Monday, September 13, 2021
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAfter Party
Bonus! Space Race Song o' the Day: Gemini XI!
Saints + Scripture
Simplex Edition | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!
'Tis the Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop & Doctor of the Church (circa 347-407).
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Monday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
The First Letter to Timothy, chapter two, verses one thru eight;
Psalm Twenty-eight (R/. six), verses two, seven, & eight & nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter seven, verses seven thru ten.
Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Mass Readings—Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter four, verses one thru seven, eleven, twelve, & thirteen;
Psalm Forty (R/. eight[a] & nine[a]), verses two & four, seven & eight(a), eight(b) & nine, ten, & eleven;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter four, verses one thru ten & thirteen thru twenty
(or, the Gospel according to Mark, chapter four, verses one thru nine).
Commentary: Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.
Video reflection by Matthew Leonard (Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology): The Bible and the Church Fathers.
Saint Quote o' the Day
'Tis the Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop & Doctor of the Church (circa 347-407).
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Monday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
The First Letter to Timothy, chapter two, verses one thru eight;
Psalm Twenty-eight (R/. six), verses two, seven, & eight & nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter seven, verses seven thru ten.
Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus is amazed at a Roman centurion’s faith: "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." How often the Bible compels us to meditate on the meaning of faith! We might say that the Scriptures rest upon faith, remain inspired at every turn by the spirit of faith.Video reflection by Doctor Tim Gray (Augustine Institute/Formed.org): Daily Reflection.
Faith is an attitude of trust in the presence of God. Faith is openness to what God will reveal, do, and invite. It should be obvious that, in dealing with the infinite, all-powerful person who is God, we are never in control.
One of the most fundamental statements of faith is this: your life is not about you. You’re not in control. This is not your project. Rather, you are part of God’s great design. To believe this in your bones and act accordingly is to have faith. When we operate out of this transformed vision, amazing things can happen, for we have surrendered to "a power already at work in us that can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine." Even a tiny bit of faith makes an extraordinary difference.
Mass Readings—Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter four, verses one thru seven, eleven, twelve, & thirteen;
Psalm Forty (R/. eight[a] & nine[a]), verses two & four, seven & eight(a), eight(b) & nine, ten, & eleven;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter four, verses one thru ten & thirteen thru twenty
(or, the Gospel according to Mark, chapter four, verses one thru nine).
Commentary: Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.
Video reflection by Matthew Leonard (Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology): The Bible and the Church Fathers.
Saint Quote o' the Day
"Let the sea rage. It cannot break the Rock."
—Saint John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church (347-407, feast: 13 September)
Sunday, September 12, 2021
The Explorers' Club, № DCCCXXXIX
Operation AXIOM: The Space Race—The 55th Anniversary of Gemini XI, Part I
12 September 1966: Gemini XI lifted off from Florida's Cape Kennedy Air Force Station, carrying Command Pilot Pete Conrad & Pilot Dick Gordon aboard a Gemini spacecraft atop a Titan II G.L.V. rocket; they conducted a direct-ascent (first orbit) rendezvous with their Agena Target Vehicle, docked, & used its engine to set the current record altitude for an Earth-orbiting manned spacecraft.
Commentary: Gemini XI's elliptical orbit had an apogee (highest point) of eight hundred fifty-three miles; for comparison, the highest altitude for the Space Shuttle was three hundred eighty miles.
The rocket in the background of Gemini XI's liftoff was SA-500F, a dummy Saturn V that was used throughout 1966 for fit checks of launch support equipment in the Vertical Assembly Building (later renamed the Vehicle Assembly Building) & at the launch pad.
Bonus! Space Race Song o' the Day: Gemini XI
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Cowboy Coffee" from More Noise and Other Disturbances (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)
Semper exploro.
12 September 1966: Gemini XI lifted off from Florida's Cape Kennedy Air Force Station, carrying Command Pilot Pete Conrad & Pilot Dick Gordon aboard a Gemini spacecraft atop a Titan II G.L.V. rocket; they conducted a direct-ascent (first orbit) rendezvous with their Agena Target Vehicle, docked, & used its engine to set the current record altitude for an Earth-orbiting manned spacecraft.
The rocket in the background of Gemini XI's liftoff was SA-500F, a dummy Saturn V that was used throughout 1966 for fit checks of launch support equipment in the Vertical Assembly Building (later renamed the Vehicle Assembly Building) & at the launch pad.
