Project BLACK MAMBA

Today is the Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest (1815-1888, A.K.A. Don Bosco), founder of the Salesian Society, formally the Society of St. Francis de Sales; the Salesian Sisters, formally the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians; & the Association of Salesian Cooperators (A.S.C.): Saint-link Unus, Saint-link Duo, & Wikipedia-link Don Bosco; Wikipedia-link Society, Wikipedia-link Sisters, & Wikipedia-link A.S.C.

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

Just before his death, he begged the favor of their prayers. "Do not ever forget these tree things: devotion to the Blessed sacrament; devotion to Mary, Help of Christians; & devotion to the Holy Father."

Yesterday we remembered Saint Hyacintha of Mariscotti, T.O.R. (1585-1640): Saint-link Unus, Saint-link Duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day (Friday)
Personal Reading
The First Letter to Timothy, chapter three.

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

Scripture of the Day (Today)
Personal Reading
The First Letter to Timothy, chapter four.

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

The Rebel Black Dot Songs of the Day

Aloe Blacc, "Ticking Bomb" from Lift Your Spirits (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary:

"The whole world's sitting on a ticking bomb,
The whole world's sitting on a ticking bomb,
And it don't care what side you're on,
The whole world's sitting on a ticking bomb.

"So keep your calm and carry on…"



Freitag, 30 Januar
D Lime featuring Tabago Crusoe, "London Is the Place for Me" via iTunes (T.L.A.M.)

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today we remember Saint Dallán Forgaill (c. 530-598), martyr: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The First Letter to Timothy, chapter two.

Mass Readings
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter ten, verses nineteen thru twenty-five;
Psalm Twenty-four, verses one thru four (AB), five & six;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter four, verses twenty-one thru twenty-five.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
Fountains of Wayne, "Denise" from Utopia Parkway (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary:

"I heard she used to be married,
She listens to Puff Daddy,
She works at Liberty Travel,
She got a heart made of gravel…"

The Explorers' Club, № CDXXVIII

Operation AXIOM: The World War
24 January 1915: The Battle of Dogger Bank—the successful interception by the British Grand Fleet of a raiding squadron of the German High Seas Fleet, thanks to decoded German naval radio traffic; the German armored cruiser S.M.S. Blücher was lost with nearly a thousand souls aboard.









Commentary: One particularly lamentable feature of the Battle of Dogger Bank is that a German zeppelin bombed—not inflicting any damage, but chasing away—the British destroyers that were attempting to rescue the survivors of the Blücher, the zeppelin's crew apparently mistaking the Blücher for a British ship & thus thinking the destroyers were trying to rescue British instead of German sailors. Despicable behavior by the airship men in either case, & arguably treasonous in that they condemned their own countrymen to watery graves.

Lest we forget.

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today is the Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest & Doctor of the Church, O.P. (1225-1274), the "Doctor Angelicus" (the "Angelic Doctor"): Summa-link Unus, Summa-link Duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

Combing the theological principles of faith with the philosophical principles of reason, he ranked among the most influential thinkers of medieval Scholasticism.

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The First Letter to Timothy, chapter one.

Commentary: Uncertain where next to turn after completing my reading of the Gospels (plus Acts), I first took a sojourn to the Old Testament (O.T.) with the Book of Zephaniah, followed by the neighboring Book of Nahum. Lots of woe, lots of jubilation over the baleful fate awaiting Nineveh, just repayment for her depredations & evil. I was on the verge of committing to read the Letter to the Hebrews, but since it has been part of the daily Mass readings for the last week & continuing throughout this week, I thought doing so might result in incomplete contemplation/appreciation of the text. Thus, I turn to the three "pastoral letters," First & Second Timothy, & Titus. I'm not yet decided where to go after that. I may well take another O.T. interlude & then read another batch of epistles. In the words of The Aquabats!, "There's so much to learn!"

Mass Readings
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter ten, verses eleven thru eighteen;
Psalm One hundred ten, verses one thru four;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter four, verses one thru twenty.

The Rebel Black Dot Songs of the Day

Huey Lewis and the News, "The Power of Love" via iTunes (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: Movie night last night at Casa de Nachos: Back to the Future, Back to the Future Part II, & Back to the Future Part III. We talked & laughed more than we watched, & a thoroughly good time was had by all. We unquestionably stayed up too late, but 'twas worth it.

Dienstag, 27 Januar
They Might Be Giants, "She's an Angel" (live) from Severe Tire Damage (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: There was a discussion of angelic intervention in Acts of the Apostles at Monday night's Bible study, & what I scribbled in my notes was "'She's an Angel.'" Not "Angels We Have Heard On High," nor "Hark! The Herald Angel Sings!," nor even "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes."

"When you're following an angel
Does it mean you have to throw your body off a building?
Somewhere they're meeting on a pin head,
Calling you an angel, calling you the nicest thing.
I heard they have a space program;
When they sing, you can't hear—there's no air.
Sometimes I think I kind of like that,
And other times I think I'm already there…"

Montag, 26 Januar
They Might Be Giants, "Can't Keep Johnny Down" from Join Us (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: I've never been especially fond of Join Us, articulated in conversation as "I just can't get into it." Had it been the debut album by a new band, I assuredly would never have bought their sophomore effort. But something about "Can't Keep Johnny Down" appealed to me on Monday morning.

Project BLACK MAMBA

Had 25 January not been a Sunday, we would have celebrated the feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul: Apostle-link Unus, Apostle-link Duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Monday was the Memorial of Saints Timothy & Titus, Bishops (1st century): Saints-link Timothy & Titus, Martyr-link Timothy & Wikipedia-link Timothy, Saint-link Titus & Wikipedia-link Titus.

Commentary: Quoth the Bulletin:

Timothy had the honor of being a fellow apostle with Paul, both sharing the privilege of preaching the gospel & suffering for it.

Titus has the distinction of being a close friend & disciple of Paul as well as a fellow missionary.

Today is the optional memorial of Saint Angela Merici, Virgin, C.S.U. (1474-1540), foundress of the Angelines, formally the Company of Saint Ursula: Saint-link Unus & Saint-link Duo, Wikipedia-link Angela & Wikipedia-link Angelines.

