Saturday, March 31, 2018

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' Holy Saturday


Matt Maher, "The Waiting" from Saints and Sinners (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:
"The evening tide is falling fast,
My feet are weary, but I'm free at last,
So meet in the tomb, my Lord,
Come roll away, roll away the stone.

"And this is a mystery,
Death bows to the King of kings,
He has overcome the grave
For the sinners and the saints."

Saints + Scripture: Paschal Triduum — Holy Saturday

The Popish Plot
Holy Saturday: "Sympathy for the Devil; or, the Harrowing of Hell"

Commentary: Day ten of "Turn It Up to 11" finds The Popish Plot in Hell! Wikipedia-link Harrowing.

'Tis Holy Saturday, act three of the Paschal Triduum: Saturday-link & Wikipedia-link Saturday; Wikipedia-link Triduum.


Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of This Night
Mass Readings—The Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter
I. The Book of Genesis, chapter one, verse one thru chapter two, verse two
(or, the Book of Genesis, chapter one, verses one & twenty-six thru thirty-one[a]);
Psalm One Hundred Four, verses one & two; five & six; ten; twelve, thirteen, & fourteen; twenty-four; & thirty-five;
or, Psalm Thirty-three, verses four thru seven, twelve & thirteen, & twenty & twenty-two;
II. The Book of Genesis, chapter twenty-two, verses one thru eighteen
(or, the Book of Genesis, chapter twenty-two, verses one, two, nine[a] thru thirteen, & fifteen thru eighteen);
Psalm Sixteen, verses five, eight, nine& ten, & eleven;
III. The Book of Exodus, chapter fourteen, verse fifteen thru chapter fifteen, verse one;
The Book of Exodus, chapter fifteen, verses one & two, three & four, five & six, & seventeen & eighteen;
IV. The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-four, verses five thru fourteen;
Psalm Thirty, verses two, four, five & six, eleven & twelve, & thirteen;
V. The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-five, verses one thru eleven;
The Book of Isaiah, chapter twelve, verses two & three, four, & five & six;
VI. The Book of Baruch, chapter three, verses nine thru fifteen & thirty-two thru chapter four, verse four;
Psalm Nineteen, verses eight, nine, ten, & eleven;
VII. The Book of Ezekiel, chapter thirty-six, verses sixteen, seventeen(a), & eighteen thru twenty-eight;
Psalm Forty-two, verses three & five & Psalm Forty-three, verses three & four;
or, the Book of Isaiah, chapter twelve, verses two & three, four(b/c/d), & five & six;
or, Psalm Fifty-one, verses twelve & thirteen, fourteen & fifteen, & eighteen & nineteen;
VIII. The Letter to the Romans, chapter six, verses three thru eleven;
Psalm One Hundred Eighteen, verses one & two, sixteen & seventeen, & twenty-two & twenty-three;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verses one thru seven.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, on this Holy Saturday in our Gospel we hear St. Mark’s account of the Resurrection. The Resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the be-all and end-all of the Christian faith. If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, all bishops, priests, and Christian ministers should go home and get honest jobs, and all the Christian faithful should leave their churches immediately.

As Paul himself put it: "If Jesus is not raised from the dead, our preaching is in vain and we are the most pitiable of men." It’s no good, of course, trying to explain the Resurrection away or rationalize it as a myth, a symbol, or an inner subjective experience. None of that does justice to the novelty and sheer strangeness of the biblical message.

It comes down finally to this: if Jesus was not raised from death, Christianity is a fraud and a joke. But if he did rise from death, then Christianity is the fullness of God’s revelation, and Jesus must be the absolute center of our lives. There is no third option.
Video reflection by Harry Dudley, D.Min.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.




Otherwise, 31 March would be the festival of Saint Balbina, Virgin & Martyr (died circa 130, of Rome), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Hadrian: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Benjamin, Deacon & Martyr (circa 329-424), martyred in the reign of Persian king Bahram V (also spelt Varanes): Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Stephen of Mar Saba, Religious (circa 725-807, A.K.A. the Sabaite): Saint-link, Wikipedia-link, & YouTube-link The True Enlightenment, "Saint of the Week."

Commentary: Nephew of St. John Damascene [4 December], Doctor of the Church.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Christopher Robinson, Priest & Martyr (circa 1558-1598), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link LXXXV & Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

Papal Quote o' the Day
"Christ is risen! Let us open our hearts to hope & go forth. May the memory of His works & His words be the bright star which directs our steps in the ways of faith towards that Easter that will have no end."
—Pope Francis
Little Flower Quote o' the Day
"We must love our nothingness, & think only of the All which is infinitely lovable."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' the Day
"No one does more harm in the Church than he who has the title or rank of holiness & acts perversely."
—Pope St. Gregory the Great, Doctor of the Church (540-604, feast day: 3 September)

Friday, March 30, 2018

Saints + Scripture: Paschal Triduum — Good Friday

The Popish Plot
Good Friday: "Were You There?"

Commentary: A more somber turn for "Turn It Up to 11." Fellow Catholic YouTuber Steve the Missionary had the same idea: YouTube-link Steve the Missionary "Good Friday: Were You There?"

'Tis Good Friday (A.K.A. the Friday of the Passion of the Lord), act two of the Paschal Triduum: Friday-link & Wikipedia-link Friday; Wikipedia-link Triduum.


Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Day
Liturgical Readings—Friday of the Passion of the Lord
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-two, verse thirteen thru chapter fifty-three, verse twelve;
Psalm Thirty-one, verses two, six, twelve & thirteen, fifteen & sixteen, seventeen, & twenty-five;
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter four, verses fourteen, fifteen, & sixteen & chapter five, verses seven, eight, & nine;
The Gospel according to John, chapter eighteen, verse one thru chapter nineteen, verse forty-two.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, our Gospel today is John’s great account of the Passion of Jesus. The ultimate good—God incarnate—appeared, and we collectively responded not with exultation but with murderous violence. On Calvary, the Author of Life was crucified and killed.

The crucifixion is the fullest expression of the divine anger at sin. We are meant to see on that cross, not simply a violent display, but rather our own ugliness. What brought Jesus to the cross? Stupidity, anger, mistrust, institutional injustice, betrayal of friends, denial, unspeakable cruelty, scapegoating, and fear.

But in the brutality of the cross we also see the fullest expression of the divine solidarity with sinners. God himself has come to stand with us in our dysfunction and absorb into his forgiveness all of the deadly sins. Yes, we know, with disquieting certitude, that we are sinners. But, with Paul, we willingly boast of our weakness, for we know with equal clarity that we are redeemed sinners.

Jesus’ crucifixion was the opening up of the divine heart so that we could see that no sin of ours could finally separate us from the love of God.
Video reflection by Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S.: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.




Otherwise, 30 March would be the festival of Saint John Climacus, Abbot (circa 579-649; A.K.A. John Scholasticus, John Sinaites): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. "Climacus" is not a name but an epithet, meaning "of the ladder."