Bonus! Space Race Song o' the Day: Gemini XI
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Cowboy Coffee" from More Noise and Other Disturbances (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)
Saints + Scripture: XXIV Sunday in O.T. — Stand By
'Tis the Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.
The R.B.D. Song o' the Lord's Day: XXIV Sunday in O.T.
Francesca Battistelli, "If We're Honest" from If We're Honest (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)
Saturday, September 11, 2021
Bonus! Song o' the Day: Go Blue!
Commentary: I hate night games. I especially hate night games in Michigan Stadium, "the Big House."
Go Blue!
Saints + Scripture — Please Stand By
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!
The Popish Plot
"Bonus Episode: Nate Fights Saints"
'Tis the Optional Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
'Tis the Saturday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.
The Popish Plot
"Bonus Episode: Nate Fights Saints"
'Tis the Optional Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Operation AXIOM: 9/11
Twenty years ago to the day, 11 September 2001, nineteen jihadist terrorists from al-Qaeda murdered 2,977 innocents by hijacking four airliners, three of which were crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City & the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia; the fight back began with the passengers & crew of the fourth airliner, leading to that plane's crash in a Pennsylvania field, instead of into the suspect target, the Capitol in Washington, D.C. 'Twas due to the bravery of the passengers & crew of United Flight 93 that "Let's roll" became a battle cry.
On 11 September 2001, Afghanistan was ruled by the Taliban & was a sanctuary for al-Qaeda & associated jihadist terrorist groups. On 11 September 2021, Afghanistan is again ruled by the Taliban & is again a sanctuary for jihadist terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda & Daesh-Khorasan (I.S.I.S.-K.). What have we achieved for all the blood & treasure expended over the last twenty years?
There was a moment of ephemeral national unity after 9/11. Every president since the "day of fire" has campaigned as a uniter, a president for all Americans, yet the general feeling is that we are more divided than we have every been, that the United States is fraying, not just at the edges but at the very center. We can't even agree on common terms anymore, & everyone regards everyone else with suspicion & hostility. I don't know if that is the reality, but such is the Zeitgeist, the spirit of the age. At some point, we are going to have to ask ourselves if we are willing to live with each other, to forgive & tolerate each other. We are going to have to think back to 9/11 & that brief, grief- & shock-fueled moment of unity. Can we get that back minus the trauma of a massive national tragedy?
The official motto of the United States of America is:
The malasise that plagues us now is the inevitable & predictable result of adopting atheism as our civic religion. The consequences of this are legion & malefic. Politics has been elevated over discourse, partisanship is prized above virtue, & freedom has been cheapened from freedom for excellence to simple license. In the words of the late Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., "We have become a society that permits everything, but forgives nothing." We have forgotten how unique & radical the Christian ideal of forgiveness is; the forgiveness of sins & the love of enemies was uttely known to the pagan Greeks & Romans that the darkling "Age of Enlightenment" promoted as an alternative to now twenty-one centuries of Christian patrimony.
Four airliners were hijacked by jihdists & used as weapons to strike at the Pentagon, the World Trade Center, & likely the United States Captol. Almost three thousand innocents & the nineteen hijackers died. Those of us who are old enough to remember will never forget where were were when we first learned that the Twin Towers had fallen, 11 September 2001, twenty years ago today.
The Wayback Machine Tour of 9/11
Patriot Day '20 / Patriot Day '19
Patriot Day '18 / Patriot Day '17
Patriot Day '15 / Patriot Day '13 / Patriot Day '11
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' Patriot Day
The University of Michigan Marching Band, "God Bless America/You're a Grand Old Flag" from Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue (Mike Papa Whiskey)
Never forget.
On 11 September 2001, Afghanistan was ruled by the Taliban & was a sanctuary for al-Qaeda & associated jihadist terrorist groups. On 11 September 2021, Afghanistan is again ruled by the Taliban & is again a sanctuary for jihadist terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda & Daesh-Khorasan (I.S.I.S.-K.). What have we achieved for all the blood & treasure expended over the last twenty years?