Commentary: Quoth the Bulletin:

Although it was never a religious order in her lifetime, Angela's Company of Saint Ursula, or the Ursulines, was the first group of women religious to work outside the cloister & the first teaching order of women.

Actually, the Ursulines are the Order of Saint Ursula, an off-shoot of the Company of Saint Ursula, the Angelines. Unlike today's saint & the Angelines, the Ursulines went back to the cloister & live under the monastic Rule of Saint Augustine.

Scripture of the Day (Sunday)
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty-one (of twenty-one).

Mass Readings
The Book of Jonah, chapter three, verses one thru five, ten;
Psalm Twenty-five, verses four thru nine;
The First Epistle to the Corinthians, chapter seven, verses twenty-nine thru thirty-one;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter one, verses fourteen thru twenty.

Scripture of the Day (Monday)
Personal Reading
The Book of Zephaniah.

Mass Readings
The Second Epistle to Timothy, chapter one, verses one thru eight;
or, the Epistle to Titus, chapter one, verses one thru five;
Psalm Ninety-six, verses one thru three, seven thru eight(A), ten;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter three, verses twenty-two thru thirty.

Scripture of the Day (Today)
Personal Reading
The Book of Nahum.

Mass Readings
The Epistle to the Hebrews, chapter ten, verses one thru ten;
Psalm Forty, verses two & four (AB), seven thru eight (A), ten & eleven;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter three, verses thirty-one thru thirty-five.

The Queue

John Carter of Mars is composed of two entirely unrelated short stories: "John Carter and the Giant of Mars" & "Skeleton Men of Jupiter." Compare this to Llana of Gathol, which is episodically composed of four interrelated parts, which with minimal modification could suffice as independent short stories: "The Ancient Dead," "The Black Pirates of Barsoom, "Escape on Mars," & "Invisible Men of Mars." I am dubious of the notion that "John Carter and the Giant of Mars" is even the fruit of E.R.B.'s labor. The introduction, cited in the previous episode of "The Queue," says that "Giant" was written "in collaboration" with son John Coleman Burroughs, to the strict formula of the Big Little Book series (Big Little-link); 'twas later expanded & "adapted… 'upward' for adult readership." I am dubious of E.R.B.'s hand being behind "Giant." The radical differences in sentence & paragraph structure might be explained away as Big Little dictates, but what of the inconsistencies regarding Martian geography, flora & fauna, & technology? The Barsoom of "Giant" is markedly different than the Barsoom of anything from A Princess of Mars through Llana of Gathol. Worse yet, the diction. A substantially different vocabulary is used. E.R.B. is incredibly consistent in describing Barsoomian flying craft as "fliers," "airships," or "ships." My eyes boggled when saw the words "planes" used in "Giant." Big Little's editorial influence? Mayhap Big Little's, mayhap the younger Burroughs's. In either event, "John Carter and the Giant of Mars" reads like something out of an entirely different, entirely inferior canon.

"Skeleton Men of Jupiter" is pure E.R.B. I am interested in reading more of the Tarzan books, & my father opines that Burroughs's Venus series (four & a half books) is even better than the longer Mars series (eleven books). Pellucidar, the stand-alones, yes, I look forward to many more sojourns into the imagination of Mr. Edgar Rice Burroughs. "Kaor!"

Recently
Thomas J. Craughwell, Saints Behaving Badly: The Cutthroats, Crooks, Trollops, Con Men, and Devil Worshippers Who Became Saints
Edgar Rice Burroughs, Llana of Gathol
Edgar Rice Burroughs, John Carter of Mars

Currently
Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel)

Presently
Pope Francis, The Church of Mercy: A Vision for the Church
Rice Broocks, God's Not Dead: Evidence for God in an Age of Uncertainty
Richard Price, Clockers
Sir Richard Francis Burton, translator, "Sinbad the Sailor" from The Arabian Nights
Sir Ernest Shackleton, South: A Memoir of the Endurance Voyage
Norman Davies, Vanished Kingdoms: The Rise and Fall of States and Nations
Norman Stone, The Atlantic and Its Enemies: A Personal History of the Cold War
Ted Morgan, Valley of Death: The Tragedy at Dien Bien Phu That Led America into the Vietnam War

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
Barenaked Ladies, "Call and Answer" from Stunt (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary:

"But I'm warning you: Don't ever do
Those crazy, messed-up things that you do.
If you ever do, I promise you
I'll be the first to crucify you…"

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today is the Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop & Doctor of the Church, C.O., O.M., O.F.M. Cap. (-), co-founder of the Visitation Sisters, formally the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary: Saint-link Unus & Saint-link Duo, Wikipedia-link Saint & Wikipedia-link Order.

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

The test of prayer is a person's actions: "To be an angel in prayer & a beast in one's relations with people is to go lame on both legs." He believed the worst sin was to judge someone or to gossip about them.

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty.

Mass Readings
The Epistle to the Hebrews, chapter nine, verse two & three, eleven thru fourteen;
Psalm Forty-seven, verses two & three, six thru nine;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter three, verses twenty & twenty-one.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
The O.C. Supertones, "Perseverance of the Saints" from Supertones Strike Back (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary:

"Last breath before the candle flickers out
I will speak the Name of Jesus…"

The Rebel Black Dot Songs of the Day

***SPOILER ALERT***

Puffy Ami Yumi, "Teen Titans Theme" via iTunes (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary:

"When there's trouble you know who to call—
Teen Titans!
From their Tower they can see it all—
Teen Titans!
When there's evil on the attack,
You can rest knowing they got your back,
'Cause when the world needs heroes on patrol—
Teen Titans go!…"

Donnerstag, 22 Januar
Blue Harvest, "Green Lantern" via iTunes (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: "Green Lantern" has hardcore comic-book nerd lyrics, with very specific & accurate lyrics about the five principal Green Lanterns from Earth, in chronological order: Alan Scott, Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner, John Stewart, & Kyle Rayner. Of course, the band's name, Blue Harvest, is itself a hardcore nerdy reference.