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Peter de Regalado, Priest, O.F.M. Conv. (1390-1456, also spelt Peter Regalatus): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Previously, we've observed the festival of St. Peter on 13 May, but the weight of evidence now suggests 30 March as the preferred date.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Amadeus of Savoy, Confessor (1435-1472, A.K.A. Amadeus IX the Happy), Duke of Savoy: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Ludovico of Casoria, Priest, O.F.M. (1814-1885, A.K.A. Arcangelo Palmentieri), founder of the defunct Gray Friars of Charity & the enduring Gray Sisters of Saint Elizabeth: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Papal Quote o' the Day
"Dear friends, let us bring to Christ's Cross our joys, our sufferings, & our failures. There we will find Heart that is open to us & understand us, forgives us, loves us."
—Pope Francis
Little Flower Quote o' the Day
"I thirst after heaven, that blessed abode where our love for Jesus will be without bounds."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' the Day
"If we knew at what time we were to depart from this world, we would be able to select a season for pleasure & another for repentance. But God, who has promised pardon to every repentant sinner, has not promised us tomorrow. Therefore we must always dread the final day, which we can never foresee. This very day is a day of truce, a day for conversion."
—Pope St. Gregory the Great, Doctor of the Church (540-604, feast day: 3 September)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' Good Friday


Mike Hilliker & Co., "Were You There" from Mercy (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: An instrumental rendition, played on the violin. My experience finds no other instrument quite as affecting as the violin.

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Saints + Scripture: Paschal Triduum — Holy Thursday

The Popish Plot
"Holy Thursday"

Commentary: Day eight of "Turn It Up to 11" finds The Popish Plot in the presence of the Real Presence.

'Tis Holy Thursday (A.K.A. Maundy Thursday), act one of the Paschal Triduum (A.K.A. the Easter Triduum): Holy Thursday-link & Wikipedia-link Thursday; Wikipedia-link Triduum.


Commentary: Wayback Machine. 'Twas Lent thru 3:59 P.M.; the Triduum commenced at 4:00 P.M.

Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Holy Thursday: Chrism Mass
The Book of Isaiah, chapter sixty-one, verses one, two, three(a), six(a), eight(b), & nine;
Psalm Eighty-nine, verses twenty-one & twenty-two & twenty-five & twenty-seven;
The Book of Revelation, chapter one, verses five thru eight;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter four, verses sixteen thru twenty-one.

Commentary: Wikipedia-link Chrism Mass.

Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today’s Gospel recounts Jesus’ inaugural address in his hometown synagogue. Jesus reads words from the prophet Isaiah that he felt best summed up who he was and what his mission was. Therefore it behooves us to listen carefully.

Jesus first says, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me." The
Ruach Yahweh, the breath of God, the spirit that hovered over the surface of the waters at the beginning of time, the life energy of God—this is what has seized and animated Jesus.

Animated by the
Ruach Yahweh, what does Jesus do? He brings "glad tidings to the poor," "liberty to captives," and "recovery of sight to the blind." In other words, he brings God’s love to those who are marginalized by injustice, freedom to those who are imprisoned in sin, and healing to those whose very self has been broken.

After the Paschal Mystery and Resurrection, he breathed on his disciples, communicating to them something of this spirit—and drawing them into this mission.
Mass Readings—Holy Thursday: Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper
The Book of Exodus, chapter twelve, verses one thru eight & eleven thru fourteen;
Psalm One Hundred Sixteen, verses twelve & thirteen, fifteen & sixteen(b/c), & seventeen & eighteen;
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter eleven, verses twenty-three thru twenty-six;
The Gospel according to John, chapter thirteen, verses one thru fifteen.

Commentary: Video reflection by Father Roger Lopez, O.F.M. (Franciscan Media): U.S.C.C.B.



Otherwise, 29 March would be the festival of Saints Jonas & Barachisius, Religious & Martyrs (died circa 327, of Hubaham; also spelt Jonah & Berikjesu), martyred in the reign of the Parthian king Shapur II: Martyr-link Juliett, Martyr-link Bravo, & Wikipedia-link (list).

'Twould also be the festival of Saints Gwladys & Gwynllyw Milwr, Hermits (circa 450-529; A.K.A. Gwladys ferch Brychan, also spelt Gladys; A.K.A. Gwynllyw Farfog, Woolos the Warrior, Woolos the Bearded), queen & king of Gwynllwg: Saint-link Her & Wikipedia-link Her, Saint-link Him & Wikipedia-link Him.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Mother & father of St. Cadoc [25 September], Gwynllyw a brother of St. Petroc [4 June].

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed John Hambley, Priest & Martyr (circa 1560-1587), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link LXXXV & Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

We would also remember Venerable Michael Joseph McGivney, Priest (1852-1890), founder of the Knights of Columbus: Venerable-link & Wikipedia-link; Knights-link & Wikipedia-link K. of C.

Papal Quote o' This Day
"Let us just remember & show that it is beautiful to live together as brothers & sisters, with different cultures, religions, & traditions: we are all brothers & sisters! And this is called peace & love."
—Pope Francis
Little Flower Quote o' This Day
"As a father has tenderness for his children, so the Lord has compassion on us!"
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' This Day
"Have confidence in the compassion of our Creator. Reflect well on what you are now doing, & keep before you the things you have done. Lift up your eyes to the overflowing compassion of heaven, & while He waits for you, draw near in tears to our merciful Judge."
—Pope St. Gregory I the Great (540-604, feast day: 3 September)

Operation ÖSTERREICH

Weekly Wednesday Thursday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 331.2 lbs
This weigh-in: 330.4 lbs.
Difference: -0.8 lbs.

Cheese is my Kryptonite. I fully expected to have gained weight this past week; having lost four-fifths of a pound (0.8 lbs.) is no cause for celebration, but to lament what might have been, what so easily could have been if only I'd eaten as I ought! The short-term goal, eminently achievable, is to lose two pounds per week. I have failed to do so at the last two weigh-ins. I can do better. I must do better. I will do better.

In fairness, it's not all bad news, though. I've lost ten pounds (well, 9.6 lbs.) since Wednesday, 28 February, averaging a loss of two & two-fifths pounds (2.4 lbs.) per week over the last four weeks. Yes, I ought to have lost even more, but let's not pretend that everything is fiasco & disaster. Let's remember our Kipling:
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same…
But before we go any further, the great feast of Easter awaits. Easter is not a day, it's not even a weekend. Easter, the greatest feast in Christianity, lasts for fifty days, from the Resurrection of the Lord to Pentecost, seven weeks later. Of course, I'm not taking the whole of Easter off, but there will not be a weigh-in next week, during the Octave of Easter. We'll see you back here on Wednesday, 11 April, when we'll get the amusingly alliterative Weekly Wednesday Weight-in back on track. In the meanwhile, I'm going to feast, which essentially means eating my weight in pastel-colored Peanut M&Ms.

