Sunday, July 31, 2016

The Explorers' Club, № DVIII

Operation AXIOM: The World War
30 July 1916: The Black Tom Explosion—German saboteurs set off a large explosion, fires, & numerous secondary explosions at the Black Tom Island munitions depot, setting off tons of artillery shells & T.N.T. destined for the Entente Powers; seven souls perished, debris damaged the Statue of Liberty, windows shattered in Times Square, & the explosion was felt as far away as Philadelphia.






Lest we forget.

Project BLACK MAMBA: XVIII Sunday in Ordinary Time

'Tis the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wikipedia-link.

Otherwise, 31 July would be the feast of Saint Ignatius Loyola, Priest, S.J. (1491-1556), co-founder of the Jesuits, formally the Society of Jesus: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link S.J.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the feast of Blessed Cecília Schelingová, Religious & Martyr (1916-1955), martyred at the hands of the Czechoslovakian Communists: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings
The Book of Ecclesiastes, chapter one, verse two & chapter two, verses twenty-one thru twenty-three;
Psalm Ninety, verses three thru six, twelve thru fourteen, & seventeen;
The Letter to the Colossians, chapter three, verses one thru five & nine thru eleven;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twelve, verses thirteen thru twenty-one.


Commentary: The above drawing by C. Allan Gilbert is titled All Is Vanity. Ecclesiastes, 1:2:
Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Lord's Day

William Shatner, "You'll Have Time" from Has Been (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: Not an explicitly religious song, but apropos all the same, methinks.
"Live life!
Live life like you're gonna die,
Because you're gonna.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news,
But you're gonna die.
Maybe not today or even next year,
But before you know it you'll be saying,
'Is this all there was?
'What was all the fuss?
'Why did I bother?'

"Now maybe you won't suffer,
Maybe it's quick,
But you'll have time to think,
'Why did I waste it?
'Why didn't I taste it?'
You'll have time,
'Cause you're gonna die.

"Yes, it's gonna happen because it's happened to a lot of people I know,
My mother, my father, my loves,
The president, the kings, and the pope,
They all had hope,
And they muttered, just before they went,
'Maybe I won't go.'
Live life like you're gonna die,
Because you are…

"Have I convinced you,
Do you read my lips?
This may come as news, but it's time:
You're gonna die.
You're gonna die.
By the time you hear this,
I may well be dead,
And you, my friend, might be next,
'Cause we're all gonna die, yeah…"

Chorus:
"Lung cancer,
Heartache,
Diabetes,
Drug overdose,
Choke on a chicken bone,
Hit by a lightning bolt,
Spider bite,
Airplane crash,
Car wreck,
A cap in your ass."

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Peter Chrysologus, Bishop & Doctor of the Church (circa 380-450): Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Peter became known as an outstanding preacher. He also preached to catechumens preparing for baptism. Peter Chrysologus believed that Christians should acquire knowledge to support the Christian faith. He encouraged education as a God-given opportunity & obligation.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
A man who vigorously pursues a gial may produce results far beyond his expectations & his intentions. Thus it was with Peter of the Golden Words, as he was called, who as a young man became bishop of Ravenna, the capital of the empire in the West. In addition to his zeal in the exercise of his office, Peter Chrysologus was distinguished by a fierce loyalty to the Church, not only in its teaching, but in its authority as well. He looked upon learning not as a mere opportunity but as an obligation for all, both as a development of God-given faculties & as a solid support for worship of God.
Considering education as a God-given opportunity & obligation: Chrysologus is an epithet, meaning the "golden-worded";
cf. St. John Chrysostom (13 September), the "golden-mouthed."

'Tis also the feast of Saint Leopold Mandić, Priest, O.F.M. Cap. (1866-1942): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
A naive of Croatia, Leopold joined the Capouchin Franciscans & was ordained several years later in spite of several health problems. He could not speak loudly enough to preach publicly. For many years he also suffered from severe arthritis, poor eyesight, & a stomach ailment. Leopold taught patrology, the study of the Church Fathers, to the clerics of his province for several years, but he is best known for his work in the confessional, where he sometimes spend thirteen to fifteen hours a day. Several bishops sought out his spiritual advice.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter twenty-six, verses eleven thru sixteen & twenty-four;
Psalm Sixty-nine, verses fifteen, sixteen, thirty, thirty-one, thirty-three, & thirty-four;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter fourteen, verses one thru twelve;

or, for St. Peter:
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter three, verses eight thru twelve;
Psalm One Hundred Nineteen, verse twelve;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter six, verses forty-three thru forty-five.

The Rebel Black Dot Autobiographical Song of the Day


The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Everybody's Better" from A Jackknife to a Swan (The Last Angry Man)

Skammentary:
"Everybody's better than I am,
I think everybody's better than me,
And everybody's swell, I guess,
They're doing well, more or less,
And everybody's better than I am.

"Don't you know: To be king you don't need a castle,
To row back to shore can sure be a hassle.

"Why you walk around with your head low down?

"Everybody's acting like I don't matter,
Everybody's into the act,
Too many of them too avoid,
It could be that I'm paranoid,
I matter, as a matter of fact.

"Don't you know: To be king you don't need a castle,
To row back to shore can sure be a hassle.

"Why you walk around with your head low down?
The true king rules without a crown.
If your boat's afloat after the typhoon,
Row it safely back to the lagoon.

"And never mind the green grass you won't mow,
Or what it is you have or don't to show,
Or what it is you can or can't afford,
The good are good without reward!…"

Friday, July 29, 2016

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Martha (first century, A.K.A. of Bethany): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
A biblical figure described in the Gospels of Luke & John. Together with her siblings Lazarus & Mary, she is described as living in the village of Bethany near Jerusalem. She was witness to Jesus's resurrection of her brother, Lazarus. Through time, the images of maturity, strength, common sense, & concern for others predominated.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
Martha, Mary, & their brother Lazarus were evidently close friends of Jesus. He came to their home simply as a welcomed guest, rather than as one celebrating the conversion of a sinner like Zacchaeus or one unceremoniously received by a suspicious Pharisee. The sisters feel free to call on Jesus at their brother's death, even though a return to Judea at that time seems almost certain death.
'Tis also the feast of Blessed Urban II, Pope, O.S.B. (circa 1042-1099), one hundred fifty-ninth Bishop of Rome: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter twenty-six, verses one thru nine;
Psalm Sixty-nine, verses five, eight thru ten, & fourteen;
The Gospel according to John, chapter eleven, verses nineteen thru twenty-seven;
or, the Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses thirty-eight thru forty-two;

or, for St. Martha:
The First Letter of John, chapter four, verses seven thru sixteen;
Psalm Thirty-four, verse two;
or, Psalm Thirty-four, verse nine;
The Gospel according to John, chapter eleven, verses nineteen thru twenty-seven;
or, the Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses thirty-eight thru forty-two.