Musically, I spent most of Thursday still listening to Wednesday's R.B.D.S.O.T.D., "Hell" by Squirrel Nut Zippers, on repeat, but when I did branch out into other songs I did so still flying high from Wednesday's new episode of Arrow, featuring the debut of Laurel Lance (played by Katie Cassidy) as the Black Canary.



I intend to write a longer piece about Arrow & The Flash, & the D.C. live-action universe they form on The C.W. television network, the kind of post that we just don't see much of anymore here at The Secret Base, & I thought the "Teen Titans Theme" & "Green Lantern" would be the perfect thematic accompaniment, but when will I find/make the time to write that minor opus? There's a reason we don't see that kind of post all that much anymore: tempus fugit. Just yesterday, I advised a fellow at church not to let the perfect be the enemy of the good, & here I follow my own advice. I revel in both Arrow & The Flash & I've been waiting for Miss Cassidy to don the Black Canary costume since Arrow debuted in the fall of '12. Good times, with further good times ahead.

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today is the optional memorial Saint Marianne Cope, Virgin, O.S.F. (1838-1918, A.K.A. Mother Marianne of Moloka'i): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

Marianne spent much of her life working in Hawai'i working with lepers on the island of Moloka'i. On October 12, 2012, she was officially canonized by Pope Benedict.

Today, not yesterday, is also the optional memorial of Saint Vincent, Deacon & Martyr. Please scroll down to yesterday's incorrect remembrance of him.

Today we also remember Blessed Nikolaus Gross (1898-1945), martyr: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Bl. Nikolaus Gross is Columbia's, the official magazine of the Knights of Columbus, "Catholic Man of the Month" for January. Quoth Columbia:

The son of a miner, Nikolaus Gross was born Sept. 30, 1898, in Niederwenigern, a small town in western Germany. At age 14, after attending Catholic primary school, he followed his father into the mines & worked for the next five years. Determined to further his education, Gross went to night school & joined the Christian Miner's Trade Union.

In 1923, Gross married Elisabeth Koch, also a native of Niederwenigern. In the course of their happy marriage, they were blessed with seven children in whom they instilled a deep love of Christ, the Church, & the poor.

In 1927, Gross joined the staff of the Westdeutschen Arbeiterzeitung, the newspaper of the Catholic Worker's Movement, & soon became its editor. He offered guidance on labor questions & on social & political issues, including the growth of national Socialism. Already in 1930, he wrote, "As Catholic workers we reject Nazism not only for political & economic reasons, but decisively also on account of our religious & cultural outlook."

Upon Hitler's seizure of power in 1933, the newspaper was banned for three weeks. When it was eventually outlawed in 1938, Gross joined the German resistance & published pamphlets to fortify the faith among workers.

Though not involved in the "July Plot" to assassinate Hitler in 1944, gross was arrested in a massive roundup & imprisoned in Berlin. Through constant prayer, he remained serene & strong to the end. Two days before his execution, he wrote: "How amazingly good God is & how rich he has made my life. He gave me his love & grace, & he gave me a beloved wife & good children."

Gross was hanged at Plötzensee Prison on Jan. 23, 1945. He was beatified in 2001, & his feast is Jan. 23.

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter nineteen.

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

The Explorers' Club, № CDXXVII

Operation AXIOM: The World War
19-20 January 1915: The first German zeppelin bombing raid on the United Kingdom, striking towns & villages on the Norfolk coast (London would be bombed starting May '15).







Commentary: Our preference, whenever possible, is not to use the photographs & pictures available on the Wikipedia, which I presume is the first stop of every explorer set upon a particular subject by an "Explorers' Club" episode. But some, like the propaganda poster below, are so spot-on for our purposes that they virtually demand to be included. The poster also serves to highlight the disproportionate psychological impact of the zeppelin raids.



Lest we forget.

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today is the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children: Bishops-link.

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

Birth is not the start of a new human life—just a change of the baby's environment.

Today is also the optional memorial of Saint Vincent, Deacon & Martyr (d. c. 304, A.K.A. Vincent of Saragossa), martyred under the Emperor Diocletian: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

Vincent was apprehended & ordered to surrender his sacred books. When he refused, he was tortured until he died.

The bulletin honors St. Vincent tomorrow, 23 January, but the available online resources give today, 22 January, as his feast. I suspect the move to 23 January is in deference to the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children & the March for Life. If the move to the 23rd is at the directive of the bishops—& the U.S.C.C.B. website is silent as far as I can tell—I mean no defiance by memorializing St. Vincent today on the 22nd. If the move is solely at the discretion of the bulletin's editor, I respect her motive even as I disagree with it.

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter eighteen.

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

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today is the Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin & Martyr (c. 304), martyred under the Emperor Diocletian: Saint-link Unus, Saint-link Duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

St. Agnes was a Roman girl who was only thirteen years old when she suffered martyrdom for her Faith. "Jesus Christ is my only Spouse."

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter seventeen.

Mass Readings
The Epistle to the Hebrews, chapter seven, verses one thru three, fifteen thru seventeen;
Psalm One hundred ten, verses one thru four;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter three, verses one thru six.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
Squirrel Nut Zippers, "Hell" via iTunes (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary:

"In the afterlife,
You could be heading for the serious strife,
Now you make the scene all day,
But tomorrow there'll be hell to pay!

"In the afterlife, etc.

"People, listen attentively,
I mean about future calamity:
I used to think the idea was obsolete,
Until I heard the old man tapping his feet.

"This is a place where eternally
Fire is applied to the body,
Teeth are extruded and bones are ground
And made into cakes which are passed around.

"In the afterlife, etc.

"Beauty, talent, fame, money,
Refinement, top skill, and brain,
But all the things that you try to hide,
Will be revealed on the other side.

"In the afterlife, etc.

"Now the D and the A and the M and the N
And the A and the T and the I-O-N,
Lose your face, lose your name,
Then get fitted for a suit of flame…"

Project BLACK MAMBA: Saints Backlog

Saturday
17 January was the Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot (251-356): Saint-link Unus, Saint-link Duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Saturday was the obligatory memorial of Saint Anthony, the Desert Father variously known as Saint Anthony the Great, Saint Anthony the Abbot, Saint Anthony of Egypt, et al. Alas, the parish bulletin editor (or the source on which she relies) seems to have mistaken this Saint Anthony for another well-known Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony of Padua, whose feast is celebrated in June.

