Sunday, April 30, 2017

The Explorers' Club, № DXLVII

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Nivelle Offensive, Part III
April 1917: "Bloody April"—The British Royal Flying Corps conducted an aggressive & effective campaign of aerial photography, artillery spotting, & harassment bombing to support the Battle of Arras (which included Vimy Ridge), but at a steep cost: a killed or captured rate of four to one verses the German Luftstreitkräfte; Baron von Richthofen's Jasta 11 accounted for one-third of British losses.






Lest we forget.

Project BLACK MAMBA: 3rd Sunday of Easter

'Tis the Third Sunday of Easter: Paschal-link & Wikipedia-link Easter.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Third Sunday of Easter
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter two, verses fourteen & twenty-two thru thirty-three;
Psalm Sixteen, verses one & two, five, seven & eight, nine & ten, & eleven;
The First Letter of Peter, chapter one, verses seventeen thru twenty-one;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty-four, verses thirteen thru thirty-five.

Commentary: Video Easter Gospel reflection by Jeff Cavins: Encountering the Word.

Easter Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron:
Friends, today’s Gospel is one of the greatest stories ever told: the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. It is a story of the Church and its mission, and therefore it speaks to us all. On the day of new creation they are walking in precisely the wrong direction, away from Jerusalem. You won’t see Jesus if you look away from his cross and resurrection.

Next, “Jesus himself drew near and walked with them.” Jesus is always with the Church, even when it strays, patiently trying to lure it back in the right direction. Then Jesus does for them what he does for us: he interprets the meaning of his own life. The opening move of the liturgy is just this. We read the Old and New Testaments in light of Jesus, Christ himself providing the interpretive key.

The disciples invite Jesus to come in and have supper with them. As he had done the night before he died, he “took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.” This is the great Eucharistic action of the Church: Jesus offering his very self to us, presenting sacramentally the drama of his death and resurrection.
Bible Study
The Book of Isaiah, chapter sixty-six, verses one thru six;
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-five, verses six thru thirteen;
The Book of Joel, chapter three (verses one thru five).

Commentary: True & False Worship (Isaiah, 66:1-6), An Invitation to Grace (Isaiah, 55:6-13), & Blessings for God's People (Joel, 3)

Otherwise, 30 April would be the festival of Saint Pius V, Pope, O.P. (1504-1572), two hundred twenty-fifth Bishop of Rome: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
Pope St. Pius V was born near Alessandria in Italy in 1504. He entered the Dominican Order & taught theology. After being ordained a bishop & named a cardinal, he became pope in 1566. He vigorously implemented the reform of the Church begun at the Council of Trent, promoted the spread of the faith & renewed the liturgy. he died on 1 May 1572.
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Marie of the Incarnation, Religious, O.S.U. (1599-1672): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo, Priest (1786-1842, Anglicized as Joseph Benedict), founder of the Little House of Divine Providence, nicknamed the "University of Charity:" Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Project BLACK MAMBA: Eastertide, Backlog Edition

Saturday, 29 April was the Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin & Doctor of the Church, T.O.S.D. (1347-1380), stigmatic: Doctor-link ūna, Doctor-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Saint Catherine of Siena, T.O.S.D., was a tertiary of the Dominican Order & a Scholastic philosopher & theologian. She also worked to bring the papacy of Gregory XI back to Rome from its displacement in France & to establish peace among the Italian city-states.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
St. Catherine was born at Siena in 1347. While still a young girl, she sought the way of perfection & entered the Third Order of St. Dominic. On fire with love of God & neighbor, she established peace & concord between cities, vigorously fought for the rights & freedom of the Roman Pontiff, convincing him to return to Rome from Avignon. St. Catherine received the stigmata. She also promoted renewal of religious life. She composed works of doctrine & spiritual inspiration. She died in 1380.
'Twas also the festival of Saint Díchu mac Trichim, Confessor (fourth century, A.K.A. Dictinus): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: St. Díchu was St. Patrick's (17 March) first convert in Ireland.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Hugh of Cluny, Priest & Abbot, O.S.B. (1024-1109, A.K.A. the Great, of Semur): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter six, verses one thru seven;
Psalm Thirty-three, verses one & two, four & five, & eighteen & nineteen;
The Gospel according to John, chapter six, verses sixteen thru twenty-one.

