Thursday, July 13, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Henry, Obl.S.B. (circa 973-1024, A.K.A. Holy Roman Emperor Henry II; in German, Heinrich II; in Italian, Enrico II): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Thomas Tunstall, Priest & Martyr, O.S.B. (died 1616, A.K.A. Thomas Helmes), martyred in the reign of the king James VI & I: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Weekday
The Book of Genesis, chapter forty-four, verses eighteen thru twenty-one & twenty-three(b) thru twenty-nine, & chapter forty-five, verses one thru five;
Psalm One Hundred Five, verses sixteen & seventeen, eighteen & nineteen, & twenty & twenty-one;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten, verses seven thru fifteen.

Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in our Gospel today, Jesus sends the apostles on a mission of evangelization, a mission which we continue today.

We Catholics cannot avoid the demand of evangelization, of proclaiming the faith. Vatican II couldn't be clearer on this score, seeing the Church itself as nothing but a vehicle for evangelization. According to Vatican II, it's not so much the case that the Church has a mission, but rather that a mission has the Church. Bringing people to Christ is not one work among many; rather it is the central work of the Church, that around which everything else that we do revolves.

Do we need evangelization? The statistics couldn't be clearer. Did you know that there are nearly as many ex-Catholics as Catholics in this country? Did you know that by some estimates, between 50 and 80% of those who attend the Protestant mega-church of Willow Creek are former Catholics? Did you know that the fastest-growing category in those polls of religious affiliation is "none?" Did you know that a recent survey shows that among young religious people, those with the worst sense of their own tradition are Jews, but that the second to last are Catholics?

We need evangelization more than ever before. Will you answer the call?
Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Henry
The Book of Micah, chapter six, verses six, seven, & eight;
Psalm Forty, verse five(a);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter seven, verses twenty-one thru twenty-seven.

Bible Study—The Bible Timeline: Desert Wanderings
The Book of Numbers, chapter eleven (verses one thru thirty-five);
The Book of Numbers, chapter twelve (verses one thru sixteen);
The Book of Numbers, chapter thirteen (verses one thru thirty-three);
The Book of Numbers, chapter fourteen (verses one thru forty-five);
The Book of Numbers, chapter fifteen, verses thirty-two thru forty-one;
The Book of Numbers, chapter sixteen (verses one thru thirty-five);
The Book of Numbers, chapter seventeen (verses one thru twenty-seven);
The Book of Numbers, chapter eighteen, verses one thru seven.

Commentary: Discontent of the People (11:1-15), the Seventy Elders (11:16-23), the Spirit on the Elders (11:24-30), the Quail (11:31-35), Jealousy of Aaron & Miriam (12:1-8), Miriam's Leprosy (12:9-16), the Twelve Scouts (13:1-24), Their Return (13:25-33), Threats of Revolt (14:1-10a), the Lord's Sentence (14:10b-38), Unsuccessful Invasion (14:39-45), the Sabbath-breaker (15:32-35), Tassels on the Cloak (15:37-41), Rebellion of Korah (16:1-11), Rebellion of Dathan & Abiram (16:12-15), Korah (16:16-24), Punishment of Dathan & Abiram (16:25-34), Punishment of Korah (16:35-17:15), Aaron's Staff (17:16-26), & Charge of Sacred Things (17:27-18:7).

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