Bonus! Lied von ÖSTERREICH
"Weird Al" Yankovic, "Lasagna" from Even Worse (The Last Angry Chunk)

Saints + Scripture: Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

The Long Road Back, III of III

The Popish Plot
Palm Sunday: "The Passion"

Commentary: Day four of The Popish Plot's "Turn It Up to 11" fête!

Sunday, 25 March was Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord: Palm-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of This Week
Mass Readings—Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter eleven, verses one thru ten;
or, the Gospel according to John, chapter twelve, verses twelve thru sixteen;
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty, verses four thru seven;
Psalm Twenty-two, verses eight & nine, seventeen & eighteen, nineteen & twenty, & twenty-three & twenty-four;
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter two, verses six thru eleven;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter fourteen, verse one thru chapter fifteen, verse forty-seven
(or, the Gospel according to Mark, chapter fifteen, verses one thru thirty-nine).

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, on this Palm Sunday we are privileged to become immersed in Mark’s great Passion narrative, where the kingship of Jesus emerges with great clarity—and also with great irony.

We read that upon being brought before the Sanhedrin, Jesus is asked whether he is the "Messiah," an implicit reference to David. When Jesus calmly responds, "I am," the high priest tears his robes, for how could a shackled criminal possibly be the kingly descendant of David? Upon being presented to Pilate, Jesus is asked the functionally equivalent question: "Are you the King of the Jews?" Again a blandly affirmative answer comes: "You say so." This leads the soldiers to mock him, placing a purple cloak on his shoulders and a crown of thorns on his head.

Mark does not want us to miss the irony that, precisely as the King of the Jews and the Son of David, Jesus is implicitly king to those soldiers. For the mission of the Davidic king is the unification not only of the tribes of Israel but also of the tribes of the world. What commenced with David’s gathering of the tribes of Israel would soon reach completion in the criminal raised high on the cross, thereby drawing all people to himself.
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 Thirteen
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
God created us with legitimate needs. We all have legitimate physical, emotional, intellectual, & spiritual needs. The most basic understanding of these legitimate needs comes from considering our relationship to food, water, & oxygen. To east & drink are legitimate needs. If you don't eat & drink, you will die. if you don't breathe, you will die even faster. God gave us these needs for a reason. When we hear them calling to us, we hear the voice of God.


Otherwise, 25 March would have been the festival of Saint Ælfwold of Sherborne, Bishop, O.S.B. (died 1058, Bishop Ælfwold II): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also have been the festival of Saint Margaret Clitherow, Martyr (1556-1586, the "Pearl of York"), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link XL & Wikipedia-link XL.

Commentary: Aunt of the priest & martyr Bl. Robert Middleton, S.J. [3 April].

'Twould also have been the festival of Blessed Placido Riccardi, Priest, O.S.B. (1844-1915, A.K.A. Tommaso Riccardi): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Papal Quote o' That Day
"As we keep our gaze fixed on the Passion & death of the Lord, let us receive in our heart His boundless love & in silence await the Resurrection."
—Pope Francis
Little Flower Quote o' That Day
"It is true that Our Lady is Queen of Heaven & earth, but at the same time she is more Mother than Queen."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' That Day
"What is essential is not what we say but what God tells us & what He tells others through us. In silence He listens to us; in silence He speaks to our souls. In silence we are granted to privilege of listening to His voice."
—St. Teresa of Calcutta (A.K.A. Mother Teresa, 1910-1997; feast day: 5 September)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' Holy Thursday


The Daughters of Mary, "Sweet Sacrament Divine" from De Profundis (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:
"Sweet Sacrament of rest,
Ark from the ocean's roar,
Within Thy shelter blest,
Soon may we reach the shore;
Save us, for still the tempest raves,
Save, lest we sink beneath the waves:
Sweet Sacrament of rest,
Sweet Sacrament of rest."

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Saints + Scripture: Lent — The Long Road Back, II of III

The Popish Plot
Bonus Episode: "The Popish Vlog Intro"

Commentary: Day three of The Popish Plot's "Turn It Up to 11" fête!

Saturday, 24 March was the festival of Blessed John of the Staff, Religious, O.S.B. (circa 1200-1290; A.K.A. John dal Bastone, Giovanni Bonello Botegoni): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Catherine of Sweden, Abbess, O.Ss.S. (circa 1331-1381, A.K.A. of Vadstena): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Daughter of St. Bridget of Sweden [23 July].

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Didacus Joseph of Cádiz, Priest, O.F.M. Cap. (1743-1801, A.K.A. José Francisco López-Caamaño y García Pérez): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Óscar Romero, Bishop & Martyr (1917-1980): Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: The miracle necessary for Bl. Óscar's canonization has been authenticated, but a date for the canonization has not yet been set. By this time next year, we might well be commemorating the festival of St. Óscar Romero.

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Lenten Weekday
The Book of Ezekiel, chapter thirty-seven, verses twenty-one thru twenty-eight;
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter thirty-one, verses ten, eleven & twelve(a/b/c/d), & thirteen;
The Gospel according to John, chapter eleven, verses forty-five thru fifty-six.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel, the Pharisees plot to kill Jesus because he raised Lazarus. We see here a particular form of opposition, namely, scapegoating. René Girard identified the scapegoating mechanism as basic to the maintenance of order in most human communities. When tensions arise among people due to competitive desire, scapegoats—usually outsiders—are automatically singled out, and upon them is cast the collective anxiety of the group.

The leaders of the nation are seeking to isolate and eliminate Jesus because they are anxious to soothe tensions among the people. The author of John’s Gospel stresses this dimension when he puts in the mouth of Caiaphas the words: "You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed."

But, in Jesus, the true God will undermine this officially sanctioned scapegoating by becoming the scapegoat himself.
Video reflection by Harry Dudley, D.Min,: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.


Papal Quote o' That Day
"May we exercise all forms pf power as service for God & for brothers & sisters, with the criteria of love, of justice, & of service to the common good."
—Pope Francis
Little Flower Quote o' That Day
"How I would like to make you understand the tenderness of the Heart of Jesus, what He is asking of you."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' That Day
"Faith means battles; if there are no contests, it is because there are none who desire to contend."
—St. Ambrose of Milan, Doctor of the Church (circa 340-397, feast day: 7 December)

Saints + Scripture: Lent — The Long Road Back, I of III

The Popish Plot
Fish Fry-day: "Alternative Fish"

Commentary: Day two of The Popish Plot's "Turn It Up to 11" fête!

Friday, 23 March was the Optional Memorial of Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, Bishop (1538-1606): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.


Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Edmund Sykes, Priest & Martyr (circa 1550-1587), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link LXXXV & Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Peter O'Higgins, Priest & Martyr, O.P. (1601-1642, also spelt Peadar Ó Huiggin), martyred in the reign of the English king Charles I, one of the Irish Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link (list); Martyrs-link Irish & Wikipedia-link Irish.