Sunday
Had 18 January not been a Sunday, we would have remembered Saint Faustina of Como† (d. 580) & Saint Liberata of Como† (d. 580), sisters (both siblings & nuns): Saint-link Foxtrot, Saint-link Lima, & Wikipedia-link.

We would also have remembered Saint Margaret of Hungary, O.P.† (1242-1271): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Monday
On 19 January, we remembered Saint Canute of Denmark† (c. 1042-1086, also spelt Knut, Knud, etc.), King Canute IV, martyr: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Tuesday
Today is the optional memorials of Pope Saint Fabian (c. 200-c. 250), martyred under the Emperor Decius, & Saint Sebastian (d. c. 288), martyred under the Emperor Diocletian: Martyr-link Foxtrot Unus, Martyr-link Foxtrot Duo, & Wikipedia-link Foxtrot; Martyr-link Sierra Unus, Martyr-link Sierra Duo, & Wikipedia-link Sierra.

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

A layperson, Fabian went to Rome during a papal election. A dove descended on him & he was named Pope.

Sebastian encouraged fellow prisoners to despise flesh & blood, & to die for Christ. God confirmed his words by miracle: light shone around him while he spoke; he cured the sick by his prayers; & in this divine strength he led multitudes to the faith.

Project BLACK MAMBA: Scripture Backlog

Scripture of the Day (Saturday)
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter thirteen.

Mass Readings
The Epistle to the Hebrews, chapter four, verses twelve thru sixteen;
Psalm Nineteen, verses eight thru ten, fifteen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter two, verses thirteen thru seventeen.

Scripture of the Day (Sunday)
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter fourteen.

Mass Readings
The First Book of Samuel, chapter three, verses three(B) thru ten, nineteen;
Psalm Forty, verses two, four, seven thru ten;
The First Epistle to the Corinthians, chapter six, verses thirteen(C) thru fifteen (A), seventeen thru twenty;
The Gospel according to John, chapter one, verses thirty-five thru forty-two.

Scripture of the Day (Monday)
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter fifteen.

Mass Readings
The Epistle to the Hebrews, chapter five, verses one thru ten;
Psalm One hundred ten, verses one thru four;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter two, verses eighteen thru twenty-two.

Scripture of the Day (Today)
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter sixteen.

Mass Readings
The Epistle to the Hebrews, chapter six, verses ten thru twenty;
Psalm One hundred eleven, verses one & two, four & five, nine & ten(C);
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter two, verses twenty-three thru twenty-eight.

The Queue

It didn't actually take me two months to read the slim volume that is Llana of Gathol; 'tis a typically swift E.R.B. page-turner. In the span since the last "The Queue" post, I've been occupied by numerous other avenues of reading, including periodicals & study materials of all sorts, both sacred & secular. I am looking forward to John Carter of Mars, but I am also apprehensive. It is the last Barsoom story, & though I will surely re-read the series at some point for the sheer thrill & adventure of it all, this is the last time I will venture into the unknown alongside John Carter, the incomparable Dejah Thoris, Vad Varo, & all the varied denizens of the dying Red Planet. Then again, "venture into the unknown" is probably, almost certainly overstating the case. As I quipped to my father (here I paraphrase myself for greater clarity), "The great thing about a John Carter of Mars book is that you know exactly what to expect: abductions, capture & imprisonment in the 'pits,' disguises, duels to the death, ravishing beauties, hidden cultures. The bad thing about a John Carter of Mars book is that you know exactly what to expect: abductions, capture & imprisonment in the 'pits,' disguises, duels to the death, ravishing beauties, hidden cultures." There is a definite formula. 'Tis a good formula, but now & again the restless mind longs for greater variety.

Quoth the introduction by Richard A. Lupoff:

To the reader who regards science fiction as a sugar-coated course in chemistry and physics equally as to the one who seeks serious sociological extrapolation, Burrough's Martian novels will prove unsatisfactory.

But to the reader who seeks magnificent adventure in an endlessly imaginative, exotic setting, these books without question represent an all-time high in the field.

The two volumes by His Holiness Pope Francis are, respectively, an "Apostolic Exhortation" (rather than an "Encyclical") & a collection of homilies & other speeches.

Recently
Matthew Kelly, Rediscover Catholicism: A Spiritual Guide to Living with Passion & Purpose ***abandoned***
Thomas J. Craughwell, Saints Behaving Badly: The Cutthroats, Crooks, Trollops, Con Men, and Devil Worshippers Who Became Saints
Edgar Rice Burroughs, Llana of Gathol

Currently
Edgar Rice Burroughs, John Carter of Mars

Presently
Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel)
Pope Francis, The Church of Mercy: A Vision for the Church
Rice Broocks, God's Not Dead: Evidence for God in an Age of Uncertainty
Richard Price, Clockers
Sir Richard Francis Burton, translator, "Sinbad the Sailor" from The Arabian Nights
Sir Ernest Shackleton, South: A Memoir of the Endurance Voyage
Norman Davies, Vanished Kingdoms: The Rise and Fall of States and Nations
Norman Stone, The Atlantic and Its Enemies: A Personal History of the Cold War
Ted Morgan, Valley of Death: The Tragedy at Dien Bien Phu That Led America into the Vietnam War

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Your Life" from Pin Points and Gin Joints (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary:

"You were warned from the day you were born,
You were too young so you blew it off,
You were told you were gold but as you got old
You discovered that you were too soft—
Delusions of greatness and grandeur,
Life can be hard just to live,
Demanding standards, you'll never deliver,
If you had two of them to give.

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

The Rebel Black Dot Song of M.L.K. Day
Martin Luther King Jr., "'I Have a Dream' Excerpt" from Plea for Peace (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary:

"I would like to discuss some of the problems that we confront in the world today, and some of the problems that we confront in our own nation, by using as a subject the American Dream. Now, I choose this subject because America is essentially a dream. It is a dream of a land where men of all races, of all nationalities, and of all creeds can live together as brothers."