Operation AXIOM | The Stars My Destination


Fifty-eight years ago to the day, 29 July 1958, President Eisenhower signed into law the National Aeronautics & Space Act, authorizing the creation of the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (N.A.S.A.). The Act also wound-up the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (N.A.C.A.) & transferred its assents to N.A.S.A. (N.A.C.A. is an initialism, in that each letter is pronounced discretely, whilst N.A.S.A. is of course an acronym, pronounced as a single word.) N.A.S.A.'s achievements are the stuff of latter-day legend. N.A.S.A. has landed men on the Moon (& returned them safely to Earth), dispatched robotic probes to every planet in the solar system (including landing multiple rovers on the Red Planet, Mars), & opened up new vistas in astrophysics through the Hubble Space Telescope, etc. N.A.S.A. astronauts have stood on the Moon. N.A.S.A. astronauts have driven on the Moon. N.A.S.A. astronauts have golfed on the Moon. With renewed pluck & determination, N.A.S.A. astronauts will yet golf on Mars, & worlds beyond.

The National Aeronautics & Space Act was enacted, creating N.A.S.A., America's peaceful, civilian space program, on 29 July 1958, fifty-eight years ago today.


Bonus! Song of the Day
Fountains of Wayne, "A Fine Day for a Parade" from Utopia Parkway (The Last Angry Man)

The Rebel Black Dot Autobiographical Song of the Day


William Shatner, "Has Been" from Has Been (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: "Has Been" mixes a Western score with a chorus, in counterpoint to Mr. Shatner's inimitable spoken-word delivery. Each party's lines are appropriately marked.
Chorus: "Has been,
Has been,
Has been."

Shatner: "You talking to me? You talking to me? You calling me, 'Has Been'? What'd you say your name is?"

Chorus: "Jack, Never Done Jack."

Shatner: "Glad to meet ya. Who's your friend?"

Chorus: "Dick, Don't Say Dick."

Shatner: "What d'ya know? And you, Friend, what's your handle?"

Chorus: "Don, Two Thumbs Don.

"Riding on their armchair,
They dream of wealth and fame,
Fear is their companion,
Nintendo is their game!

"Never Done Jack and Two Thumbs Don
And sidekick Don't Say Dick,
Will laugh at others' failures,
Though they have not done shit."

Shatner: "I've heard of you, the Ready Made connecting with the Ever Ready, yeah. Never Was talking about Still Trying, I got it. Forever Bitter gossiping about Never Say Die. May I inquire what you're been doing Mister—?"

Chorus: "Jack—never done jack."

Shatner: "And you, Partner? What's the news of the world, Dick?"

Chorus: "I don't say dick."

Shatner: "Don! Of all the people, you must be the tattler."

Chorus: "Two thumbs up!"

Shatner: "What are you afraid of, failure? So am I."

Chorus: "Has been,
Has been,
Has been…"

Shatner: "'Has Been' implies failure. Not so. Has Been's history. Has Been was. Has been—might again."

Thursday, July 28, 2016

The Queue

Each chapter of Vanished Kingdoms relates the history of a single vanished kingdom, proceeding in roughly chronological order from the polity's founding (rather than from it's fall). An oddity is chapter six, "Byzantion: The Star-lit Golden Bough (330-1453);" according to the logic of the book's structure, this should be chapter one (which is, instead, "Tolosa: Soujourn of the Visigoths (A.D. 418-507)"), as 330 is the earliest date for any of the erstwhile states. Chapter six is also odd in that it is by far the shortest chapter & yet about about the second-longest-lived kingdom, second only to chapter three, "Burgundia: Five, Six, or Seven Kingdoms (c. 411-1795)." Instead of being about the Byzantine Empire (which referred to itself as the never-fallen Roman Empire), the chapter is about the latter-day academic reputation of the empire ruled from Constantinople, the greatest city in Christendom, re-founded by the emperor Constantine on the site of Byzantium (the Latinization of the original Greek name, Byzantion) to serve as the eastern capital of Rome's far-flung empire. As a final oddity, I skipped over the lengthy chapter five ("Litva: A Grand Duchy with Kings (1253-1795)," about the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth) to read Byzantium's brief chapter six. I will resume Vanished Kingdoms once I finish the Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Lætitia, received, as expected, for my birthday.

Recently
Father Michael White & Tom Corcoran, Rebuilt: The Story of a Catholic Parish
Edward P. Hahnenberg, A Concise Guide to the Documents of Vatican II
Jon Baird, with Kevin Costner & Stephen Meyer, illustrated by Rick Ross, The Explorers Guild, Volume One: A Passage to Shambhala

Currently
Pope Francis, Amoris Lætitia (The Joy of Love)
Norman Davies, Vanished Kingdoms: The Rise and Fall of States and Nations ***paused***
Madeline Pecora Nugent, The Divine Office for Dodos: A Step-by-Step Guide to Praying the Liturgy of the Hours

Presently
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
Hilaire Belloc, How the Reformation Happened
William F. Buckley Jr., The Unmaking of a Mayor
Scott & Kimberly Hahn, Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism
Margaret MacMillan, Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World
(A.K.A. Peacemakers: The Paris Peace Conference of 1919 and Its Attempt to End War)

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Victor I, Pope & Martyr (died circa 199), fourteenth Bishop of Rome, martyred in the reign of the emperor Septimius Severus: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Samson of Dol, Abbot & Bishop (circa 485-565, A.K.A. of York): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter eighteen, verses one thru six;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-six, verses one(b) thru six(b);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter thirteen, verses forty-seven thru fifty-three.

The Rebel Black Dot Autobiographical Song of the Day


Less Than Jake, "The Science of Selling Yourself Short" from Anthem (The Last Angry Man)

Skammentary: My life before I knew Christ, in the broad strokes if not in the seedy details.
"I've come to my senses that I've become senseless,
And I could give you lessons—how to ruin your friendships,
And every last conviction, I smoked them all away,
And I drank my frustrations down the drain, out of the way.

"And so I sit and wait and wonder,
Does anyone else feel like me?
Someone so tired of their routines
And disappearing self-esteem.

"I'll sing along, yeah, with every emergency,
Just sing along, 'I'm the king of catastrophes!'
I'm so far gone that deep down inside
I think it's fine by me, I'm my own worst enemy…

"And so I sit and wait and wonder,
Does anyone else feel like me?
I'm so overdosed on apathy
And burnt out on sympathy…

"Let the meanings slip away
Lost my faith in another day,
Self-deprecation seems O.K.,
I never thought I'd make it anyway…"

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Pantaleon, Martyr (circa 275-305), martyred in the reign of the emperor Diocletian, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link XIV.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Saints Aurelius & Natalia of Córdoba, Martyrs (died 852), martyred in the reign of the emir Abd ar-Rahman II: Martyr-link Alpha, Martyr-link November, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter fifteen, verses ten & sixteen thru twenty-one;
Psalm Fifty-nine, verses two thru four, ten, eleven, seventeen, & eighteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter thirteen, verses forty-four thru forty-six.