'Twas also the festival of Saint José Orioli, Priest (1650-1702, Anglicized as Joseph Oriol; the "Wonder-worker of Barcelona"): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Lenten Weekday
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter twenty, verses ten thru thirteen;
Psalm Psalm Eighteen, verses two & three(a), three(b/c) & four, five & six, & seven;
The Gospel according to John, chapter ten, verses thirty-one thru forty-two.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jewish leaders attempt to stone Jesus because he claimed to be the Son of God. He defended his identity, saying "If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."

At the Last Supper, Jesus would further explain his intimate relationship with the Father. There he lays out for us the co-inherence that obtains at the most fundamental dimension of being, that is to say, within the very existence of God. "Lord," Philip said to him, "Show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus replied, "Philip, after I have been with you all this time, you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father."

How can this be true, unless the Father and the Son coinhere in each other? Though Father and Son are truly distinct, they are utterly implicated in each other by a mutual act of love. As Jesus says, "It is the Father who lives in me, accomplishing his works."
Video reflection by Deacon Mike Pawelek: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.


Papal Quote o' That Day
"Let us ask the Lord to show us & the world the beauty & fullness of this new life, of being born of the Spirit, of treating each other with kindness, with respect. Let us ask for this grace for us all."
—Pope Francis
Little Flower Quote o' That Day
"To be His, one must remain little, little like a drop of dew!… Oh! how few are the souls who aspire to remain little in this way!"
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' That Day
"For faith is the beginning & the end is love, & God is the two of them brought into unity. After these comes whatever else makes up a Christian gentleman."
—St. Ignatius of Antioch, Apostolic Father (circa 35-108, feast day: 17 October)

Saints + Scripture: Holy Week

The Popish Plot
Vlog Post: "What Are Alms?"

Commentary: Day seven of The Popish Plot's "Turn It Up to 11" fête! Now with more møøse!

Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Wednesday of Holy Week
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty, verses four thru nine(a);
Psalm Sixty-nine, verses eight, nine, & ten; twenty-one & twenty-two; & thirty-one, thirty-three, & thirty-four;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-six, verses fourteen thru twenty-five.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus asks his disciples to go into Jerusalem and prepare a Passover supper.

At the heart of the Passover meal was the eating of a lamb, which had been sacrificed, in remembrance of the lambs of the original Passover, whose blood had been smeared on the doorposts of the Israelites in Egypt. Making his Last Supper a Passover meal, Jesus was signaling the fulfillment of John the Baptist’s prophecy that he, Jesus, would be the Lamb of God and the definitive sacrifice.

This sacrifice is made sacramentally present at every Mass—not for the sake of God, who has no need of it, but for our sake. In the Mass, we participate in the act by which divinity and humanity are reconciled, and we eat the sacrificed body and drink the poured-out blood of the Lamb of God.
Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.




Otherwise, 28 March would be the festival of Saint Sixtus III, Pope (died 440, also spelt Xystus), forty-fourth (XLIV) Bishop of Rome, who approved the canons of the Council of Ephesus (431): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff & Wikipedia-link Council.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Hesychius of Jerusalem, Priest (died circa 450): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Stephen Harding, Priest & Abbot, O.Cist. (circa 1060-1134, in the French: Étienne Harding), co-founder of the Abbey of Cîteaux & the Cistercian Order: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey & Wikipedia-link O.Cist.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Christopher Wharton, Priest & Martyr (circa 1540-1600), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link LXXXV & Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

Papal Quote o' This Day
"This week let us think deeply about the suffering of Jesus & let us say to ourselves: this is for my sake. Even if I had been the only person in the world, He would have done it. He did it for me. Let us kiss the crucifix & say: for my sake, thank You, Jesus, for me."
—Pope Francis
Little Flower Quote o' This Day
"God alone can sound the heart!"
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' This Day
"He who can preserve gentleness amid pains, & peace amid worry multitude of affairs, is almost perfect."
—St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church (1567-1622, feast day: 24 January)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: Holy Week


The Daughters of Mary, "O Sacred Head Surrounded" from De Profundis (The Last Angry Man)

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Saints + Scripture: Holy Week

The Popish Plot
Vlog Post: "Why Do You Welcome Jesus?"

Commentary: Welcome to day six of The Popish Plot's "Turn It Up to 11" fête!

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of Holy Week
The Book of Isaiah, chapter forty-nine, verses one thru six;
Psalm Seventy-one, verses one & two, three & four(a), five(a/b) & six(a/b), & fifteen & seventeen;
The Gospel according to John, chapter thirteen, verses twenty-one thru thirty-three, thirty-six, thirty-seven, & thirty-eight.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus foretells the denial of Peter, which is fulfilled in the account of the Passion. Peter later denies Jesus three times before the cock crows and, remembering Jesus’ prediction, breaks down and weeps.

After the Resurrection, Peter and the other disciples returned to Galilee to work as fishermen again, and there spotted Jesus on the far shore. As Jesus draws Peter back into his circle of intimacy, we witness a beautiful act of spiritual direction. Three times the Lord asks Peter whether he loves him, and three times Peter affirms it: "Lord, you know that I love you."

St. Augustine was the first to comment that the threefold statement of love was meant to counteract the threefold denial. Peter emerges as the archetype of the forgiven and commissioned church, for after each of his reaffirmations, Peter hears the command to tend the sheep. Once we are brought back into friendship with Jesus, we are called to love those whom he loves.
Video reflection by Sr. Johnice Rzadkiewicz, C.S.S.F.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.




Otherwise, 27 March would be the festival of Saint Rupert of Salzburg, Bishop & Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 660-718, A.K.A. of Worms), founding abbot of St. Peter's Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Frowin of Engelberg, Abbot, O.S.B. (died 1178): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Francesco Faà di Bruno, Priest (1825-1888), founder of the Minim Sisters of Saint Zita: Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Sisters (Italian).

Commentary: Also a noted mathematician, for whom is named Faà di Bruno's Formula: Wikipedia-link Formula.

Papal Quote o' the Day
"Have I lost the joy of the marvel of the first encounter with Jesus? Today is a day for listening."
—Pope Francis
Little Flower Quote o' the Day
"My life is but an instant, an hour that passes by."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' the Day
"Acquire the habit of speaking to God as if you were alone with God. Speak with familiarity & confidence as to your dearest & most loving friend. Speak of your life, your plans, your troubles, your joys, & your fears. In return, God will speak to you—not that you will hear audible words in your ears, but words that you will clearly understand in your heart. These may be feelings of peace, hope, interior joy, or sorrow for sin… gentle knockings at the door of your heart."
—St. Alphonsus Ligouri, Doctor of the Church (1696-1787, feast day: 1 August)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: Holy Week

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

Bonus! Song o' the Day

Reel Big Fish, "Whatever U Celebrate" from the Happy Skalidays E.P. (The Last Angry Man)

Monday, March 26, 2018

Bonus! Song o' the Day

Dropkick Murphys, "Sunshine Highway" from The Warrior's Code (The Last Angry Man)

Saints + Scripture: Holy Week

The Popish Plot
Vlog Post: "Why Are You Reading the Bible?"