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
"Weird Al" Yankovic, "Grapefruit Diet" from Running with Scissors (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: Referencing a dress-up event today, at last night's fundraiser one of the brothers mentioned his "zoot suit," in no way meaning an actual zoot suit, which lead me to sing, "Zoot Suit Riot," inevitably leading to "Grapefruit Diet," which as is the case with many of "Weird Al's" parodies, I prefer to the original.

"Grapefruit diet! (Diet!)
Throw out the pizza and beer!…"

I'm listening to "Grapefruit Diet" as I eat my lunch (brunch, I suppose, since I didn't have breakfast before Mass), cold pizza left over from yesterday. I have been known to quip, "Cold pizza & a Red Bull, the breakfast of champions," even though every school kid knows black coffee & a cigarette is the true breakfast of champions.

I am a creature of routine, & unrepentantly so. I find myself in the midst of a disruption to my routine so profound as to be tantamount to annihilation. Yet I find myself delighted, pleased as Punch with my circumstances. What a strange, wonderful day this was, laboring in the vineyard of the Lord.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
Santo & Johnny, "Sleep Walk" via iTunes (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: When the alarm on my mobile awoke me Friday morning at 9:00 A.M., the first, horrible thought I had was that I knew exactly where I'd be & exactly what I'd be doing for the next twenty hours, 'til 5:00 A.M. Saturday, & none of it involved slumber. I napped briefly but am awake now, with another full day ahead, offering scant opportunities to catch forty winks before 3:00 A.M. Sunday morning. "Sleep Walk" is an instrumental piece, so instead I'll quote from "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost:

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today we remember Saint Berard & Companions, O.F.M.† (d. 1220), missionaries & martyrs: Martyr-link O.F.M., Martyr-link Berard (priest), Martyr-link Peter (priest), Martyr-link Otto (A.K.A. Otho, Odo; priest), Martyr-link Accursius (lay brother), & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: There is no separate S.Q.P.N. entry for St. Adjutus, O.F.M., also a lay brother.

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter twelve.

Mass Readings
The Epistle to the Hebrews, chapter four, verses one thru five, eleven;
Psalm Seventy-eight, verses, three & four(BC), six(C) thru eight;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter two, verses one thru twelve.

The Rebel Black Dot Taylor Swift Song of the Day
Taylor Swift, "Shake It Off" from 1989 (T.L.A.M.)

The Explorers' Club, № CDXXVI

Operation AXIOM: The World War
22 December 1914-17 January 1915: The Battle of Sarikamish—the encirclement & annihilation of an Ottoman offensive expedition by the Russians; the Turks were comprehensively outmaneuvered, but were truly undone by the bitter winter cold & their own poor organization & lack of preparation.







Lest we forget.

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today we remember Saint Paul the First Hermit (c. 230-c. 343, A.K.A. Paul the Anchorite or Paul of Thebes): Saint-link Unus, Saint-link Duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter eleven.

Commentary: I am struggling with the Gospel of John much more than I did with Mark, Matthew, & Luke combined. I do not contend against the validity of John & shall explain my difficulty by quoting from same, chapter six, verse sixty (John, 6:60): "Then many of his disciples who were listening said, 'This saying is hard; who can accept it?'" John is true, but hard—hard to "accept" in the sense of confidence in one's comprehension of the text to the same degree that one did the synoptic trio.

Mass Readings
The Epistle to the Hebrews, chapter three, verses seven thru fourteen;
Psalm Ninety-five, verses, X;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter one, verses forty thru forty-five.

Commentary: My Bible features subheadings describing the various component stories that comprise each chapter. Apropos of yesterday's mention of a recent appreciation for/rejoicing in those who minister to lepers, today's Gospel reading, Mark, 1:40-45, is titled "The Cleansing of a Leper."

The Rebel Black Dot Taylor Swift Song of the Day
Taylor Swift, "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" from Red (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: I've never been in an on again/off again relationship, which frankly has never made a lick of sense to me, neither as I have witnessed amongst my kith & kin nor as represented in fiction. Why suffer such idiocy? This is part of why I have a strict rule: once I've dated a girl, I will never again be "friends" with her, the better to forestall any chance of initiating a cycle of getting back together, breaking up again, & on & on ad nauseam.

Bonus! Song of the Day
John Linnell, "Maine" from State Songs, Vol. 1 (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: My sleep cycle is going to be F.U.B.A.R. for the next several days, due to the odd hours of an understaffed K. of C. fundraiser. Perhaps in anticipation, I slept-in this morning, bringing "Maine" to mind by mid-afternoon.

"Exhausted from oversleep,
Awake, but still in bed…"

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today we remember Blessed Peter Donders, C.Ss.R.† (1807-1887, A.K.A. Petrus Donders), missionary: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: I recently watched a biographical motion picture about Saint Damien of Moloka'i, the far-famed Father Damien. Combine that with a recent re-watching of Ben-Hur & I have a particular interest in anyone who, like Bl. Peter Donders, ministered to lepers. Last Friday's Gospel (Luke, 5:12-16) contained the memorable phrase "a man full of leprosy."

Today we remember Saint Sava† (c. 1174-c. 1235), bishop: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: My sources dispute whether St. Sava's feast day is 14 January or 27 January, the argument seemingly based in the differences 'twixt the Old Style (O.S.) dates of the Julian calendar & the New Style (N.S.) dates of the Gregorian calendar. This seems rather silly to me, since N.S. dating was not adopted anywhere, much less universally, 'til over three hundred years after St. Sava's death. Plus, this feast is neither an optional nor an obligatory memorial in the current liturgical year, so I feel myself at liberty to use the earlier date, even if it is based in O.S. dating.

Also, St. Sava is a rare post-Schism Orthodox saint also honored in Catholicism. This is altogether fitting, as there is only "one, holy, catholic, & apostolic Church," whatever liturgical & theological disputes divide us. I'm not mocking those disputes, for there are real & consequential differences, resulting in many deeply heretical sects claiming to be "churches," I'm just trying to emphasize what we all share in common—the confession of Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ, the Son of God. A genuine disciple of Christ is a disciple of Christ whatever his denomination.

