you live like the world & you take sin, relationships, our Father, & His Church lightly, you’re saying that Jesus’ death on the cross was in vain. We are to become the new man, renewed in our minds & living in Christ."
—Steve Ray (fl. 2020)

Saints + Scripture — Please Stand By

Saints + Scripture

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

The Popish Plot
"Saints Cyril & Methodius"

'Tis the Memorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, & Methodius, Bishop ("Apostles to the Slavs;" circa 827-869, A.K.A. Constantine; & circa 815-885, A.K.A. Michael): Saints-link, Saint-link Charlie, Saint-link Mike, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

They are two brothers & Byzantine Christian theologians & missionaries. Because their father was an officer in a part of Greece inhabited by many Slavs, these two Greek brothers ultimately became missionaries, teachers, & patrons of the Slavic peoples. They are credited with devising the Glagolitic alphabet, the first alphabet used to transcribe Old Church Slavoic.

Wikipedia-link Glagolitic alphabet & Wikipedia-link Old Church Slavoic

Quoth Minute Meditations from the Popes:

O Lord, Ss. Cyril & Methodius spent their lives to share the Word of God. Teach me to share that Word, especially with those who are living without hope.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Valentine, Bishop & Martyr (circa 226-269, of Rome, of Terni), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Claudius II Gothicus: Martyr-link Rome, Martyr-link Terni, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Saint Valentine's Day.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Abraham of Carrhae, Bishop & Hermit (circa 350-422; A.K.A. of Charres, of Cyrrhus, of Harran; also spelt Abraames), Bishop of Carrhae (modern Harran): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Auxentius of Bithynia, Hermit (circa 400-473), one of the fathers of the Council of Chalcedon (451, the fourth [IV] ecumenical council): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Council-link & Wikipedia-link Chalcedon.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Antoninus of Sorrento, Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 555-625, A.K.A. of Campagna), abbot of the monastery of San Agrippino: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint John Baptist of the Conception, Priest, O.SS.T. (1561-1613, A.K.A. Juan García López-Rico): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Vicente Vilar David, Martyr (1889-1937), martyred in the reign of the Communist president Manuel Azaña: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
The First Book of Kings, chapter eleven, verses twenty-nine thru thirty-two & chapter twelve, verse nineteen;
Psalm Eighty-one (R/. eleven[a] & nine[a]), verses ten & eleven(a/b), twelve & thirteen, fourteen & fifteen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter seven, verses thirty-one thru thirty-seven.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus heals a deaf man who had a speech impediment.

Mark tells us that he took him "off by himself away from the crowd." Jesus then "put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, 'Ephphatha!' (that is, ‘Be opened!’)." Looking up to his Father and inserting his fingers into the man’s ears, Jesus establishes, as it were, an electrical current, literally plugging him into the divine energy, compelling him to hear the Word.

Now for the healing’s spiritual significance. The crowd is a large part of the problem. The raucous voices of so many, the insistent bray of the advertising culture, the confusing Babel of competing spiritualities—all of it makes us deaf to God’s word. And therefore, we have to be moved to a place of silence and communion.

Jesus draws us into his space, the space of the Church. There, away from the crowd, we can immerse ourselves in the rhythm of the liturgy, listen avidly to Scripture, study the theological tradition, watch the moves of holy people, take in the beauty of sacred art and architecture. There we can hear.

Video reflection by Gloria Zapiain (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Memorial of Ss. Cyril & Methodius
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter thirteen, verses forty-six thru forty-nine;
Psalm One Hundred Seventeen, verses one(b/c) & two
(R/. the Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verse fifteen; or, "Alleluia");
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses one thru nine.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 33
The Book of Exodus, chapter thirteen, verses one thru sixteen.

Commentary: The Ordinance of the Passover (concluded; Exodus, 13:1-2), the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus, 13:3-10), & the Consecration of the First-born Males (Exodus, 13:11-16).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"The person who has been evangelized goes on to evangelize others. It is unthinkable that people should accept the Word & give themselves to the Kingdom without becoming persons who bear witness to it & proclaim it in turn."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, r. 1963-1978; feast: 29 May)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Samson, the strong man, fell in love with a woman named Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines went up to the country to see her & said, 'Coax him & find out what gives him his great strength, & how we can master him, bind him, & hold him captive.' And Delilah tried to find out what gave Samson strength, until finally he told her the secret.