Personal Reading
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses twenty-six thru thirty;
The Book of Revelation, chapter twelve (verses one thru eighteen);
The Book of Revelation, chapter thirteen (verses one thru eighteen).

Commentary: The closing verses of the Parable of the Talents (Matthew, 25:26-30), the Woman & the Dragon (Revelation, 12 inclusive), the First Beast (13:1-10), & the Second Beast (13:11-18).

The Rebel Black Dot Autobiographical Song of the Day


Fountains of Wayne, "Bright Future in Sales" from Welcome Interstate Managers (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:
"And if I make it home alive—

"I'm gonna get my shit together,
'Cause I can't live like this forever,
You know I come too far and I don't wanna fail,
I got a new computer and a bright future in sales…

"I got to do some quick reading
For the big meeting,
But my head is spinning and I can't quite open my eyes.
As long as I don't have to drive—

"I'm gonna get my shit together,
'Cause I can't live like this forever,
You know I come too far and I don't wanna fail,
I got a new computer and a bright future in sales…"

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Memorial of Saints Joachim & Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary (first century B.C.): Saints-link, Saint-link Juliett & Wikipedia-link Juliett, & Saint-link Alpha & Wikipedia-link Alpha.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
There are no mentions of them in the Bible of Gospels; what we know comes from catholic legends & the "Gospel of James," which is an unsanctioned, apocryphal writing from the second century. Mary was promised to Joachim & Anne buy an angel, was consecrated to God, & she remained a virgin all her life. Mary had good, faithful parents who raised her with love & devotion to God like none other except Jesus Christ Himself.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
By tradition Joachim & Anne are considered to be the names of the parents of Mary, the Mother of God. We have no historical evidence, however, of any elements of their lives, including their nams. Any stories about Mary's father & mother come to us through tradition. Devotion to St. Anne grew in Europe through a popular French tradition. The French believed that Mary Magdalene, Lazarus, Martha, & other friends of Jesus crossed the Mediterranean Sea & landed at the southern French city of Marseilles where they spread the news about Jesus's death & resurrection. According to this tradition, Mary Magdalene's group brought with them the remains of St. Anne.
'Tis also the feast of Blessed William Ward, Priest & Martyr (circa 1560-1641), martyred in the reign of the king Charles I: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter fourteen, verses seventeen thru twenty-two;
Psalm Seventy-nine, verses eight, nine, eleven, & thirteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter thirteen, verses thirty-six thru forty-three;

or, for Ss. Joachim & Anne:
The Book of Sirach, chapter forty-four, verses ten thru fifteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter one, verse thirty-two;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter thirteen, verses sixteen & seventeen.

The Rebel Black Dot Autobiographical Song of the Day


Zooey Deschanel Appreciation Day
Slow Gherkin, "In Love with Moviestars" from Run Screaming (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:
"In love with movie stars,
I've been living out a fantasy,
Because I couldn't do it myself,
I'll just play it out vicariously,
Parade of police cars,
In love with movie stars.

"Involved with images,
I left a message on your phone machine,
And I'm still looking for your answer
On the cover of every magazine,
How very coy you are!
In love with movie stars.

"Your progress is arrested,
Your process is erased,
We looked for your reflection,
We couldn't find a trace,
What about your promise?
It's all been going to waste…"

Monday, July 25, 2016

The Rebel Black Dot Song of My Birthday

They Might Be Giants, "The End of the Tour" from John Henry (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:
"There's a girl with a crown and a specter,
Who's on WLSD,
And she says that the scene isn't what it's been
And she's thinking of going home.

"That it's old and it's totally over now,
And it's old and it's over, it's over now,
And it's over, it's over, it's over now,
I can see myself—

"At the end of the tour,
When the road disappears,
If there's anymore people around,
When the tour runs aground,
And if you're still around,
Then we'll meet at the end of the tour.

"The engagements are booked through the end of the world,
So we'll met at the end of the tour…"
Bonus! Song of My Birthday
Jim Gaffigan, "Presents" from Beyond the Pale (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: Many members of our society, with the best of intentions, are doing their darnedest to keep me from having a good time on my birthday.
"'Cause, you know, there's so much pressure in our society to have a good time on your birthday. You know, it's like, 'I can't believe I'm going to work on my birthday!' 'I can't believe I'm doing laundry on my birthday!' 'I can't believe I'm paying for sex on my birthday! Rip off!'"
Project GLOWWORM | He's Dead, Jim
Asa a boy & then a young man, looking at my grandfathers, my father, & my uncles, I knew that I would lose my hair through male pattern baldness. I resigned myself to this. I honestly thought I'd be more bald than this by age thirty-seven; I'd have been quite pleased if you'd told me I'd still have this much hair left at this point. And that's to say nothing of my incredible whiskers.

Project BLACK MAMBA


'Tis the Feast of Saint James, Apostle (first century, the son of Zebedee, A.K.A. the Greater), martyred in the reigns of the king Herod Agrippa & emperor Claudius: Apostle-link ūnus, Apostle-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. One day, I will walk the Camino de Santiago.

Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Saint James the Greater was one of Jesus's first disciples. James was one of only three called by Jesus to witness His Transfiguration. James spread the Gospel across Israel & the Roman (sic) kingdom. He traveled & spread the Word… in Spain. Martyred for his faith by King Herod, who decapitated him. Saint James is known as the first apostle to die.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
This James is the brother of John the Evangelist. The two were called by Jesus as they worked with their father in a fishing boat on the Sea of galilee. Jesus had already called another pair of brothers from a similar occupation: Peter & Andrew. "He walked along a little farther & saw James, the son of Zebedee, & his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men & followed him" (Mark, 1:19-20).

James was apparently the first of the apostles to be martyred. "About that time King Herod laid hands upon some members of the Church to harm them. He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword, & when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews he proceeded to arrest Peter also" (Acts, 12:1-3a).
I regard it as a slight shame that I was not named after St. James. I love being named Michael & sharing my name with St. Michael the Archangel, but I wonder if the world might not be a better place if children were named more intentionally after saints, including potentially being named after the saint on whose feast day the child is born.


'Tis also the feast of Saint Glodesind of Metz, Abbess (died circa 608): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter four, verses seven thru fifteen;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-six, verses one(b) thru six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty, verses twenty thru twenty-eight.

