The Rebel Black Dot Song of Hallowe'en

That Handsome Devil, "Twist the Knife" via iTunes (from The Heart Goes to Heaven, the Head Goes to Hell) (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: A darkly comedic ballad of love gone murderously wrong, akin to Spike Jones's "My Old Flame" which is replete with a Peter Lorre impersonation (a Hallowe'en R.D.B.S.O.T.D. in 2012). I was introduced to "Twist the Knife" by Jojo, my long lost pal whom I saw, briefly, over the summer, only for her to disappear again into the jealously possessive (one suspects though hopes not abusive) clutches of another unworthy, scumbag boyflesh. Happy Hallowe'en, ladies & ghouls!

"I see that look in your eyes and I hide the crooked knives.
The arsenic made me nauseous, but I love a good surprise.
It's 'til death do up part, I wouldn't lie, my pudding pie,
But I could speed that process up, now couldn't I?

"Get love and hate confused, can't separate the two,
O my love, how I've hated you!

"I say it's over (It's over!)
This time we're through (We're through!)
But I go crazy when I'm not with you.
They call me lonely (You're lonely!)
They say I'm blue (Boo hoo hoo hoo!)
But I go crazy when I'm not with you."

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Wolfgang of Regensburg, Bishop, O.S.B. (circa 934-994, A.K.A. of Ratisbon), nicknamed the "Great Almoner" for his almsgiving: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Irene Stefani, Nun, M.C. (1891-1930), nicknamed "Nyaatha" (mother of mercy) for her charity: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also All Hallows' Eve, the vigil of All Saints' Day & first day of the Allhallowtide triduum: Eve-link & Wikipedia-link Allhallowstide.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter two, verses one thru four;
Psalm One Hundred Thirty-one, verses one(b-e), two, & three;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter fourteen, verses twelve thru fourteen.

Individual Reading
The Book of Job, chapter one (of forty-two; verses one thru twenty-two);
The Book of Job, chapter two (verses one thru thirteen).

Commentary: I: Prologue—Job's Wealth & Piety (1:1-12), the First Trial (1:13-22), the Second Trial (2:1-10), & Job's Three Friends (2:11-13).

The Explorers' Club, № DXXI

Operation AXIOM: The World War
19-25 October 1916: The Second Battle of Cobadin—A joint Russo-Romanian army was defeated by the Bulgarians, resulting in the Central Powers capture of the strategic port of Constanța; also by 25 October, the Romanians were pushed back to their original positions of 27 August, their jumping off points for the invasion of Austro-Hungarian Transylvania; counter-invasion was to follow.

Lest we forget.

Project BLACK MAMBA: XXXI Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Otherwise, 30 October would be the feast of Saint Marcellus the Centurion, Martyr (died circa 298, A.K.A. of Tangiers), martyred in the reign of the emperor Diocletian: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the feast of Saint Asterius of Amasea, Bishop (circa 350-410): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the feast of Blessed Benvenuta Bojani, Religious, T.O.S.D. (1254-1292): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the feast of Saint Alphonsus Rodríguez, Religious, S.J. (1532-1617): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: St. Alphonsus was a lay brother of the Jesuits, whom I also know from my devotion to St. Peter Claver, S.J. (9 September), on whom St. Alphonsus was a profound & laudable influence. We were all created to be saints, & one of our callings is to encourage & equip each other to become the saints we are meant to be, as St. Alphonsus did for St. Peter.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings
The Book of Wisdom, chapter eleven, verse twenty-two thru chapter twelve, verse two;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-five, verses one, two, eight thru eleven, thirteen, & fourteen;
The Second Letter to the Thessalonians, chapter one, verse eleven thru chapter two, verse two;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter nineteen, verses one thru ten.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Lord's Day

Audrey Assad featuring Fernando Ortega, "Oh, the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus" from Inheritance (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"Underneath me, all around me is the current of His love,
Leading onward, leading homeward, to Thy glorious rest above…"

Bonus! Song of the Day: Go Blue!

Reel Big Fish, "Hate You" from Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free (The Last Angry Wolverine)

Commentary: This R.B.D.S.O.T.D. is not saying "I hate you" to anyone at Michigan State. I don't hate Mark Dantonio, I really don't. But Dantonio really does hate me, me & everyone affiliated with the University of Michigan. Dantonio's hatred is all-consuming, & like Captain Ahab's, ultimately self-destructive. For example, at the end of today's game, when the two-point conversion could not have altered the outcome in his club's favor, Coach Dantonio had his squad attempt the two-point conversion, apparently for spite's sake. The ball was fumbled, scooped up by a Michigan's Jabril Peppers, & returned for a safety, ending Dantonio's squad's slim chances of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat with an onside kick recovery. "Hate You" encapsulates Dantonio's spiteful attitude, an attitude that fuels behavior that today actually hurt his club. Such are the fruits of hatred, Mr. Dantonio, my co-religionist; competition is fine & healthy, but the Christian has no place for hate in his heart, except hatred for sin & evil.

Better luck never. Go Blue!

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Narcissus of Jerusalem, Bishop (circa 99-216): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. It is a curiosity of Divine Providence that some saints live earthly lives as long as St. Narcissus's while others' sojourns are as short as Bl. Chiara's.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Gaetano Errico, Priest (1791-1860), founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Order.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Chiara Badano (1971-1990, A.K.A. "Luce"): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter one, verses eighteen(b) thru twenty-six;
Psalm Forty-two, verses two, three, & five(c,d,e,f);
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter fourteen, verses one & seven thru eleven;

Personal Reading
The Book of Sirach, chapter eighteen, verses twenty-seven thru thirty-three;
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter four, verse eight;
The Letter to Titus, chapter two, verses eleven thru fourteen;
The Book of Proverbs, chapter twenty-seven, verse seventeen;
The Book of Job, chapter one, verses twenty, twenty-one, & twenty-two.

Commentary: The first three readings are from this week's Saint Joseph Covenant Keepers meeting, wherein men gather to study Scripture & the Catechism & then reflect upon questions that help us to examine our lives, the better to grow as believers & disciples of Christ & to support each other in the quest to be better men, husbands, & fathers. 'Tis an idea at least as old as Proverbs, 27:17, & yet in our age of emasculation & isolation it seems fresh & new, almost a revelation:

As iron sharpens iron, so man sharpens his fellow man.

I thought of Job when contemplating the difference in the lifespans of St. Narcissus & Bl. Chiara, when composing the above comment. I then cracked open my Bible to check that I had remembered the famous line correctly. Job, 1:21:

And said,
"Naked I came forth from my mother's womb,
& naked I shall go back again.
The LORD gave & the LORD has taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD!"

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day: Go Blue!