"He said, 'If my head were shaved, then my strength would leave me & I should become as weak as any other man.' Delilah then told the Philistines. She lulled Samson to sleep on her knees & summoned a man, & he shaved the seven locks of Samson’s hair for her, & they made him captive. And Samson’s strength left him. But the strength was not in the hair, as is so often erroneously said. Samson had taken the Nazirite vow which committed him first to totally abstain from women & from strong wine. The growing of the hair was a symbol of that vow, so that the cutting of the hair was also the symbol of the breaking of the vow.

"And then Delilah cried, 'The Philistines are upon you, Samson.'

"He woke from his sleep & said, 'I will go out as usual & shake myself.' In other words, 'I’m as strong as I ever was.' He did not know that the Lord had left him. We’re not as strong as we were."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

Convert Quote o' the Day

"Do you ever feel lonely, unloved, unforgiven, or unworthy? Take a look at the cross. You are loved. Jesus would have done it if you were the only person, because He loves you enough to make the supreme sacrifice."
—Steve Ray (fl. 2020)

Saints + Scripture — Please Stand By

The R.B.D. Exodus 90 Song against Valentine's Day

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Katie" from Medium Rare (Rude Boy St. Mike Papa Whiskey)

Skammentary:

"Nine times out of ten,
The times you'd pretend,
Katie, more times than not you're,
You're not my friend…

"The friendship was fictitious,
How could you be so malicious?
You haven't got a good excuse—

"You're just a waste of time to me, Katie,
And you're a waste of time and air and space,
And I've been wasting time on you, Katie,
There isn't any time left I can waste.

"Your masquerade,
It's pretty played,
Katie, it's quitting time now,
And now I'm afraid—

"And I have never been a quitter,
Now it's something to consider,
Just consider me somebody from your past.
The only thing that's satisfying
Is not the time I wasted crying,
But when I stopped, that's when the time ran out so fast.

"You're just a waste of time to me, Katie,
And you're a waste of time and air and space,
And I've been wasting time on you, Katie,
There isn't any time left I can waste.
No way!…"

Saints + Scripture

'Tis the festival of Saint Huna of Thorney, Priest & Hermit, O.S.B. (died circa 690, also spelt Huno): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Fulcran of Lodève, Bishop (died 1006), Bishop of Lodève (949-1006): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Lodève.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Jordan of Saxony, Religious, O.P. (circa 1190-1237, A.K.A. of Alamania), second (II) Master of the Order of Preachers (1222-1237; O.P., A.K.A. the Dominicans): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Masters, Order-link O.P., & Wikipedia-link O.P.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Cristina of Spoleto, Religious, O.S.A. (1435-1458, A.K.A. Agostina Camozzi): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Archangela Girlani, Religious, O.Carm. (1460-1494, A.K.A. Eleanora Girlani), prioress of a monastery in Mantua: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
The First Book of Kings, chapter eleven, verses four thru thirteen;
Psalm One Hundred Six (R/. four[a]), verses three & four, thirty-five & thirty-six, & thirty-seven & forty;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter seven, verses twenty-four thru thirty.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel a feisty woman engages Jesus in an argument. It is one of the only scenes in the Gospels where someone cajoles Jesus into doing something he wouldn’t ordinarily do.

There is a long tradition that stresses the woman’s perseverance in the face of the "test" that Jesus sets for her. There is another reading that shows how the woman exemplifies the proper attitude toward God, a combination of humility and boldness, of deference and defiance.

But the reading I want to emphasize is one conditioned by the philosophy of the "other." The Old Testament speaks insistently of the "stranger, the widow, and the orphan," those who have no one to care for them. They press upon us even when we would greatly prefer them just to go away.

We the Church are the Body of Christ, the physical presence of Christ in the world. And so people come to us demanding food, sustenance, friendship, love, shelter, liberation. So often we are tempted to do what Jesus does initially and what the disciples do: tell them to back off.
But the whole of the Christian life consists in remembering the suffering and need of the annoying other.

Video reflection by Father Roger Lopez, O.F.M. (U.S. Con. of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 32
The Book of Exodus, chapter twelve, verses forty-three thru fifty-one.

Commentary: The Ordinance of the Passover (Exodus, 12:43-51).

Scripture Study—Deep in Scripture Podcast
The Letter of James, chapter one (of five; verses one thru twenty-seven);
The Letter of James, chapter two (verses one thru twenty-six);
The Letter of James, chapter three (verses one thru eighteen);
The Letter of James, chapter four (verses one thru seventeen);
The Letter of James, chapter five (of five; verses one thru twenty).