Commentary: Day five o' The Popish Plot's "Turn It Up to 11" fête!

In all frankness, we stumbled backwards into "Turn It Up to 11," a reference to
This Is Spinal Tap. Several other Catholic YouTube channels did "vLent" (vlog + Lent = vLent), some posting on all "forty" days o' Lent (which isn't over yet, not 'til 4:00 P.M. on Holy Thursday, when the Easter Triduum commences), others slapping the #vlent hashtag on their regularly scheduled content. By the time we learned o' vLent, it was too late the fulfill the challenge ourselves, but we resolved to do a mini vLent by posting a new episode every day o' Holy Week, including the Triduum. As our plans for this came together & we looked at our regular, constantly evolving posting schedule, we realized that between Holy Week & what we already had scheduled for the fifth week o' Lent, we only needed one or two more episodes to turn it up to eleven. Why not just make ten louder? Because eleven is one more than ten!

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Monday of Holy Week
The Book of Isaiah, chapter forty-two, verses one thru seven;
Psalm Twenty-seven, verses one, two, three, & thirteen & fourteen;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twelve, verses one thru eleven.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus for his death and burial. By this act, she anticipates the visit of three women to the tomb of Jesus. Early on the morning of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James, and Salome will bring spices to anoint the body of Jesus.

They will look in and see a young man—and be frightened out of their wits. Can you imagine? You walk into a tomb, fully expecting to see a dead body, and you see instead someone alive and well—someone different than the man who was buried there! But that will not be the end of their surprise. The man will announce that the Jesus whom they seek is not there, that he has been raised up and will go ahead of them into Galilee.

From this grave of Jesus we will learn that everything we took to be the case is not the case. God is the enemy of death, and he has shown us his power over death in the most unambiguous way; our lives no longer need to be dominated by the fear of death, and we see the proof of this in the most vivid way imaginable.

Keep all of that in mind as we read this beautiful story of Mary of Bethany anointing the feet of Jesus.
Video reflection by Msgr. James Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.




Otherwise, 26 March would be the festival of Saint Felix of Trier, Bishop (died circa 399): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Govan, Hermit (circa 500-586, also spelt Cofen, etc.): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Ludger of Utrecht, Bishop & Abbot (circa 743-809, A.K.A. of Münster; the "Apostle of Saxony"), founder of the Abbey of Werden & the Abbey of St. Ludger's, & inaugural Bishop of Münster: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Werden, Wikipedia-link St. Ludger's, & Wikipedia-link Münster.

Commentary: Brothers of Ss. Gerburgis & Hildegrin [19 June].

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Maddalena Caterina Morano, Religious, F.M.A. (1847-1908): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Papal Quote o' the Day
"We thank God, Who has raised up in many a desire to be close to their neighbor & to follow the law of charity which is the heart of the Gospel."
—Pope Francis
Little Flower Quote o' the Day
"How powerless I am to express in human language the secrets of heaven!"
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' the Day
"When you encounter difficulties & contradictions, do not try to break them, but bend them with gentleness & time."
—St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church (1567-1622, feast day: 24 January)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: Holy Week

Daniel Schmit & Co., "Lord, Let Me Walk" from Mercy (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:
"Lord, let me walk that lonely road with You,
Under the weight of the wood,
Lord, Let me walk that last miles in Your shoes,
Under the weight of the wood,
Freedom can be found, laden down,
Under the weight of the wood…

"Father, forgive them, they don't know what they do,
Under the weight of the wood…"

Sunday, March 25, 2018

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' Palm Sunday


The O. C. Supertones, "Shut Up" from Supertones Strike Back (The Last Angry Man)

Skammentary:
"…No time for mediocrity,
Convenience, or practicality.

"He went all out for us,
Say what you will,
I'll answer to my God!

"I'm a freak, & they say I've lost my mind,
But I know I've never seen so clearly,
When I speak they say I've gone too far this time,
And lets me know, I have not gone nearly…"

"Take our music, take away our lives,
Jesus still remains.
I wonder what will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus Freak…"
Side note: One week 'til SKApril '18! Put your dancing shoes on & get ready to skank.

Thursday, March 22, 2018

The Explorers' Club, № DCV

Operation AXIOM: The World War
7 March 1918: German artillery bombarded the American trenches at Rouge Bouquet, burying alive some two dozen men from New York's famed 69th Infantry Regiment, 42nd "Rainbow" Division; a doomed rescue effort was led by William "Wild Bill" Donovan (in World War II, chief of the Office of Strategic Services); Joyce Kilmer wrote the poem "Rouge Bouquet" about his regimental comrades.





Lest we forget.

Saints + Scripture: Lent — Better Late than Never

The Popish Plot
Theology Thursday: "The Hell"

Commentary: Prepare thyself for bounty unprecedented in the (brief) history of The Popish Plot!

'Tis the festival of Saint Paul of Narbonne, Bishop (died circa 250): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Avitus of Périgord, Hermit (died circa 570): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Nicholas Owen, Martyr, S.J. (circa 1562-1606, A.K.A. John Owen, "Little John"), martyred in the reign of the Anglo-Scottish king James VI & I, in the aftermath of the Gunpowder Plot; one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales, the realm's foremost constructor of priest holes: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, Wikipedia-link, & YouTube-link The True Enlightenment, "Saint of the Week"; Wikipedia-link Gunpowder Plot; Martyrs-link XL & Wikipedia-link XL; Wikipedia-link Priest Hole.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Clemens August von Galen, Bishop (1878-1946, the "Lion of Münster"), who led the Church's resistance against the Nazis' euthanasia programs: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link against Euthanasia.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Lenten Weekday
The Book of Genesis, chapter seventeen, verses three thru nine;
Psalm One Hundred Five, verses four & five, six & seven, & eight & nine;
The Gospel according to John, chapter eight, verses fifty-one thru fifty-nine.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today Jesus refers to himself as "I AM," the name God revealed to Moses. So, let’s reflect on this episode from Genesis. While tending sheep in the hill country, Moses sees a strange sight. There an angel of the Lord appears to him in fire, flaming out of a bush. God sees him and calls him by name: "Moses, Moses. I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob." This is a very familiar God, one who knows Moses’ ancestors.

Moses makes bold to ask, "If the Israelites ask me, ‘what is his name?’ what am I to tell them?" "God replied, ‘I am who I am.’" What does that mean? God is saying, in essence, "I cannot be defined, described, or delimited. I am not a being, but rather the sheer act of to-be itself."

"This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM sent me to you." The sheer act of being itself cannot be avoided, and it cannot be controlled. It can only be surrendered to in faith. How shocking and strange Jesus’ listeners must have found it when Jesus took this name for himself!
Video reflection by Fr. Roger Lopez, O.F.M. (Franciscan Media): U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.