Commentary: Easter Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron:
Friends, in today's Gospel, Jesus demonstrates his authority over nature by walking on the sea. Water is, throughout the Scriptures, a symbol of danger and chaos. At the very beginning of time, when all was a formless waste, the spirit of the Lord hovered over the surface of the waters. This signals God's lordship over all of the powers of darkness and disorder. In the Old Testament the Israelites are escaping from Egypt, and they confront the waters of the Red Sea. Through the prayer of Moses, they are able to walk through the midst of the waves.

Now in the New Testament, this same symbolism can be found. In all four of the Gospels there is a version of this story of Jesus mastering the waves. The boat, with Peter and the other disciples, is evocative of the Church, the followers of Jesus. It moves through the waters, and the Church will move through time.

All types of Storms—chaos, corruption, stupidity, danger, persecution—will inevitably arise. But Jesus comes walking on the sea. This is meant to affirm his divinity: just as the spirit of God hovered over the waters at the beginning, so Jesus hovers over them now.
Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Catherine
The First Letter of John, chapter one, verse five thru chapter two, verse two;
Psalm One Hundred Three, verse one;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eleven, verses twenty-five thru thirty.

* * * * *

Also, Thursday, 6 April was the festival of Saint Peter of Verona, Priest & Martyr, O.P. (1206-1252), martyred by the Cathar heretics (A.K.A. the Albigensians): Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "They Will Need Music" from The Magic of Youth (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: Happy SKApril, everyone!
"They will need music to uplift,
It'll be a Godsend, it'll be a gift,
And hope and glory to coincide,
They'll need the strength and warmth and comfort the music will provide!…"

Saturday, April 29, 2017

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


The English Beat, "Ranking Full Stop" from I Just Can't Stop It (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: The English Beat are known as simply The Beat in the U.K. & as The British Beat in Australia. Apparently, there was already an American band calling themselves The Beat, so for marketing purposes in North America they became The English Beat. (The Mighty Mighty Bosstones originally called themselves simply the Bosstones, but added the "Mighty Mighty" to avoid confusion with another band of Boston-based Bosstones.) The English Beat, 2-Tone stalwarts by any name, are making their SKApril debut. Welcome aboard!

Friday, April 28, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA: Eastertide

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Peter Chanel, Priest & Martyr, S.M. (1803-1841), martyred in the reign of the king Niuliki: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
St. Peter was a Catholic priest, missionary, & martyr. His group was initially well received by Futuna's king, Niuliki. Fr. Peter struggled to learn the language & mastered it. Despite little apparent success & severe want, he maintained endless patience & courage. When the king's son sough to be baptized, the king instructed for Peter to be killed. The killer, in need of medical attention, went to Chanel for care, & subsequently clubbed him to death.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
St. Peter was born in the town of Cuet in France in 1803. After ordination to the priesthood, he was engaged in pastoral work for a few years. he then joined the Marists & journeyed to Oceania to preach the Gospel. Despite many hardships he converted some of the natives to the faith. Out of hatred for the faith, a band of native warriors killed him in 1841 on the island of Futuna.

'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort, Priest, T.O.S.D. (1673-1716), founder of the Company of Mary; the Daughters of Wisdom; & the Gabrielite Brothers, formally the Brothers of Christian Instruction of St. Gabriel: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Company, Wikipedia-link Daughters, & Wikipedia-link Brothers.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
St. Louis Marie was a French Roman Catholic priest & confessor. He was known in his time as a preacher & was made a Missionary Apostolic. St. Louis is known for his particular devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary & the practice of praying the Rosary. St. Louis is considered as one of the early writers in the field of Mariology.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
St. Louis de Montfort was born to a poor family at Montfort-La-Cane in Brittany. Ordained at twenty-seven, he was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. he wrote books such as The Secret of the Rosary & True Devotion to Mary. He founded an order of priests called the Company of Mary & a religious institute of women devoted to the poor, the Congregation of the Daughters of Divine Widsom.

Last year, I speculated that there must be some unknown official reason why St. Peter Chanel's optional memorial takes precedence over St. Louis de Montfort's, but I myself did not have a theory. (A theory made "necessary" only to satisfy my vainglory, which insists that BLACK MAMBA's practice of chronologically ordering equally-ranked festivals must be correct.) This year, I do have a theory: St. Peter's martyrdom. There is no higher honor in the Christian faith than to have died for the true confession of that faith; so, St. Peter's optional memorial might, in fact, be of superior rank to St. Louis's, since St. Peter's earthly life earned him a martyr's crown.