Commentary: Salutation (James, 1:1), Faith & Wisdom (1:2-8), Poverty & Riches (1:9-11), Trial & Temptation (1:12-27), Warning against Partiality (2:1-13), Faith without Works Is Dead (2:14-26), Taming the Tongue (3:1-12), Two Kings of Wisdom (3:13-18), Friendship with the World (4:1-10), Warning against Judging Another (4:11-12), Boasting about Tomorrow (4:13-17), Warning to Rich Oppressors (5:1-6), Patience in Suffering (5:7-12), & the Prayer of Faith (5:13-20).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Someone would have a poor idea of human & marital love by thinking that affection & joy vanish when difficulties come. This is when we really see what motivates people. Here also is where gift & tenderness are consolidated, because true love does not think about itself, but about how to increase the good of the beloved."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"My little Queen entered Carmel yesterday. God alone could have asked such a sacrifice, but He is helping me so powerfully that in the midst of my tears my heart is overflowing with joy."
—St. Louis Martin (1823-1894, feast: 12 July)

The Rebel Black Dot Exodus 90 Song o' the Day

Audrey Assad, "Death in His Grave" from the Death, Be Not Proud E.P. (St. Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary: Remember your death, O Christian, but remember that your death is the gateway to your true & everlasting life.

Operation ÖSTERREICH: Exodus 90, Day 31

Weekly Wednesday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 344.8 lbs
This weigh-in: 342.6 lbs.
Difference: -2.2 lbs.

Bonus! Lied von ÖSTERREICH
"Weird Al" Yankovic, "Grapefruit Diet" from Running with Scissors (Mike Papa Watercress)

Commentary:

"Oh, I think I'd sell my soul for a triple patty melt,
But I need a boomerang when I put on my belt!

"Grapefruit diet (Diet!),
Lay off the Three Musketeers,
Grapefruit diet (Diet!),
Until my big booty disappears,
Grapefruit diet (Diet!),
I eat 'em 'til they're coming out of my ears,
Grapefruit diet (Diet!),
'Cause I haven't seen my feet in years…"

Saints + Scripture

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

'Tis the festival of Saint Julian the Hospitaller (born circa 7, A.K.A. the Poor): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Eulalia of Barcelona, Virgin & Martyr (circa 290-303; also spelt Aulaire, etc.), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution (303-313): Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Persecutions-link & Wikipedia-link Great Persecution.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Sedulius, Priest (died circa 450; A.K.A. Siadhel, Coelius Sedulius, Caelius Sedulius), composer of the hymn "A solis ortus cardine" ("From the Pivot of the Sun's Rising"): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link "A solis ortus cardine."

'Tis also the festival of Saint Æthelwold of Lindisfarne, Bishop & Abbot (died circa 740; also spelt Ethelwald, etc.), ninth (IX) Bishop of Lindisfarne (721-740), , abbot of Old Melrose Abbey, who contributed to the production of the Lindisfarne Gospels: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link Lindisfarne & Wikipedia-link Lindisfarne, & Wikipedia-link Lindisfarne Gospels.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Benedict of Aniane, Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 747-821, the "Second Benedict;" A.K.A. Witiza), founding abbot of Kornelimünster Abbey (814-821), formally the Abbey of the Abbot Saint Benedict of Aniane & Pope Cornelius; a foe of the Adoptionist heresy: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Kornelimünster, & Heresy-link & Wikipedia-link Adoptionism.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Antony Kauleas, Bishop & Abbot (circa 829-901, A.K.A. Anthony II of Constantinople), eighty-eighth (LXXXVIII) Patriarch of Constantinople (893-901), who presided over the Fourth Council of Constantinople (869-870, the eighth [VIII] ecumenical council): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Constantinople, & Council-link & Wikipedia-link Constantinople IV.

'Tis also the festival of Blesseds James Fenn, George Haydock, Thomas Hemerford, John Mundyn, & John Nutter, Priests & Martyrs (died 1584), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I; Haydock is one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales; Fenn, Haydock, Mundyn, & Nutter are four of the one hundred sixty Martyrs of Douai: Martyr-link Juliett Foxtrot & Wikipedia-link Juliett Foxtrot, Martyr-link Golf Hotel & Wikipedia-link Golf Hotel, Martyr-link Tango Hotel & Wikipedia-link Tango Hotel, Martyr-link Juliett Mike & Wikipedia-link Juliett Mike, & Martyr-link Juliett November & Wikipedia-link Juliett November; Martyr-link England & Wales & Wikipedia-link England & Wales, & Martyr-link Douai & Wikipedia-link Douai.