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter ten.

Mass Readings
The Epistle to the Hebrews, chapter two, verses fourteen thru eighteen;
Psalm One hundred five, verses, one thru four, six thru nine;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter one, verses twenty-nine thru thirty-nine.

The Rebel Black Dot Taylor Swift Song of the Day
Taylor Swift, "Better Than Revenge" from Speak Now (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary:

"I think her ever-present frown is a little troubling,
She thinks I'm psycho 'cause I like to rhyme her name with things…"

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today is the optional memorial of Saint Hilary (c. 300-c. 368), bishop & Doctor of the Church, the Malleus Arianorum ("Hammer of the Arians"): Saint-link Unus, Saint-link Duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

Hilary spent nearly four years in exile, though the reasons for this banishment remain obscure. The traditional explanation is that Hilary was exiled for refusing the subscribe to the condemnation of (Saint) Athanasius & the Nicene faith.

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter nine.

Mass Readings
The Epistle to the Hebrews, chapter two, verses five thru twelve;
Psalm Eight, verses two(AB) & five thru nine;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter one, verses twenty-one thru twenty-eight.

Yesterday, we remembered Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys, C.N.D.† (1620-1700), foundress of the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal: Saint-link Unus & Saint-link Duo, Wikipedia-link Mother & Wikipedia-link Congregation.

Yesterday, we also remembered Saint Benedict Biscop, O.S.B.† (c. 628-690), abbot, founder of the Monkwearmouth-Jarrow Abbey: Saint-link, Wikipedia-link Abbot, & Wikipedia-link Abbey.

Scripture of the Day (Yesterday)
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter eight.

Mass Readings
The Epistle to the Hebrews, chapter one, verses one thru six;
Psalm Ninety-seven, verses one & two(B), six & seven(C), nine;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter one, verses fourteen thru twenty.

The Rebel Black Dot Taylor Swift Song of the Day
Taylor Swift, "Mean" from Speak Now (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: "Mean" is another song that, meaningful as it is to me, would have been all the more so had I been born in 1989, like Miss Swift, instead of 1979. I was picked on in elementary school for getting good grades & for not being cool, but at the time this merely confused me; 'twas not 'til middle school that it hurt; 'twas not 'til high school that I developed a carapace of defiant indifference; & 'twas not 'til college that I actually came to be defiantly indifferent. Of course, in my turn I've perpetuated the cycle by being mean to many persons, & I will never be able to make amends to too many of them. May we all learn not merely to overcome, as advocated in "Mean," but to forgive, & teach others to be kind in the first place.

The Rebel Black Dot Taylor Swift Song of the Day
Taylor Swift, "You Belong with Me" from Fearless (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: Just reverse the sex of the pronouns—"he" to "she" & vice versa—&, yeah, "You Belong with Me" presents my experience of high school, from my very non-objective point of view.

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today is the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord: Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

Originally the baptism of Christ was celebrated on Epiphany, which commemorates the coming of the Magi, the baptism of Christ, & the wedding at Cana. Over time in the West, however, the celebration of the baptism of the Lord came to be commemorated as a distinct feast from Epiphany. It is celebrated in Anglican & Lutheran Churches (sic) on the first Sunday following The Epiphany of Our Lord. Pope (Saint) John Paul II initiated a custom whereby on this feast the Pope baptizes babies in the Sistine Chapel.

The capitalization in the above is an anarchic nightmare.

Were today not a feast, we would remember Saint Vitalis of Gaza† (d. 625): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Were today not a feast, we would also remember Blessed William Carter† (c. 1548-1584), martyr: Martyr-link Unus, Martyr-link Duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter seven.

Mass Readings
The Book of Isaiah, chapter forty-two, verses one thru four, six & seven;
or The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-five, verses one thru eleven;
Psalm Twenty-nine, verses one thru four, nine & ten;
or The Book of Isaiah, chapter twelve, verses two & three, four(BCD), five & six;
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter ten, verses thirty-four thru thirty-eight;
or The First Epistle of John, chapter five, verses one thru nine;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter one, verses seven thru eleven.

For the last time this (liturgical) year, merry Christmas!

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Detroit Rock City" via iTunes (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: With a voicemail-cum-introduction by Gene Simmons of Kiss.

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today we remember Saint Gregory of Nyssa† (circa 335-395), bishop: Saint-link Unus, Saint-link Duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: The son of saints & the brother of saints, including Saint Basil the Great (2 January): Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter six.

Mass Readings
The First Epistle of John, chapter five, verses fourteen thru twenty-one;
Psalm One hundred forty-nine, verses one thru six(A) & nine(B);
The Gospel according to John, chapter three, verses twenty-two thru thirty.

Merry Christmas!

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
Superchunk, "Detroit Has a Skyline" via iTunes (T.L.A.M.)

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today we remember Saint Adrian of Canterbury, O.S.B.† (circa 635-710), abbot: Saint-link Unus, Saint-link Duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter five.

Mass Readings
The First Epistle of John, chapter five, verses five thru thirteen;
Psalm One hundred forty-seven, verses twelve thru fifteen, nineteen & twenty;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter five, verses twelve thru sixteen.

Merry Christmas!

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
Sufjan Stevens, "Detroit, Lift Up Your Weary Head! (Rebuild! Restore! Reconsider!)" from Michigan (T.L.A.M.)

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today we remember Saint Lawrence Giustiniani, C.R.S.A.† (1381-1456; A.K.A. Laurentius Justinianus), bishop & Patriarch of Venice: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter four.

Mass Readings
The First Epistle of John, chapter four, verse nineteen thru chapter five, verse four;
Psalm Seventy-two, verses one & two, fourteen & fifteen(BC), seventeen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter four, verses fourteen thru twenty-two.

Merry Christmas!