John Linnell, "Michigan" from State Songs (The Last Angry Wolverine)

Commentary: There is discord in sacred Michigan, civil strife 'twixt a self-styled "Athens" & an antagonistically-defined "Sparta"—knowledge & reason versus ignorance & emotion. The valiant Wolverines of the University of Michigan, founded 1817 (when Michigan was still a territory, not yet a state), contend against the reigning B1G champions, the dastardly Spartans of Michigan State University, founded 1855. Michigan State defines itself in large measure by its opposition to Michigan, its otherness from Michigan; Michigan defines herself by the very ideals of Western civilization. It eats up the dastardly Spartans that while Michigan is Michigan State's archrival, but Michigan State is not Michigan's archrival. This is contest for the soul of the State of Michigan, so in an uncommon bout of munificence, I've selected a R.B.D.S.O.T.D. that is not specific to the Universitas Michigania, but concerns the whole of sacred Michigan. Of course, that said, the lyrics of "Michigan" are largely nonsensical.

"O Michigan! Exemplar
Of unchecked replication.
O Michigan! O Michigan!
The tank the fishes are in!

"Expansionist in spirit,
In letter borders obtained,
Don't hold us back,
Don't hold us back,
We must eat Michigan's brain!

"Now grow back, Michigan,
We miss you again!"

Go Blue!

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Feast of Saints Simon & Jude, Apostles (first century): Apostles-link, Apostle-link Sierra & Wikipedia-link Sierra, & Apostle-link Juliett & Wikipedia-link Juliett.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

St. Simon is represented in art with a saw, the instrument of his martyrdom. St. Jude's square points him out as an architect of the house of God. St. Paul called himself by this name; & St. Jude, by his catholic epistle, has also a special right to be reckoned among our Lord's principal workmen. But our apostle had another nobility, far surpassing all earthly titles: being nephew, by his father Cleophas or Alpheus (sic), to St. Joseph (19 March, 1 May), & legal cousin to the Man-God, Jude was one of those called by their companions the brethren of the carpenter's Son.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

The name of St. Simon usually appears eleventh in the list of the apostles. Nothing is known of him except that he was born in Cana & is surnamed (sic) "the Zealot." St. Jude, also called Thaddeus, was the apostle who asked the Lord at the Last Supper why He had manifested himself only to His disciples & not to the whole world (John, 14:22).

'Tis also the feast of Saint Godwin of Stavelot, Abbot, O.S.B. (died circa 690): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter two, verses nineteen thru twenty-two;
Psalm Nineteen, verses two thru five;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter six, verses twelve thru sixteen.

Personal Reading
The Letter of James, chapter five (of five; verses one thru twenty);
Introduction to the Wisdom Books;
Introduction to the Book of Job.

Commentary: The final chapter of James references the perseverance of Job. Today's reflection in my daily reflection books references the patience of Job. The prayer in my Rosary—day eight of the fifty-four-day novena—asked for patience in adversity & love for enemies (the old man who clearly should no longer be behind the wheel, who crunched the bumper, fender, & driver's side headlight of the Malibu Stacy this morning, creating a huge headache for yours truly). I do not particularly want to read Job, but there is every reason to believe the Lord is telling me to read Job, to contemplate Job & the problem of evil.

But first, the end of the latest re-reading of James: 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).

The Rebel Black Dot Hallowe'en Song of the Day

Screamin' Jay Hawkins, "I Put a Spell on You" from The Crazy World of Screamin' Jay Hawkins (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"I love you,
I love you,
I love you, anyhow.

"I don't care if you don't want me,
I'm yours right now…"

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Abraham the Poor, Hermit (died circa 372): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine '14 & Wayback Machine '15.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Frumentius of Ethiopia, Bishop (died circa 383): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Bartholomew of Vicenza, Bishop, O.P. (circa 1200-1271, A.K.A. of Braganca): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter six, verses ten thru twenty;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-four, verses one(b), two, nine, & ten;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter thirteen, verses thirty-one thru thirty-five.

Personal Reading
The Letter of James, chapter four (verses one thru seventeen);
The Letter of James, chapter five, verses sixteen, seventeen, & eighteen.

Commentary: Causes of Division (4:1-12), Warning against Presumption (4:13-17), & Confession & Intercession (5:16-18).

The Rebel Black Dot Hallowe'en Song of the Day

Creedence Clearwater Revival, "I Put a Spell on You" from Chronicle: 20 Greatest Hits (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: It's the off-kilter rhythm that makes "I Put a Spell on You" spooky, not the lyrics.

The Rebel Black Dot Hallowe'en Song of the Day

Cast & M.G.M. Orchestra, "Ding Dong, the Witch Is Dead" via iTunes (from The Wizard of Oz: Soundtrack Restored—2010 Digitally Remastered) (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: This Hallowe'en, even the good witches aren't pulling their punches.

"Let the joyous news be spread:
The wicked old witch at last is dead…"

The Victors

Saturday, 8 October 2016 @ (corporate sponsor) Stadium
(№ 4) Michigan 78-0 Rutgers
6-0, B1G 3-0

I am still not exactly reconciled to Nebraska's membership in the B1G, but this is largely a personal aminus (based largely on 1997); the State of Nebraska is undeniably Midwestern & the conniving Cornhuskers have a long record of success in football. I'm not a fan of Maryland's membership in the B1G, because the State of Maryland is most definitely not remotely Midwestern, but at least the terrible Terrapins have a long history of success in college basketball & a century-old rivalry with Penn State in football. There is nothing at all to like about Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey's membership in the B1G. It is appalling that due to conference expansion & divisional schedules Michigan & Wisconsin did not play in the five season betwixt 2010 & 2016—& yet Michigan has to play Rutgers every damn year.

Such is my deathless hostility to Rutgers's membership that in the midst of the rout I texted a kinsman & fellow Wolverine:

No, I will never let this go. Rutgers? Really? Rutgers?!

His response was:

Your outrage is appropriate & correct.

Even beating the alien Scarlet Knights by a Fielding Yost-esque 78-0 wasn't very much fun, because that score wasn't even about Rutgers. Instead, it was puerile one-upsmanship against the hated Buckeyes, who the week before had dominated Rutgers 58-0 in the Horseshoe. Rutgers's membership in the B1G is an embarrassment. Rutgers ruins everything.

Saturday, 15 October 2016
bye week

My fall has been hectic, even moreso than usual. So, it was a slightly irksome that in a weekend when I had unusually free of commitments, there was neither a Michigan football game nor an F1 grand prix. The next weekend, when I was to attend a two-day diocesan assembly & thus be away from both home & television, there was both a Michigan football game & an F1 grand prix. Nobody ever asks me before they schedule these things, so I'll chalk this up as one of those things for which I should pray for the serenity to accept.