Commentary: Bl. John Nutter is brother of the priest & martyr Bl. Robert Nutter, O.P. [26 July].

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
The First Book of Kings, chapter ten, verses one thru ten;
Psalm Thirty-seven (R/. thirty[a]), verses five & six, thirty & thirty-one, & thirty-nine & forty;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter seven, verses fourteen thru twenty-three.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus teaches that evil comes from within. From our hearts "come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly."

The Church teaches that such evils are consequences of original sin. The doctrine holds that there is something fundamentally off about us, that all is not well, that we are off-kilter, skewed, mixed up. We Catholics don’t hold to a doctrine of total depravity, but we do indeed hold that original sin has worked its way into every nook and cranny of our lives: our minds, our wills, our desires and passions, even our very bodies.

As G.K. Chesterton argued a century ago, original sin is the only doctrine for which there is empirical evidence, for we can feel it within ourselves and we can see the effects of it everywhere.

One of the surest signs of our dysfunction is that we tend to celebrate all of the wrong people and despise or look down upon the best people. Pay very close attention to the people that you don’t like, to those that you consider obnoxious; it might tell you a lot about your own spiritual state.

Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D. (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 31
The Book of Exodus, chapter twelve, verses thirty-seven thru forty-two.

Commentary: The Exodus: From Rameses to Succoth (concluded; Exodus, 12:37-42).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Welcome Christ into your lives. Without the experience of this interior meeting with Christ, life can all too easily be wasted on illusory & consumerist experiences. These obviously include the suicidal experience of drugs or the egoistic one of using our neighbor & rejecting solidarity."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Let us humbly number ourselves among the imperfect, see ourselves as little souls. Yes, it is enough to humble oneself & to bear with one’s imperfections meekly. That is true sanctity."
—St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"We have a job to do. We have to get the Faith into our heads & into our hearts—not just for the information, but to let it sink in deeply—so that we can go out & rescue a culture that has rejected God & does not know who they are as human beings."
—Tim Staples (fl. 2020)

The Explorers' Club, № DCCXXXII

Operation AXIOM: After the World War—The Armenian Genocide, Part V
21 January-13 February 1920: The Maraş Affair—Turkish Nationalists attacked French colonial forces throughout Cilicia, leading to a three-week siege of Maraş; on the verge of the Turks agreeing to a ceasefire, the French withdrew, leading to the Turkish massacre of twelve thousand-plus Armenian civilians; five thousand Armenians fled alongside the French, but only fifteen hundred reached safety.

Lest we forget.

Commentary: The French commander who ordered the inexplicable & disastrous retreat, Robert Normand—who originated the order but lied, claiming to be acting on orders from above—later played a significant rôle in the construction of the infamous Maginot Line.

The Rebel Black Dot Exodus 90 Song o' the Day

"Weird Al" Yankovic, "Livin' in the Fridge" from Alapalooza (St. Mike Papa Whiskey)

Saints + Scripture

The Popish Plot
"Off Topic from St. Scholastica: Holiness"

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes (apparitions 11 February-16 July 1858): Madonna-link ūna, Madonna-link duæ, Madonna-link Array of Hope, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

The first of these is the apparition of 11 February 1858, when fourteen-year-old [St.] Bernadette Soubirous [16 April] told her mother that a "lady" spoke to her in the cave of Massabielle while she was gathering firewood with her sister & a friend. Similar apparitions of the "Lady" were reported on eighteen occasions that year, until the climax revelation of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception took place.

Quoth Minute Meditations from the Popes:

O Mary, you appeared to the humble young woman St. Bernadette Soubirous, to call us to conversion. Help me to respond to that call with generosity.

Wikipedia-link Grotto of Massabielle, Wikipedia-link Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, Wikipedia-link Lourdes water, & Wikipedia-link Lourdes grottoes

'Tis also the World Day of the Sick (established 1992): Day-link ūnus, Day-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Soteris, Virgin & Martyr (died circa 305, A.K.A. Sotra, etc.), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution (303-313): Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Persecutions-link & Wikipedia-link Great Persecution.