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
John Lee Hooker, "Whiskey & Wimmen'" from "Boom Boom" and Other Classics (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary:

"Night life, night life, night life,
Ain't no good, ain't no good, ain't no good for me…"

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today is the optional memorial of Saint Raymond of Peñafort, O.P. (circa 1175-1275; also spelt Penyafort): Saint-link Unus, Saint-link Duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

Pope Gregory IX summoned him to Rome in 1230 to help in the rearranging & codifying of canon law. He is the Patron of Canon Lawyers.

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter three.

Mass Readings
The First Epistle of John, chapter four, verses eleven thru eighteen;
Psalm Seventy-two, verses one & two, ten, twelve & thirteen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter six, verses forty-five thru fifty-two.

Merry Christmas!

Urbi et Orbi | Project MERCATOR

On Monday night, I was out of the house with my new Bible study/fellowship group, Followers of the Way, 'til 9:30 P.M. Yesterday, I was out of the house at a rather contentious Knights of Columbus meeting (plus driving a brother Knight home) 'til 10:30. I'm not out carousing, but this night life is still taking a toll.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
The Cast of The Simpsons (& Gary Portnoy?), "Flaming Moe's" from Songs in the Key of Springfield (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" was the last R.B.D.S.O.T.D. before the commencement of our annual secular-then-sacred Christmas-music extravaganza, so what more fitting bookend than "Flaming Moe's"? Bottoms up!

"When the weight of the world has got you down and you want to end your life,
Bills to pay, a dead-end job, and problems with the wife,
But don't throw in the towel 'cause there's a place right down the block
Where you can drink your misery away:

"At Flaming Moe's,
(Let's all go to Flaming Moe's),
Where liquor in a mug
Can warm you like a hug,
Happiness is just a Flaming Moe away,
Happiness is just a Flaming Moe away!"

Barflies: "Barney!"
Woody Boyd pastiche: "How's the world treating you, Mister Gumble?"
Barney Gumble: "*belch*"

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today is the optional memorial of Saint André Bessette, C.S.C. (1845-1937): Saint-link Unus, Saint-link Duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

A lay brother of the Congregation of the Holy Cross & a significant figure of the Roman Catholic Church among French-Canadians, he is credited with thousands of reported miraculous healings.

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter two.

Mass Readings
The First Epistle of John, chapter four, verses seven thru ten;
Psalm Seventy-two, verses one thru four, seven & eight;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter six, verses thirty-four thru forty-four.

Merry Christmas!

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Twelve Days of Christmas
Mexicani Marimba Band, "Twelve Days of Christmas" via iTunes, (free) Holiday Sampler (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: An instrumental rendition, so one need not worry about remembering all of the lyrics.

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today is the Memorial of Saint John Neumann, C.Ss.R. (1811-1860), bishop: Saint-link Unus, Saint-link Duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

As bishop, he was the first to organize a diocesan Catholic school system. He increased the number of Catholic schools in his diocese (Philadelphia) from two to [one hundred].

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to John, chapter one.

Mass Readings
The First Epistle of John, chapter three, verse twenty-two thru chapter four, verses six;
Psalm Two, verses seven(BC) thru eight, ten thru twelve(A);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter four, verses twelve thru seventeen, twenty-three thru twenty-five.

Merry Christmas!

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Twelfth Day of Christmas
Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings" from Barenaked for the Holidays (T.L.A.M.)

The Explorers' Club, № CDXXV

Operation AXIOM: The World War
25 December 1914: The Cuxhaven Raid—a new kind of warfare as ship-borne floatplanes of the British Royal Naval Air Service bombed, amongst other targets, the German Imperial Navy's (Kaiserliche Marine) Zeppelin sheds at Nordholz.









Commentary: The Cuxhaven Raid is known in Germany as the Weihnachtsangriff, the "Christmas Raid," proof that the fondly remembered "Christmas truce" was far from universal.

Lest we forget.

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today is the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord: Epiphany-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

The feast commemorates principally (but not solely) the visit of the Magi to the Christ child, & thus Jesus' (sic) physical manifestation to the Gentiles as Son of God.

Traditionally, Epiphany was celebrated on 6 January, but since the implementation of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council (my whole life & more), Epiphany has been celebrated on the Sunday following 1 January. The Christmastide isn't over, though, as Ordinary Time does not begin until the Monday after next, after next Sunday's feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Who doesn't love more Christmas?

Were today not the Epiphany, 4 January would be the memorial of Saint Elizabth Ann Seton† (1774-1821), foundress of the Sisters of Charity: Saint-link Unus & Saint-link Duo, Wikipedia-link Seton & Wikipedia-link Sisters.

Scripture of the Day
The Book of Isaiah, chapter sixty, verses one thru six;
Psalm Seventy-two, verses one & two, six & seven, ten thru thirteen;
The Epistle to the Ephesians, chapter three, verses two thru three(A), five & six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter two, verses one through twelve.

Merry Christmas!

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Eleventh Day of Christmas
Sufjan Stevens, "We Three Kings" from Songs for Christmas (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: "We Three Kings of Orient Are" might just be my favorite Christmas carol &, as a Gentile, the quest of the Magi is one of my favorite parts of the Nativity.

"We three kings of Orient are,
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

"O star of wonder! Star of night!
Star with royal beauty bright!
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

"Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and sacrifice,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Earth to Heaven replies…"

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Tenth Day of Christmas
Duvall, "Jesus Christ" from O Holy Night (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: "Jesus Christ" borrows snippets from the lyrics of several popular carols.

"Angels from the realms of glory,
Stars shone bright above,
Royal David's city
Was bathed in the light of love.

"Jesus Christ was born today,
Jesus Christ was born!
Jesus Christ was born today,
Jesus Christ was born!

"Lo, they did rejoice,
Fine and pure of voice,
And the wrong shall fail,
And the right prevail!

"Jesus Christ was born today…"

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today is the feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus: Holy Name-link Unus, Holy Name-link Duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

Commemorates the circumcision & naming of the child Jesus; as recounted in the Gospel read on that day, "at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb."

Scripture of the Day
The First Epistle of John, chapter two, verse twenty-nine thru chapter three, verse six;
Psalm Ninety-eight, verses one, three(CD) thru six;
The Gospel according to John, chapter one, verses twenty-nine thru thirty-four.

