Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Louis, T.O.S.F. (1214-1270, A.K.A. King Louis IX of France): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine '14 & Wayback Machine '15. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Reigning from 1226 to 1270, Louis IX showed how a saint would act on the throne of France. He was a lovable personality, a kind husband, a father of eleven children, & at the same time a strict ascetic. St. Louis was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis & so is included in the family of Franciscan saints.

'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Saint Joseph Calasanz, Priest, Sch.P. (1557-1648), founder of the Piarists, formally the Order of Poor Clerics Regular of the Mother of God of the Pious Schools: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Sch.P.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Joseph's works of charity were for the instruction of neglected & homeless childredn, many of whom had lost their parents. Joseph joined a Confraternity of Christian Doctrine & gathered the boys & girls from the streets & brought them to school. He opened the first public, free school in Europe.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Alessandro Dordi, Priest & Martyr (1931-1991), martyred at the hands of the Shining Path Communists: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter one, verses one thru nine;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-five, verses two thru seven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-four, verses forty-two thru fifty-one;

or, for St. Louis:
The Book of Isiah, chapter fifty-eight, verses six thru eleven;
Psalm One Hundred Twelve, verse one;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-two, verses thirty-four thru forty;

or, for St. Joseph:
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter twelve, verse thirty-one thru chapter thirteen, verse thirteen (or, the First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter thirteen, verses four thru thirteen);
Psalm Thirty-four, verse two;
or, Psalm Thirty-four, verse nine;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eighteen, verses one thru five.

Personal Reading
The Letter of James, chapter three (verses one thru eighteen);
The Letter of James, chapter four (verses one thru seventeen);
The Letter of James, chapter five (of five; verses one thru twenty);
The Book of Ruth, chapter one (of four; verses one thru twenty-two).

Commentary: Power of the Tongue (James, 3:1-12), True Wisdom (3:13-18), Causes of Division (4:1-12), Warning against Presumption (4:13-17), Warning to the Rich (5:1-6), Patience & Oaths (5:7-12), Anointing of the Sick (5:13-15), Confession & Intercession (5:16-18), & Conversion of Sinners (5:19-20); Naomi in Moab (Ruth, 1:1-18) & the Return to Bethlehem (1:19-22).

My intention after reading the brief Book of Ruth is then to tackle the First & Second Books of Samuel. If that goes well, it could well lead right into the First & Second Books of Kings & the First & Second Books of Chronicles. I feel slight—very slight—pangs for skipping the Books of Joshua & Judges, whereas I feel only relief over the decision to skip the Books of Leviticus & Deuteronomy. (If you'll recall, I struggled mightily through the back half of Exodus & the lion's share of Numbers.)