In the course of the bye week, № 3 Clemson looked unimpressive in a 24-17 victory over unranked N. C. State. The Associated Press voters, in whatever wisdom they possess, thus promoted the valiant Wolverines to № 3 & demoted the epithetless Tigers to № 4.

Saturday, 22 October 2016 / Michigan Stadium
(№ 3) Michigan 41-8 Illinois
7-0, B1G 4-0

The first half against the feisty Fighting Illini was essentially perfect: at halftime the valiant Wolverines lead 31-0 (with the four touchdowns, two passes & two runs, being scored by four different players, showing the diversity of weapons at the Maize & Blue's disposal) & Illinois didn't have a single passing yard. In the second half, Michigan's offense ground to a halt, scoring on ten points & allowing Illinois's defense to assert a regrettable degree of pressure on sophomore quarterback Wilton Speight. The sense is that Coach Harbaugh & co. called off the attack, but given the relentless nature of previous victories that is a not entirely satisfactory explanation. I freely admit that after the Lost Decade (& last season's defeats at the hands of Michigan State & Ohio State) mine is a dark & suspicious disposition. I have a hard time believing that the valiant Wolverines are a good as they appear to be (& they appear to be very, very good), & I see a dark cloud behind every silver lining. I am always looking for fault, for chinks in the armor, for disaster around every corner. I hope that is what's going on in my looking askance at the second half against Illinois. Not every club is as woebegone as Rutgers, after all.

It is a tribute to Coach Harbaugh's status as the Impossible Unicorn of Our Dreams, bolstered & justified by the massive turnaround seen in teams 136 & 137, that the old Michigan "arrogance" has so quickly returned. Who else could be anything but completely satisfied by a 41-8 drubbing of a respectable conference opponent?

Next: The dastardly Spartans of the Michigan Agricultural College (or whatever "Moo U." is calling itself this week), in East Lansing.

The dastardly Spartans are in the midst of a five-game losing streak that has seen them tumble from № 8 in the A.P. poll to near the bottom of the B1G standings. I had observed this collapse with unabashed glee, reveling in the Schadenfreude. The Lost Decade of Michigan football coincided with possibly the most consistently successful decade in Michigan State football history, & the Sparty hubris flowed freely. Green & White paraphernalia was to be seen everywhere; this fall, though, there is hardly any Green & White to be seen. A huge number of the dastardly Spartans' fans have proven themselves to be fairweather scum, the dregs of the sports world. This has been a source of additionally glee. Bwa ha ha ha ha!

The only shame in all this is that it will make Saturday's victory (for the valiant Wolverines will be victorious) marginally less satisfying. The "Fighting Harbaughs" of Team 137 are so fierce, so unrelenting, so ready to revenge last year's defeat, that even the best, most able squad of dastardly Spartans would fall before them. It would have been ever so much fun to watch Uncle Don's Murder Machine murderize a high-flying squad of illiterate Green & White-clad thugs. However, it will have to suffice to put an unholy hurt on this year's squad, a spineless crew that has already dropped games to unranked Indiana, B.Y.U., Northwestern, & Maryland, & seems to have quit on their bilious coach, Mark Dantonio. I say again, Bwa ha ha ha ha!

Champions of the West
There are presently (week nine) five B1G clubs ranked in the Associated Press Top 25.

№ 2 Michigan, the valiant Wolverines (7-0, B1G 4-0)
№ 6 Ohio State, the hated Buckeyes (6-1, B1G 3-1)
№ 7 Nebraska, the conniving Cornhuskers (7-0, B1G 4-0)
№ 11 Wisconsin, the pesky Badgers (5-2, B1G 2-2)
№ 24 Penn State, the ferocious Nittany Lions (5-2, B1G 3-1)

Ohio State fell from № 2 to № 6 after losing to unranked Penn State; the hated Buckeys are the highest-ranked club with a loss. Penn State entered the rankings on the strength of beating Ohio State. Wisconsin fell out of the Top 10 after a victory over unranked Iowa (leapfrogged by undefeated West Virginia), but the pesky Badgers remain the highest-ranked two-loss club. Michigan advanced from № 3 to the № 2 spot vacated by T.O.S.U.

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Evaristus, Pope (circa 44-107, A.K.A. Aristus), fifth Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Cuthbert of Canterbury, Bishop, O.S.B. (died circa 760): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Fulk of Pavia, Bishop (1164-1229, A.K.A. of Piacenza): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter six, verses one thru nine;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-five, verses ten thru fourteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter thirteen, verses twenty-two thru thirty.

Personal Reading
The Letter of James, chapter three (verses one thru eighteen).

Commentary: Power of the Tongue (3:1-12) & True Wisdom (3:13-18).

The Explorers' Club, № DXX

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Battle of Verdun, Part V
20 October-5 November 1916: The "First Offensive" (from the French perspective)—Preceded by a six-day artillery bombardment (including massive railway guns), reorganized & refreshed French infantry advanced, recapturing Fort Douaumont (24 October) & Fort Vaux (2 November), & reached the lines held on 24 February, the third day of the Germans' Verdun offensive.

Lest we forget.

Commentary: The German captures of the forts, via the Wayback Machine: Doumaumont on 25 February (№ CDLXXXVII) & Vaux on 8 June (№ DI).

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Tabitha (first century, A.K.A. Dorcas), whose rising from the dead at the hands of St. Peter is recorded int he Acts of the Apostles: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Saints Crispin & Crispian, Martyrs (died circa 286, the latter A.K.A. Crispinian), martyred in the reign of the emperor Diocletian: Martyr-link P-I-N, Martyr-link P-I-A-N, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales (died 1535-1679), martyred in the reigns of the monarchs Henry VIII, Edward VI, Elizabeth I, James VI & I, Charles I, & Charles II & the uncrowned Oliver Cromwell: Martyrs-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter five, verses twenty-one thru thirty-three;
or, the Letter to the Ephesians, chapter five, verses two & twenty-five thru thirty-two;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-eight, verses one thru five;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter thirteen, verses eighteen thru twenty-one.

Personal Reading
The Letter of James, chapter two (verses one thru twenty-six).

Commentary: Sin of Partiality (2:1-13) & Faith & Works (2:14-26).

