Project BLACK MAMBA

Today is the Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle & Evangelist (first century), martyr: Apostle-link ūnus, Apostle-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer Parish bulletin:

According to the Bible, St. Matthew was one of Jesus's twelve disciples & the first author of the New testament. Matthew is the patron saint of tax collectors & accountants.

Quoth the Saint Michael Parish bulletin:

One of the four Evangelists. He was a first century Galilean, the son of Alphaeus. He invited Jesus home for a feast & the scribes & Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating with tax collectors & sinners. He followed Jesus & was one of the witnesses to the Resurrection & the Ascension. After Jesus's death, Matthew remained in Jerusalem & proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah. It was claimed that he preached the Gospel to the Jewish community in Judea & then in other countries. He died a martyr.

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The Letter to the Colossians, chapter four (of four);
The First Letter to the Thessalonians, chapter five;
The First Letter of John, chapter two, verses eighteen thru twenty-three.

Commentary: In neither my paper & ink journal nor The Secret Base did I mark precisely when I began my chapter-a-day reading of the New Testament, suggested by the diocesan vocations director as a discernment tool, but 'twas on 2 October 2014 that I finished the sixteenth & final chapter of the Gospel according to Mark, which is where this cycle of reading began. Having now read the fourth chapter of Colossians, I've completed the New Testament, except for the intimidating Book of Revelation. I'm working with the parish's adult faith formation director on acquiring some study materials for Revelation & I will not be proceeding without that or some similar form of hand-holding. So, for a little while I'll read the Book of Wisdom, & whatever else strikes my fancy, before beginning again with Mark, reading the rest of the Gospels, too, & then diving into the Old Testament, probably stating with the Pentateuch.

Mass Readings
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter four, verses one thru seven, eleven thru thirteen;
Psalm Nineteen, verses two thru five;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter nine, verses nine thru thirteen.