Project BLACK MAMBA

Today is the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord: Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

Originally the baptism of Christ was celebrated on Epiphany, which commemorates the coming of the Magi, the baptism of Christ, & the wedding at Cana. Over time in the West, however, the celebration of the baptism of the Lord came to be commemorated as a distinct feast from Epiphany. It is celebrated in Anglican & Lutheran Churches (sic) on the first Sunday following The Epiphany of Our Lord. Pope (Saint) John Paul II initiated a custom whereby on this feast the Pope baptizes babies in the Sistine Chapel.

The capitalization in the above is an anarchic nightmare.

Were today not a feast, we would remember Saint Vitalis of Gaza† (d. 625): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Were today not a feast, we would also remember Blessed William Carter† (c. 1548-1584), martyr: Martyr-link Unus, Martyr-link Duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter seven.

Mass Readings
The Book of Isaiah, chapter forty-two, verses one thru four, six & seven;
or The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-five, verses one thru eleven;
Psalm Twenty-nine, verses one thru four, nine & ten;
or The Book of Isaiah, chapter twelve, verses two & three, four(BCD), five & six;
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter ten, verses thirty-four thru thirty-eight;
or The First Epistle of John, chapter five, verses one thru nine;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter one, verses seven thru eleven.

For the last time this (liturgical) year, merry Christmas!

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Detroit Rock City" via iTunes (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: With a voicemail-cum-introduction by Gene Simmons of Kiss.