The Rebel Black Dot Hallowe'en Song of the Day

Billy Bletcher, Dorothy Compton, Mary Moder, & Pinto Colvig, "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" via iTunes (The Last Angry Man)

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Bishop, C.M.F. (1807-1870), founder of the Claretians, formally the Congregation of Missionaries, Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link C.M.F.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

A Spanish... archbishop & missionary, he was confessor of Isabella II of Spain & he founded the Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, commonly called the Claretians.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

By age twenty-one Anthony had been educated & was in much demand for his skill as a weaver. While suffering because of poor health, Anthony imagined himself as a Carthusian monk. He went to the bishop for advice. The bishop suggested that he first go to the diocesan seminary & then, if he wished, leave & become a monk. Anthony followed this advice & enjoyed seminary life. He founded a society of missionaries, & after being named bishop of Cuba, he won renown for his pastoral zeal. After returning to Spain, he continued to work the Church. He died at Fontfrodie in France in 1870.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Senoch, Abbot, O.S.B. (died circa 576): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter four, verse thirty-two thru chapter five, verse eight;
Psalm One, verses one thru four & six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter thirteen, verses ten thru seventeen;

or, for St. Anthony:
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-two, verses seven thru ten;
Psalm Ninety-six, verse three;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter one, verses fourteen thru twenty.

Commentary: The readings for the Optional Memorial have changed since last year, though only the psalm. I have not kept close enough track to note is this is common or unusual.

Personal Reading
Introduction to the Letter of James;
The Letter of James, chapter one (of five; verses one thru twenty-seven).

Commentary: Address (1:1), Perseverance in Trial (1:2-11), Temptation (1:12-18), & Doers of the Word (1:19-27).

The Rebel Black Dot Hallowe'en Song of the Day!

The Aquabats!, "Martian Girl!" from The Return of the Aquabats! (Captain Thumps Up!)

Skammentary: The Return was The Aquabats!' debut album. Ha! Now that's comedy!

"Here's a story that must be told,
It's kind of new, not very old,
About a female Martian with a wild grin,
Big orange eyes and green skin.
Blue was her hair,
She came from way up there,
She wore silver underwear,
Almost naked but she didn't care.

"Why, oh why did she come from Planet P?
I don't know-wo-wo-wo!

"Martian girl from Planet P, will you marry me?
Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo!
She came from outer space, she came to see if Earth was good,
Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo!
In the supermarket she got distracted in the meat department—
Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo!
She's looking at me, she's looking hungry, think she's gonna eat me!
Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo!

"She's not a bird, she's not a plane,
She's got green blood pumping through her veins.
Saw a light in the sky and then I found her,
Now I'm having my own close encounter.
She smiled at me as she fixed her hair,
And then she kissed me right then and there.
I started bleeding, that's the weirdest part,
'Cause this alien's teeth are razor sharp.

"Why, oh why did she comes from Planet P, etc.…"

Project BLACK MAMBA: XXX Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Otherwise, 23 October would be the feast of Saint Ignatius of Constantinople, Bishop (circa 798-877): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the feast of Saint John of Capistrano, Priest, O.F.M. (1386-1456): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

St. John was born in Capistrano in 1386. He studied law at Perugia & for a time was governor of that city. He entered the Order of Friars Minor &, after ordination to the priesthood, he led an untiring apostolic life preaching throughout Europe both to strengthen Christian life & to refute heresy.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings
The Book of Sirach, chapter thirty-five, verses twelve, thirteen, fourteen, sixteen, seventeen, & eighteen;
Psalm Thirty-four, verses two, three, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, & twenty-three;
The Second Letter to Timothy, chapter four, verses six, seven, eight, sixteen, seventeen, & eighteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eighteen, verses nine thru fourteen.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Lord's Day

Hillsong United, "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" (from Zion) via iTunes (The Last Angry Man)

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint John Paul II, Pope (1920-2005), two hundred sixty-fourth Bishop of Rome: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

He is recognized as helping to end Communist rule in his native Poland & eventually all of Europe. He visited one hundred twenty-nine countries, celebrated one hundred forty-seven beatifications, during which one thousand three hundred thirty-eight became blesseds, & five hundred twenty-one canonizations, for a total of four hundred eighty-two saints. (I confess, the numbers don't add up. —M.W.) He significantly improved the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, the Eastern Orthodox Church, & the Anglican Communion. He upheld the Church's teachings on such matters as artificial contraception & the ordination of women, but also supported the Church's Second Vatican Council & its reforms.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Bertharius of Monte Cassino, Abbot & Martyr, O.S.B. (circa 810-883), martyred by Saracens: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter four, verses seven thru sixteen;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-two, verses one thru five;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter thirteen, verses one thru nine.

or, for St. John Paul:
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-two, verses seven thru ten;
Psalm Ninety-six, verse three;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty-one, verses fifteen, sixteen, & seventeen.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day: Go Blue!

The University of Michigan Marching Band, "M Fanfare" from Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue (The Last Angry Wolverine)

Commentary: Long live the chief! This constitutes no statement of preference for the University of Illinois over the University of Michigan, especially since Chief Illiniwek has been banned by Illinois, under intense pressure from the N.C.A.A., merely a protest against the ignorant & ideological whitewashing of American history that led to the Chief's banishment.

Also, today's game is Homecoming. Why do I never go to Homecoming? What I am, one of the golf balls from Happy Gilmore? ("Are you too good for your home?") Go Blue!

The Rebel Black Dot Cigarette Girl Song of the Day

Barenaked Ladies, "Conventioneers" from Maroon (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: This will be the last Cigarette Girl-themed R.B.D.S.O.T.D., not because I've purged my head of this madness, but because the time has come for the R.B.D.S.O.T.D.'s annual Hallowe'en celebration. Why is her code name "Cigarette Girl"? Because she smokes cigarettes, at least when she's out drinking. That, & because she'd look dynamite in an old-fashioned cigarette girl uniform (above, Audrey Hepburn).

"You walked into the room
And the whole place stopped to notice.
Standing next to you
I feel hopeless and you know this.
I've never been ashamed of my attraction,
I'd be happy if you gave me just a fraction…

"I followed your perfume out away from all the rabble,
Right up to your room for a drink and Travel Scrabble,
You, stationed in the warm glow of the T.V.,
Too patient as I'm playing L-O-V-E,
And we laugh, and we laugh, and we laugh,
And we have to or we'll end up in the bath.

"Now we're in the bath…"

"Before all the fireworks exploded,
Our conversations were so loaded,
Innuendo flying.
Now what can we say?…"

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Hilarion, Anchorite & Abbot (circa 291-371): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Ursula, Virgin & Martyr (died circa 383), martyred at Cologne by the Huns: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis the feast of Saint Wendelin, Hermit & Abbot (circa 554-617): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter four, verses one thru six;
Psalm Twenty-four, verses one thru four (a,b), five, & six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twelve, verses fifty-four thru fifty-nine;

or, for the Diocesan Assembly:
The Letter to the Romans, chapter ten, verses nine thru eighteen;
Psalm Nineteen, verses two thru five;
The Gospel according to John, chapter seventeen, verses eleven & seventeen thru twenty-three.

