Friday, June 2, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA: Eastertide, Festival Edition

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saints Marcellinus & Peter, Martyrs, priest & exorcist, respectively (died circa 304), martyred in the reign of the emperor Diocletian: Martyrs-link, Martyr-link Mike, Martyr-link Papa, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
Saints Marcellinus & Peter were beheaded in a grove after being forced to dig their own graves during the Diocletianic Persecution. Their bodies were moved & buried in the cemetery Ad duas Lauros on the Via Labicana. Once peace had been restored, the Church built a basilica over their tombs.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Eugene I, Pope (died 657), seventy-fifth Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Joseph Tien, Priest, & Companions, Martyrs (1918-1954), martyred by the Panthet Lao Communists: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Bl. Joseph & Companions were beatified in 11 December 2016.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter twenty-five, verses thirteen(b) thru twenty-one;
Psalm One Hundred Three, verses one & two, eleven & twelve, & nineteen & twenty(a,b);
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty-one, verses fifteen thru nineteen.

Commentary: Easter Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today’s Gospel tells of the great engagement between the risen Jesus and Peter. Peter knows his sin—he betrayed Jesus three times. But Jesus brings him through the process of repentance and gives him the key to transformation. Three times Peter denied the Lord, and so three times Jesus asks him to reaffirm his faith: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Notice that Christianity is not a set of ideas or convictions or principles. It is a relationship with a person. Do you love Jesus? Has he become your friend?

When Simon says yes, Jesus tests him: “Feed my lambs; tend my sheep, feed my sheep.” The test of love is action. Are we willing to do what Jesus did? Are we willing to go on mission on his behalf?

Then we hear that wonderful closing section: “As a young man you fastened your belt and went about as you pleased; but when you are older you will stretch out your hands, and another will tie you fast and carry you off against your will.” The ultimate test of discipleship is our willingness to abandon our egos and be carried by a power greater than ourselves.
Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of Ss. Marcellinus & Peter
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter six, verses four thru ten;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-four, verse seven;
The Gospel according to John, chapter seventeen, verses eleven(b) thru nineteen.

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