'Tis also the festival of Blessed Marie Louise Trichet, Religious (1684-1759), co-foundress of the Daughters of Wisdom: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Daughters.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, Confessor (1922-1962): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter five, verses thirty-four thru forty-two;
Psalm Twenty-seven, verses one, four, & thirteen & fourteen;
The Gospel according to John, chapter six, verses one thru fifteen.

Commentary: Easter Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron:
Friends, our Gospel today focuses on St. John’s intense meditation on the meaning of the Eucharist. The tone is set with the familiar story of the feeding of the five thousand, the only miracle story mentioned in all four Gospels. This scene deeply affected the first Christians. Jesus instructs the crowd to recline on the grass. Taking the barley loaves and dried fish, Jesus makes a meal that satisfies the enormous crowd. They are hungry, tired, worn out from their exertions, and Jesus gives them sustenance for the day.

For Thomas Aquinas, the great metaphor for the Eucharist is sustenance, food for the journey. Baptism defines us, making us sons and daughters of God; confirmation confirms and deepens this identity; marriage and holy orders seal us in our life’s vocation. These are sacraments offered once at key moments in one’s life.

Then there is the Eucharist, which is daily food, nourishment to get us through the day-to-day. How effective would we be if we never ate, or ate only on special occasions and in a festive environment? Not very. So, in the spiritual life, we must eat and drink or we will not have the strength.
Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Peter
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 Mark, chapter one, verses fourteen thru twenty.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Louis
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter one, verses eighteen thru twenty-five;
Psalm Forty, verses eight(a) & nine(a);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-eight, verses sixteen thru twenty.

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


Mu330, "Spilled My Drink" from Press (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: Never let it be said that I claimed self-sabotage was not partly to blame for the failure of romance in ska-punk songs.
"She wanted me to stay,
But I had to run away,
She wanted me to stay,
But I had to run away…"
"Spilled My Drink" is from the earliest phase of Mu330 & is pleasantly & distinctly less frenetic than Mu330's later "psycho ska" sound. I love Mu330's usual sound—they're SKApril All-Stars, for Rudy's sake, & I've traveled as far as St. Louis, their "mighty city by the mighty Mississippi" itself to see them play live—but I also appreciate variety as the spice of life.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA: Eastertide

'Tis the festival of Saint Simeon of Jerusalem, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 107), second Bishop of Jerusalem, martyred in the reign of the emperor Trajan: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Asicus of Elphin, Bishop (died circa 490, A.K.A. Assic): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Zita of Lucca, Virgin (circa 1212-1272): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter five, verses twenty-seven thru thirty-three;
Psalm Thirty-four, verses two & nine, seventeen & eighteen, & nineteen & twenty;
The Gospel according to John, chapter three, verses thirty-one thru thirty-six.

Commentary: Easter Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron:
Friends, today’s Gospel declares that the Son of God does not ration his gift of the Spirit. At the Cathedral of Chartres, the figure of Jesus is surrounded by seven doves, symbolizing these seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord. The Messiah will be filled up with all of the powers and energies of God’s spirit.

These seven gifts have played a prominent role in our tradition, appearing in theologians as diverse as Gregory the Great, Augustine, and Thomas Aquinas. These gifts are signs that the Christian is participating in Jesus Christ. In holding up this image, therefore, the Church is asking us to meditate on the people that we are called to be, participants in Jesus.

How does one come by these gifts? We can’t really earn them or work our way toward them. But they do come from Jesus Christ, and therefore from our proximity to him through the Church and the sacraments. As we wait in joyful hope for the coming of the Lord, pray for the conformity to him which consists in the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


The Loose Ties, "OK, Sure" from Champ of the Week (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: Don't stop skanking. Even when it feels like the sky is falling, don't stop skanking. We skank when we're joyous, to make the most of the moment. We skank when we're devastated, to remind ourselves that this too shall pass, or at least to try & convince ourselves that we believe that. In all cases, ska kid, be you rude boy or rude girl, don't stop skanking.
"One! Two! One, two, three, four!