Commentary: I would presume that a bishop has pretty wide-ranging authority to determine which readings are read in his diocese.

Bonus! Cigarette Girl Song of the Day

Semisonic, "One True Love" from All about Chemistry (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: Now I'm just having fun with this ridiculous crush.

"All above me the stars are bright
And the sweet, suburban breeze is blowing,
And down the block are the parking lights
Of a hundred friends who I barely know,
And don't know me,
Don't know me,
None of them know me.

"And all through the party I want to leave,
All alone with one true love.
I could be happy if only I could be
In the dark with one true love.

"And in the middle of everyone
I still find myself with my thoughts alone.
And in the middle of all the noise
Look around myself at the shining toys
That I don't need,
I don't need,
I don't really need.

"And all through the party I want to leave,
All alone with one true love.
All of the lights are shining on me,
All I want is one true love…

"All of my life I've just wanted to be
In the dark with one true love.
Every day and night to be
All alone with one true love,
With one true love,
With one true love,
With one true love."

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Paul of the Cross, Priest, C.P. (1694-1775), founder of the Passionists, formally the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link C.P.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

The first name Paul received for his community was "the Poor of Jesus;" later they came to known as the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ, or the Passionists. The community was to live a penitential life, in solitude & poverty.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Paolo Francesco Danei was born in Italy in 1694, the second of sixteen children. because of his father's financial difficulties, Paul had to leave school to help support his family. At age twenty, Paul joined the Ventian army that was defending the faith. After a year, he went back to a life of prayer & penance. Then God called him to form a group of men dedicated to preaching parish missions. These men, called Passionists, would preach the mystery of Christ crucified—the mystery of the father's love—in hopes that Christians would turn from their sins & rededicate their lives to Christ.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Irene of Tomar, Nun & Martyr (circa 635-653), martyred by a jealous man who would not accept her religious celibacy: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter three, verses fourteen thru twenty-one;
Psalm Thirty-three, verses one, two, four, five, eleven, twelve, eighteen, & nineteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twelve, verses forty-nine thru fifty-three;

or, for St. Paul:
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter one, verses eighteen thru twenty-five;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verse fifteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter sixteen, verses twenty-four thru twenty-seven.

Chase Perfection, Catch Excellence
Today is my first day of praying a fifty-four day novena (Wikipedia-link) from the booklet 54 Day Basic Training in Holiness by Father Richard Heilman. Why today? Because there's no time like the present. I am a practiced enough procrastinator to know that if I delay any further & set a date on which I'll faithfully begin, on that day I'll find a perfectly valid excuse to put it off another day or two, & then another, & then another, 'til Kingdom Come & I am found unprepared. Prayers for my perseverance & diligence, as well as my sanctification, would be both welcome & most warmly appreciated.

The rallying cry of this novena is adapted from a quote of Vince Lombardi, the legendary football coach (legendary enough that the Super Bowl trophy is named in his honor), as well as a dogged opponent of all discrimination & loyal Knight of Columbus:

"Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence."

The Rebel Black Dot Song of REDACTED's Birthday

"Weird Al" Yankovic, "Happy Birthday" from "Weird Al" Yankovic (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: A very Eighties song for a child of those same Nineteen Eighties. In this befuddling & disheartening electoral season, early Eighties cynicism—a hangover from the genuinely disastrous Seventies—does not seem entirely out of place. Whatever. Many happy returns, dude!

"And a pinch to grow an inch!"

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day

The Proclaimers, "Sing All Our Cares Away" from Notes & Rhymes (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"Mary loves a grouse,
Hides the bottles 'round the house,
She watches chat shows and the soaps,
Brokenhearted, but she copes.

"Michael's out of work,
Feels he's sinking in the murk,
He's unshaven and a mess,
Finds it hard some days to dress.

"Stevie smashed the Delft
'Cause he can't express himself,
He's consumed by rage
Like his father at his age.

"Rita's little child
Has a lovely little smile,
But this means nothing to her father,
Because he's never even met her.

"And we sing, sing all our cares away,
And we live to fight another day.

"Joey's off the gear,
He's been clean for half a year,
He gets bored out of his mind,
But he's trying to toe the line.

"Maggie's in a chair,
'Twas joyriding but her there,
She puts the kettle on the boil
And she's always got a smile.

"And we sing, sing all our cares away,
And we live to fight another day.
Yeah we sing, sing all our cares away,
And we live to love another day.

"We grow strong from it all,
We grow strong or we fall.
We grow strong from it all,
We grow strong or we fall.

"And we sing all our cares away."

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf & Isaac Jogues, Priests, & Companions, Martyrs, S.J. (died 1642-1649), martyred by Iroquois, particularly by Mohawks: Martyr-link Juliett Bravo & Wikipedia-link Juliett Bravo; Martyr-link India Juliett & Wikipedia-link India Juliett; & Martyrs-link ūnus, Martyrs-link duo, & Wikipedia-link Martyrs.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Isaac Jogues & his companions were the first martyrs of the North American continent officially recognized by the Church. John de Brébeuf was a French Jesuit who came to Canada at the age of thirty-two & labored there for twenty-four years. He was tortured & killed. [John's] letters & journals tell how he & his companions were led from village to village, how they were beaten, tortured, & forced to watch as their Huron converts were mangled & killed.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

St. Jean de Brébeuf (1593-1649) was a French-born Jesuits missionary & martyr of New France who arrived in America in 1625 to evangelize Native Americans. He lived among the Huron for over fifteen years under difficult & challenging circumstances. In 1648, the Iroquois launched a war of extermination against the Huron, their traditional enemies. Refusing to flee when their Huron village was attached, Brébeuf & his assistant, Gabriel Lalemant, were captured the following year & tortured with seven other missionaries who are collectively called the North American Martyrs.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Frithuswith, Abbess, O.S.B. (circa 650-730, A.K.A. Frideswide): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter three, verses two thru twelve;
The Book of Isaiah, chapter twelve, verses two, three, four(b,c,d), five, & six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twelve, verses thirty-nine thru forty-eight;

or, for the North American Martyrs:
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter four, verses seven thru fifteen;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-six, verse five;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-eight, verses sixteen thru twenty.

Liberty & Union: Decision 2016

President Ronald Reagan famously said of his evolution from New Deal Democrat to supply-side Republican, "I didn't leave the Democratic Party. The party left me." In this year that has seen Hillary Clinton-campaign donor & racist/sexist demagogue Donald Trump capture the G.O.P. presidential nomination, I echo Reagan's words, with a heavy heart: I didn't leave the Republican Party. The party left me.