Personal Reading
The Book of Revelation, chapter eight (verses one thru thirteen);
The Book of Revelation, chapter nine (verses one thru twenty-one);
The Book of Revelation, chapter ten (verses one thru eleven);
The Book of Revelation, chapter eleven (verses one thru nineteen).

Commentary: This summer, I am leading a Bible study of Revelation, the Apocalypse of John, using Jeff Cavins's Revelation: The Kingdom Yet to Come as our guide.

The Seven Trumpets (8:1-2), the Gold Censer (8:3-5), the First Four Trumpets (8:6-13), the Fifth Trumpet (9:1-12), the Sixth Trumpet (9:13-21), the Angel with the Small Scroll (10, inclusive), the Two Witnesses (11:1-14), the Seventh Trumpet (11:15-19).

Sunday, July 24, 2016

The Explorers' Club, № DVII

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Brusilov Offensive, Part II
24 July-8 August 1916: The Battle of Kowel—Austro-Hungarian reinforcements pulled from the Italian Front & German reinforcements pulled from Verdun stalled the Russian advance; the Russians, already hamstrung by internal rivalries between commanders, reverted away from General Brusilov's highly-effective tactical innovations & back to mass-casualty human wave attacks.





Commentary: This last image—General Brusilov's entry from a fifty-card cigarette card series titled, "Allied Army Leaders"—is included as a reminder of how worldwide & all-encompassing the World War was. It contains useful though not entirely accurate information about the progress of what is remembered to history as the Brusilov Offensive.

Lest we forget.

Bonus! Song of the Day


Paul Simon, "You Can Call Me Al" from Graceland (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: "You Can Call Me Al" just came to mind, seemingly apropos of nothing.

Project BLACK MAMBA: XVII Sunday in Ordinary Time

'Tis the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wikipedia-link.

Otherwise, 24 July would be the feast of Blessed Louise of Savoy, Religious (circa 1461-1503): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the feast of Saint Sharbel Makhluf, Priest, O.L.M. (1828-1898): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings
The Book of Genesis, chapter eighteen, verses twenty thru thirty-two;
Psalm One Hundred Thirty-eight, verses one thru three & six thru eight;
The Letter to the Colossians, chapter two, verses twelve thru fourteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eleven, verses one thru thirteen.

Poetry Smackdown
One of the many virtues of National Review magazine is that a poem is published in nearly every issue. The following is from the 27 June 2016 issue, Volume LXVIII, № XI. (The masthead of that issue of National Review gives the issue number as "Volume LXVIII, № 11," but your humble narrator finds the incongruity 'twixt the Roman & Arabic numerals distasteful. But I digress.)
"Altar"
by William W. Runyeon

The altar of the great cathedral
brings indoors something of the majesty
of the open sky, as the architect
lifts the eyes of all from the altar
to the wide beauty and precision
of the ceiling, jeweler's art in the sky,
a world, in its refinement and artistry,
of museums as much as of worship.

This is hallowed ground far different
from the wilderness altar of Moses,
his burnt offering at the high place
at Gibeon. It is our place to be
grateful for different gifts at different times.

From a heritage of thousands of years,
of the written words, saints, orthodoxies;
of priests, interpreters, wars, revisions,
and renewals; worship wears very'
different vestments from the rough cloth of
religion hewn from the desert, from the
wilderness, where orthodoxies are tribal,
and living by cohesion essential for
survival of both group and individual.

Weather permitting, the greater gift lies
with a cross lashed together from sticks,
deep in the forest, upon an altar
simple as a fallen log, brushed clean;
its moment of clarity, silence, and
prayer, through the tall trees, where great
shafts of light are the majesty of Heaven;
and the hands of man, an afterthought.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Lord's Day

Newsboys, "Guilty" via iTunes (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: "Guilty" is an overblown appraisal of the assault against religious liberty in these United States, but not by as much as we'd like to think.
"If serving You's against the law of man,
If living out my faith in You is banned,
Then I'll stand right before the jury.
If saying I believe is out of line,
If I'm judged 'cause I'm gonna give my life
To show the love that fills me,
Then I want to be guilty…"

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Bridget, Religious, O.Ss.S. (1303-1373, A.K.A. of Sweden), foundress of the Bridgettines, formally the Order of the Most Holy Savior: Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.Ss.S..

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
She was a mystic, a saint, & founder of the Bridgettine nuns & monks ater the death of her husband. A distinctive feature of the pre-Reformation houses of the Order was that they were double monasteries, with both men & women forming a joint community, though with separate cloisters. They were to live in poor convents & to give all surplus income to the poor. However, they were allowed to have as many books as they pleased!
'Tis also the feast of Saint John Cassian, Deacon (circa 360-435): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter seven, verses one thru eleven;
Psalm Eighty-four, verses three thru six(a), eight(a), & eleven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter thirteen, verses twenty-four thru thirty;

or, for St, Bridget:
The Letter to the Galatians, chapter two, verses nineteen & twenty;
Psalm Thirty-four, verse two;
or, Psalm Thirty-four, verse nine;
The Gospel according to John, chapter fifteen, verses one thru eight.

The Rebel Black Dot Road Song of the Day


Less Than Jake, "Five State Drive" from Hello Rockview (The Last Angry Man)

Skammentary:
"By now, I think I've found
Things change, just don't look that way to me,
Or it just looks that way to me!
By now, I think I've found
Things change, just look rearranged to me,
Never looked that way to me!…"

Friday, July 22, 2016

Urbi et Orbi | What's Eating The Last Angry Man?

I write the following not to boast, but to provide necessary context to my present consternation: For the last three days, I've woken up three hours earlier than normal to drive a fellow without a driver's license from downtown Flint to his court-mandated community service in Pontiac, a the sprawling Oakland County government campus. If he is late on any morning to his days of community service, he will have to serve an equal number of days in jail. The worst part isn't the havoc being played with my sleep schedule, but the conversation he insists we have every morning; this chap is an acquaintance, not a friend, & every before this current vexation I found his company tedious & uninteresting. But, as we must always remind ourselves, love (charity) is not an emotion, it is an act of will. Love requires us to prefer others' interests ahead of our own. After returning from the forty-minutes-each-way drive, I went to Mass, participating actively in the public worship of the Church. After Mass, I returned to downtown Flint for my weekly visit to the Genesee County Jail. There, I helped conduct a Bible study with several inmates, & shared with them the love of the Lord & the rigors of discipleship. We read & discuss the Scriptures for the following Sunday, exploring both those texts' particular meanings & the magisterial intentions of the Church in selecting those particular readings in that particular combination. It is an awe-inspiring experience, seeing Jesus Christ behind bars, in a place that is otherwise palpably devoid of hope. Becoming authorized to visit the jail & minister to the inmates required several hours of online study & the payment of various administrative fees, as well as the weekly donation of one's time & talent; I do this because the Lord called me to visit the imprisoned, as He directed us to do in the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew's Gospel.