Bible Study—Follow Me: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John, Session Six (of Eight)
The Gospel according to John, chapter ten (verses one thru forty-two);
The Gospel according to John, chapter eleven (verses one thru fifty-seven);
The Gospel according to John, chapter twelve (verses one thru fifty);
The Book of Ezekiel, chapter thirty-four, verses one thru six.

Commentary: II. The Book of Signs (concl'd): The Good Shepherd (John, 10:1-21), Feast of the Dedication (10:22-42), the Raising of Lazarus (11:1-44), Session of the Sanhedrin (11:45-54), the Last Passover (11:55-57), the Anointing at Bethany (12:1-11), the Entry into Jerusalem (12:12-19), the Coming of Jesus's Hour (12:20-36a), Unbelief & Belief among the Jews (12:36b-43), & Recapitulation (12:44-50); the Parable of the Shepherds (Ezekiel, 34:1-6).

Papal Quote o' the Day
"Our hope is in Your hands. O Lord, preserve our hope."
—Pope Francis
Little Flower Quote o' the Day
"Jesus prefers leaving me in darkness to giving me a false light which would not be Himself."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' the Day
"This, in short, is the difference between us & others who know not God, that in misfortune they complain & murmur, while the adversity does not call us away from the truth of virtue & faith, but strengthens us by its suffering."
—St. Cyprian of Carthage (200-258, feast day: 16 September)

Operation ÖSTERREICH

Weekly Wednesday Thursday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 332.6 lbs
This weigh-in: 331.2 lbs.
Difference: -1.4 lbs.

Mere weeks ago, I was chasing the goalpost weight of three hundred forty pounds (340 lbs.); suddenly, I'm chasing the further goalpost of three hundred thirty (330 lbs.). This is progress to be celebrated, to be sure, but I am also wary of buying into worldly restlessness more & more deeply. Others seeking to lose weight often remarked that I was comfortable with my bulk, not ashamed; I described this as being "fat & happy." Or, as the Barenkaed Ladies sang in "Life, in a Nuthsell:"
"She's like a baby, I'm like a cat,
When we're happy we both get fat…"
Then again, if restlessly chasing the next goalpost helps me to attain a healthier, more sustainable weight, one more pleasing to the bishop & my future seminary formators, all to the good; I will gladly chance the hazard. Onward!

Bonus! Lied von ÖSTERREICH
"Weird Al" Yankovic, "Grapefruit Diet" from Running with Scissors (The Last Angry Chub)

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Saints + Scripture: Lent — Better Late than Never

'Tis the festival of Saint Enda of Aran, Priest & Abbot (circa 450-530; A.K.A. Éanna, Endeus, etc.), founding abbot of the Abbey of Killeaney: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Nicholas of Flüe, Hermit (1417-1487, A.K.A. Brother Klaus): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Thomas Pilchard, Priest & Martyr (1557-1587, also spelt Pilcher), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link LXXXV & Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed William Pike, Martyr (died 1591), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link LXXXV & Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

Commentary: Bl. William was converted to the Catholic Faith by Bl. Thomas Pilchard.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Lenten Weekday
The Book of Daniel, chapter three, verses fourteen thru twenty, ninety-one, ninety-two, & ninety-five;
The Book of Daniel, chapter three, verses fifty-two, fifty-three, fifty-four, fifty-five, & fifty-six;
The Gospel according to John, chapter eight, verses thirty-one thru forty-two.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today in our Gospel Jesus confronts those Jewish leaders who want to kill him, telling them that they are hardened in their sin. He speaks, "Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin."

In our tradition, sin is a kind of non-being, an illusion, if you will. To live in sin is to live stubbornly in an unreal world. Our mind becomes confused, and our will disoriented. This helps explain why the devil is often referred to as the father of lies.

Theologian Henri de Lubac gives voice to this conviction when he refers to sin as
cette claudication mystérieuse, this mysterious limp. It is a deformation, a corruption.

All of us sinners have, to one degree or another, bought into the lie. At the heart of the lie—and we can see it in the Genesis account—is the deification of the ego. I become the center of the universe, I with my needs and my fears and my demands.

And when the puny "I" is the center of the cosmos, the tie that binds all things to one another is lost. The basic reality now becomes rivalry, competition, violence, and mistrust.
Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Papal Quote o' the Day
"O God, Eternal father, in Your mercy hear our prayer which we raise up to You amidst the deafening noise & desperation of the world. We turn to You with great hope, full of trust in Your infinite Mercy. We ask for the gift of peace."
—Pope Francis
Little Flower Quote o' the Day
"Jesus, hidden in my poor little heart, has once again made me understand how hollow & empty are all passing things."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' the Day
"Be a good child, & God will help you."
—St. Joan of Arc (1412-1431, feast day: 30 May)

The Rebel Black Dot Songs o' History Quiz Night

Project MERCATOR: Misty Beavers (uncertain)—The History o' History Quiz Night '18, in Song
Reel Big Fish, "Somebody Hates Me" (live) from Our Live Album Is Better than Your Live Album, Disc 1: More Shtick than You Can Shake a Stick At (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: We Misty Beavers are very accustomed to the hostility, even hatred of our competitors. Less familiar is the open hatred of the event organizers themselves, the faculty of the University of Michigan—Flint History Department. The Quizmaster boasted of loving us, but also of hating us, comparing us to the New York Yankees. One of the lecturers (he doesn't have a doctorate; so, he's not formally a professor) all but accused us of cheating—How dare he!—& implied he'd be watching us like Nineteen Eighty-four's Ministry of Love (Miniluv). The rules of History Quiz Night were changed mid-game, regarding the use of the free answer cards given to all teams, & when we attempted to use one of our cards in accordance with the new rules, one of the professors simply refused to accept it, refusing to supply us with the answer to which the card entitled us. Several years ago, the History Quiz Night format was changed so that instead of the faculty scoring each team's answer sheet after each round, neighboring teams exchange sheets & score each other. (This is both less work for the organizers, allowing them to drink more earlier, & shortens the interval 'twixt rounds.) Yet, curiously, when scores were announced after each round, we were scored a point or two lower than our neighboring team told us they'd scored us; so, either the other team was gaslighting us or the organizers were rechecking our answers, judging us by a different standard than any other team.
"I just made an enemy of someone I don't know
And they are upset about something that I must have done,
It really doesn't make much sense,
Well, I've got no statement in my defense—but!

"I know,
No matter what,
No matter who,
No matter what I do,
Somebody hates me!
(Somebody hates me!)
Somebody hates me! Somebody hates me!
(Somebody hates me!)
Somebody hates me!
Somebody hates me & I hate somebody, too!

"Did you misunderstand something that I did?
Or was there one of my jokes that you didn't get?
Or do you think you got the way I think all figured out?
What did I say to make you feel not cool now? Well!

"I know,
No matter what,
No matter who,
No matter what I do,
Somebody hates me!
(Somebody hates me!)
Somebody hates me! Somebody hates me!
(Somebody hates me!)
Somebody hates me!
Somebody hates me & I hate somebody, too!

