Project BLACK MAMBA: Third Sunday of Advent

Today is the Third (Gaudette) Sunday of Advent: Gaudette-link, Advent-link, & Wikipedia-link.

Otherwise, on 13 December we would remember Saint Lucy, Virgin & Martyr (283-304), martyred under the emperor Diocletian: Martyr-link ūna, Martyr-link duae, Martyr-link tria, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

St. Lucy was martyred in Syracuse, Sicily. As Lucy was on her way to the visit the tomb of St. Agatha (5 February), the saint appeared to her & said that the Lord would bless the city of Syracuse because of Lucy's virginal love. St. Lucy then convinced her mother to give her dowry to the poor. In anger, Lucy's fiancé brought her before the judges to be violated & tortured. Her body became immovable & even though she was wounded, she continued to pray & give witness to Christ.

We would also remember Saint Callixtus II, Pope, O.S.B. (circa 1064-1124, A.K.A. Callistus II): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter sixteen (verses one thru twenty-eight).

Mass Readings
The Book of Zephaniah, chapter three, verses fourteen thru eighteen(a);
The Book of Isaiah, chapter twelve, verses two thru six;
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter four, verses four thru seven;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter three, verses ten thru eighteen.

Mass Journal: Week Fifty-one
Reflection by Mathew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute

The early Church was unstoppable, & as far as I can tell, it was because they followed this simple strategy: They believed that the values & principles of the Gospel were the best way to live. They nurtured friendships. They were deeply committed to a life of prayer. They were courageous in telling their story. They were generous & welcoming. Friendship is the original model of evangelization, & it is the model that will triumph in the modern context. Friendship establishes trust & mutual respect, which together bring about the openness & acceptance that give birth to vulnerable dialogue. Only then can we begin addressing the questions that every human heart longs to answer: Who am I? Where did I come from? What am I here for? How do I do it? Where am I going? Friendship is the key to evangelization.