Memorial of Saints (December 17)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• John of Matha, founder
• Lazarus
• Olympias, widow
• Begga,widow
• Sturmi, abbot
• Wivina, virgin

St. John of Matha (d. ca. 1213 A.D.) was the founder of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity, more known as the Trinitarians.

John was born at Faucon in Provence of a well-to-do family and after his schooling was completed, he retired to a hermitage. When he found his privacy often disturbed, he went to study theology in Paris where he received a doctorate and was ordained a priest.

It was said that he received the inspiration to devote his life to the ransoming of Christian slaves from the Muslims during his first Mass. He traveled to Rome to secure papal approval for his venture. Innocent III was so impressed that he ordered the bishop of Paris and the abbot of the monastery of St. Victor to draw up a Rule. Once done, Innocent III approved the foundation of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity in 1198 A.D. Members of the Order went to Morocco, Tunis and Spain, and several hundred captives were said to be released.

St. John of Matha spent his last two years in Rome and died there on December 17, 1213 A.D.

This is also the feast day of Lazarus (first century A.D.). Lazarus was the brother of Martha and Mary. He was the close friend of Jesus who raised him from the dead (John 1:1-44)

Devotion to Lazarus was so widespread in the early Church. The Saturday before Palm Sunday was referred to as Lazarus Saturday because of the procession on that day to the church built over his tomb in Bethany. Lazarus is commemorated in the East on May 4.

December 17 Saints in the Byzantine Calendar

• St. Daniel, and Sts. Three Youths, Ananias, Azarias, and Misael

Hananiah or Ananias, Mishael, and Azariah, whose names in Chaldean are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, are figures from chapter 3 of the biblical Book of Daniel. In the narrative, the three Jewish men are thrown into a fiery furnace by Nebuchadnezzar II, King of Babylon for refusing to bow to the king's image.

Citation from Google Search:

• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Wikipedia.org

Memorial of Saints (December 16)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Adelaide, widow

St. Adelaide (931-999 A.D.) was the daughter of Rudolf of Upper Burgundy. She married Lothair of Italy when she was 16 years old as part of the terms of a treaty between her father Rudolf and and the father of Lothair, Hugh of Provence. Lothair died in 950 A.D. due to poisoning by his successor. Adelaide was imprisoned afterwards because she refused to marry the successor's son. When an invading German King Otto the Great freed her from prison, Adelaide married him in 951 A.D.

Otto the Great was crowned Emperor in Rome the following year and died in 973 A.D. His son, Otto II, succeeded him and because of the enmity of Otto II's wife, Adelaide left the court. However, the two were eventually reconciled by Abbot Majolus of Cluny.

St. Adelaide was active in founding and restoring monasteries. She also worked in the conversion of the Slavs. She died in a monastery she founded at Selta, near Cologne.

Related blog posts:

• St. Majolus, St. Odilo, and St. Hugh: Benedictine Abbots of Cluny, Learn more
• The Achievements in Reform of the Benedictine Monastery at Cluny, France, Learn more

December 16 Saints in the Byzantine Calendar

• St. Aggeus, Prophet

3rd Sunday of Advent (C)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

3rd Sunday of Advent (C), December 16, 2012
Liturgical readings
Zephaniah 3:14-18a
Isaiah 12
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:10-18

"What ought we to do?"

In the gospel reading Last Sunday, St. John is depicted as preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. In this Sunday's gospel, (the feast of Gaudete Sunday), John the Baptist continues to preach - addressing himself to three groups of people: those who have a surplus of basic needs, a group of tax collectors, and a company of soldiers. These groups of people are the rich, and those employed by the Roman empire to have power over its subjects (financially and by military force). When John proclaimed a baptism of repentance, these groups of people wanted to know what that meant for them. So they asked John directly. St. John was very practical in his response: he instructed them to care for those who were marginalized in the Empire - the poor and the powerless.

St. John's appearance in the Jordan area reminded the people of God's promises to Israel (as it is also expressed through the prophet Zephaniah: "Shout for joy, O daughter Zion...the Lord has removed the judgment against you.") John's appearance made the people wonder: 'Is John the Messiah?' John however said plainly that he was not, and that the Messiah will come soon, to baptize the people with the Holy Spirit and with fire. But before this baptism of the Messiah was to be fulfilled, John had to work and call the people Israel back to God: to repent and to care for others. He exhorted those with surpluses and those who wielded authority and power, to use them not as the pagans do, but with the justice and mercy Yahweh requires of them.

Righteousness, justice and mercy. Three Christian virtues to safeguard one's spiritual path from a direction of selfishness, unfair practices, and abuse of power. It takes time for each of the faithful, to reflect, and to see in what ways each one can practice these virtues according to each one's state of life. Advent is a special season of grace for this very purpose. It is a time for prayer and purification, in joyful expectation of One who alone can give all who believe with a quality of hope that can hurdle any present challenge. Advent is a season to patiently wait for the Promised One, as described in the reading from Zephaniah and heralded by John the Baptist. "...the Lord, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear."