Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest (1815-1888, A.K.A. Don Bosco), founder of the Salesian Society, formally the Society of St. Francis de Sales; the Salesian Sisters, formally the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians; & the Association of Salesian Cooperators: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link S.D.B., Wikipedia-link F.M.A., & Wikipedia-link A.S.C.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
While working in Turin, where the population suffered many of the effects of industrialization & urbanization, he dedicated his life to the betterment & education of street children, juvenile delinquents, & other disadvantaged youth. He developed teaching methods based on love rather than punishment, a method that became known as the Salesian Preventative System.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
Encouraged during his youth to become a priest so he could work with young boys, John was ordained in 1841. His service to young people started when he met a poor orphan & instructed him in preparation for receiving Holy Communion. He then gathered young apprentices & taught them catechism. After serving as chaplain in a hospice for working girls, John opened the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales for boys. Several wealthy & powerful patrons contributed money, enabling him to provide two workshops for boys, shoemaking & tailoring. By 1856, the institution had grown to 150 boys & had added a printing press for publication of religious & catechetical pamphlets.
'Tis also the feast of Saint Aiden of Ferns, Bishop (circa 550-632, A.K.A. Máedóc, Mogue): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Ludovica Albertoni, Religious, T.O.S.F. (circa 1474-1533): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter twelve, verses one thru four;
Psalm Twenty-two, verses twenty-six(b) thru twenty-eight & thirty thru thirty-two;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter five, verses twenty-one thru forty-three;

or, for St. John:
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter four, verses four thru nine;
Psalm One Hundred Three, verse one;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eighteen, verses one thru five.

Individual Reading
The Book of Job, chapter twenty-two (verses one thru thirty);
The Book of Job, chapter twenty-three (verses one thru seventeen);
The Book of Job, chapter twenty-four (verses one thru twenty-five).

Commentary: IV: Third Cycle of Speeches—Eliphaz's Third Speech (22, inclusive) & Job's Seventh Reply (23 & 24, inclusive).

The Rebel Black Dot Song of Life of the Day

Less Than Jake, "The Rest of My Life" from In with the Out Crowd (The Last Angry Man)

Skammentary: Six of the eleven songs selected thus far in this R.B.D.S.O.T.D. "Life" series have been ska songs, including five of the last seven. Might we then conclude that ska is life? Nae, that overstates the matter, but ska is most assuredly enlivening.
"Late last night I made my plans,
It was the only thing I felt I could do,
Said good-bye to my best friend,
Sometimes there's no one left to tell you the truth.

"It's gonna kill me the rest of my life,
Let my apologize while I'm still alive,
I know it's time to face
All of my past mistakes,
It's gonna kill me for the rest of my life.

"This is my all-time low,
Somehow it feels so familiar,
Somehow it seems so familiar,
I feel like letting go
And every second that goes by
I'm screaming out for second tries.

"Said good-bye to my best friend,
Sometimes there's no one left to tell me the truth.

"It's gonna kill me the rest of my life,
Let my apologize while I'm still alive,
I know it's time to face
All of my past mistakes,
I've got to live with them the rest of my life…

"If you won't forgive me the rest of my life,
Let my apologize while I'm still alive,
I know it's time to face
All of my past mistakes,
It's gonna kill me for the rest of my life.
It's gonna kill me for the rest of my life.
It's gonna kill me for the rest of my life."

Monday, January 30, 2017

The Rebel Black Dot Song of Life of the Day

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Your Life" from Pin Points and Gin Joints (The Last Angry Man)

Skammentary:
"You were warned from the day you were born,
You were too young, so you blew it off,
You were told you were gold but as you got old
You discovered that you were too soft.

"Delusions of greatness and grandeur,
Life can be hard just to live,
Demanding standards, you'll never deliver,
If you had two of them to give.

"Nothing can prepare you for this,
You were way off of your guard,
Like it or not it's how you were caught,
Try not to take it too hard…

"The bottom was coming up quick,
I guess it just has to be hit,
The secret, the key, and the trick,
It learning to deal with it.

"It's uphill from this point on out,
And the pinnacle's up at the top,
It hasn't been reached
Only practiced and preached,
So at this point you might want to stop.

"You might, but might I suggest,
I suggest it's best just to climb,
Continue, you've still got it in you,
And be thankful you've still got the time…"

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Felix IV, Pope (died 530, actually Felix III), fifty-fourth Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Margaret Ball, Martyr (1515-1584), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I, one of the Irish Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link XXII.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Hyacintha Mariscotti, Religious, T.O.R. (1585-1640): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter eleven, verses thirty-two thru forty;
Psalm Thirty-one, verses twenty, twenty-one, twenty-three, & twenty-four;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter five, verses one thru twenty.

Individual Reading
The Book of Isaiah, chapter sixty-two (verses one thru twelve);
The Book of Isaiah, chapter sixty-six (verses one thru twenty-four);
Psalm One Hundred Thirty-nine (verses one thru twenty-four);
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter thirty-one, verses thirty-one thru forty;
The Book of Job, chapter twenty (verses one thru X);
The Book of Job, chapter twenty-one (verses one thru X).

Commentary: Jerusalem the Lord's Bride (Isaiah, 62:1-5), Restoration of Zion (62:6-12), True & False Worship (66:1-6), Mother Zion (66:7-17), Gathering of the Nations (66:18-21), & Last Reward & Punishment (66:22-24); the All-knowing & Ever-present God (Psalm 139); the New Covenant (Jeremiah, 31:31-34), Certainty of God's Promises (31:35-37), & Rebuilding of Jerusalem (31:38-40); & Zophar's Second Speech (Job, 20) & Job's Sixth Reply (21).

Sunday, January 29, 2017

The Explorers' Club, № DXXXIV

Operation AXIOM: The World War
1 February 1917: Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare, suspended since November 1915; the strategy was a calculated gamble, certain to lead to an American declaration of war on the side of the Entente, but the Germans wagered they could sink enough Entente tonnage to knock Britain out of the war before the weight of American arms could be brought to bear in Europe.





Lest we forget.

Project BLACK MAMBA: 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Otherwise, 29 January would be the feast of Saint Dallán Forgaill, Martyr (circa 530-598), martyred by pirates during a raid on the Inishkeel monastery: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the feast of Saint Gelasius II, Pope, O.S.B. (circa 1062-1119), one hundred sixty-first Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the feast of Servant of God Juniper, Religious, O.F.M. (died 1258, A.K.A. Brother Juniper): Servant-link ūnus, Servant-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the feast of Blessed Francis Taylor, Martyr (circa 1550-1621), Lord Mayor of Dublin, martyred in the reign of the king James VI & I, one of the Irish Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link XXII.

9 Days for Life: Day Nine
For God's peace to fill the hearts of all who travel upon the path to adoption.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings
The Book of Zephaniah, chapter two, verse three & chapter three, verses twelve & thirteen;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-six, verses six thru ten;
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter one, verses twenty-six thru thirty-one;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter five, verses one thru twelve(a).