"Have you ever had one of those days?
Has it ever felt like no other day at all?
Has it ever been so perfect?
Has it ever felt like it was so right?
Then you came to find out
That one day it was all gone.

"Maybe you will see
What could have been,
No, you won't see
That we were more than friends.

"O.K. (Sure!) I'm be all right,
O.K. (Sure!) I'll be just fine,
O.K. (Sure!) Everything is great,
O.K. (Sure!) I'll just keep living this lie…

"I wonder what it will be like
When I see you and know you are not mine…"

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA: Eastertide

'Tis the festival of Our Lady of Good Counsel: Our Lady-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Cletus, Pope & Martyr (died circa 92, A.K.A. Anacletus), third Bishop of Rome, martyred in the reign of the emperor Domitian: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Marcellinus, Pope & Martyr (died 304) twenty-ninth Bishop of Rome, martyred in the reign of the emperor Diocletian: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Stephen of Perm, Bishop (circa 1340-1396): Wikipedia-link & Britannica-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter five, verses seventeen thru twenty-six;
Psalm Thirty-four, verses two & three, four & five, six & seven, & eight & nine;
The Gospel according to John, chapter three, verses sixteen thru twenty-one.

Commentary: Easter Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron:
Friends, our Gospel passage today includes one of Jesus’ best-known and best-loved sayings. The Lord is speaking to Nicodemus and he tells him, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”

Why does the Son come? Because God is angry? Because God wants to lord it over us? Because God needs something? No, he comes purely out of love, out of God’s desire that we flourish: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”

It is not in order to work out his anger issues that the Father sends the Son, but that the justice of the world might be restored. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s salvific intent, displayed throughout the Old Testament.

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


Be Like Max, "You Don't Know Me" from Against All Odds (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: Be Like Max must have been children, wee bairns during the Summer of Ska, 1997. (I'm old! I'm fluxing Methuselah!) Their Bandcamp webpage proudly declares, "Las Vegas Ska/Punk still exists!" We must keep the torch of third-wave ska burning until the fourth wave comes along.
"Your mind's made up so why the fuck
Should I defend the way I think?
All I want to be is left alone,
When people have to lie to find a story.

"You don't know me!
You don't know me!
You don't know me!…"

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA: Eastertide

'Tis the Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist (died circa 68): Evangelist-link ūnus, Evangelist-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Traditionally ascribed author of the Gospel of Mark, Mark is said to have founded the church of Alexandria, one of the most important episcopal sees of early Christianity.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
St. Mark was a cousin of (St.) Barnabas (11 June) & he accompanied St. Paul (25 January & 29 June) on his first missionary journey & later went with him to Rome. He was a disciple of St. Peter (22 February & 29 June) whose teaching was the basis for Mark's gospel. Mark is said to be the founder of the church of Alexandria.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Pedro de San José Betancur, O.F.B. (circa 1626-1667, Anglicized as Peter of Saint Joseph), founder of the Order of Bethlehemite Brothers: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.F.B.

'Tis also the festival of Blesseds Mario Borzaga, Priest (O.M.I.), & Paul Thoj Xyooj, Martyrs (died 1960), martyred by the Panthet Lao Communists: Martyr-link Mike Bravo, Martyr-link Papa Tango X-ray, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Bls. Mario & Paul were beatified mere months hence, on 10 December 1916.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feast of St. Mark
The First Letter of Peter, chapter five, verses five(b) thru fourteen;
Psalm Eighty-nine, verses two & three, six & seven, & sixteen & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verses fifteen thru twenty.

Commentary: Easter Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron:
Friends, today Jesus commissioned his disciples (and us) to proclaim the Gospel to the whole world. Then he was taken up to heaven where he took his place at God's right hand, as the disciples went forth and preached everywhere.

The ascension of Jesus signals the beginning of the era of the Church. As Jesus leaves the scene (at least in the most obvious sense), he opens the stage for us. What if Caesar, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Churchill were still striding the world stage? No one would have the courage to enter the game. So, Jesus leaves, that we might act in his name and in accord with his spirit.

And it is precisely those who are most focused on the things of heaven that do most good here below—Gandhi, King, Dorothy Day, John Paul II. Those who pray most intently are most effective in the practical realm. This too is opened up by the ascension.

