Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Project BLACK MAMBA: Lent

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Polycarp, Bishop & Martyr (circa 69-155), martyred under the emperor Antoninus Pius: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
At (age) eighty-six, Polycarp was led into the crowded Smyrna stadium to be burned alive. The flames did not harm him & he was finally killed by a dagger. He is probably the last surviving person to have known as apostle, having been a disciple of St. John (27 December). This was one reason he was greatly revered as a teacher & church leader.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
St. Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna & a disciple of the apostles, was born sometime between the years 75-80 to Christian parents. According to St. Irenaeus (28 June), in his preaching he constantly referred to the teachings of St. John the Evangelist & other eyewitnesses of the life of Christ. While St. Ignatius of Antioch (17 October) was on his way to Rome to suffer martyrdom, he entrusted the Church of Antioch to the care of Polycarp. About the year 155 he suffered martyrdom by burning at the stake in the amphitheater at Smyrna. He imitated Christ to the very end saying, "For eighty-six years I have served Jesus Christ & he has never abandoned me. How could I curse my blessed King & Savior?"
'Tis also the feast of Blessed Ludwik Mzyk, Priest & Martyr, S.V.D. (1905-1940), martyred under the Führer Adolf Hitler: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Isaiah, chapter one, verses ten & sixteen thru twenty;
Psalm Fifty, verses eight, nine, sixteen(b,c) thru seventeen, twenty-one, & twenty-three;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-three, verses one thru twelve.

Personal Reading
The Book of Genesis, chapter forty-one (verses one thru fifty-seven);
The Book of Genesis, chapter forty-two (verses one thru thirty-eight).

Commentary: Pharaoh's dream (41, inclusive) & the brothers' first journey to Egypt (42, inclusive).

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