Project BLACK MAMBA: Second Sunday of Advent

Yesterday was the Second Sunday of Advent: Advent-link & Wikipedia-link.

Otherwise, 4 December would have been the feast of Saint John Damascene, Priest & Doctor of the Church (circa 676-749): Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

John Damascene was born of a Christian family in Damascus in the latter part of the seventh century. Learned in philosophy, he became a monk in the monastery of Saint Sabbas (5 December) near Jerusalem & was then ordained a priest. He wrote many doctrinal works, particularly against iconoclasts. He died in the middle of the eighth century.

'Twould also have been the feast of Blessed Adolph Kolping, Priest (1813-1865) the "Father of All Apprentices:" Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings
The Book of Isaiah, chapter eleven, verses one thru ten;
Psalm Seventy-two, verses one, two, seven, eight, twelve, thirteen, & seventeen;
The Letter to the Romans, chapter fifteen, verses four thru nine;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter three, verses one thru twelve.

Individual Reading
The Book of Sirach, chapter seven, verse thirty-one thru chapter eight, verse two.

Commentary: Portions of Duties of Family Life, Religion, & Charity (7:18-36) & Prudence in Dealing with Other Men (8, inclusive).

* * * * *

Today, 5 December is the feast of Saint Sabbas the Sanctified, Priest & Abbot (439-532, A.K.A. Sava, the Great, of Mar Saba), founder of the Mar Saba monastery, formally the Holy Larva of Saint Sabbas the Sanctified: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Mar Saba.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Justinian, Priest & Martyr (sixth century, A.K.A. of Ramsey Island), martyred by his own diabolically-inspired servants: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Nicolas Steno, Bishop (1638-1686, A.K.A. Niels Steensen): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Isaiah, chapter thirty-five, verses one thru ten;
Psalm Eighty-five, verses nine(a,b) & ten thru fourteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter five, verses seventeen thru twenty-six.