I have long considered myself a Republican, proud of the party's lineage, from Abraham Lincoln (president 1861-1865) to Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909) to the aforementioned Ronald Reagan (1981-1989). As a kid, I was impressed by the Republicans' strong stance against first Communism & then Saddam Hussein's territorial expansion, reversed by the George Bush-led (1989-1993) Gulf War of 1991. Throughout the '90s, I was dismayed by the Democrats' malign neglect of the post-Cold War world, as well as President Clinton's toxic immorality. In 2000, always being a foreign policy hawk, I support Senator John McCain over Govern George W. Bush in the Republican primaries, & I chuckled when Michigan governor John Engler was unable to fulfill his pledge of delivery Michigan for Bush the younger. After 9/11, I was surprised by pleased by Bush's transformation from a dovish isolationist to a hawkish interventionist. (No one is pleased with how the Iraq War was conducted, but that does not mean that deposing Saddam & attempting to construct a representative democracy, a first for a predominantly Arab country, was a misbegotten idea.) I support the welfare reform & budgetary hawkishness that came to the fore after the Republican Revolution of the '90s, & after the fact, once I was old enough to understand, I supported President Reagan's breaking of the air-traffic controllers' strike & attempts to reform Social Security. Free trade, as part & parcel of economic liberalism, is one of the pillars of the post-World War II international order that has delivery more prosperity & security to more persons in more (& more varied) nations than at any other time in human history, & the Republican party understood this far better than the Democrats, beholden as they are to trade unionists like the U.A.W. & the S.E.I.U. The Grand Old Party was never perfect, but in the broad national consensus of American's remarkably stable two-party politics it was right on more issues more often than the opposition Democrats. In my youth, I was pro-abortion (the label "pro-choice" is risible), but only because I'd never thought about the issue; I held that lamentable position because I bought into the lie that all smart persons hewed to that line. As soon I as put five second of thought into the issue, years before my conversion began & I truly came to know the Lord, I concluded that without the right to life, if I child can be dismembered in the womb on a whim, then no other rights matter. I am pro-life, a position much better represented by the Republicans than the Democrats, who increasingly embrace that multiple popes have called "the culture of death."

Now, I no longer call myself a Republican. I cannot in good conscience belong to a party that is represented by Donald Trump, a boorish, poor man's Mussolini. Even if Trump was not a racist bigot, which he is; even if he was not a sexist oaf, which he is; even if he was capable of conducting himself with a modicum of human decency, which he is not; I would still oppose him for his support for murdering innocent civilians (if through no fault of their own they happen to be related the terrorists), his threats to withdraw from the N.A.T.O. mutual-defense alliance & fawning love for Vladimir Putin, his economic illiteracy & opposition to free trade, & a dozen other reasons. The Trump campaign is a perfect storm: even if I agreed with the man's policies, which I do not, I am repulsed by his personality; even if I could stomach the man's personality, which I cannot, I am opposed to his policies.

The proximal inspiration for this post is a phone call I fielded from the National Republican Congressional Campaign, asking for a donation. I replied that I was no longer a Republican, that I could not be a member of a party headed by Mr. Trump. The young fellow on the found countered that Trump was the people's choice, having won the nomination through the primary process. I replied that this was exactly why I am not a Republican, because I cannot stand in common cause with a party (& a party is not its executive committees, a part is its membership) that supports Trump. I would struggle with my allegiance to the G.O.P. banner if Trump (whose largest-ever political donation was to the Democratic congressional campaign in '06; Trump's money helped make Representative Nancy Pelosi the Speaker of the House) had been chosen in a rigged convention, through an old-fashioned backroom deal, because that would mean the party's principals had betrayed the party's principles. Instead, Trump was the choice of the plurality of Republican primary voters, which means that at least a plurality if not an outright majority of self-identified republicans no longer agree with the platform of the Republican Party. I still support the Republican platform; but Donald J. Trump does not, & his voters do not. I cannot make common cause with those people anymore than than I can in good conscience make common cause with the Democrats.

I didn't leave the Republican Party. The party left me. Being a Republican was an important part of my self-identity since I was a teenager; so, what now? What do I stand for now that I am no longer a Republican? I stand for the same things for which I always stood. I am sympathetic to the nihilist Millennial declaration, "Nobody for president!," but I will still be voting on 8 November, since voting is the civic responsibility of every conscientious citizen (& for Catholics, a religious duty: U.S.C.C.B.-link). For whom will I be voting? That is another post entirely. For the nonce, this shall have to suffice:

#NeverTrump
#ExGOP
#NeverHillary

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Feast of Saint Luke, Evangelist (first century): Evangelist-link ūnus, Evangelist-link duo, Evangelist-link trēs, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

The early Church Fathers ascribed to him authorship of both the Gospel according to Luke & the book of Acts of the Apostles. The authorship of these two books places Luke as having written a plurality of the New Testament, more even than (St.) Paul (25 January, 29 June, etc.).

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

There are only a few certain facts about St. Luke's life. We know him best as the author of the third gospel & the Acts of the Apostles. A Greek himself, he wrote the story of Jesus & the Christian community for Gentile readers. He also accompanied St. Paul on some of his journeys & shared in his sufferings. Probably a physician, Luke may have pioneered as an early member of the church at Antioch. He aimed his books to persuade Gentiles that the Christian story was true. So he made it more accessible to them by filling his gospel with accounts of Christ's openness & mercy. Tradition says Luke lived a long life without marrying & that he died at age eighty-four.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Justus of Beauvais, Martyr (circa 278-287), martyred in the reign of the emperor Diocletian: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Second Letter to Timothy, chapter four, verses ten thru seventeen(b);
Psalm One Hundred Forty-five, verses ten thru thirteen, seventeen, & eighteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses one thru nine.

Personal Reading
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter twenty-three (verses one thru thirty-nine);
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter twenty-four (of twenty-four; verses one thru twenty-five);
The Book of Sirach (or, Ecclesiasticus), chapter two (verses one thru eighteen).

Commentary: Thus concludes the Books of Samuel: The Last Words of David (23:1-7), David's Warriors (23:8-39), Census of the People (24:1-9), the Pestilence (24:10-17), & Sacrifice of Atonement (24:18-25).

The chapter from Sirach was read on the radio by Father John Riccardo, a parish priest in the Archdiocese of Detroit & an exquisite speaker & apologist. I read along (noting where our translations differed), thrilled by the Lord's command: Duties toward God (2, inclusive).

The Rebel Black Dot Cigarette Girl Song of the Day

The Proclaimers, "Heaven Right Now" from Persevere (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: The Cigarette Girl's not married nor does she have a boyflesh. I'm not married nor do I have a girlflesh. Yet the last pairs of lines quoted below seem apropos.