Commentary: Kinswoman of the bishop & Doctor of the Church St. Ambrose of Milan [7 December].

'Tis also the festival of Saint Cædmon, Religious (died circa 684, A.K.A. Cadfan), composer of "Cædmon's Hymn" (circa 657-680): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link "Cædmon's Hymn."

'Tis also the festival of Saint Gregory II, Pope (669-731), eighty-ninth (LXXXIX) Bishop of Rome (715-731), an opponent of the first bout of the Byzantine iconoclastic heresy: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Pontifex-link, & Wikipedia-link Pontifex; & Heresy-link & Wikipedia-link Iconoclasm.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Paschal I, Pope, O.S.B. (died 824, A.K.A. Pascale Massimi), ninety-eighth (XCVIII) Bishop of Rome (817-824), an opponent of the second bout of the Byzantine iconoclastic heresy: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Pontifex-link, & Wikipedia-link Pontifex; & Heresy-link & Wikipedia-link Iconoclasm.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Pedro de Jesús Maldonado Lucero, Priest & Martyr (1892-1937), martyred in the reign of the Mexican president Lázaro Cárdenas, one of the twenty-five Martyrs of the Mexican Revolution, part of the larger group of Saints of the Cristero War: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyr-link México, Wikipedia-link México, & Wikipedia-link Cristero War.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
The First Book of Kings, chapter eight, verses twenty-two, twenty-three, & twenty-seven thru thirty;
Psalm Eighty-four (R/. two), verses three, four, five & ten, & eleven;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter seven, verses one thru thirteen.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus calls the Pharisees hypocrites because they "disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition."

For instance: "If someone says to father or mother, ‘Any support you might have had from me is qorban’ (meaning, dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother." If you claim to be a person of love, but fail to honor your parents, something is seriously off. Thus the hypocrisy of the Pharisees is a disregard of love.

In its essence, love is an act of the will—more precisely, the willing of the good of the other as other. To love is really to want what is good for someone else and then to act on that desire.

Real love is a leaping outside of the narrow confines of my needs and desires, and an embrace of the other’s good for the other’s sake. It is an escape from the black hole of the ego, which tends to draw everything around it into itself.

Video reflection by Deacon Miguel Santos (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes
The Book of Isaiah, chapter sixty-six, verses ten thru fourteen(c);
The Book of Judith (R/. chapter fifteen, verse nine), chapter thirteen, verses eighteen(b/c/d/e), nineteen;
The Gospel according to John, chapter two, verses one thru eleven.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 30
The Book of Exodus, chapter twelve, verses thirty-one thru thirty-six.

Commentary: The Tenth Plague: The Death of Egypt's First-born (concluded; Exodus, 12:31-32) & the Exodus: From Rameses to Succoth (Exodus, 12:33-36).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Lourdes is a prophecy of justice & peace, where there is no room for pride & hardness of heart. Indeed, Lourdes is where this hardness is dissolved by one's witness of charity, mercy, serene resistance to evil, human solidarity, & sincere & moving generosity."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast day: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"The closer we get to Christ, the less certain we are of any merit of our own. Just study the way St. Paul characterizes himself in his epistles, in intervals of four, five, & six years between the letters. At first he says, I am the chief of the apostles, I have labored more abundantly than any of them. He works a little longer & then he says, I am not worthy to be called a member of the Church, & the least worthy of all of the apostles. Finally he ends up by calling himself the chief of sinners. St. Peter, too became wiser, his first letter begins, Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ. Here's a clear-cut affirmation of what he is. A few years later, Peter changes & he begins his letter, Simon Peter. Simon, poor weak human nature—Simon Peter, apostle servant of Christ."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

Catholic Quote o' the Day

"Science—the very instrument that's being used by modern atheists to say that there is no God—is screaming at us that there's a God! The discoveries of thermodynamics, the Hubble Space Telescope, & Einstein's Theories of Relativity have exploded in the scientific world & have led untold numbers of scientists to faith in God."
—Tim Staples (floruit 2020)

The Rebel Black Dot Exodus 90 Song o' the Day

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "The Route That I Took" from Pin Points and Gin Joints (Rude Boy St. Mike Papa Whiskey)

Skammentary:

"…Without suggesting to you the routes I took were never wrong,
I took a look and still I took and somehow I stayed strong,
And I just stayed on the course with very few deviations,
One or two situations, some other odd altercations.

