Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, O.F.M. (circa 1182-1226), founder of the Franciscans, a diverse movement originating in the Order of Friars Minor; the Poor Clares, formally the Order of Saint Clare; the Third Order of Saint Francis; & the Custody of the Holy Land: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.F.M., Wikipedia-link O.S.C., Wikipedia-link T.O.S.F., & Wikipedia-link Custodia.

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

He was an Italian... friar & preacher. He founded the men's Order of Friars Minor, the women's Order of Saint Clare, the Third Order of Saint Francis, & the Custody of the Holy Land. Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in history. Francis arranged for the first Christmas live Nativity scene. According to... tradition, in 1224 he received the stigmata during an apparition of Seraphic angels in a religious ecstasy making him the first recorded person in... history to bear the wounds of Christ's Passion. He died during the evening hours.

'Tis also the feast of Saints Domnina, Berenice, & Prosdoce, Martyrs (died circa 303), martyred in the reign of the emperor Diocletian: Martyr-link Delta, Martyr-link Bravo, Martyr-link Papa, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Ammon, Hermit (circa 290-350): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Galatians, chapter one, verses thirteen thru twenty-four;
Psalm One Hundred Thirty-nine, verses one)b) thru three & thirteen thru fifteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses thirty-eight thru forty-two;

or, for St. Francis:
The Letter to the Galatians, chapter six, verses fourteen thru eighteen;
Psalm Sixteen, verse five(a);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eleven, verses twenty-five thru thirty.

Commentary: At least experientially, these Mass reading are hypothetical, as all the priests in the Diocese of Lansing have gathered for a convocation, meaning the only daily Mass being celebrated is wherever they are. (I suspect at the rather appropriately named St. Francis Retreat Center, but I don't know that to be the case.) No Mass? ¡No Más!

Personal Reading
The First Book of Samuel, chapter twenty-five (verses one thru forty-three);
The First Book of Samuel, chapter twenty-six (verses one thru twenty-five);
The First Book of Samuel, chapter twenty-seven (verses one thru twelve);
The First Book of Samuel, chapter twenty-eight (verses one thru twenty-five);
The First Book of Samuel, chapter twenty-nine (verses one thru eleven);
The First Book of Samuel, chapter thirty (verses one thru thirty-one).

Commentary: Death of Samuel (25:1), Nabal & Abigail (25:2-35), Nabal's Death (25:36-39a), David Marries Abigail & Ahinoam (25:39b-43), Saul's Life Again Spared (26:1-12), David Taunts Abner (26:13-16), Saul Admits His Guilt (26:17-25), Refuge among Philistines (27:1-4), In Ziklag (27:5-7), Raids on Israel's Foes (27:8-28:3), Saul in Dismay (28:4-7), the Witch of Endor (28:8-11), Samuel Appears (28:12-14), Saul's Doom (28:15-19), Saul's Despair (28:20-25), David's Aid Rejected (29, inclusive), Ziklag in Ruins (30:1-8), Raid of the Amalekites (30:9-16), the Booty Recovered (30:17-20), Division of the Spoils (30:21-25), & David's Gifts to Judah (30:26-31).