There was a moment of ephemeral national unity after 9/11. Every president since the "day of fire" has campaigned as a uniter, a president for all Americans, yet the general feeling is that we are more divided than we have every been, that the United States is fraying, not just at the edges but at the very center. We can't even agree on common terms anymore, & everyone regards everyone else with suspicion & hostility. I don't know if that is the reality, but such is the Zeitgeist, the spirit of the age. At some point, we are going to have to ask ourselves if we are willing to live with each other, to forgive & tolerate each other. We are going to have to think back to 9/11 & that brief, grief- & shock-fueled moment of unity. Can we get that back minus the trauma of a massive national tragedy?
The official motto of the United States of America is:
In God we trust.The traditional motto of the United States is:
"E pluribus unum" ("From many, one").The only way we are going to be united is if we recommit ourselves to those founding priciples. We cannot cut ourselves off from the past; the concept of "Year Zero" can only ever lead to the Killing Fields of Cambodia. We are many; we are not bound by blood & soil. The only way we, as many, can ever be one, is in the One in Whom we trust. I'm not advocating, as the social media "integralists" do, for altar & throne; the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is not of this earth. Religious pluralism is foundational to the United States of America, for good or for ill. The Bill of Rights—Amendment I to the United States Constitution—enshrines the "free exercise of religion," not as the malevolent claim, "freedom from religion."
The malasise that plagues us now is the inevitable & predictable result of adopting atheism as our civic religion. The consequences of this are legion & malefic. Politics has been elevated over discourse, partisanship is prized above virtue, & freedom has been cheapened from freedom for excellence to simple license. In the words of the late Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., "We have become a society that permits everything, but forgives nothing." We have forgotten how unique & radical the Christian ideal of forgiveness is; the forgiveness of sins & the love of enemies was uttely known to the pagan Greeks & Romans that the darkling "Age of Enlightenment" promoted as an alternative to now twenty-one centuries of Christian patrimony.
The Wayback Machine Tour of 9/11
Patriot Day '20 / Patriot Day '19
Patriot Day '18 / Patriot Day '17
Patriot Day '15 / Patriot Day '13 / Patriot Day '11
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' Patriot Day
The University of Michigan Marching Band, "God Bless America/You're a Grand Old Flag" from Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue (Mike Papa Whiskey)
Friday, September 10, 2021
Saints + Scripture — Please Stand By
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!
'Tis the Friday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.
'Tis the Friday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAfter Party!
Thursday, September 9, 2021
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAfter Party
Skammentary: We all have blind spots. I have never included The Suicide Machines in SKApril, mentally disqualifying them as a "punk" band. I enjoy lots of punk music, but it doesn't have a place in SKApril/SKAfter Party/SKAugust. But the participation of front man Jason Navarro in the Pick It Up! "skacumentary" prompted me to re-evaluate that decision. Yes, they rarely feature any horns, but they do use a good deal of syncopated guitar, putting them solidly under the "skacore" umbrella. I erred in excluding The Suicide Machines; I did so not out of any malice, but 'twas an error nevertheless.
Saints + Scripture
Simplex Edition | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!
'Tis the Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest, S.J. (1580-1654).
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Thursday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Colossians, chapter three, verses twelve thru seventeen;
Psalm One Hundred Fifty (R/. six), verses one(b) & two, three & four, & five & six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter six, verses twenty-seven thru thirty-eight.
Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Video reflection by Doctor Tim Gray (Augustine Institute/Formed.org): Daily Reflection.
Mass Readings—Memorial of Saint Peter Claver
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-eight, verses six thru eleven;
Psalm One (R/. two[a]), verses one & two, three, & four & six;
(or, R/. Psalm Forty, verse five[a]; or, Psalm Ninety-two, verses thirteen & foruteen);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses thirty-one thru forty.
Scripture Study—Day 91: Leo's Ledge, Day 32
The Book of Daniel, chapter twelve, verses five thru thirteen.
Commentary: The Resurrection of the Dead (cont'd; Daniel, 12:5-13).
Scripture Study—Bishop's Year of the Bible
The First Book of Samuel, chapter twelve (verses one thru twenty-five);
Commentary: Samuel's Farewell Address (1 Samuel, 12:1-25).
Saint Quote o' the Day
'Tis the Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest, S.J. (1580-1654).
Mass Readings—Thursday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Colossians, chapter three, verses twelve thru seventeen;
Psalm One Hundred Fifty (R/. six), verses one(b) & two, three & four, & five & six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter six, verses twenty-seven thru thirty-eight.
Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, our Gospel today is taken from Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain in Luke. It is one of the more puzzling texts in the New Testament. It speaks of loving our enemies. Not tolerating them or vaguely accepting them, but loving them. When you hate your enemy, you confirm him as your enemy. But when you love him in response to his hatred, you confuse and confound him, taking away the very energy that feeds his hatred.Video reflection by Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers (U.S. Conf. of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.
There is a form of oriental martial arts called aikido. The idea of aikido is to absorb the aggressive energy of your opponent, moving with it, continually frustrating him until he comes to the point of realizing that fighting is useless.
Some have pointed out that there is a great deal of this in Jesus’ strategy of nonviolence and love of the enemy. You creatively absorb the aggression of your opponent, really using it against him, to show him the futility of violence. So when someone insults you, send back a compliment instead of an insult. When someone conspires against you, work to help him.
Video reflection by Doctor Tim Gray (Augustine Institute/Formed.org): Daily Reflection.
Mass Readings—Memorial of Saint Peter Claver
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-eight, verses six thru eleven;
Psalm One (R/. two[a]), verses one & two, three, & four & six;
(or, R/. Psalm Forty, verse five[a]; or, Psalm Ninety-two, verses thirteen & foruteen);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses thirty-one thru forty.
Scripture Study—Day 91: Leo's Ledge, Day 32
The Book of Daniel, chapter twelve, verses five thru thirteen.
Commentary: The Resurrection of the Dead (cont'd; Daniel, 12:5-13).
Scripture Study—Bishop's Year of the Bible
The First Book of Samuel, chapter twelve (verses one thru twenty-five);
Commentary: Samuel's Farewell Address (1 Samuel, 12:1-25).
Saint Quote o' the Day
"We must speak to them with our hands before we try to speak to them with our lips."
—Saint Peter Claver, S.J. (1580-1654, feast: 9 September)
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAfter Party
Saints + Scripture: The Nativity of Mary — Stand By
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!
The Popish Plot
"Science & Religion: Gregory Mendel, Catholic Scientist"
'Tis the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Popish Plot
"Science & Religion: Gregory Mendel, Catholic Scientist"
'Tis the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAfter Party
Skammentary:
"The money you spend on running shoes could feed me for a week,
Your plans are laid so well that you can't even sleep,
Pursuit of happiness got you life locked up under martial law,
You got everything to lose so you're paranoid about some fatal flaw.
"5:30 get up, run run run,
Then you work eight hours,
Slaving underneath the gun,
Little world is based on lies, lies, lies,
Always rushing but you're never ever satisfied!
"Healthy body, sick mind,
You're working overtime,
Healthy body, sick mind,
Too hectic, too hectic,
Healthy body, sick mind,
Why don't you just unwind?
It's just a matter of time:
Sick body, sick mind!
Saints + Scripture — Please Stand By
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!
'Tis the Tuesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.
'Tis the Tuesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.
Monday, September 6, 2021
Bonus! Song o' the Day: SKAfter Party?
Skammentary:
"Was gonna call my friends and get 'em all together,
I was gonna go and start a band,
But everything I want to do it's already been done,
Why would I wanna go and do it again?…
"Well, she's so cute, if you know what I mean,
She's the cutest little girl that I've ever seen,
Maybe she'll like me if I play guitar,
Maybe she'll like me if I'm a lead singer,
Yeah, oh yeah!
And there's so many bands, we all look the same!
"Well, I just saw them up on stage,
And I don't remember how good they played,
'Cause he can't sing!
But I paid just to see her face, yeah, yeah, yeah…"
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' Labor Day
Commentary:
"Up every morning just to keep a job,
I've got to fight my way through the hussling mob,
Sounds of the city pounding in my brain
While another day goes down the drain.
"But it's a five o'clock world when the whistle blows,
No one owns a piece of my time!
And there's a five o'clock me inside my clothes,
Thinking that the world looks fine.
"Trading my time for the pay I get,
Living on money that I ain't made yet,
Gotta keep going, gotta make my way,
But I live for the end of the day.
"Cause it's a five o'clock world when the whistle blows,
No one owns a piece of my time!
And there's a long-haired girl who waits, I know,
To ease my troubled mind…"
Saints + Scripture — Please Stand By
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!
'Tis the Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.
'Tis the Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.
