Project BLACK MAMBA: XXXII Sunday in Ordinary Time

'Tis the Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Book of Wisdom, chapter six, verses twelve thru sixteen;
Psalm Sixty-three, verses two, three & four, five & six, & seven & eight;
The First Letter to the Thessalonians, chapter four, verses thirteen thru eighteen
(or, the First Letter to the Thessalonians, chapter four, verses thirteen & fourteen);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses one thru thirteen.

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

Friends, our Gospel today is the parable that compares the kingdom of heaven with “ten virgins who with their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom.” This is an image borrowed from the customs of the time. The bridesmaids would wait for the groom and, upon his appearance, would accompany him.

Well, this is the Christian community, waiting for Christ the groom to arrive. Did Jesus tell this parable because he knew that his Church would be in for a long period of waiting?

We are wise in our waiting if we pray on a regular basis, if we educate ourselves in the faith, if we participate in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, if we perform the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, if we become people of love. We are foolish in our waiting if we neglect these things.

And here is one of the hardest truths of this parable: the divine life, so cultivated, cannot simply be shared with another at the last minute. The wise virgins are not being difficult and self-absorbed when they tell their friends that they can’t help them. A saint can’t simply infuse his life into another; it just doesn’t work that way.

Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Video reflection by Jeff Cavins: Encountering the Word.

Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D.: Breaking the Bread.

Mass Journal: Week 46
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:

Prayer is central to the Christian experience. A Christian life is not sustainable without it, because growth in the Christian life is simply not possible without prayer. Growing in charity & virtue, learning to hear the voice of God in our lives & walking where he calls us—all require the discipline of prayer. And it is not enough simply to pray when we feel like it. Prayer requires a daily commitment. Get to know the Shepherd. Stop trying to put together a master plan for your life & for your happiness. Instead, seek out the Master's plan for your life & for your happiness. Allow him to lead you, guide you, to be your companion, your coach, & your mentor. He will lead you to green pastures. He will restore your soul. And your cup will overflow.

Otherwise, 12 November would be the festival of Saint Machar of Aberdeen, Bishop (died circa 540), the "Apostle to the Picts:" Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Cuimín Fada, Abbot (died 662, of Kilcummin; also spelt Cumméne, Cummian), founder of a monastery around which grew the village of Kilcummin: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Kilcummin.

Commentary: Kilcummin is an Anglicization of the Irish Cill Chuimín, which means "church of Cuimín."

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Cunibert, Bishop (circa 600-663, of Cologne, of Trier; also spelt Cunipert, A.K.A. Honoberht): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Josaphat Kuntsevych, Bishop & Martyr, O.S.B.M. (circa 1580-1623, of Polotsk), martyred by a mob incited by the Orthodox hierarchy for supporting the Union of Brest: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Union.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Family Bulletin:

Josaphat was born John Kuncevic in the Ukraine around 1580. He worked as a merchant until 1604, when he became a monk of the Ukrainian Order of Saint Basil & took the name Josaphat. Five years later he was ordained a priest of the Byzantine Church. People came to him for spiritual advice. They were moved by his preaching & by his life, for he fasted often & was faithful to the prayers & customs of the people. In his thirties, he was made bishop of Vitebsk & then archbishop of Polotsk.