That's how I spent my morning. This evening, at the first of what is intended to be a monthly series of discipleship opportunities—explicitly meant to encourage we parishioners to persevere in the faith & grow in "intentional discipleship" (de rigueur jargon de jour)—a paid employee of the parish said that unless one closes one's eyes, raises one's hands, or makes some other visible sign of participation/approval during the playing of "praise & worship" music, one has not allowed the Lord Jesus to sit on the throne of one's heart. I woke up early & spent over an hour on the road to drive a man of whom I'm not particularly fond to the just punishment for his freely chosen breaches of the law (sparing him a harsher but no less just punishment), I worshiped the Lord in the public liturgy of the Church, & I conducted Bible study with violent felons in the clink—none of it for my glory, but all for His, in my best effort to be obedient to the will of God—but I am not a disciple of Christ Jesus after all, because I do not raise my hands during praise & worship.
"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark."
—Wm. Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act I, Scene IV
That's what's eating The Last Angry Man.

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene (first century): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
St. Mary Magdalene is one of the greatest saints of the Bible & a legendary example of God's mercy & grace. We know she was present with Christ during His public ministry, death, & Resurrection. She is mentioned at least a dozen times in the Gospels.
Apparently, the feast of St. Mary Magdalene was recently promoted from a Memorial to a Feast. The ladder, as I understand it, in ascending importance: unmentioned &/or antiquated memorials, optional memorials, obligatory memorials, feasts, solemnities.


'Tis also the feast of Saint Joseph of Tiberias (circa 285-356, A.K.A. of Palestine): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saints John Lloyd & Philip Evans, S.J., Priests & Martyrs (died 1679), martyred in the reign of the king Charles II, two of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link Juliett Lima, Martyr-link Papa Echo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link XL.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter three, verses fourteen thru seventeen;
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter three, verses ten thru thirteen;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty, verses one, two, & eleven thru eighteen;

or, for St. Mary:
The Song of Songs, chapter three, verses one thru four(b);
or, the Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter five, verses fourteen thru seventeen;
Psalm Sixty-two, verse two;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty, verses one, two, & eleven thru eighteen.

The Rebel Black Dot Road Song of the Day


Smash Mouth, "Road Man" from Astro Lounge (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:
"Road Man driving in the road van,
He's got to beat the clock to the next town,
Road Man driving in the road van,
Set up the sound system for the band.

"Road Man, slow it down
And you will get there safe and sound,
He says, 'No, no, no,
'The show must go on!'

"Road Man driving like a mad man,
Breaking land speed records in the van,
Road man, he don't mind policeman,
Leaving trail of ripped-up citations.

"Road Man, slow it down
And you will get there safe and sound,
He says, 'No, no, no,
'The show must go on!'

"Road Man, heavy load,
He's got to stop and smell the rose,
Road Man, he says, 'No go,
'I've got to be king of the road!'

"Road Man didn't see the train, man,
Until it was too late to slow the van,
Meanwhile, the band is waiting for the Road Man,
Crushed by his beloved sound system.

"Road Man, slow it down
And you will get there safe and sound,
He says, 'No, no, no,
'No, no, no,
'No, no, the show must go on!
'The show must go on!
'The show must go on!
'The show must go on!
'The show must go on!
'The show must go on!"

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest & Doctor of the Church, O.F.M. Cap. (1559-1619): Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Priest & theologian as well as a member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins. An accomplished linguist, Lawrence spoke most European & Semitic languages fluently.
'Tis also the feast of Saint Arbogast, Bishop (died circa 700, A.K.A. of Strasbourg): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter two, verses one thru three, seven, eight, twelve, & thirteen;
Psalm Thirty-six, verses six thru seven(b) & eight thru eleven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter thirteen, verses ten thru seventeen;

or, for St. Lawrence:
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter four, verses one, two, & five thru seven;
Psalm Forty, verses eight(a) & nine(a);
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).

The Rebel Black Dot Road Song of the Day

Fountains of Wayne, "A Road Song" from Sky Full of Holes (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: Every day, I offer a short prayer to the Lord, requesting His blessings thru the intercession of Saints Christopher, Frances of Rome, & the Archangel Raphael. Among other things, I ask the Lord to "Teach me to use my car for others' need." Be careful for what you pray, because the Lord just might grant your request abundantly: all this week, I am ferrying others to & fro in my new motorcar, endeavoring to put others' needs ahead of my own & to be a cheerful giver of my time, talent, & treasure.
"And in between the stops at the Cracker Barrel
And forty movies with Will Ferrell,
I need some way to occupy my time,
So I'm writing you a road song,
I sure hope you don't mind…"

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Apollinaris, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 79, A.K.A. of Ravenna), martyred in the reign of the emperor Vespasian: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Bishop, martyr, & possible disciple of St. Peter. Apollinaris became the first Bishop of Ravenna, in Italy. He suffered exile because of his preaching & converts.
'Tis also the feast of Saint Margaret of Antioch, Virgin & Martyr (circa 289-304, A.K.A. Marina), martyred in the reign of the emperor Diocletian, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link XIV.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter one, verses one & four thru ten;
Psalm Seventy-one, verses one thru four(a), five thru six(b), fifteen, & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter thirteen, verses one thru nine;

or, for St. Apollinaris:
The Book of Ezekiel, chapter thirty-four, verses eleven thru sixteen;
Psalm Twenty-three, verse one;
The Gospel according to John, chapter ten, verses eleven thru sixteen.

Operation AXIOM | The Stars My Destination


Forty-seven years ago to the day, 20 July 1969, Neil Armstrong & Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin Jr. climbed down from the Lunar Module Eagle & became the first men to set foot on the Moon, while Michael Collins orbited overhead in the Command Module Columbia. In Armstrong's words, "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for Mankind." Each Lunar Module that landed on the Moon carried a plaque bearing an image of the Western & Eastern Hemispheres & the astronaut crew's names & signatures. Apollo 11's plaque, affixed to a leg of the Lunar Module Eagle, bore the following inscription:
HERE MEN FROM THE PLANET EARTH
FIRST SET FOOT UPON THE MOON
JULY 1969, A.D.
WE CAME IN PEACE FOR ALL MANKIND
The plaques affixed to the Lunar Modules Intrepid, Aquarius, Antares, Falcon, & Orion—Apollos 12, 13, 14, 15, & 16—were more plain, lacking any special inscription. For Apollo 17, the Challenger's plaque was inscribed:
HERE MAN COMPLETED HIS FIRST
EXPLORATIONS OF THE MOON
DECEMBER 1972, A.D.
MAY THE SPIRIT OF PEACE IN WHICH WE CAME
BE REFLECTED IN THE LIVES OF ALL MANKIND
American astronauts first set foot upon the Moon, fulfilling President Kennedy's 1961 goal of "landing a man on the Moon & returning him safely to Earth" by decade's end, on 20 July 1969, forty-seven years ago today.

The Rebel Black Dot Road Song of the Day

Katiä, "75 North" from Can't Stop the Love Sled (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: If all goes to plan, I'll drive first south & then north on I-75 today. Which, I know, rather misses the point of "75 North," the emotional weight of the song. Thus it ever was & ever shall be with the R.B.D.S.O.T.D., which I view as part of the project's charm, though I am open to the possibility that that is just a rationalization. I'm rather certain now I've lost the original thread of these comments. What was I saying, again?

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

The Rebel Black Dot Road Song of the Day

Fountains of Wayne, "I-95" from Traffic and Weather (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:
"It's a nine-hour drive
From me to you, south on I-95,
And I'll do it 'til the day that I die
If I need to
Just to see you,
Just to see you…"
Bonus! Song of the Day
"Weird Al" Yankovic, "Canadian Idiot" from Straight Outta Lynnwood (The Last Angry Hoser, Eh)

Commentary: I was scheduled to drive to Toronto's Pearson International Airport this evening to fetch Red Patton upon his return to North America from a sojourn in Eastern Europe. Alas, Polish efficiency not being much renowned, difficulties with his Warsaw-to-London flight meant he missed his London-to-Toronto connection, & alternate arrangements have had to be made. He is now flying into Detroit Metro, from which he will presumably he fetch by his fetching bride, Mrs. Red Patton, denying me any reason to motor through the Canadas this particular evening.

Project BLACK MAMBA: Don't Call It a Comeback

"The future starts today, not tomorrow." — Pope Saint John Paul II


'Tis the feast of Saint Symmachus, Pope (died 514), fifty-first Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint John Plessington, Priest & Martyr (circa 1637-1679), martyred in the reign of the king Charles II, one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link XL.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Micah, chapter seven, verses fourteen, fifteen, & eighteen thru twenty;
Psalm Eighty-five, verses two thru eight;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twelve, verse forty-six thru fifty.

Monday, July 18, 2016

The Explorers' Club, № DVI

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Battle of the Somme, Part III
14-17 July 1916: The Battle of Bazentin Ridge—The earlier Franco-British attacks had forced the Germans from their primary defensive lines; from their secondary lines, the Germans were on the back foot against renewed attacks, unable to mass & coordinate artillery fire & harassed by Entente air power; reinforcements were scarce due to Verdun in the West & the Brusilov Offensive in the East.





Lest we forget.

Project BLACK MAMBA: The Long Road Back, Part VIII

Today, 18 July is the Optional Memorial of Saint Camillus de Lellis, Priest, M.I. (1550-1614), founder of the Camillians, formally the Order of Clerics Regular, Ministers of the Infirm: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link M.I.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
De Lellis established the Order of Clerks Regular, Ministers of the Infirm (abbreviated as M.I.), better known as the Camillians. His experience in war led him to establish a group of health care workers who would assist soldiers on the battlefield. The large, red cross on their cassock remains a symbol of the Congregation. Today the red cross serves as a symbol universally recognized as the sign of charity & service. This was the original Red Cross, hundreds of years before the International Red cross Organization was formed.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Book of Micah, chapter six, verses one thru four & six thru eight;
Psalm Fifty, verses five, six, eight, nine, sixteen(b) thru seventeen, twenty-one, & twenty-three;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twelve, verse thirty-eight thru forty-two;

or, for St. Camillus:
The First Letter of John, chapter three, verses fourteen thru eighteen;
Psalm One Hundred twelve, verse one;
The Gospel according to John, chapter fifteen, verses nine thru seventeen.

* * * * *

Monday, 11 July was the Memorial of Saint Benedict, Abbot (circa 480-547, A.K.A. of Nursia): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
It was in Monte Cassino, St. Benedict founded the monastery that became the roots of the Church's monastic system. Instead of founding small separate communities he gathered his disciples into one whole community. Saint Scholastica, he twin sister, settled nearby to live a religious life. His beliefs & instructions on religious life were collected in what is now known as the Rule of Saint Benedict.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
The father of Western monasticism & the Benedictine Order, Benedict left his studies in Rome to become a hermit. He settled in a rocky cave in Italy near Subiaco where he spent his days in prayer & fasting. After several years, others gathered around him/ He organized them into communities. He eventually wrote his Rule, a flexible & moderate pattern of life that became the norm for monastic life in the West.
'Twas also the feast of Saint Olga of Kiev (circa 890-969): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

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

or, for St. Benedict:
The Book of Proverbs, chapter two, verses one thru nine;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter five, verse ten;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten, verse thirty-four thru chapter eleven, verses one.

* * * * *

Monday, 4 July was the feast of Saint Odo of Canterbury, Bishop (circa 870-959, A.K.A. the Good, also spelt Oda): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Hosea, chapter two, verses sixteen, seventeen(b) thru eighteen, twenty-one, & twenty-two;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-five, verses two thru nine;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter nine, verses eighteen thru twenty-six.

* * * * *

Monday, 27 June was the Optional Memorial of Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop & Doctor of the Church (circa 376-444): Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
He was Patriarch of Alexandria from 414-444. he was enthroned when the city was at the height of its influence & power within the Roman Empire. Cyril wrote extensively & was a leading proponent of the Christological controversies. He was a central figure in the Council of Ephesus in 431, which lead to the deposition of Nestorius as Patriarch of Constantinople.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Book of Amos, chapter two, verses six thru ten & thirteen thru sixteen;
Psalm Fifty, verses sixteen(b) thru twenty-three;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eight, verses eighteen thru twenty-two;

or, for St. Cyril:
The Second Letter to Timothy, chapter four, verses one thru five;
Psalm Eighty-nine, verse two;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter five, verses thirteen thru nineteen.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day | Science!


They Might Be Giants, "Mammal" from Apollo 18 (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: Last night, I watched a program on the National Geographic Channel titled, The Whale That Ate Jaws, detailing the tactics killer whales use to prey on great white sharks, supposedly the ocean's apex predator. Mammal pride!

Science!

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Project BLACK MAMBA: The Long Road Back, Part VII

Today, 17 July is the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wikipedia-link.

Otherwise, 17 July would be the feast of the Scillitan Martyrs (died 180), martyred in the reign of the emperor Commodus: Martyrs-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the feast of Saint Hedwig (circa 1374-1399, A.K.A. Queen Jadwiga of Poland): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of This Week
Mass Readings
The Book of Genesis, chapter eighteen, verses one thru ten(a);
Psalm Fifteen, verses two thru five;
The Letter to the Colossians, chapter one, verses twenty-four thru twenty-eight;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses thirty-eight thru forty-two.

* * * * *

Sunday, 10 July was the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wikipedia-link.