Sunday, September 5, 2021
The Explorers' Club, № DCCCXXXVIII
Operation AXIOM: Between the Wars
6 September 1921: The Peace Arch was dedicated between Blaine, Washington & Surrey, British Columbia, the westernmost point of the contiguous United States—Canada border; the monument was conceived in 1914 to commemorate a century of peace since the War of 1812 was officially ended by the Treaty of Ghent (1815), but fundraising & construction were delayed by the Great War.
Commentary: Much as I like to tease the Canucks, the two centuries of peace between our peoples is both remarkable &, if one takes a clear-eyed look at history, rather unprecedented. If we do not learn & remember our true history, we will fall victim to the wild-eyed revolutionaries who are constantly calling for a "Year Zero," for throwing away everything we have in favor of an impossible utopia, the sure road to tyranny, poverty, & degredation.
Lest we forget.
6 September 1921: The Peace Arch was dedicated between Blaine, Washington & Surrey, British Columbia, the westernmost point of the contiguous United States—Canada border; the monument was conceived in 1914 to commemorate a century of peace since the War of 1812 was officially ended by the Treaty of Ghent (1815), but fundraising & construction were delayed by the Great War.
Lest we forget.
Bonus! Song o' the Day: SKAfter Party?
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "1-2-8" from Let's Face It (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)
Skammentary: Near as I can tell, "1-2-8" is about being a touring band, the long, hard grind that so many bands put in before becoming "overnight sucesses" with a hit song.
Skammentary: Near as I can tell, "1-2-8" is about being a touring band, the long, hard grind that so many bands put in before becoming "overnight sucesses" with a hit song.
"They made something,
They played something
Brand new, a baby blue machine,
Brass tacks, duct tape,
For the great escape,
Packed in there like sardines.
Back and forth,
East, south, west, north,
Shred the atlas, burn the map,
Often lost and paths criss-crossed,
Wake me up, I need a nap!
"One, two, what's in the stew?
Three, four, no one's really sure.
Five, six, what's in the mix?
Seven, eight, this stuff tastes.
They did something
Which meant something
And that got them some attention.
(Eyes wide!)
A roller coaster ride,
And great pride in this invention.
I think they're selling snake oil
At the dog and pony show.
And in the garden, gee.
Would you pardon me,
And by the way, how does it grow?
"One, two, what's in the stew?
Three, four, no one's really sure.
Five, six, what's in the mix?
Seven, eight, this stuff tastes.
The explanation's unexplainable,
Holding onto something once so unattainable.
The course was never charted,
So don't look into the books,
The secret's not the recipe,
It's got to be the cooks!
"They made something,
They played something,
Blood, sweat, and elbow grease.
Well, if you can't stand the heat in the kitchen
Get out it will increase!
(Get out it will increase!)
"Last train to where?
Hey, get out of here,
Nothing's measured and nothing's weighed!
A dash of honesty in the recipe
And that's the first mistake you've made.
"One, two, what's in the stew?
Three, four, no one's really sure.
Five, six, what's in the mix?
Seven, eight, hey, this stuff tastes—
"One, two, what's in the stew?
Three, four, no one's really sure.
Five, six, what's in the mix?
Seven, eight, this stuff tastes
Great."
Saints + Scripture: XXIII Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!
'Tis the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.
'Tis the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.
The R.B.D. Song o' the Lord's Day: XXIII Sunday in O.T.
The O.C. Supertones, "Like No One Else" from Supertones Strike Back (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)
Skammentary:
"He cares for you like no one else,
He cares for you like no one else,
He cares for you like no one else,
He cares for you like no one else…"
Bonus! End o' Summer Song o' the Day
Commentary:
"It's burning up in here,
Even though the bed is cold on your side,
I'd rather die than spend this night here without you!
Now it's burning up in here,
Even though the bed is cold on your side,
I'd rather die than spend this night here without you,
Without you!…"
Saturday, September 4, 2021
Bonus! Song o' the Day: SKAfter Party?
Skammentary: Back in the day, I loved the toasting in ska without know that it was called toasting. Toasting is the mostly non-verbal vocalizations that occur in so many ska songs, something along the lines of "Chicka-chick," et cetera.
Saints + Scripture — Please Stand By
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!
'Tis the Optional Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.'Tis also the First Saturday o' the month: Wikipedia-link First Saturdays.
'Tis the Saturday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.
'Tis the Optional Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
'Tis the Saturday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.
Bonus! Song o' the Day: Go Blue!