Merry Christmas!

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Ninth Day of Christmas
Amy Grant, "O Come All Ye Faithful" via iTunes, (free) Holiday Sampler (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary:

"Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
O Jesus, to Thee
Be all glory giv'n,
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing!

"O Come, let us adore Him!
O Come, let us adore Him!
O Come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord!…"

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today is the Memorial of Saints Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops & Doctors of the Church* (circa 329-379 & circa 329-390, respectively): Saint-link Bravo Unus, Saint-link Bravo Duo, & Wikipedia-link Bravo; Saint-link Golf Unus, Saint-link Golf Duo, & Wikipedia-link Golf.

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin (the emphasis is original):

St. Basil ranks among the greatest figures in church history. Physically delicate & occupying his exalted position but a few years. By personal virtue he attained distinction in an age of saints; & his purity, his monastic fervour**, his stern simplicity, his friendship for the poor became traditional in the history of Christian asceticism.

St. Gregory made a significant impact on the shape of Trinitarian theology among both Greek- & Latin-speaking theologians, & he is remembered as the "Trinitarian Theologian."

*Some days, the bishops' website mentions which saints' day 'tis, other days not. On those days when the bishops mention a solemnity or memorial, I defer to the title under which they celebrate the feast, whereas in heretofore standard BLACK MAMBA practice only Saint Basil's & Saint Gregory's names would have been bolded.

**Apparently, the bulletin's source is British, or at least uses Commonwealth, rather than American, English.



Scripture of the Day
The First Epistle of John, chapter two, verses twenty-two thru twenty-eight;
Psalm Ninety-eight, verses one thru four;
The Gospel according to John, chapter one, verses nineteen thru twenty-eight.

Commentary: I'll be in good shape when I resume my personal reading, as yesterday's, today's, & tomorrow's gospel readings make a methodical march through the first chapter of John's Gospel.

Merry Christmas!

Project BLACK MAMBA

Today is the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God: Mother-link Unus, Mother-link Duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God is a feast day of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the aspect of her motherhood of Jesus Christ, whom Christians see as the Lord, the Son of God.

Scripture of the Day
The Book of Numbers, chapter six, verses twenty-two thru twenty-seven;
Psalm Sixty-seven, verses two & three, five & six, eight;
The Epistle to the Galatians, chapter four, verses four thru seven;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter two, verses sixteen thru twenty-one.

Merry Christmas!

Urbi et Orbi

Last year's Mass tally vastly exceeded the aims set at the dawning of Anno Domini 2014. I was also able to satisfy the year's principal aim of not missing Mass on a single Sunday, & for this I praise & glorify the Lord! Several factors help to explain a tally that was more than twice the previous year's record of sixty-three: I joined the choir, which both entailed additional Masses, especially during Holy Week & the Easter Triduum, & more Mass attendance due to my early dissatisfaction with the experience of the Mass as a member of the choir. Last spring, whilst performing with the choir I was not deriving the satisfaction I usually do from the Mass, & so I would attend another Mass on choir Sundays for my own satisfaction; I've since come to have a greater appreciation of the experience of the Mass from what I wish we would call the "peanut gallery," but which in common usage we call the choir loft. Additionally, Father scheduled a "secret" Mass at 3:30 on Saturdays for those parishioners, mostly elderly, who do not wish to be out of the house after sunset; I was asked to read at that Mass—all of those Masses. I accepted because I am only scheduled to read at Mass about once a month, so the 3:30 Mass is an excellent chance to practice my craft. (The Mass is not actually a secret, but it sort of is, as it is not listed in the bulletin amongst the rest of the week's Mass times.) Lastly, for a fortnight from Friday, 12 December thru Thursday, 25 December 2014, I attended Mass daily. I attended Mass on twenty-one of December's thirty-one days, & I loved it! Echoing the remarks of a brother-in-Christ who attends daily Mass, on those days when I wasn't able or chose not to attend I felt out of sorts, something felt out of place.

2008: 32
2009: 33
2010: 32
2011: 37
2012: 45
2013: 63
2014: 130
2015: 1…

This year is off to a fine start, as I have already fulfilled my obligation on this Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. Papa Sierra, Holy Redeemer's Pastoral Associate & Director of Religious Education, likes to call holy days of obligation "holy days of opportunity," & once you get the obligatory groan out of your system he's right. What splendid opportunities to worship the Lord God Almighty, to celebrate this life which which he has gifted each of us, & to spent time with & grow in fellowship with the People of God.

I am not setting an explicit goal of attending Mass more frequently in '15 than I did in '14, partially out of the fear that I might begin attending Mass principally to pad the tally, instead of to worship the Creator. (The persistent fear of any tallying of Masses attended.) Instead, I shall continue to build on the series of goals met these last two years. In 2013, I attended more than the fifty-two Masses that would result from not missing a single Sunday. In 2014, I attended Mass on every single Sunday, even when I was traveling. (With thanks to the Guy for the assist in Redondo Beach, California.) In 2015, my aim to attend Mass more than fifty-two times, not to miss a single Sunday, & to attend two non-Sunday Masses a week. As ever, I strive not to attend Mass for attendance's sake; in tallying up the number of Masses attended, I can approximately how faithful I am to the Lord ay any given juncture. The more often I attend Mass, the closer to Him I draw. We see in operation here a variation on the maxim "fake it 'til you make it." The more I want to be closer to God, the closer to Him I become. Or, in the words of a prayer by Fr. Thomas Merton, O.C.S.O., "But I believe the desire to please You does in fact please You."

Yes, Mrs. Brother Nacho, I did not count last year & will not count this year the Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday as Mass, because I know well that it is not a Mass. I tease you for having an overly captious nature, but all in good fun. Whenever & wherever I am in error, please continue to provide whatever correction strikes your fancy. May the Lord bless you & keep you, sister.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Octave of Christmas
The Klezmonauts, "Away in a Manger" from Oy to the World: A Klezmer Christmas (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: No other instruments cut me to the quick quite like the violin & the piano. This rendition of the classic possesses a haunting beauty.