"I know it's wrong,
I do it too (I do it, too),
I guess I should say:
Don't let it get to you…"

The Rebel Black Dot Songs o' History Quiz Night

Project MERCATOR: Misty Beavers (uncertain)—The History o' History Quiz Night '18, in Song
Dienstag, 20. März
Dr. John & the Blues Brothers Band, "Season of the Witch" from Blues Brothers 2000: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: The hostility at the Fox (formerly the Firkin & Fox, formerly the—something or other) was palpable. There were many fresh faces, several high schools having fielded teams, but among the old veterans, the foes we Misty Beavers bested year after year, the hatred was seething. Though the Fox has long been the home of History Quiz Night & the site of every Misty Beavers victory, thinking back on my entry into the upper room that hosts the contest, I am reminded of the line from Macbeth:
"By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes."
For all that, though, I'm accustomed to that envy-inspired hated. (More on that with Wednesday's R.B.D.S.O.T.D.) No, the true trouble was among us. We Misty Beavers have always won the quiz because we won the fun, because we laugh & joke & pound the table & chant loudly & absurdly. (Small wonder we're reviled.) This year, though, we were all out of sorts. We were nervous, agitated, on edge. We were relatively joyless. We seemed to be convinced that we could only win the fun if we won the quiz, perceiving the matter exactly backwards. The Bard of Avon again comes to mind, the line from
Julius Caesar:
"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings."
There had been very little communication 'twixt us all in the weeks leading up to History Quiz Night. As the night unfolded, it turned out that the fault really was in ourselves, not in our stars. There were fractures that needed to be mended, friendships that had been neglected that needed to be reaffirmed & rejuvenated. Something was off that night. Something was odd that night. Which takes us to "Season of the Witch."
"When I look out my window,
So many sights to see,
When I look in my window,
So many different people to be.

"You got to pick up every stitch,
Rabbits running in the ditch,
Beatniks are out to make it rich,
Oh no, oh no, must be the season of the witch,
Must be the season of the witch,
Must be the season of the witch,
Must be the season of the witch."

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Saints + Scripture: Lent

'Tis the festival of Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, Bishop & Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 634-687): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Wulfram of Sens, Bishop, O.S.B. (circa 640-703, A.K.A. of Fontenelle): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed John of Parma, Priest, O.F.M. (circa 1209-1289), seventh Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor: Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Minister General.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Marco of Montegallo, Priest, O.F.M. (circa 1425-1497): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Lenten Weekday
The Book of Numbers, chapter twenty-one, verses four thru nine;
Psalm One Hundred Two, verses two & three; sixteen, seventeen, & eighteen; & nineteen, twenty, & twenty-one;
The Gospel according to John, chapter eight, verses twenty-one thru thirty.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus prophesies his crucifixion and his Father’s role in his coming death. What enabled the first Christians to hold up the cross, to sing its praises, to wear it as a decoration is the fact that God raised up and ratified precisely this crucified Jesus. “You killed him, but God raised him up.” Therefore, God was involved in this terrible thing; God was there, working out his salvific purposes.

But what does this mean? There have been numerous attempts throughout the Christian centuries to name the salvific nature of the cross. Let me offer just one take on it. It became clear to the first Christians that somehow, on that terrible cross, sin had been dealt with. The curse of sin had been removed, taken care of. On that terrible cross, Jesus functioned as the “lamb of God,” sacrificed for sin.

Does this mean God the Father is a cruel taskmaster, demanding a bloody sacrifice so that his anger might be appeased? No, Jesus’ crucifixion was the opening up of the divine heart so that we could see that no sin of ours could finally separate us from the love of God.
Video reflection by Fr. Ross Chamberland, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.




Bible Study—Follow Me: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John, Session Four (of Eight)
The Gospel according to John, chapter four, verses forty-three thru fifty-four;
The Gospel according to John, chapter five (verses one thru forty-seven);
The Gospel according to John, chapter six (verses one thru seventy-one).

Commentary: II. The Book of Signs (cont'd): Jesus Returns to Galilee (John, 4:43-45), Jesus Heals an Official's Son (4:46-54), Jesus Heals on the Sabbath (5:1-18), the Authority of the Son (5:19-29), Witnesses to Jesus (5:30-47), Feeding the Five Thousand (6:1-15), Jesus Walks on the Water (6:16-21), the Bread from Heaven (6:22-59), & the Words of Eternal Life (6:60-71).

Papal Quote o' the Day
"May the Lord grant us the grace to understand this mystery of the cross a little better."
—Pope Francis
Little Flower Quote o' the Day
"I thank You, O my God, for all the graces You have given me."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' the Day
"To attribute to God, & not to self, whatever good one sees in oneself; but to recognize always that the evil is one's own doing, & to impute it on one's self."
—St. Benedict of Nursia (480-547, feast day: 11 July)

The Rebel Black Dot Songs o' History Quiz Night

Project MERCATOR: Misty Beavers (uncertain)—The History o' History Quiz Night '18, in Song
Montag, 19. März
Spinal Tap, "Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight" from This Is Spinal Tap (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: There is an element of self-parody in History Quiz Night, though one is never sure if it is intentional or earnestly unintentional. Every year the same faces show up in the same places, & in some cases are asked the same questions as in years gone by. I love it so!

In years past, our team, the Misty Beavers, has always picked an epithet to set each year apart from the others. My first year on the team was 2013, when we finished tied for third, one point between the two teams that tied for first. So, the following year, '14, we were Misty Beavers Redemption, & we did redeem ourselves, carrying the day; & so it went: '15, Misty Beavers Repeat; '16, Misty Beavers Dynasty; '17, Misty Beavers Empire. Heading into 2018, I asked what this year's epithet would be. I suggested three possibilities, wishing to start the discussion: Misty Beavers Juggernaut, Misty Beavers Steamroller, & Misty Beavers Unrivaled. Red Patton posted a few video clips, YouTube snippets of the old
X-Men cartoon with "I'm the Juggernaut, bitch!" dubbed over Juggernaut's (Cain Marko) dialogue, but we never actually made a decision. So, we went into History Quiz Night '18 without a yearly epithet, without a battle cry. Did this augur ill for our chances of a fifth consecutive triumph? Time would tell.

Monday, March 19, 2018

Saints + Scripture: Lent — Solemnity of Saint Joseph

'Tis the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary (floruit first century B.C.-first century A.D., of Nazareth): Spouse-link ūnus, Spouse-link duo, Spouse-link trēs, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Saint Joseph's Day.


Commentary: Wayback Machine 19 March & Wayback Machine 20 March.

Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
In Matthew, the infant Jesus, like Moses, is in peril from a cruel king; like Moses, He has a (fore)father named Joseph who goes down to Egypt; like the Old Testament Joseph, his Joseph has a father named Jacob; & both Josephs receive important dreams foretelling their future. The last time Joseph appears in person in any Gospel is in the story of the Passover visit to the Temple in Jerusalem when Jesus is twelve years old.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Solemnity of Saint Joseph
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter seven, verses four, five(a), twelve, thirteen, fourteen(a), & sixteen;
Psalm Eighty-nine, verses two & three, four & five, & twenty-seven & twenty-nine;
The Letter to the Romans, chapter four, verses thirteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, & twenty-two;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter one, verses sixteen, eighteen thru twenty-one, & twenty-four(a);
or, the Gospel according to Luke, chapter two, verses forty-one thru fifty-one(a).

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today’s Gospel centers on the intriguing figure of Joseph. Joseph is one of the most beloved of the saints, featured in countless works of art and prominent in the devotional lives of many.

We know almost nothing about him, yet some very powerful spiritual themes emerge in the accounts of Joseph. He had become betrothed to Mary, and this union had been blessed by God. And then he finds that his betrothed is pregnant.

This must have been an emotional maelstrom for him. And, at a deeper level, it is a spiritual crisis. What does God want him to do? Then the angel appears to him in a dream and tells him, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home." He realizes at that moment that these puzzling events are part of a much greater plan of God’s. What appears to be a disaster from his perspective is meaningful from God’s perspective.

Joseph was willing to cooperate with the divine plan, though he in no way knew its contours or deepest purpose. Like Mary at the Annunciation, he trusted and let himself be led.
Video reflection by Msgr. James Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.


'Tis also the festival of Blessed Clement of Dunblane, Bishop, O.P. (died 1258), who began the construction of Dunblane Cathedral: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Cathedral.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Narcyz Turchan, Priest & Martyr, O.F.M. (1879-1942, A.K.A. Jan Turchan), martyred in the reign of the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, one of the One Hundred Eight Blessed Polish Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link (list, № 61); Wikipedia-link CVIII.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Anton Muzaj, Priest & Martyr (1921-1948), martyred in the reign of the Communist dictator Enver Hoxha, one of the thirty-eight Martyrs of Albania: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link (list); Wikipedia-link XXXVIII.

Papal Quote o' the Day
"I entrust myself to You because You do not disappoint; I do not understanding, but even without understanding, I entrust myself to Your hands."
—Pope Francis
Little Flower Quote o' the Day
"St. Joseph, how I love him! What does me a lot of good when I think of the Holy Family is to imagine a life that was very ordinary, just like our own."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' the Day
"If there be a true way that leads to the Everlasting Kingdom, it is most certainly that of suffering, patiently endured."
—St. Colette (1381-1447, feast day: 7 February)

Sunday, March 18, 2018

The Explorers' Club, № DCIV

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Spanish Flu, Part I
4 March 1918: The first reported victim of the 1918-1919 global influenza pandemic, a U.S. Army cook named Albert Gitchell, took sick at Fort Riley, Kansas; within a week, over five hundred soldiers at Fort Riley had also taken ill, with additional cases in Queens, New York; possible cases had been observed in January 1918, but public health officials were slow in taking preventative measures.




Lest we forget.

Commentary: When I fell behind on the daily BLACK MAMBA post, "Saints + Scripture," I resolved that I would not publish another episode of "The Explorers' Club" 'til BLACK MAMBA was back on schedule. Alas, additional one-time demands on my time exacerbated the usual frenzied pace of Lent, leading "Saints + Scripture" to fall further & further behind, almost catching up before new days were missed, leading to continual postponements of this particular Operation AXIOM post. "Saints + Scripture" is back on track, but as a daily practice it's always only a day away from derailment; 'twill be at least a fortnight 'til "The Explorers' Club" is set aright.

Saints + Scripture: V Sunday of Lent

'Tis the Fifth Sunday of Lent: Lent-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: The English word "Lent" is of Germanic origin, from the Old English (A.K.A. Anglo-Saxon) lencten & related etymologically to the Dutch lente & the German lenz, both meaning "spring" (the season, not the water source or the metal curly-cue). The Latin name, Quadragesima, means "fortieth," referring to the penitential season's length.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year B
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter thirty-one, verses thirty-one thru thirty-four;
Psalm Fifty-one, verses three & four, twelve & thirteen, & fourteen & fifteen;
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter five, verses seven, eight, & nine;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twelve, verses twenty thru thirty-three.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, our Gospel for today contains one of the most beautiful and terrible summations of the Christian message: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.”

And now this one upon whom the crowds had pinned their hopes is speaking of falling to the earth and dying. And then it gets stranger. “The man who loves his life loses it, while the man who hates his life in this world preserves it to life eternal.” Come again?!

Just when we are raising you up, you’re talking about falling down; just when we are showing you that your life has come to its fulfillment, you’re talking about hating this life.

To understand what all this means, we should go back to the grain of wheat that falls to the earth. A seed’s life is inside, yes, but it’s a life that grows by being given away and mixing with the soil around it. It has to crack open, to be destroyed.

Jesus’ sign is the sign of the cross. The Death that leads to Transfiguration.
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 Readings—Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A: Third Scrutiny
The Book of Ezekiel, chapter thirty-seven, verses twelve, thirteen, & fourteen;
Psalm One Hundred Thirty, verses one & two, three & four, five & six, & seven & eight;
The Letter to the Romans, chapter eight, verses eight thru eleven;
The Gospel according to John, chapter eleven, verses one thru forty-five
(or, the Gospel according to John, chapter eleven, verses three thru seven, seventeen, twenty thru twenty-seven, & thirty-three(b) thru forty-five).

Mass Journal: Week Twelve
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church wastes no time in addressing this truth. The opening point of Chapter One, Section One, reads, "The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God & for God; & God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will man find the truth & happiness he never stops yearning for.


Otherwise, 18 March would be the festival of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop & Doctor of the Church (circa 313-386), who attended & was vindicated by the First Council of Constantinople, which refined & reaffirmed the Nicene Creed: Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Council & Wikipedia-link Creed.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Edward the Martyr (circa 962-978), King of England, martyred at the behest of his wicked stepmother, the queen dowager Ælfthryth: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Salvador of Horta, Religious, O.F.M. (1520-1567; A.K.A. Salvador Pladevall i Bien, also spelt Salvator): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed John Thules, Priest & Martyr (circa 1568-1616, also spelt Thulis), martyred in the reign of the Anglo-Scottish king James VI & I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales, also one of the Martyrs of Douai: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link LXXXV & Wikipedia-link LXXXV, Martyrs-link Douai & Wikipedia-link Douai.

Papal Quote o' the Day
"May the Lord today, give us all the grace to rise from our sins, to come out of our tombs; with the voice of Jesus, calling us to go out, to go to Him."
—Pope Francis
Little Flower Quote o' the Day
"Turn your eyes back upon yourself, & you will not judge the doings of others."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' the Day
"Receive communion by making a throne: one hand under the other, ready to receive our great King."
—St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Doctor of the Church (313-386, feast day: 18 March)