"She's everything a married man should look for in a girl.
She's married, too, but not to you, and that's part of the thrill.
She's the one who makes you feel alright…

"She's old enough to know of love and know that this is not,
But young enough to not be willing to settle for what she's got…

"And if you get caught you're going to hell,
But it's heaven right now…"

The Rebel Black Dot Cigarette Girl Song of the Day

The Proclaimers, "Whole Wide World" (live) from Notes & Rhymes (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: Eros is giving way to agape, as it should, but the songs of love are still appealing.

"When I was a young boy,
My mama said to me,
'There's only one girl in the world for you,
But she probably lives in Tahiti.'

"I'd go the whole wide world,
I'd go the whole wide world, just to find her.

'Or maybe she's in the Bahamas,
Where the Caribbean sea is blue,
Weeping in a tropical moonlight night
Because nobody's told her about you.'

"I'd go the whole wide world,
I'd go the whole wide world, just to find her.
I'd go the whole wide world,
I'd go the whole wide world, to find out where they hide her.
I'd go the whole wide world,
I'd go the whole wide world, just to find her.

"Why am I hanging around in the rain out here
Tryin' to pick up a girl?
Why are my eyes fillin' up with these lonely tears
When there's girls all over the world?

"Well, is she lying on a tropical beach somewhere
Underneath a tropical sun?
Pining away in the heat wave there
Hoping that I won't be long?

"I should be lying on a sun-soaked beach with her,
Caressing her warm, brown skin,
And then in a year or maybe not quite,
We'll be sharing the same next of kin.

"I'd go the whole wide world,
I'd go the whole wide world, just to find her.
I'd go the whole wide world,
I'd go the whole wide world, to find out where they hide her.
I'd go the whole wide world,
I'd go the whole wide world, just to find her.
I'd go the whole wide world,
I'd go the whole wide world, to find out where they hide her."

Project BLACK MAMBA: The Daily Double

Today, 17 October is the Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop & Martyr (circa 35-108), martyred in the reign of the emperor Trajan: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, Martyr-link trēs, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

He was an Apostolic Father, student of the Apostle John (27 December), & the third bishop of Antioch. En route to Rome, where according to Christian tradition he met his martyrdom, he wrote a series of letters which have been preserved as an example of very early Christian theology. He coined the phrase "Catholic Church," still in use to this day.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Ignatius was a convert to Christianity. When he was named the second bishop of Antioch, Syria, Ignatius became a successor of Saint Peter (). In 107, Emperor Trajan tried to force Christians to renounces their religion. Ignatius allowed soldiers to bind him in a rickety cart & lead him to Rome for martyrdom. As his cart rolled into towns, local bishops & Christians came to meet & encourage him. On the journey, Ignatius wrote seven letters to the churches he left behind. The letters give insights into the growth of theology. He asked his people to gather around the Eucharist & to care the "the widow, the orphan, the oppressed, as well as those in person, the hungry, & the thirsty" (Letter to the Church at Smyrna, 6.2). Ignatius was devoured by wild beasts in the Roman amphitheater.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Richard Gwyn, Martyr (circa 1537-1584, A.K.A. Richard White), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I, one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link XL.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter two, verses one thru ten;
Psalm One Hundred, verses one(b) thru five;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twelve, verses thirteen thru twenty-one;

or, for St. Ignatius:
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter three, verse seventeen thru chapter four, verses one;
Psalm Thirty-four, verse five;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twelve, verses twenty-four, twenty-five, & twenty-six.

Personal Reading
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter twenty-one (verses one thru twenty-two);
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter twenty-two (verses one thru fifty-one).

Commentary: Gibeonite Vengeance (21:1-14), Exploits in Philistine Wars (21:15-22), & Song of Thanksgiving (22, inclusive).

* * * * *

Monday, 10 October was the feast of Saint Paulinus of York, Bishop (circa 584-644): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twas also the feast of Saint Francis Borgia, Priest, S.J. (1510-1572, fourth Duke of Gandía), third Superior General of the Society of Jesus: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, Saint-link trēs, & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the feast of Saint Daniel Combini, Bishop, M.C.C.J. (1831-1881), founder of the Comboni Missionaries: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; M.C.C.J.-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Galatians, chapter four, verses twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-six, twenty-seven, & thirty-one thru chapter five, verse one;
Psalm One Hundred Thirteen, verses one(b) thru five(a), six, & seven;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eleven, verses twenty-nine thru thirty-two.

The Explorers' Club, № DXIX

The "Devil's Cigarette Lighter," a natural gas well fire in Gassi Touil, Algeria that burned from 6 November 1961 'til 28 April 1962, shooting a flame eight hundred feet (800') into the air that was seen from orbit by John Glenn aboard the Mercury capsule Friendship 7; the flame was only extinguished when pioneering firefighter "Red" Adair & his crew used explosives to deprive the fire of oxygen.

Commentary: YouTube-link.

Project BLACK MAMBA: XXVIII & XXIX Sundays in O.T.

Today, 16 October is the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wikipedia-link.

Otherwise, 16 October would be the feast of Saint Hedwig, Widow (1174-1243, A.K.A. of Silesia, of Andechs): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the feast of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin, V.H.M. (1647-1690), to whom devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was revealed through a series of apparitions: Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Sacred Heart.

Scripture of This Week
Mass Readings
The Book of Exodus, chapter seventeen, verses eight thru thirteen;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-one, verses one thru eight;
The Second Letter to Timothy, chapter three, verse fourteen thru chapter four, verse two;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eighteen, verses one thru eight.

* * * * *

Sunday, 9 October was the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wikipedia-link.

Otherwise, 9 October would have been the feast of Saint Denis, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 250), martyred in the reign of the emperor Decius, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link XIV.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also have been the feast of Saint John Leonardi, Priest, O.M.D. (1541-1609), founder of the Clerics Regular of the Mother of God: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.M.D.

'Twould also have been the feast of Blessed John Henry Newman, Priest, C.O. (1801-1890), also a cardinal, though never a bishop: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of Last Week
Mass Readings
The Second Book of Kings, chapter five, verses fourteen thru seventeen;
Psalm Ninety-eight, verses one thru four;
The Second Letter to Timothy, chapter two, verses eight thru thirteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter seventeen, verses eleven thru nineteen.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Lord's Day

The O.C. Supertones, "Shut Up" from Supertones Strike Back (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: "But when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?" (Luke, 18:8)

"'Religious fanatic,' that's what they say.
True, I may be on the brink.
I hear them yell at us, 'Shut up & play!'
Well, who asked what you think?

"No time for mediocrity,
Convenience of practicality.
He went all out for us.
Say what you will, I'll answer to my God.

"I'm a freak! They say I've lost my mind,
But I know I've never seen so clearly.
When I speak, they say I've gone too far this time,
And lets me know that I have not gone nearly.