Mass Journal: Week Five
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
The first Christians were not perfect; nor were the saints. They lived in communities that were torn by strife in ways remarkably similar to what we are experiencing today, & they struggled with the brokenness of their own humanity in the same way you & I do. But they were dedicated to the basics. The first Christians intrigued the people of their time. So did the saints, & so do ordinary people who embrace the Christian life today. In the great majority of cases they don't do anything spectacular. For the most part they commit themselves to doing simple things spectacularly well & with great love, & that intrigues people. We need to intrigue the people of our time in the same ways. Whom does your life intrigue? Not with spectacular accomplishments, but simply by the way you live, love, & work.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Lord's Day

Daniel Schmit & Mike Hilliker, "My God, My God (Psalm 22)" from Mercy (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: I know that I should be appreciating Ordinary Time for its own merits, but in honesty I find my heart longing for Lent, for penitential fasting & mortification, & for Easter beyond.

Saturday, January 28, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest & Doctor of the Church, O.P. (1215-1274): Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Saint Thomas Aquinas, O.P., was an Italian Dominican friar, Catholic priest, & Doctor of the Church. He was an immensely influential philosopher, theologian, & jurist.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
At five he was given to the Benedictine monastery at Monte Cassino in his parents' hopes he would choose that way of life & eventually become abbot. In 1239 he was sent to Naples to complete his studies. It was here that he was first attracted to Aristotle's philosophy. By 1243 Thomas abandoned his family's plans for him & joined the Dominicans, much to his mother's dismay. On her order, Thomas was captured by his brother & kept at home for over a year. Once free, he went to Paris & then to Cologne, where he finished his studies with (St.) Albert the Great (15 November). The Summa Theologiae, his last &, unfortunately, uncompleted work, deals with the whole of Catholic theology. He stopped work on it after celebrating Mass on 6 December 1273. When asked why he stopped writing, he replied, "I cannot go on… All that I have written seems to me like so much straw compared to what I have seen & what has ben revealed to me." He died 7 March 1274.
'Tis also the feast of Blessed Charlemagne, Confessor (742-814, A.K.A. Charles I), King of the Franks & the inaugural Holy Roman Emperor: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Joseph Freinademetz, Priest, S.V.D. (1852-1908): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

9 Days for Life: Day Eight
For an end to the use of the death penalty in our country.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter eleven, verses one, two, & eight thru nineteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter one, verses sixty-nine thru seventy-five
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter four, verses thirty-five thru forty-one;

or, for St. Thomas:
The Book of Wisdom, chapter seven, verses seven thru ten, fifteen, & sixteen;
Psalm One Hundred Nineteen, verse twelve;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-three, verses eight thru twelve.

Individual Reading
The Book of Isaiah, chapter sixty one (verses one thru X);
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter eleven, verses twenty-three thru thirty-four;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verses one thru eight.

Commentary: The Mission to the Afflicted (Isaiah, 61:1-3) & the Reward of Israel (61:4-11); Tradition of the Institution (1 Corinthians, 11:23-34); & the Resurrection of Jesus (Mark, 16:1-8).

C.R.H.P. Readings
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter ten, verses sixteen & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty-two, verses fourteen thru twenty;
The Gospel according to John, chapter six, verses twenty-five thru twenty-eight & forty-eight thru fifty-eight.

Commentary: Warning against Idolatry (1 Corinthians, 10:16&17), the Last Supper (Luke, 22:14-20), & the Bread of Life Discourse (John, 6:25-28 & 48-58).

Operation AXIOM | The Stars My Destination


Thirty-one years ago to the day, 28 January 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger (OV-099) exploded during launch, killing her crew of seven: Francis R. "Dick" Scobee, commander; Michael Smith, pilot; Ellison Onizuka, mission specialist; Judith Resnik, mission specialist; Ronald McNair, mission specialist; Gregory Jarvis, payload specialist; & Christa McAuliffe, payload specialist. The Challenger's mission, STS-51-L, which was to deploy a communications satellite & conduct observations of Halley's Comet, was more high profile than most Space Shuttle missions as 'twas the first flight of the Teacher in Space Project, with public schoolteacher Mrs. McAuliffe having been selected as an astronaut specifically for the ambitious educational outreach.


Because of the excitement around the Teacher in Space mission, I was watching the Challenger launch live on T.V. in my elementary school. I was six years-old & in the first grade, to turn seven the following summer. I was too young, I think, to really understand what had happened; so, while I was saddened by the continuous replaying of the explosion on television for the next several weeks, I cannot say that I was traumatized by the disaster, though I do remember it clearly.

The motion Picture Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, released in the summer of '86, was dedicated "to the men & women of the spaceship Challenger whose courageous spirit shall live to the 23rd century & beyond." On the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, which debuted in '87, a shuttlecraft seen in multiple episodes was named after Colonel Onizuka, the first Asian-American astronaut.


The Space Shuttle Challenger was destroyed seventy-three seconds after liftoff by the explosive failure of a Solid Rocket Booster, killing her crew of seven, 28 January 1986, thirty-one years ago today.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of Life of the Day

Less Than Jake, "Life Led Out Loud" from Greetings & Salutations from Less Than Jake (The Last Angry Man)

Skammentary: It is mildly irksome that the song is titled "Life Led Out Loud" whilst the lyrics are very clearly "life lived out loud," but only because I'm a persnickety beggar.
"Drag the skeletons out,
Parade them all around town:
Welcome to my life lived out loud!
Drag the skeletons out,
Parade them all around town:
Welcome to my life lived out loud!…

"Drag the skeletons out,
Parade them all around town:
Welcome to my life lived out loud!
Throw all the secrets out,
And take the words from my mouth:
Welcome to my life lived out loud!…"
Compare to Luke, 12:2:
There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.

Friday, January 27, 2017

Operation AXIOM | The Stars My Destination


Fifty years ago to the day, 27 January 1967, a fire during a launch rehearsal test killed the entire Apollo 1 crew: "Gus" Grissom, Command Pilot; Ed White, Senior Pilot; & Roger Chaffee, Pilot. Apollo 1 was to have been the first manned spaceflight of the Apollo Program.


There had been astronaut deaths before, in jet aeroplane crashes, but Grissom, White, & Chaffee were the first to die in a spacecraft, albeit one still on the ground, & in N.A.S.A.'s official judgment they died in the course of a mission to space. The Apollo 1 disaster delayed the choreographed progression of Apollo spaceflights, imperiling President Kennedy's goal to land men on the Moon & return them safely to Earth by the end of the decade; the first successful manned Apollo spaceflight, would not launch until October 1968. The deaths were not in vain: modifications to the design of the Command Module made in the wake of the fire helped to carry the crews of Apollos 7 & 9 safely to & from Earth orbit & the crews of Apollos 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, & 17 safely to & from the Moon.

Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom was one of the original "Mercury Seven" astronauts & the second American in space; his two successful spaceflights were Mercury-Redstone 4 (the Liberty Bell 7) & Gemini 3 (commanding the Molly Brown, the only named Gemini capsule). Edward H. White II was among the second group of astronauts, the "New Nine;" during Gemini 4, he became the first American to conduct a spacewalk, officially an Extravehicular Activity (E.V.A.). Apollo 1 was to be the first spaceflight for Roger B. Chaffee.


The Command Module for Apollo 1 suffered a catastrophic fire during a ground test, killing all three of her crew, 27 January 1967, fifty years ago today.

Commentary: The Apollo 1 disaster was remembered in the very first year of "The Explorers' Club," during a series on Project Apollo: № XXXV.

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Angela Merici, Virgin, C.S.U. (1474-1540), foundress of the Angelines, formally the Secular Institute of St. Angela Merici, formerly the Company of St. Ursula: Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link C.S.U.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
She founded the Company of St. Ursula in 1535 in Brescia, in which women dedicated their lives to the service of the Church through the education of girls. From this organization later sprang the monastic Order of Ursulines, whose nuns established places of prayer & learning.
'Tis also the feast of Saint Julian of Le Mans, Bishop (third century): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Vitalian, Pope (died 672), seventy-sixth Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Paul Joseph Nardini, Priest, T.O.S.F. (1821-1862), founder of the Nardini Sisters, formally the Poor Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Family: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Sisters.

9 Days for Life: Day Seven
May those who long for a child of their own be filled with trust in God's loving plan.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter ten, verses thirty-two thru thirty-nine;
Psalm Thirty-seven, verses three thru six, twenty-three, twenty-four, thirty-nine, & forty;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter four, verses twenty-six thru thirty-four;

or, for St. Angela:
The First Letter of Peter, chapter four, verses seven(b) thru eleven;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-eight, verses twelve(a) & thirteen(a);
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter nine, verses thirty-four(b) thru thirty-seven.

Individual Reading
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter seven (verses one thru thirty-four);
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter sixteen, verses nineteen, twenty, & twenty-one;
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter twenty-six (verses one thru twenty-four);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-eight (of twenty-eight; verses one thru twenty).

Commentary: II. Oracles Mostly in the Days of Jehoiakim: The Temple Sermon (Jeremiah, 7:1-15), Abuses in Worship (7:16-34), Conversion of the Heathen (16:19-21), Jeremiah Threatened with Death (26:1-19), & the Fate of Uriah (26:20-24); & the Resurrection of Jesus (Matthew, 28:1-10), the Report of the Guard (28:11-15), & the Commissioning of the Disciples (28:16-20).

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the March for Life

The Abyssinian Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir, "Battle Hymn of the Republic" from The Civil War: Original Soundtrack Recording (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:
"His day is marching on!

"Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His Truth is marching on!

"He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never sound defeat,
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat,
Oh, be swift my soul to answer Him; be jubilant, my feet,
Our God is marching on!…"

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Bonus! Song of Michigan

John Linnell, "Michigan" from State Songs (The Last Angry Michigander)

Commentary:
"O Michigan, exemplar of unchecked replication!
O Michigan, O Michigan, the tank the fishes are in,
Expansionist in spirit, in letter borders obtain,
Don't hold us back! Don't hold us back!
We must eat Michigan's brain!
Now grow back, Michigan, we miss you again!"

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Memorial of Saints Timothy & Titus, Bishops (first century): Saints-link Tango & Tango, Saint-link Timothy & Wikipedia-link Timothy, & Saint-link Titus & Wikipedia-link Titus.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Saints Timothy & Titus were close companions of the Apostle Paul (25 January, 29 June) & bishops of the Catholic Church in its earliest days. Both men received letters from St. Paul, which are included in the New Testament.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
Timothy had a Greek father & a Jewish mother named Eunice. Being the product of a "mixed" marriage, he was considered illegitimate by the Jews. It was his grandmother, Lois, who first became Christian. Timothy was a convert of Paul around the year 47 & later joined him in his apostolic work. He was with Paul at the founding of the church in Corinth.

Titus had the distinction of being a close friend & disciple of Paul, as well as a fellow missionary. He was Greek, apparently from Antioch. Even though Titus was a Gentile, Paul would not let him be forced to undergo circumcision at Jerusalem. Titus is seen as a peacemaker, administrator, [&] great friend. Paul's second letter to Corinth affords an insight into the depth of his friendship with Titus, & the great fellowship they had in preaching the gospel. When Paul was having trouble with the community at Corinth, Titus was the bearer of Paul's severe letter & was successful in smoothing things out.
'Tis also the feast of Saint Paula, Abbess (347-404): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero, Priest, T.O.S.D. (1840-1914): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: St. José was canonized on 16 October 2016.

9 Days for Life: Day Six
May those affected by pornography experience the Lord's mercy & healing.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Second Letter to Timothy, chapter one, verses one thru eight;
or, the Letter to Titus, chapter one, verses one thru five;
Psalm Ninety-six, verses one, two, three, seven, eight(a), & ten;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter four, verses twenty-one thru twenty-five;

or, for Ss. Timothy & Titus:
The Second Letter to Timothy, chapter one, verses one thru eight;
or, the Letter to Titus, chapter one, verses one thru five;
Psalm Ninety-six, verses one, two, three, seven, eight(a), & ten;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses one thru nine.

Individual Reading
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-seven (verses one thru sixty-six).

Commentary: Jesus before Pilate (27:1&2), the Death of Judas (27:3-10), Jesus Questioned by Pilate (27:11-14), the Sentence of Death (27:15-26), Mockery by the Soldiers (27:27-31), the Way of the Cross (27:32), the Crucifixion (27:33-44), the Death of Jesus (27:45-56), the Burial of Jesus (27:57-61), & the Guard at the Tomb (27:62-66).

Operation AXIOM: Yes, M!ch!gan!

One hundred eighty years ago to the day, 26 January 1837, Michigan was admitted to the Union as the twenty-sixth state. French explorers became the first Europeans to reach latter-day Michigan in 1622, with the first permanent settlement being established at Sault Sainte Marie (invariably written Sault Ste. Marie) by Jesuit Missionaries in 1668. Forts followed at modern St. Joseph & Detroit in 1679 & 1701, respectively. After the French & Indian War (the North American theater of the worldwide Seven Years' War, 1754-1763), the British Empire assumed control of Michigan. Ceded to the newly independent United States in the 1783 Treaty of Paris, the British occupied Michigan until 1794. Michigan was, successively, part of the Northwest Territory (1785), the Indiana Territory (1800), & finally the Michigan Territory (1805). The Michigan Territory's admission as a State was complicated by & tied up with the Territory's dispute with the State of Ohio over the "Toledo Strip." the federal Congress imposed a compromise whereby Toledo was awarded to Ohio & the seemingly worthless wilderness of the western Upper Peninsula was stripped from the Wisconsin Territory & given to Michigan. (The vast mineral wealth of the U.P. would not become known for decades, so at the time it was a disadvantageous exchange for Michigan.) Under the Missouri Compromise of 1820, the balance 'twixt free & slave states had to be maintained. Free Michigan was admitted as the counterbalance to slave Arkansas, which had been admitted to the Union as the twenty-fifth state in 1836. Michigan was the nation's leading source of lumber of decades in the middle of the nineteenth century, & during the Civil War Michigan contributed for than forty regiments to crush to Confederate rebellion & end slavery. In the twentieth century, Michigan became the center of the American, & thus eventually the worldwide, automotive industry, & everything changed. My family arrived in sacred Michigan in 1973, drawn by employment in the automotive industry like so many other immigrant families. In the twenty-first century, two out of three adult children in my family left Michigan, a tale that is all far, far too common.
Michigan is the tenth most populous state in the Union, with a population of almost precisely ten million residents. Geographically, Michigan in the eleventh largest state, & the largest east of the Mississippi River. Michigan's twin peninsulas give it the second longest amount of coastline of any state, after mammoth Alaska, also a peninsula. (Michiganders often fudge these figures by rightly claiming that Michigan has, by far, the longest freshwater coastline of any state, & then conveniently neglecting the word "freshwater.") Michigan has a larger percentage of its territory composed of water than any other state, even Hawai'i, which is nothing but islands, islands, & more islands. This is altogether fitting, since the word "Michigan" comes from an Ojibwa (or Chippewa) word, "mishigamaa," meaning "large water." Michigan touches four of the five Great Lakes, including the only Great Lake entirely within the territory of the United States, Lake Michigan. (Think about the name "Lake Michigan" in light of what we've just learned about the etymology of Michigan.)

The State of Michigan, sacred Michigan, gained admission into the Union, 26 January 1837, one hundred eighty years ago to the day.
"If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you"
("Si Quæris Peninsulam Amœnam Circumspice")

Bonus! Song of Michigan
Brian d'Arcy James, "Michigan Christmas" via iTunes (from From Christmas Eve to Christmas Morn) (The Last Angry Michigander)

Commentary:
"I want a Michigan Christmas,
With Michigan snow on the Saginaw trees,
And I want to be home with my family,
A Michigan Christmas is all that I'm asking for, please.

"I want the Thumb of the Mitten,
The Mackinac Bridge, a Lake Michigan breeze,
And I want to be home with my family,
A Michigan Christmas is all that I'm asking for, please…

"But I know a place that is special,
Where memories linger as sweet as your dreams…"

The Rebel Black Dot Song of Michigan

Jeff Daniels, "Michigan, My Michigan" via iTunes (from Live & Unplugged to Benefit the Purple Rose Theatre) (The Last Angry Michigander)

Commentary:
"O mark my heart, I sing of thee,
Michigan, my Michigan!
Thy lakebound shores I long to see,
Michigan, my Michigan!
From Saginaw's tall whispering pines,
From Lake Superior's farthest mines,
Therein the light of memory shines,
Michigan, my Michigan!…"

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle: Apostle-link ūnus, Apostle-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
The event in which the most ferocious enemy of the Church became its most zealous son & missionary.
'Tis also the feast of Saint Poppo of Stavelot, Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 977-1048): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Archangela Girlani, Religious, O.Carm. (1460-1494): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

9 Days for Life: Days One thru Five
Day One: For the conversion of all hearts & the end of abortion.

Day Two: May each person suffering from the loss of a child through abortion find & healing in Christ.

Day Three: May all people embrace the truth that every life is a good & perfect gift, & is worth living.

Day Four: May those near the end of their lives receive medical care that respects their dignity & protects their lives.

Day Five: For an end to domestic violence.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter twenty-two, verses three thru sixteen;
or, the Acts of the Apostles, chapter nine, verses one thru twenty-two;
Psalm One Hundred Seventeen, verses one(b,c) & two;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verses fifteen thru eighteen.

Individual Reading
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-six (verses one thru seventy-five).

Commentary: VII.The Passion & Resurrection: The Conspiracy against Jesus (26:1-5), the Anointing at Bethany (26:6-13), the Betrayal of Judas (26:14-16), Preparations for the Passover (26:17-19), the Betrayer (26:20-25), the Lord's Supper (26:26-30), Peter's Denial Foretold (26:31-35), the Agony in the Garden (26:36-46), the Betrayal & Arrest of Jesus (26:47-56), Jesus before the Sanhedrin (25:57-68), & Peter's Denial of Jesus (26:69-75).

C.R.H.P. Readings
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter five, verses one thru sixteen;
The Gospel according to John, chapter thirteen, verses twelve thru seventeen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses twenty-four thru thirty-seven;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter six, verses twenty thru twenty-six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses thirty-one thru forty-six;
The Book of Proverbs, chapter five, verses eighteen thru twenty-three;
The Book of Proverbs, chapter six, verses twelve thru nineteen;
The Book of Micah, chapter six, verses six, seven, & eight;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses one thru thirteen;
The Book of Revelation, chapter three, verses one thru six.

Commentary: I agree, my life evinces certain characteristics of a farce.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Life of the Day

MxPx, "My Life Story" from The Ever Passing Moment (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:
"I know it's much too late
To take you on a date,
I know it is no use,
But this is my excuse:
I was in a plane
And it was falling from the sky,
I knew I had to survive
So I could say goodbye.

"Don't hate me forever,
I'm better late than never.
I failed you, I'm sorry,
That's simply my life story,
My life story,
My life story…"

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop & Doctor of the Church, C.O., O.M., O.F.M. Cap. (1567-1622), co-founder of the Visitation Sisters, formally the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary: Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link V.H.M.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
He became noted for his deep faith & his gentle approach to the religious divisions in his land resulting from the Protestant Reformation.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
Francis was destined by his father to be a lawyer so that the young man could eventually take his elder's place as a senator from the province of Savoy in France. For this reason Francis wassent to Padua to study law. After receiving his doctorate, he returned home &, in due time, told his parents he wished to enter the priesthood. Francis was ordained & elected provost of the Diocese of Geneva, then a center for the Calvinists. Francis set out to convert them, especially in the district of Chablais. By preaching & distributing the little pamphlets he wrote to explain true Catholic doctrine, he had remarkable success. His gentle character was a great asset in winning souls. He practiced his own axiom, "A spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar."
'Tis also the feast of Saint Felician of Foligno, Bishop & Martyr (circa 160-250), martyred in the reign of the emperor Decius: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Wincenty Lewoniuk & Companions, Martyrs (died 1874, A.K.A. the Martyrs of Pratulin, the Martyrs of Podlasie), martyred in the reign of the emperor Alexander II: Martyr-link Whiskey Lima, Martyrs-link XIII, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Leter to the Hebrews, chapter ten, verses one thru ten;
Psalm Forty, verses two, four(a,b), seven, eight(a), ten, & eleven;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter three, verses thirty-one thru thirty-five;

or, for St. Francis:
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter three, verses eight thru twelve;
Psalm Thirty-seven, verse thirty(a);
The Gospel according to John, chapter fifteen, verses nine thru seventeen.

Individual Reading
Psalm Fifty-one (verses one thru twenty-one);
Psalm Fifty-two (verses one thru eleven);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five (verses one thru forty-six).

Commentary: Reading Psalm 51 was my penance from confession yesterday; I read it last night before retiring, as instructed, & again this morning. I cannot overstate my admiration for the work Monsignor Vincke & Father Koenigsknecht are doing over at Holy Family, by offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation every weekday afternoon. "To priest" isn't a verb, but if 'twas, that's how you'd priest!

The Miserere: Prayer of Repentance (Psalm 51); the Deceitful Tongue (Psalm 52); the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew, 25:1-13), the Parable of the Talents (25:14-30), & the Judgment of the Nations (25:31-46).

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Life of the Day

Mustard Plug, "Life Is Too Short" from In Black & White (The Last Angry Man)

Skammentary:
"Well, I've been to this place before
And I know when things are going amiss,
Got to come together for us all,
Don't bring your aggro to the crossroads.

"Life is too short,
'You wanna live that way?
Life is too short,
Don't throw your life away!
We spend our days preparing for a fight,
A fight, a fight that never lets up…"

Monday, January 23, 2017

Hollywoodland

If there's ever a fifth season of Sherlock, I will not be watching. So much potential, squandered so thoroughly, so swiftly, & so needlessly! "The Reichenbach Fall" would have been a disappointing end to the entire series, but at least it would have left me with fond memories of the whole enterprise. As it stands, the awfulness of series four (& series three, & the New Year's special) is so profound that it is retroactively poisoning my appreciation for series one & two.

"A Study in Pink"
"The Blind Banker"
"The Great Game"

"A Scandal in Belgravia"
"The Hounds of Baskerville"
"The Reichenbach Fall"

Commentary: It's better to burn out than to fade away.

"The Empty Hearse"
"The Sign of Three"
"His Last Vow"

"The Abominable Bride"

"The Six Thatchers"
"The Lying Detective"
"The Final Problem"

The phenomenal awfulness of the fourth series of Sherlock has also made up my mind about Doctor Who: I shan't watch the upcoming tenth series, despite the 2016 Christmas special, "The Return of Doctor Mysterio," being the best outing in the Twelfth Doctor's staggeringly uninteresting tenure. (Or maybe second best; "Mummy on the Orient Express" was pretty decent.)

I'll never again watch any production in which Stephen Moffat is involved, if I'm aware of such involvement. I'm not rushing to judgment; Moffat's already had second, third, & fourth chances. Life is too short, too exquisitely precious to waste one's time on drivel.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of Life of the Day

Dropkick Murphys, "This Is Your Life" from Blackout (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:
"Another busted knuckle,
Taken down by a kick to the balls,
You've wasted time, wasted time,
As our shadows grow so tall.

"It's another busted knuckle,
It's a fight you'll never win,
And now you bow your head in shame
For a sin no one forgives.

"Fight! Fight! You'll never win,
(This is our life)
Tonight, I'll start again,
(This is our time)
Fight! Fight! You'll never win,
(This is our life)
How will I make amends?
(This is our time)
This is our life,
This is our time,
This is my life,
So don't waste my time…"

Project BLACK MAMBA


'Tis the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children in the U.S.A.: Bishops-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. The Day of Prayer is usually observed on 22 January, the anniversary of the bloodstained Roe v. Wade decision; because 22 January fell on a Sunday this year, the Day of Prayer was of course moved to 23 January.

'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Saint Vincent, Deacon & Martyr (died circa 304, A.K.A. of Saragossa), martyred in the reign of the emperor Diocletian: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Traditionally, & still today in most of the world, the feast of St. Vincent is celebrated on 22 January. In the United States, due to the surpassing importance of the Day of Prayer, St. Vincent's feast has been transferred to 23 January. One day, the slaughter of the most vulnerable & innocent will end, & St. Vincent's day can be restored to 22 January.

'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Saint Marianne Cope, Virgin, T.O.S.F. (1838-1918, A.K.A. of Molokai): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Messalina of Foligno, Virgin & Martyr (died circa 250), martyred in the reign of the emperor Decius: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Nikolaus Groß, Martyr (1898-1945, also spelt Gross), martyred in the reign of the Führer Adolf Hitler: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter nine, verse fifteen & twenty-four thru twenty-eight;
Psalm Ninety-eight, verses one thru six;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter three, verses twenty-two thru thirty;

or, for Day of Prayer:
The Book of Isaiah, chapter thirty-two, verses fifteen thru eighteen;
Psalm Seventy-two, verse seven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter five, verses one thru twelve(a).

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin (yes, this is inside baseball stuff):
Or, for the Day of Prayer, any readings from the Lectionary for Mass, the Mass "For Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life" or the Lectionary for Mass, the Mass "For Peace & Justice."
Quoth the my jail ministry missalette (the same missalette used at St. Matthew downtown):
[These] readings are suggested from among the many options.
Such is the paramount importance of the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children that there are no alternative Mass readings for Ss. Marianne & Vincent. The missalette further notes:
The optional memorials for this day may only be celebrated within the Liturgy of the Hours.
Individual Reading
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-three (verses one thru thirty-nine);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-four (verses one thru fifty-one).

Commentary: Denunciation of the Scribes & Pharisees (23:1-36), the Lament over Jerusalem (23:37-39), the Destruction of the Temple Foretold (24:1&2), the Beginning of the Calamities (24:3-14), the Great Tribulation (24:15-28), the Coming of the Son of Man (24:29-31), the Lesson of the Fig Tree (24:32-35), the Unknown Day & Hour (24:36-44), & the Faithful or the Unfaithful Servant (24:45-51).

Sunday, January 22, 2017

The Explorers' Club, № DXXXIII

Leo Ryan (1925-1978), United States Representative from California (Democrat, 11th District), assassinated while on a fact-finding mission in Guyana by agents of (sic) Peoples Temple founder & leader Jim Jones, mere hours before the Jonestown massacre, 18 November 1978.





Commentary: In 2014, when I was plotting to dedicate The Secret Base to a one-hundred-years-later study of the Weltkrieg of 1914-1918, I aimed to devote at least one episode of "The Explorers' Club" per month to the "War to End All Wars." As the centennial study progressed & the awful reality threatened to overwhelm all before it, I resolved to reserve at least one episode per month to anything other than the Great War. No such reservation was kept in December 2016. So here you go.

Project BLACK MAMBA: 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Otherwise, 22 January would be the feast of Saint Bertwald of Ramsbury, Bishop (died 1045, A.K.A. Brithwald, et al.; of Glastonbury): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Isaiah, chapter eight, verse twenty-three thru chapter nine, verse three;
Psalm Twenty-seven, verses one, four, thirteen, & fourteen;
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter one, verses ten thru thirteen & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter four, verses twelve thru twenty-three;
(or, the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter four, verses twelve thru seventeen).

Individual Reading
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-one (verses one thru forty-six);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-two (verses one thru forty-six).

Commentary: The Entry into Jerusalem (21:1-11), the Cleansing of the Temple (21:12-17), the Cursing of the Fig Tree (21:18-22), the Authority of Jesus Questioned (21:23-27), the Parable of the Two Sons (21:28-32), the Parable of the Tenants (21:33-46), the Parable of the Wedding Feast (22:1-14), Paying Taxes to the Emperor (22:15-22), the Question about the Resurrection (22:23-33), the Greatest Commandment (22:34-40), & the Question about David's Son (22:41-46).

Mass Journal: Week 4
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
The story of Jesus Christ is the most powerful in history & has directly or indirectly influenced every noble aspect of modern civilization. But amid the hustle & bustle of our daily lives, it is easy to become distracted & distance ourselves from this story. From time to time, someone comes along who reminds us of the spellbinding power the Gospel has when it is actually lived.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Lord's Day

"Weird Al" Yankovic, "(This Song's Just) Six Words Long" from Even Worse (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: But wait, you say, for all its many merits, of what religious value is "(This Song's Just) Six Words Long"? So glad you asked! On Friday night, I was strong-armed into attending an event at my parish that I'd devoutly wished to avoid, an interminable fiasco that ended with a fifteen-minute rendition of a praise & worship song that had all of one verse & one chorus, repeated over & over & over again, for fifteen godforsaken minutes. "(This Song's Just) Six Words Long" is a salve for that still-open wound.

The beautiful irony of "(This Song's Just) Six Words Long" is that the song's lyrics have many, many more than just six words, but I doubt the praise-&-worship crowd—who all agreed that the path to God is to "get rid of your mind" (even though one is told in Scripture to love the Lord will all one's mind, in addition to all one's heart, strength, & soul)—are savvy enough to grasp, let alone appreciate, the irony.
"Couldn't think of any lyrics,
No, I never wrote the lyrics,
So I'll just sing any old lyrics
That come to mind, Child.

"You really need words,
Whole lot of rhyming words,
You gotta write so many words
To do it, to do it, to do it, to do it, to do it, to do it right, Child…

"I know that you're probably sore
'Cause I didn't write any more,
I just didn't get to complete it,
So that's why I gotta repeat it…

"Oh, I'll make a lot of money,
They pay me a ton of money.
They're paying me plenty of money
To sing this song, Child.

"I gotta fill time,
Three minutes worth of time,
Oh, how will I fill so much time?
I'll throw in a solo, a solo, a solo, a solo, a solo here!…

"This song's got nothing to say,
But I'm recording it anyway,
I know if I put my mind to it,
I know I could find a good rhyme here.

"Oh, you gotta have music,
You need really catchy music,
This song has got plenty of music,
But just six words, Child.

"And so I sing 'em over
And over and over and over
And over and over and over
And over and over and over and over and over and over again!…"
Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, protect us from vapid, hollow, anti-intellectual Christianity.

Saturday, January 21, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin & Martyr (circa 291-304), martyred in the reign of the emperor Diocletian: Martyr-link ūna, Martyr-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Agnes was a beautiful young girl of a wealthy family & therefore had many suitors of high rank. Legends holds that the young men, slighted by her resolute devotion to religious purity, submitted her name to the authorities as a follower of Christianity. She suffered martyrdom at the age of twelve.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
Almost nothing is known of this saint except that she was very young—twelve or thirteen—when she was martyred in the last half of the third century. Various modes of death have been suggested—beheading, burning,strangling. Agnes was condemned, executed, & buried near Rome in a catacomb that eventually was named after her. The daughter of Constantine built a basilica in her honor.
'Tis also the feast of Saint Publius, Bishop & Martyr (circa 33-112), martyred in the reign of the emperor Trajan: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: St. Publius cameos in the Acts of the Apostles, aiding St. Paul & companions after their shipwreck on Malta (Acts, 28:7-10).

'Tis also the feast of Saint Brigid of Kilbride, Abbess (sixth century, A.K.A. Bríga): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Alban Roe, Priest & Martyr, O.S.B. (1583-1642), martyred in the reign of the king Charles I, one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link XL.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter nine, verses two, three, & eleven thru fourteen;
Psalm Forty-seven, verses two, three, & six thru nine;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter three, verses twenty & twenty-one;

or, for St. Agnes:
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter one, verses twenty-six thru thirty-one;
Psalm Twenty-three, verse one;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter thirteen, verses forty-four, forty-five, & forty-six.

Individual Reading
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter nineteen (verses one thru thirty);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty (verses one thru thirty-four);
The Book of Malachi, chapter one (verses one thru fourteen);
The Book of Malachi, chapter two (verses one thru seventeen);
The Book of Malachi, chapter three (verses one thru twenty-four;
The Book of Deuteronomy, chapter seven, verses one thru eleven;
The Letter to the Romans, chapter nine (verses one thru thirty-three).

Commentary: I actually read the two chapters from Matthew & the first chapter & a half from Malachi last night during the church basement fiasco (more about that in tomorrow's R.B.D.S.O.T.D.), but include them in today's BLACK MAMBA post rather than go back & retroactively claim them in yesterday's, especially since they were read long after that post was composed & published. I reread the whole of Malachi, supplemented by the bits from Deuteronomy & Romans—both of which tied back to Malachi—this morning, whilst subbing in the adoration chapel. Bonus holy hour! During my regular middle-of-the-night holy hour, I read next week's Sunday Mass readings, which will of course be documented in tomorrow's BLACK MAMBA post. How many more times do you think I can type the word Malachi?

VI. Ministry in Judea & Jerusalem: Marriage & Divorce (Matthew, 19:1-12), Blessing of the Children (19:13-15), the Rich Young Man (19:16-30), the Workers in the Vineyard (20:1-16), the Third Prediction of the Passion (20:17-19), the Request of James & John (20:20-28), & the Healing of Two Blind Men (20:29-34); the entirety of Malachi: Israel Preferred to Edom (Malachi, 1:2-5), Sins of the Priests & Levites (1:6-2:9), Sins of the People (2:10-17), & the Messenger of the Covenant (3, inclusive); Destruction of Pagans (Deuteronomy, 7:1-11); & V. Jews & Gentiles in God's Plan: Paul's Love for Israel (Romans, 9:1-5), God's Free Choice (9:6-24), Witness of the Prophets (9:25-29), & Righteousness Based on Faith (9:30-33).

The Rebel Black Dot Song of Life of the Day

The Toasters, "Don't Let the Bastards Grind You Down" from Don't Let the Bastards Grind You Down (The Last Angry Man)

Skammentary:
"'Cause I won't play ball, won't do as I'm told,
I'd rather be a square peg in a round hole.

"Don't let the bastards grind you down,
Don't let them grind you down…"

Friday, January 20, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Fabian, Pope & Martyr (circa 200-250, A.K.A. Flavian), twentieth Bishop of Rome, martyred in the reign of the emperor Decius: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Fabian is famous for the miraculous nature of his election, in which a dove is said to have descended on his head to mark him as the Holy Spirit's unexpected choice to become the next pope.
'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Saint Sebastian, Martyr (died circa 288), martyred in the reign of the emperor Diocletian: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Sebastian was killed during the Roman emperor Diocletian's persecution. He is commonly depicted tied to a post or tree & shot with arrows. Despite this being the most common artistic depiction of Sebastian, according to legends, (he) was rescued & healed by (St.) Irene of Rome (30 March). Shortly afterwards he went to Diocletian to warn him about his sins, & as a result was clubbed to death.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
The legend of St. Sebastian is important in art & there is a vast iconography. Scholars now agree that a pious fable has Sebastian entering the Roman army because only there could he assist the martyrs without arousing suspicion. Finally he was found out, brought before Emperor Diocletian & delivered to Mauretanian archers to be shot to death. His body was pierced with arrows, & he was left for dead. But he was found still alive by those who came to bury him. He recovered, but he refused to flee. One day he took up a position near where the emperor was to pass. He accosted the emperor, denouncing him for his cruelty to Christians. This time the sentence of death was carried out. Sebastian was beaten to death with clubs. He was buried on the Appian Way, close to the catacombs that bear his name.
'Tis also the feast of Saint Henry of Uppsala, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 1156, A.K.A. Heikki), martyred by an excommunicated Finn named Lalli: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Basil Moreau, Priest, C.S.C. (1799-1873), founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the Marianites of Holy Cross, the Sisters of the Holy Cross (Notre Dame), & the Sisters of Holy Cross (Montreal): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link C.S.C., Wikipedia-link M.S.C., Wikipedia-link Notre Dame, & Wikipedia-link Montreal.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter eight, verses six thru thirteen;
Psalm Eighty-five, verses eight & ten thru fourteen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter three, verses thirteen thru nineteen;

or, for St. Fabian:
The First Letter of Peter, chapter five, verses one thru four;
Psalm Forty, verses eight(a) & nine(a);
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty-one, verses fifteen, sixteen, & seventeen;

or, for St. Sebastian:
The First Letter of Peter, chapter three, verses fourteen thru seventeen;
Psalm Thirty-four, verse five;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten, verses twenty-eight thru thirty-three.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of Inauguration Day

Jacqueline Schwab, "Flag of Columbia" from The Civil War: Original Soundtrack Recording (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: May God bless this country & help the new chief executive to be not the president he campaigned to be, but the president these very divided United States need him to be.

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Pontianus of Spoleto, Martyr (circa 156-175), martyred in the reign of the emperor Marcus Aurelius: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Bassian of Lodi, Bishop (circa 320-409): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Wulfstan of Worcester, Bishop (circa 1008-1095): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter seven, verse twenty-five thru chapter eight, verse six;
Psalm Forty, verses seven thru ten & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter three, verses seven thru twelve.

Individual Reading
The Book of Sirach, chapter fourteen (verses one thru twenty-seven);
The Book of Sirach, chapter fifteen (verses one thru twenty);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eighteen (verses one thru thirty-five).

Commentary: The Use of Wealth (Sirach, 14:3-19), the Search for Wisdom & Its Blessings (14:20-15:10), & Man's Free Will (15:11-20); the Greatest in the Kingdom (Matthew, 18:1-5), Temptations to Sin (18:6-9), the Parable of the Lost Sheep (18:10-14), a Brother Who Sins (18:15-20), & the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (18:21-35).

Science!

The results from yesterday's time code/timestamp experiment have been reproduced through a second set of experimental posts composed & published according to the same protocols as the first set of experimental posts. The results are thus confirmed. There may be more nuance to be teased out regarding the precise relationship of displayed time codes to hidden timestamps, but if so new, more rigorous protocols shall have to be devised to test for such nuances. At present, we here at The Secret Base are not inclined to such additional experimentation.

As the unofficial invader ZIM said, "No, GIR, those piggies are for science! Science!"

Test Article Delta

This is an experimental post to confirm that if two posts are set to publish at the same displayed time code, the post bearing the earlier non-displayed timestamp will publish first.

Test Article Charlie

This is an experimental post to confirm that if two posts are set to publish at the same displayed time code, the post bearing the earlier non-displayed timestamp will publish first.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of Life of the Day

Chumbawamba, "Tupthumping" from Tupthumper (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: The opening dialogue is from the film Brassed Off, voiced by the late Pete Postlethwaite (1946-2011).
"Truth is, I thought it mattered. I thought that music mattered. But does it? Bollocks! Not compared to how people matter!"…

"I get knocked down,
But I get up again,
You're never gonna keep me down!…"

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Science!

The publication of "Test Article Alpha" & "Test Article Bravo" confirmed my intuition, that if two posts are set in advance to publish at the same time, the post that was first published (& thus bearing an earlier electronic timestamp) will publish first, even though both it & the post published second (& thus bearing a later timestamp) will display the same time code.

Yes, yes, I know that I must repeat the experiment & achieve the same results in order for this test to be scientific. So sue me for premature publication!

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Volusianus of Tours, Bishop (died circa 497): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Saints Faustina & Liberata of Como, Religious & Virgins, O.S.B. (died circa 580): Saint-link Foxtrot, Saint-link Lima, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Margaret of Hungary, Religious & Virgin, O.P. (1242-1271): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Jaime Hilario Barbal, Religious & Martyr, F.S.C. (1889-1937), martyred by the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter seven, verses one, two, three, fifteen, sixteen, & seventeen;
Psalm One Hundred Ten, verses one thru four;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter three, verses one thru six.

Individual Reading
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter sixteen (verses one thru twenty-eight);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter seventeen (verses one thru twenty-seven).

Commentary: The Demand for a Sign (16:1-4), the Leaven of the Pharisees & Sadducees (16:5-12), Peter's Confession about Jesus (16:13-20), the First Prediction of the Passion (16:21&22), the Conditions of Discipleship (16:23-28), the Transfiguration of Jesus (17:1-8), the Coming of Elijah (17:9-13), the Healing of the Boy with a Demon (17:14-21), the Second Coming of the Passion (17:22&23), & Payment of the Temple Tax (17:24-27).

Test Article Bravo

This is an experimental post, meant to discover which post will be published first if two discrete posts are set to publish at the same time.

Test Article Alpha

This is an experimental post, meant to discover which post will be published first if two discrete posts are set to publish at the same time.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of Life of the Day

John Hodgman, "Slingshot" via iTunes (from This American Life: Stories of Hope & Fear) (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:
"As well, as you may recall from my last letter, my grandmother died the following Christmas & my mother died the following June, six days after my birthday, both quickly, both with little warning. And then in August we returned to Ocean City. People asked, 'Will it be hard going back, without your mother?'

"And I had no answer, the same non-answer I had & have to any question about how hard it is, or will be, now that all these things have happened: 'Jesus, I don't know. Let's go to the boardwalk.'…

"I do not tell Catherine this, & really haven't considered it until now, but we are there too, I think, not just to defy death, but to welcome it. It has been a hard year. It has been an unfair year, in which we have been taught to think of the unthinkable, taught that we are not exempt from tragedy but in fact can be its strange attractors. It's not quite a suicide pact, but I think that we share an agreement, unspoken even to ourselves, that if this thing kills us, we can live with that, so to speak.…

"As metaphors for life & death on the boardwalk go, gambling in Atlantic City is pretty promising, but the Slingshot is better, for two reason: One, though it is unlikely, it may actually kill you. And two, it reminds you that when you are close to death & intimate with it, when you are spinning fast & high in the dark night with nothing around you, it is difficult to tell what it happening, it is difficult to be afraid, far more difficult than it is on the ground."

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot (circa 251-356, A.K.A. the Great, of Egypt, et al.): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
For his importance among the Desert Fathers & to all later Christian monasticism, he is also known as the "Father of All Monks."
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
The life of Anthony will remind many [persons] of St. Francis of Assisi (4 October). At twenty, Anthony was so moved by the Gospel message, "Go, sell what you have, & give to [the] poor" (Mark 10:21b), that he actually did just that with his large inheritance. He is different from Francis in that most of Anthony's life was spent in solitude. he saw the world completely covered with snares, & gave the Church & the world the witness of solitary asceticism, great personal mortification & prayer. But no saint is antisocial & Anthony drew many [persons] to himself for spiritual healing & guidance.
'Tis also the feast of Saint Sulpitius II of Bourges, Bishop (died circa 647, A.K.A. the Pious): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Rosalina of Villeneuve, Religious, O.Cart. (circa 1263-1329): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter six, verses ten thru twenty;
Psalm One Hundred Eleven, verses one, two, four, five, nine, & ten(c);
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter two, verses twenty-three thru twenty-eight;

or, for St. Anthony:
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter six, verses ten thru thirteen & eighteen;
Psalm Sixteen, verse five;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter nineteen, verses sixteen thru twenty-six;

or, for Romeo Sierra's funeral:
The Book of Ecclesiastes, chapter three, verses one thru fifteen;
The Book of Revelation, chapter twenty-one, verses one thru five(a) & six(b) thru seven;
The Gospel according to John, chapter fourteen, verses one thru six.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of Life of the Day

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "The Day He Didn't Die" from Pay Attention (The Last Angry Man)

Skammentary: The deaths continue to mount: there are scheduled to be two funerals at Holy Redeemer today, & yesterday I attended the (oddly informal) Protestant funeral of a pal's mother. Today we are biding farewell to my Confirmation sponsor, a saintly woman I knew my whole life. In the face of all this mourning, I find it necessary to celebrate the gift of life all week through the R.B.D.S.O.T.D.