Commentary: I don't know if I could be less excited for this football season; complete apathy is a live option & a very real possibility. I still have an affinity for the 24 Hours of Le Mans after the holocaust of 2020 & it may well be that with fans back in the stands & something approaching a regular schedule I will still have an affinity for college football. The next few hours, weeks, & months will tell the tale.
Go Blue!
The Rebel Black Dot End o' Summer Song o' the Day
Commentary:
"When summertime is here,
There's nothing left to fear,
Yeah, summertime is here and I'm so happy…"
Friday, September 3, 2021
Bonus! Song o' the Day: SKAfter Party?
Skammentary: One of the two songs that started it all, both heard for the first time on the same night.
Saints + Scripture
Simplex Edition | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!
The Popish Plot
"The Popish Plot Does the One Chip Challenge 2021"
'Tis the Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope & Doctor of the Church.
'Tis the First Friday o' the month: Wikipedia-link First Friday & Wikipedia-link Sacred Heart.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Colossians, chapter one, verses fifteen thru twenty;
Psalm One Hundred (R/. two[b]), verses one(b) & two, three, four, & five;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter five, verses thirty-three thru thirty-nine.
Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Video reflection by Doctor John Bergsma (Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Daily Reflection.
Video reflection by Doctor Tim Gray (Augustine Institute/Formed.org): Daily Reflection.
Scripture Study—Day 91: Leo's Ledge, Day 26
The Book of Daniel, chapter nine, verses one thru seven & eleven.
Commentary: Daniels's Prayer for the People (Daniel, 9:1-7, 11).
The Popish Plot
"The Popish Plot Does the One Chip Challenge 2021"
'Tis the Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope & Doctor of the Church.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Colossians, chapter one, verses fifteen thru twenty;
Psalm One Hundred (R/. two[b]), verses one(b) & two, three, four, & five;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter five, verses thirty-three thru thirty-nine.
Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel, people ask Jesus why he doesn’t encourage fasting among his followers. Jesus’ answer is wonderful: “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?” (That’s a typically Jewish style, by the way, answering a question with another question.)Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.
This great image of the wedding feast comes up frequently in the New Testament, most obviously in the wedding feast at Cana narrative. And it is echoed in the tradition. Jesus is the wedding of heaven and earth, the marriage of divinity and humanity; he is the bridegroom and the Church is the bride. In him, the most intimate union is achieved between God and the world.
Could you imagine people fasting at a wedding banquet? Could you imagine going into an elegant room with your fellow guests and being served bread and water? It would be ridiculous! The mark of the Christian dispensation is joy. Exuberance. Delight. God and the world have come together. What could be better news?
Video reflection by Doctor John Bergsma (Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Daily Reflection.
Video reflection by Doctor Tim Gray (Augustine Institute/Formed.org): Daily Reflection.
Scripture Study—Day 91: Leo's Ledge, Day 26
The Book of Daniel, chapter nine, verses one thru seven & eleven.
Commentary: Daniels's Prayer for the People (Daniel, 9:1-7, 11).
The Rebel Black Dot End o' Summer Song o' the Day!
Thursday, September 2, 2021
The Rebel Black Dot End o' Summer Song o' the Day!
Commentary: After this past winter & spring's girl trouble, I have a newfound sympathy for Elizabeth, the object of desire in "Hot Summer Nights (Won't Last Forever)!" Some potential paramours just won't take a hint.
Saints + Scripture — Please Stand By
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!
'Tis the Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.
'Tis the Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.
Bonus! Song o' the Day: SKAfter Party?
Skammentary:
"We're gunna take on the world,
Come on every boy and every girl,
We're gunna take on the world,
Come on every boy and every girl…"
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Bonus! Song o' the Day: SKAfter Party?
Skammentary:
"We are your mom and papa's nightmares,
We dance for you to wash away your cares,
Cracking smiles even when we're sad,
That's just the way it goes in a ska band…"
The Rebel Black Dot End o' Summer Song o' the Day
Skammentary:
"You handed me a flier: our favorite band's in town!
Have to carpool with everyone, 'cause tonight it's going down,
We don't mess around.
"We're got sunshine, the Pacific sea,
Holding onto you holding onto me,
The nights are dark, but oh so warm!
Our minds are higher than the palms,
Singing all our favorite songs,
California smog, summer in your arms…"
Saints + Scripture — Please Stand By
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!
'Tis the Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.
'Tis the Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.
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