"Bible-thumpin' reactionist,
And I'm proud to beat the name.
Take our music, take away our lives,
Jesus still remains.

I wonder what will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak.
He went all out for us.
Say what you will, I'll answer to my God.

"I'm a freak! They say I've lost my mind,
But I know I've never seen so clearly, etc."

Project BLACK MAMBA: The Daily Double

Today, 15 October is the Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin & Doctor of the Church, O.C.D. (1515-1582, A.K.A. of Ávila), co-foundress of the Discalced Carmelites, formally the Order of the Discalced Carmelites of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel: Doctor-link ūna, Doctor-link duae, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.C.D.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Saint Teresa of Ávila, also called Saint Teresa of Jesus, baptized as Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada, was a prominent Spanish mystic,… Carmelite nun & author during the Counter-Reformation, & theologian of contemplative life through mental prayer. She was a reformer in the Carmelite Order of her time & the movement she initiated, later joined by Saint John of the Cross (14 December), eventually led to the establishment of the Discalced Carmelites.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

St. Teresa of Ávila was the founder of the Discalced Carmelites, which was a reform movement within the Carmelite Order. In her work of reform, she worked very closely with St. John of the Cross. She wrote several important works, including her autobiography, Life of Teresa of Ávila, & her most influential work, The Interior Castle, in which she talks about the mystical life in terms of seven mansions. These mansions show the growth in intimacy between the believe & God. St. Teresa was the first woman ever to be declared a Doctor of the Church (1970).

'Tis also the feast of Saint Severus of Trier, Bishop (died circa 455): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter one, verses fifteen thru twenty-three;
Psalm Eight, verses two, three (a,b), & four thru seven;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twelve, verses eight thru twelve;

or, for St. Teresa:
The Letter to the Romans, chapter eight, verses twenty-two thru twenty-seven;
Psalm Nineteen, verse ten;
or, the Gospel according to John, chapter six, verse sixty-three;
The Gospel according to John, chapter fifteen, verses one thru eight.

* * * * *

Saturday, 8 October was the feast of Saint Reparata, Martyr (died circa 250), martyred in the reign of the emperor Decius: Martyr-link ūna, Martyr-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the feast of Saint Demetrius of Sirmium, Deacon & Martyr (died circa 306, A.K.A. of Thessaloniki), martyred in the reign of the emperor Diocletian: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twas also the feast of Saint Pelagia, Hermitess (fifth century, A.K.A. of Antioch, "the Penitent," "the Harlot"): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Galatians, chapter three, verses twenty-two thru twenty-nine;
Psalm One Hundred Five, verses two thru seven;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eleven, verses twenty-seven, twenty-eight, & twenty-nine.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day: Bye Week

"Weird Al" Yankovic, "Sports Song" from Mandatory Fun (The Last Angry Wolverine)

Commentary: The valiant Wolverines are not in action this week on the gridiron, so the delightful & delightfully non-specific "Sports Song" struck me as apropos.

If I know my audience—& I freely admit I very well might not—I bet you're probably grateful for a break from my musical crush on/flirtation with the Cigarette Girl. See how I still sneaked her in?

The Rebel Black Dot Cigarette Girl Song of the Day

Reel Big Fish, " I Want Your Girlfriend to Be My Girlfriend Too" from Why Do They Rock So Hard? (The Last Angry Man)

Skammentary: A twofold exaggeration: She doesn't have a boyflesh &, even as infatuated as I am, I am conflicted about & resistant to my own desire to be the Cigarette Girl's boyflesh/have her as my girlflesh. As is often the case with the Reel Big Fish, pray pardon their French.

"There's a little girl I know,
You might know her, too,
She looks so good, woa-oh!
She looks so cute,
Standing next to you,
And I don't know what to do.

"I want your girlfriend to be my,
I want your girlfriend to be my,
I want your girlfriend to be my girlfriend, too!

"She's so fuckin' cute,
I wish that she was mine,
She's so fuckin' cute
I want to lose my mind…

I want your girlfriend
To be, be, be, be my girlfriend,
'Cause she's so cute I don't know what to do!
Maybe she could love me, too!
I want your girlfriend to be my girlfriend,
I said, I want your girlfriend to be my girlfriend, too!…"

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Callistus I, Pope & Martyr (died circa 223, A.K.A. Callixtus), sixteenth Bishop of Rome, martyred in the reign of the emperor Severus Alexander: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, Martyr-link trēs, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

In 217, when Callixtus followed (St.) Zephyrinus (20 December) as Bishop pf Rome, he started to admit into the church converts from sects or schisms who had not done penance. He fought with success the heretics, & established the practice of absolution of all sings, including adultery & murder.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

As Pope, Callistus I tried to make wise rules for the Church. He felt there should be mercy for those who had fallen away during persecution but who later repented. Callistus said the Church had the authority to forgive all sins. Callistus I remained steady in his desire to bring peace to the Church. He was martyred in a riot.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Richard Creagh, Bishop & Martyr (circa 1523-1586), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Roman Lysko, Priest & Martyr (1914-1949), martyred in the reign of the general secretary Joseph Stalin: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter one, verses eleven thru fourteen;
Psalm Thirty-three, verses one, two, four, five, twelve, & thirteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twelve, verses one thru seven;

or, for St. Callistus:
The First Letter of Peter, chapter five, verses one thru four;
Psalm Forty, verses eight(a) & nine(a);
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty-two, verses twenty-four thru thirty.

Personal Reading
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter eighteen (verses one thru thirty-two);
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter nineteen (verses one thru forty-four);
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter twenty (verses one thru twenty-six).

Commentary: Preparation for Battle (18:1-5), Defeat of Absalom (18:6-8), Death of Absalom (18:9-18), David Told of Absalom's Death (18:19-19:1), Joab Reproves David (19:2-9b), the Reconciliation (19:9c-15), David & Shimei (19:16-24), David & Meribbaal (19:25-31), David & Barzillai (19:32-41a), Israel & Judah Quarrel (19:41b-44), Sheba's Rebellion (20:1-3), Amasa's Death (20:4-13), Joab Pursues Sheba (20:14-22), & David's Officials (20:23-26).

The Explorers' Club, № DXVIII

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Endless Battles of the Isonzo, Part V
14 September-4 November 1916: The Seventh (14-17 September), Eighth (10-12 October), & Ninth (1-4 November) Battles of the Isonzo—The Italians repeatedly attacked to exploit their bridgehead at Gorizia (Sixth Isonzo, 6-17 August), suffering bloody losses; the Austro-Hungarian defenses held, but at a cost in blood they could ill afford; the Germans prepared to intervene to prop up their ailing ally.

Lest we forget.