Otherwise, 10 July would have been the feast of Saint Canute, Martyr (circa 1042-1086, .A.K.A. King Canute IV of Denmark), martyred by Vikings: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Previously misidentified as being in January.

Scripture of Last Week
Mass Readings
The Book of Deuteronomy, chapter thirty, verses ten thru fourteen;
Psalm Sixty-nine, verses fourteen, seventeen, thirty, thirty-one, thirty-three, thirty-four, thirty-six, & thirty-seven;
The Letter to the Colossians, chapter one, verses fifteen thru twenty;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses twenty-five thru thirty-seven.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Lord's Day

Matt Maher, "Abide with Me" from Saints and Sinners (The Last Angry Man)

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Project BLACK MAMBA: The Long Road Back, Part VI

Today, 16 July is the Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel: Our Lady-link ūna, Our Lady-link duae, Wikipedia-link Mount Carmel, & Wikipedia-link Scapular.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
This title is given to Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order. The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is known to many Catholic faithful as the "scapular feast." It is associated with the Brown Scapular devotional sacramental signifying the weaver's consecration to Mary & affiliation with the Carmelite Order.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
This title is given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order. The first Carmelites were Christian hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land during the late twelfth & early thirteenth centuries. There they built in the midst of their hermitages a chapel dedicated to the Blessed Mother. Since the fifteenth century, popular devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel has centered on the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a sacramental associated with promises of Mary's special aid for the salvation of the devoted wearer.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Book of Micah, chapter two, verses one thru five;
Psalm Ten, verses one thru four, seven, eight, & fourteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twelve, verses fourteen thru twenty-one;

or, for Our Lady:
The Book of Zechariah, chapter two, verses fourteen thru seventeen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter one, verse forty-nine;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twelve, verses forty-six thru fifty.

* * * * *

Saturday, 9 July was the Optional Memorial of Saint Augustine Zhao Rong, Priest, & Companions, Martyrs (died 1648-1930): Martyr-link Alpha Zulu Romeo, Martyrs-link ūnus, Martyrs-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
St. Augustine Zhao Rong shares a feast day with eighty-six other Chinese Catholic martyrs: catechists, laborers, & other converts ranging in age from nine to seventy-two, & with thirty-three Western missionaries. All were killed in China between 1648 & 1930, many during the Boxer Rebellion. Augustine was a Chinese soldier who accompanied Bishop Jean Gabriel Taurin Dufresse to his martyrdom in Beijing. Moved by the missionary's patience, Augustine decided to become a Catholic.
'Twas also the feast of Saint Veronica Guiliani, Abbess, O.S.C. Cap. (1669-1727), stigmatist: Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Book of Isaiah, chapter six, verses one thru eight;
Psalm Ninety-three, verses one, two, & five;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten, verses twenty-four thru thirty-three;

or, for the Martyrs of China:
The First Letter of John, chapter five, verses one thru five;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-six, verse five;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twelve, verses twenty-four thru twenty-six.

* * * * *

Saturday, 2 July was the feast of Saint Swithun, Bishop (died circa 862): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Raise your hand if the first mention of St. Swithun's name you can recollect was in the motion picture The Dark Knight Rises.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Amos, chapter nine, verses eleven thru fifteen;
Psalm Eighty-five, verses nine(a & b) & ten thru fourteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter nine, verses fourteen thru seventeen.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, et al., "Downtown" via iTunes (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: What, one shouldn't pick the R.B.D.S.O.T.D. before 5:00 A.M.? Pardon our French.
"Running around the whole town,
Neighbors yelling at me like, 'You need to slow down!'
'Going thirty-eight, Dan, chill the fuck out,
Mow your damn lawn and sit the hell down!'…"

Friday, July 15, 2016

Project BLACK MAMBA: The Long Road Back, Part V

Today, 15 July is the feast of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop & Doctor of the Church, O.F.M. (1221-1274), the "Seraphic Doctor:" Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
He received the name of Bonaventure in consequence of the exclamation of St. Francis of Assisi (4 October), when, in response to the pleading of the child's mother, the saint prayed for John's [Bonaventure's birth name was Giovanni, John in English] recovery from a dangerous illness, & foreseeing the future greatness of the little John, cried out, "O Buona venture"—"O good fortune!"
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
As a boy in Italy, Bonaventure was cured of serious illness through the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. He later joined the Franciscan Order & taught Scripture & theology. He became a Doctor of the Church. He was known for his intelligence & holiness. He was known to write about the soul's longing for God & God's love for us.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Book of Isaiah, chapter thirty-eight, verses one thru six, twenty-one, twenty-two, seven, & eight;
The Book of Isaiah, chapter thirty-eight, verses ten thru twelve(d) & sixteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twelve, verses one thru eight;

or, for St. Bonaventure:
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter three, verses fourteen thru nineteen;
Psalm One Hundred Nineteen, verse twelve;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-three, verses eight thru twelve.

* * * * *

Friday, 8 July was the feast of Saints Priscilla & Aquila (first century): Saint-link Papa, Saint-link Alpha, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Hosea, chapter fourteen, verses two thru ten;
Psalm Fifty-one, verses three, four, eight, nine, twelve thru fourteen, & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten, verses sixteen thru twenty-three.

* * * * *

Friday, 1 July was the Optional Memorial of Saint Junípero Serra, Priest, O.F.M. (1713-1784): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Book of Amos, chapter eight, verses four thru six & nine thru twelve;
Psalm One Hundred Nineteen, verses two, ten, twenty, thirty, forty, & one hundred thirty-one;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter nine, verses nine thru thirteen;

or, for St. Junípero:
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-two, verses seven thru ten;
Psalm One Hundred Ten, verse four(b);
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verses fifteen thru twenty.

* * * * *

Friday, 24 June was the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist (circa 1 B.C.-A.D. 30): Solemnity-link ūnus, Solemnity-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
He is seen as the miraculous son of Zechariah, an old man, & his wife Elizabeth, who was past the menopause & therefore unable to have children. According to this account, the birth of John was foretold by the angel Gabriel to Zechariah, while he was performing his functions as a priest in the temple of Jerusalem. Since he is described as a priest of the course of Abijah & Elizabeth as one of the daughters of Aaron this would make John a descendant of Aaron on both his father's & mother's families.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Vigil
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter one, verses four thru ten;
Psalm Seventy-one, verses one thru four(a), five thru six(b), fifteen(a & b), & seventeen;
The First Letter of Peter, chapter one, verses eight thru twelve;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter one, verses five thru seventeen;

Day
The Book of Isaiah, chapter forty-nine, verses one thru six;
Psalm One Hundred Thirty-nine, verses one(b) thru three & thirteen thru fifteen;
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter thirteen, verses twenty-two thru twenty-six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter one, verses fifty-seven thru sixty-six & eight.

