Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the festival of Saint Hygbald, Abbot, O.S.B. (died circa 690, also spelt Hibald, etc.): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Richardis, Religious, O.S.B. (circa 840-895, of Andlau, of Swabia, of Sousabe; A.K.A. Richgard), Holy Roman Empress, foundress of the Abbey of Andlau: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Joseph of Cupertino, Priest, O.F.M. Conv. (1603-1663), the "Flying Friar:" Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: I've had an unfortunate habit of conflating St. Joseph of Cupertino, O.F.M. Conv. with St. John of Capistrano, O.F.M. [23 October], but I think I've got a handle on it now.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Józef Kut, Priest & Martyr (1905-1942), martyred in the reign of the Führer Adolf Hitler, one of the One Hundred Eight Martyrs of World War II: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link CVIII.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The First Letter to Timothy, chapter two, verses one thru eight;
Psalm Twenty-eight, verses two, seven, & eight & nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter seven, verses one thru ten.

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

Friends, in today's Gospel Jesus is amazed at a Roman centurion's faith: "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." How often the Bible compels us to meditate on the meaning of faith! We might say that the Scriptures rest upon faith, remain inspired at every turn by the spirit of faith.

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.

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 act accordingly is to have faith. When we operate out of this transformed vision, amazing things can happen, for we have surrendered to "a power already at work in us that can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine." Even a tiny bit of faith makes an extraordinary difference.

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

Bible Study—Proverbs in a Month
The Book of Proverbs, chapter eighteen (verses one thru twenty-four).