"When my days were too dark, well, I had something to sell,
I am the carnival barker with some stories to tell,
There'll be apologies made at every fork and each bend,
And I'm so that I stayed and I will—

"Stay till the end,
Stay till the end,
Glad I took a good look at the route that I took.
Stay till the end,
Stay till the end,
Glad I took a good look at the route that I took."

Saints + Scripture

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

The Popish Plot
"St. Scholastica"

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin, O.S.B. (circa 480-543): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duæ, Saint-link trēs, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Twin sister of St. Benedict of Nursia [11 July].

Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

She was St. Benedict's sister. She was dedicated to God from a young age. She & her brother Benedict were brought up together until the time he left to pursue studies in Rome. Scholastica established a hermitage about five miles from Monte Cassino & that this was the "Benedictine" convent. The most commonly told story about her is that she would, once a year, go & visit her brother at a a place near his abbey.

Wikipedia-link Monte Cassino

Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, today we celebrate the memorial of St. Scholastica.

St. Gregory the Great tells a charming story about Benedict and his twin sister, Scholastica, a woman deeply devoted to God. As was her annual custom, Scholastica came to visit her brother in a small building just outside the monastery.

The two of them engaged in intense theological conversation long into the night. When Benedict announced that it was time for him to go, Scholastica begged him to stay. When he continued to insist that he return to the main house, his sister bowed her head in prayer. Immediately, a terrific storm blew up, which prevented Benedict from leaving.

"God Almighty forgive you, sister!" Benedict said. "What have you done?’
"I asked you to stay," she said, "and you would not hear me. So I prayed to God and he heard me."

Smiling knowingly at Scholastica, he remained, and the two of them spoke of divine things until dawn.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Austrebertha of Pavilly, Abbess, O.S.B. (630-704, also spelt Eustreberta, etc.), abbess of the Abbey of Jumieges & founding abbess of the Abbey of Pavilly: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Trumwine of Abercorn, Bishop (died circa 704; also spelt Trumwin; A.K.A. of Whitby), "Bishop of the Picts" (681-704): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint William of Maleval, Hermit (died 1157; A.K.A. the Great, of Guyenne, etc.), founder of the Williamites, formally the Hermits of Saint William: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Williamites.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Clare of Rimini, Abbess, O.S.C. (circa 1282-1346, A.K.A. Chiara Agolanti), abbes of the convent of Our Lady of the Angels: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Alojzije Stepinac, Bishop & Martyr (1898-1960, Anglicized as Aloysius Stepinac), Archbishop of Zagreb (1937-1960), martyred in the reign of the Communist dictator Josip Broz Tito: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Zagreb.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
The First Book of Kings, chapter eight, verses one thru seven & nine thru thirteen;
Psalm One Hundred Thirty-two (R/. eight[a]), verses six & seven; eight, nine, & ten;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter six, verses fifty-three thru fifty-six.

Commentary: Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun (U.S.C.C.B.): Daily Reflection.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Scholastica
The Song of Songs, chapter eight, verses six & seven;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-eight (R/. see: twelve[a] & thirteen[a]; or, "Alleluia"), verses one(b/c) & two; eleven, twelve, & thirteen(a); & thirteen(c) & fourteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses thirty-eight thru forty-two.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 29
The Book of Exodus, chapter twelve, verses twenty-nine & thirty.

Commentary: The Tenth Plague: The Death of Egypt's First-born (Exodus, 12:29-30).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"In a single word, be Saints! Holiness is the most powerful force that leads human hearts to Christ. Remember that verse of the Gospel about the vine & the branches. In the union of the branches wit the one vine is the concrete source & the sure measure of one's apostolic activity."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast day: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"I cannot believe that a soul which has arrived so near to Mercy itself, where she knows what she is, & how many sins God has forgiven her, should not instantly & willingly forgive others, & be pacified & wish well to everyone who has injured her, because she remembers the kindness & favors our Lord has shown her, whereby she has seen proofs of exceeding great love, & she is glad to have an opportunity offered to show some gratitude to her Lord."
—St. Teresa of Jesus (1515-1582, feast day: 15 October)

Catholic Quote o' the Day

"It is not an oversimplification to say that, in the Lord’s Prayer, ‘Thy kingdom come’ is one way of saying what the petition immediately after it says more clearly: ‘Thy will be done.’ Wherever God’s will is obeyed, there God reigns, His authority acknowledged. That is the kingdom."
—Frank Sheed (1897-1982)

Saints + Scripture — Please Stand By

Saints + Scripture: V Sunday in Tempus per annum

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

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-eight, verses seven thru ten;
Psalm One Hundred Twelve (R/. four[a]), verses four & five, six & seven, & eight & nine;
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter two, verses one thru five;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter five, verses thirteen thru sixteen.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus asks, “If salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?” That question ought to bother us as much today as it did Jesus’ audience long ago. What he means is that a weak Christianity is a disaster for the world, for it depends upon the Christian Church in order to become what it was meant to be.

