Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Clement I, Pope & Martyr (died circa 101), fourth Bishop of Rome, martyred in the reign of the emperor Trajan: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Clement asserted the authority of the presbyters as rulers of the Church on the ground that the Apostles had appointed such. His letter was read in church, along with other epistles, some of which later became part of the Christian canon.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Clement of Rome was the third successor of Saint Peter, reigning as pope during the last decade of the first century. He's known as one of the Church's five "Apostolic Fathers," those who provided a direct link between the Apostles & later generations of Church Fathers.

'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Saint Columban, Abbot (543-615): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Columban was an Irish missionary notable for founding a number of monasteries with Celtic monastic rule & Celtic penitential practices for those repenting of sins, which emphasized private confession to a priest, followed by penances levied by the priest in reparation for the sins.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Columban was the greatest of the Irish missionaries who worked on the European continent. As a young man who was greatly tormented by temptations of the flesh, he sought the advice of a religious woman who had lived a hermit's life for years. He saw in her answer a call to leave the world. He went first to a monastery on an island in Lough Erne, then to the great monastic seat of learning at Bangor.

'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, Priest & Martyr, S.J. (1891-1927), martyred in the reign of the president Plutarco Elías Calles: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: ¡Viva Cristo Rey!

'Tis also the feast of Saint Felicity of Rome, Martyr (circa 101-165, A.K.A. Felicitas), martyred in the reign of the emperor Marcus Aurelius: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

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

or, for St. Clement:
The First Letter of Peter, chapter five, verses one thru four;
Psalm Eighty-nine;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter sixteen, verses thirteen thru nineteen;

or, for St. Columban:
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-two, verses seven thru ten;
Psalm Ninety-six, verse three;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter nine, verses fifty-seven thru sixty-two;

or, for Bl. Miguel:
The Book of Sirach, chapter fifty-one, verses one thru eight;
Psalm Thirty-one, verse six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten, verses twenty-eight thru thirty-three.

Individual Reading
The Book of Job, chapter fifteen (verses one thru thirty-five);
The Book of Job, chapter sixteen (verses one thru twenty-two);
The Book of Job, chapter seventeen (verses one thru sixteen);
The Book of Job, chapter eighteen (verses one thru twenty-one);
The Book of Job, chapter nineteen (verses one thru twenty-nine).

Commentary: Thus begins II: Second Cycle of Speeches: Second Speech of Eliphaz (15, inclusive), Job's Fourth Reply (16 & 17, inclusive), Bildad's Second Speech (18, inclusive), & Job's Fifth Reply (19, inclusive).

I don't mind telling you, reading Job is a drag. I'm having a hard time motivating myself to carve out the time necessary to do so. After this, I'm really going to need to go back to the source, to the Good News, to the life & ministry Our Lord in the Gospels.