The Rebel Black Dot Summer Song of the Day

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Wasted Summers" from Pin Points and Gin Joints (The Last Angry Man)

Skammentary: I wouldn't say that I've been wasting this summer, but by the same token I haven't been making the most of it. Now that this week of poker-slavery is ended, I look forward to next week, a week of adventure on the open road.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day


Dressy Bessy, "Baby Six String" from Dressy Bessy (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary; "Baby Six String" hooks me from the very opening strum o' the guitar, a solitary instrument first sundering the silence.

Project BLACK MAMBA: The Long Road Back, Part IV

Today, 14 July is the Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin (1656-1680): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
St. Kateri Tekakwitha is the first Native American to be recognized as a saint. For joining the Catholic Church, Kateri was ridiculed & scorned by villagers. She was subjected to unfair accusations & her life was threatened.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
The first native North American saint, Kateri's shirt life as a Christian was marked with much suffering. Born in New York(, her mother) was a Christian Algonquin & her father a Mohawk chief. When Kateri was four years old, smallpox wiped out her family & left her disfigured & partially blind. She was baptized at the age of twenty, which alienated her from her family. She died at the age of twenty-four.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Book of Isaiah, chapter twenty-six, verses seven thru nine, twelve, & sixteen thru nineteen;
Psalm One Hundred Two, verses thirteen thru fourteen(b) & fifteen thru twenty-one;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eleven, verses twenty-eight thru thirty;

or, for St. Kateri:
The Book of Hosea, chapter two, verses sixteen(b & c), seventeen(c & d), twenty-one, & twenty-two;
Psalm Forty-five, verse eleven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses one thru thirteen.

* * * * *

Thursday, 7 July was the feast of Saint Prosper of Aquitaine (circa 390-455): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: In a happy coincidence, St. Prosper & his writings are referenced in Vanished Kingdoms, in the first chapter on the vanished Visigothic kingdom in late- & post-Roman Gaul.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Hosea, chapter eleven, verses one thru four & eight(c) thru nine;
Psalm Eighty, verse two(a & c), three(b), fifteen, & sixteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten, verses seven thru fifteen.

* * * * *

Thursday, 30 June was the Optional memorial of the First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church (died 64), martyred in the reign of the emperor Nero: Martyrs-link ūnus, Martyrs-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Christians martyred in the city of Rome during Nero's persecution in 64. According to the historian Tacitus, many Christians were put to death "not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind."
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Book of Amos, chapter seven, verses ten thru seventeen;
Psalm Nineteen, verses eight thru eleven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter nine, verses one thru eight;

or, for the First Martyrs:
The Letter to the Romans, chapter eight, verses thirty-one(b) thru thirty-nine;
Psalm one Hundred Twenty-four, verses seven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-four, verses four thru thirteen.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

The Explorers' Club, № DV

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Battle of the Somme, Part II
1-13 July 1916: The Battle of Albert—On the first day of the Somme, the attacking British suffered approximately 60,000 casualties—19,420 dead & approximately 40,000 wounded, in a single day.





Lest we forget.

The Rebel Black Dot Summer Song of the Day


Aly & A.J., "Walking on Sunshine" via iTunes (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: Apparently, this cover version of "Walking on Sunshine" was featured in the motion picture Herbie: Fully Loaded. I wouldn't know, as I've never seen any of the Herbie the Love Bug pictures, nor any film starring Lindsay Lohan. The photograph above is of the actress & musician Alyson "Aly" Michalka, one of the two sisters constituting Aly & A.J.

Project BLACK MAMBA: The Long Road Back, Part III

Today, 13 July is the Optional Memorial of Saint Henry, Obl.S.B. (973-1024, A.K.A. Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Henry succeeded his father as Duke of Bavaria; upon the death of his cousin, Otto III, he was elected emperor. He led an army to the south of Italy against the Saracens & their allies, teh Greeks, & drove them from the country. The humility & spirit of justice of the saint was equal to his zeal for religion. Bother he & his wife, St. Cunegundes (3 March), lived in perpetual chastity, to which they had bound themselves by vow.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
As the German king & Holy Roman Emperor, Henry was a practical man of affairs. He promoted peace in Europe. He also fostered the reform of the ecclesiastical & monastic life. He wife Cunegond was also canonized.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Book of Isaiah, chapter ten, verses five thru seven & thirteen(b) thru sixteen;
Psalm Ninety-four, verses five thru ten, fourteen, & fifteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eleven, verses twenty-five thru twenty-seven;

or, for St. Henry:
The Book of Micah, chapter six, verses six thru eight;
Psalm Forty, verse five(a);
or, Psalm One, verse two(a);
or, Psalm Ninety-two, verses thirteen & fourteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter seven, verses twenty-one thru twenty-seven.

* * * * *

Wednesday, 6 July was the Optional Memorial of Saint Maria Goretti, Virgin & Martyr (1890-1902): Martyr-link ūna, Martyr-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine '15 & Wayback Machine '14. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
After her father's death, Maria took over household duties while her mother, brothers, & sister worked in the fields. One afternoon, Alessandro, the Serenellis' son, made sexual advances to her (he attempted to rape her). When she refused to submit to him, he stabbed her fourteen times. She died forgiving him.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Book of Hosea, chapter ten, verses one thru three, seven, eight, & twelve;
Psalm One Hundred Five, verses two thru seven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten, verses one thru seven;

or, for St. Maria:
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter six, verses thirteen(c) thru fifteen(a) & seventeen thru twenty;
Psalm Thirty-one, verse six;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twelve, verses twenty-four thru twenty-six.

* * * * *

Wednesday, 29 June was the Solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul, Apostles (first century): Apostles-link, Apostle-link Papa Echo, Apostle-link Papa Alpha, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Peter was one of the Twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus for His disciples. originally a fisherman, he played a leadership role & was with Jesus during events witnessed by only a few apostles, such as the Transfiguration. According to the Gospels, Peter confessed Jesus as the Messiah, was part of Jesus's inner circle, thrice denied Jesus & wept bitterly once he realized his deed, & preached on the day of Pentecost.

Many of St. Paul's writings are contained in the Canon of the Bible & have influenced the growth & development of the Church since the first century. Paul is among the most famous, intelligent, & influential of the apostles.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Vigil
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter three, verses one thru ten;
Psalm Nineteen, verses two, three, & five;
The Letter to the Galatians, chapter one, verses eleven thru twenty;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty-one, verses fifteen thru nineteen;

Day
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter twelve, verses one thru eleven;
Psalm Thirty-four, verses two thru nine;
The Second Letter to Timothy, chapter four, verses six thru eight, seventeen, & eighteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter sixteen, verses thirteen thru nineteen.