Consider the truly awful gun violence in the streets of Chicago and other large American cities. A vibrant Christianity would actively get in the way of this affront to human dignity; vibrant Christian churches would rub salt into the earth of this violence; vibrant Christian witness would be a city set on a hill.

Consider the tens of millions of unborn eliminated since Roe v. Wade. I would be willing to bet that the vast majority of the mothers and fathers of these murdered children came from a Christian background. Why wasn’t their Christianity strong enough to function as salt and light? Why wasn’t their faith illuminating enough to shine a light into the darkness of what they were doing?

The clear implication is that, without vibrant Christians, the world is a much worse place.

Video reflection by Father Gregory Kelly (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Sunday Reflection.

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 28
The Book of Exodus, chapter twelve, verses twenty-one thru twenty-eight.

Commentary: The Passover Instituted (concluded; Exodus, 12:21-28).

†

Otherwise, 9 February would be the festival of Saint Apollonia, Virgin & Martyr (died circa 249, of Alexandria), deaconess, martyred by an anti-Christian mob in the reign of the Roman emperors Philip the Arab & Philip the Younger: Martyr-link ūna, Martyr-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link; Deaconess-link, & Wikipedia-link Deaconess.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Ansbert of Rouen, Bishop & Abbot, O.S.B. (died circa 695, A.K.A. of Chaussy), twenty-second (XXII) Bishop of Rouen (684-695), third (III) abbot of the Abbey of Saint Wandrille, A.K.A. Fontenelle Abbey (679-684): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Rouen & Wikipedia-link Fontenelle.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Marianus Scotus of Regensburg, Abbot, O.S.B. (died circa 1088; A.K.A. of Ireland, Muiredach mac Robartaig, Muiredach McGroarty), founding abbot of Saint Peter's Cloister in Regensberg (1078-1088): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Bernardino Caimi, Religious, O.F.M. (1425-1500), founder of the Sacred Mountain of Varallo, the first of the Sacred Mountains (Sacri Monti): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Varallo & Wikipedia-link Sacri Monti.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, Virgin, C.R.S.A. (1774-1824), stigmatist: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Stigmata-link & Wikipedia-link Stigmata.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Miguel Febres Cordero, Religious, F.S.C. (1854-1910, of Ecuador; A.K.A. Francisco Luis Febres-Cordero y Muñoz): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Love cannot stop at half measures, as you well know. Love must be ready to offer itself as far as the very ultimate in generosity."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast day: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"This silver crucifix that I wear, I wear in reparation. I was in a Jewish jewelry store one day in New York, where I had known the jeweler for twenty or twenty-five years. He said to me, 'I have some silver crucifixes for you.' And he gave me a bag of silver crucifixes, over a hundred of them.

I said, 'Where did you get them?'

'Oh,' he said, 'from sisters, they brought them in. They told me, "We're not going to wear the crucifix anymore; it divides us from the world. How much will you give us for the silver?"' The jeweler said, 'I weighed them out thirty pieces of silver.' Then he said, 'What s wrong with your Church? I thought that meant something to you?'

So I told him what was wrong. Three months later I received him into the Church."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

Catholic Quote o' the Day

"The Resurrection was not simply a happy postscript to a tragic story, the Ascension not simply a spectacular way of showing that Christ had left our earth in triumph. Each was as necessary to the work to be accomplished as the sufferings unto death that preceded them."
—Frank Sheed (1897-1982)

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

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Audrey Assad, "Lead, Kindly Light" from Fortunate Fall (St. Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary: The lyrics of "Lead, Kindly Light" were written by St. John Henry Newman as a poem, "The Pillar of the Cloud."

The Rebel Black Dot Exodus 90 Song o' Yesterday

Samstag, 8. Februar
Jim Gaffigan, "Bowling" from King Baby (Sir Knight St. Mike Papa Whiskey)