I have left instructions for "The Day He Didn't Die" to be played at my memorial service.
"How could I forget the day that he didn't die?
The day he knew what he was up to, he had this look in his eye,
How could I forget, there's no way
I could forget him or ever forget the day.

"The day after that, just after the afternoon,
It was the day after Christmas, in his living room,
He died, on that day, in his house, with his wife,
Still I won't forget the day before the last day of his life.

"I really miss him,
He would have loved this,
I hope he can hear me.
I really miss him,
He would have loved this,
I hope he can hear me.

"And how I loved how he lived,
How he was loved and admired,
A knack, a certain flair for life,
And how he had it wired,
He'd never give up, he wouldn't give in,
He had a wonderful way of livin'!

"There's not been a day, one hasn't gone by,
When I don't think about the day he didn't die.

"I really miss him,
He would have loved this,
I hope he can hear me…"

Monday, January 16, 2017

The Rebel Black Dot Song of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Elvis Costello & the Attractions, "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" from Armed Forces (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:
"As I walk through this wicked world,
Searching for light in the darkness of insanity,
I ask myself, 'Is all hope lost?
'Is there only pain and hatred and misery?'

"And each time I feel like this inside,
There's one thing I want to know:
What's so funny 'bout peace, love, and understanding?
What's so funny 'bout peace, love, and understanding?…"

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Marcellus I, Pope & Martyr (died 309), thirtieth Bishop of Rome, martyred in the reign of the emperor Maxentius: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Berard of Cabrio, Priest, & Companions, Martyrs, O.F.M. (died 1220), martyred at the hands of the caliph Yusuf II: Protomartyrs-link, Martyr-link Bravo, Martyr-link Alpha, Martyr-link Oscar, Martyr-link Papa, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: A fifth Franciscan, the lay brother St. Adjutus, was also martyred. Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
In 1219, with the blessing of Saint Francis (4 October), Berard left Italy with Peter, Adjute, Accurs, Odo, & Vitalis to preach in Morocco. En route in Spain, Vitalis became sick & commanded the other friars to continue their mission without him. They tried preaching in Seville, then in Muslim hands, but made no converts. They went to Morocco where they preached in the marketplace. The friars were immediately apprehended & ordered to leave the country; they refused. When they began preaching again, an exasperated sultan ordered them executed. After enduring sever beatings & decline various bribes to renounces their faith in Jesus Christ, the friars were beheaded by the sultan himself on 16 January 1220. These were the first Franciscan martyrs.
'Tis also the feast of Saint Joseph Vaz, Priest, C.O. (1651-1711): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: St. Joseph Vaz was canonized on 14 January 2015. I'm sorry I missed his feast last year.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter five, verses one thru ten;
Psalm One Hundred Ten, verses one thru four;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter two, verses eighteen thru twenty-two.

Urbi et Orbi
Funny 'cause it's true: Eye of the Tiber-link. Whilst on retreat in January 2016, I felt called to partake in the sacrament of reconciliation, to make my confession. I trekked to the chapel & seeing that the door to the confessional was closed, sat down as the first in line. There I sat, & sat, & sat. I prayed to make a good & true confession & examined my conscience, & there I sat & sat, & sat some more. I could hear voices from within the confessional, though—providentially—I could not make out any of the words. At length, I could hear laughter from within the confessional & louder, high-spirited conversation. Yes, Father & the confessor (whom I know, but whom I shan't identify, not even by initials) were whooping it up in there. Meanwhile, others had lined up beside me in the line for confession. By the time the jovial fellow emerged from the confessional, over twenty minutes had passed since I arrived, & remember that the door had been closed when I arrived, so God alone knows how long he was in there overall. This was not the kind of guy who hadn't been to confession in thirty years, who had decades of dissolute living weighing down his soul. He'd just been having a grand old time with Father.

The best satire is that which hits just a little too close to home. "Woman Cannot Seriously Still Be in Confessional." Yep.

Sunday, January 15, 2017

The Explorers' Club, № DXXXII

Operation AXIOM: The World War
16 January 1917: The "Zimmermann Telegram," a coded message from the Imperial German foreign secretary to the Kaiser's ambassador to Mexico, proposing a German-Mexican alliance in the event of war with the United States—all but a certainty due to Germany's planned resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare—was intercepted & decoded by the British codebreakers of "Room 40."





Lest we forget.

Project BLACK MAMBA: 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today is the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wikipedia-link.

Otherwise, 15 January would be the feast of Saint Paul of Thebes, Hermit (circa 227-342, A.K.A. the First Hermit, the Anchorite): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
Paul was reportedly born in Egypt, where he was orphaned by age fifteen. He was also a learned & devout young man. During the persecution of Decius in Egypt in the year 250, Paul was forced to hide in the home of a friend. Fearing a brother-in-law would betray him, he fled to a cave in the desert. His plan was to return once the persecution ended, but th sweetness of solitude & heavenly contemplation convinced him to stay. he went on to live in that cave for the next ninety years.
'Twould also be the feast of Blessed Peter of Castelnau, Religious & Martyr, O.Cist. (died 1208), martyred by the Cathar heretics (A.K.A. the Albigensians): Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the feast of Saint Arnold Janssen, Priest, S.V.D. (1837-1909), founder of the Society of the Divine Word, the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters, & the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link S.V.D., Wikipedia-link S.Sp.S., & Wikipedia-link Pink.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings
The Book of Isaiah, chapter forty-nine, verses three, five, & six;
Psalm Forty, verses two, four, & seven thru ten;
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter one, verses one, two, & three;
The Gospel according to John, chapter one, verses twenty-nine thru thirty-four.

Mass Journal: Week 3
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
Two thousand years ago, a small groups of [persons] captured the attention & intrigued the imagination of the entire Western world. At first, these [persons] were thought to be of no consequence, the followers of a man most considered to be nothing more than an itinerant preacher. but when this man was put to death, a dozen of his followers rose up & began telling people about his life & teachings. They began telling the story of Jesus Christ. They were not the educated elite of their time, they had no political or social status, they were not wealthy, & they had no worldly authority, yet from the very beginning [persons] were joining this quiet revolutionary group one hundred at a time. This small group of [persons] were the first Christians. They were the original followers of Jesus of Nazareth & the first members of what we know today as the Catholic Church.
* * * * *

Saturday, 14 January was the feast of Blessed Odo of Novara, Priest, O.Cart. (circa 1105-1200): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the feast of Blessed Peter Donders, Priest, C.Ss.R. (1807-1887, A.K.A. Peerke): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter four, verses twelve thru sixteen;
Psalm Nineteen, verses eight, nine, ten, & fifteen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter two, verses thirteen thru seventeen.