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


The Hippos, "Celebrate" from Forget the World (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: How unexpected & surprising, a ska-punk song about romance gone wrong!
"So go out and get with any guy you find,
Every day I grow farther from you,
Don't come crawling back when we get signed,
Don't you think that I found something new?
I'm finished with you.

"I celebrate, I celebrate,
My days of hate, my days of hate,
'Cause now I see
That you're nothing to me…"
Also, The Hippos are SKApril All-Stars & "Celebrate" is one of their best songs. It was actually unexpected & surprising, in preparing for SKApril '17, to discover that "Celebrate" had not already been highlighted. Yahtzee!

Monday, April 24, 2017

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


Ska Cubano, "Cumbia En Do Menor" from ¡Ay Caramba! (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: We here at The Secret Base have always taken an expensive view of what constitutes ska, we think to the betterment & enrichment of SKApril. Those who disagree are invited to take a long walk off a short pier. (It's only a ninety-mile swim from Key West to Cuba, after all.)

Project BLACK MAMBA: Eastertide

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Priest & Martyr, O.F.M. Cap. (1577-1622), martyred by Swiss Calvinists: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Franciscan Capuchin martyr. A practicing lawyer, he traveled across Europe as a tutor to aristocrats but then started defending the poor. He became a Franciscan Capuchin monk, taking the name of Fidelis. A missionary to Grisons, Switzerland, Fidelis was so successful that local Protestants claimed that he was a spy for the Austrian emperor. Fidelis was stabbed to death in a church in Seewis.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
St. Fidelis was born in Sigmaringen in Germany in 1578. He entered the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin & led an austere life of penance, vigils, & prayer. He was continuously engaged in preaching the word of God & he was commissioned by the sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith to preach in the canton of Grisons. In 1622, he was attacked by a band of heretics & suffered martyrdom at Seewis in Switzerland.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Diarmid of Armagh, Bishop (died circa 852): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint William Firmatus, Priest & Hermit (1026-1103, of Tours): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter four, verses twenty-three thru thirty-one;
Psalm Two, verses one, two, & three; four thru seven(a); & seven(b) thru nine;
The Gospel according to John, chapter three, verses one thru eight.

Commentary: Easter Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron:
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and spirit. He says: “What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit is the love shared by the Father and the Son; he is, in the lovely image proposed by Fulton Sheen, the sign of affection that goes up when the Father looks at the Son and the Son looks back at the Father.

We have access to this holy heart of God because the Father sent the Son into the world, into our dysfunction, even to the limits of godforsakenness—and thereby gathered all of the world into the dynamism of the divine life. Those who live in Christ are not outside of God as petitioners or supplicants; rather they are in God as friends, sharers in the Spirit.
Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Fidelis:
The Letter to the Colossians, chapter one, verses twenty-four thru twenty-nine;
Psalm Thirty-four, verse five;
The Gospel according to John, chapter seventeen, verses twenty thru twenty-six.

* * * * *

Bonus! Song of the Lord's Day
Sonntag, 23. April
Daniel Schmit & Mike Hilliker, "Christ Is Risen" from Mercy: Songs for Holy Week (The Last Angry Man)

Sunday, April 23, 2017

The Explorers' Club, № DXLVI

Operation AXIOM: The World War
17-19 April 1917: The Second Battle of Gaza—The British & Imperial Desert Column was defeated by Gaza's Ottoman defenders far more decisively than in the First Battle of Gaza (26 March); the Entente campaign to capture Palestine ground to a halt, resulting in a six-month stalemate of trench warfare, cavalry patrols to identify enemy weak spots, & aerial dogfights above the trenches.





Lest we forget.

Commentary: The Palestine campaign so far: the Battles of Rafa, 9 January 1917 (№ DXXXI) & First Gaza (№ DXLII).

Project BLACK MAMBA: 2nd Sunday of Easter

'Tis the Second Sunday of Easter (or, Sunday of Divine Mercy): Paschal-link, Wikipedia-link Easter, & Wikipedia-link Octave; Wikipedia-link Divine Mercy.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter two, verses forty-two thru forty-seven;
Psalm One Hundred Eighteen, verses two, three, & four; thirteen, fourteen, & fifteen; & twenty-two, twenty-three, & twenty-four;
The First Letter of Peter, chapter one, verses three thru nine;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty, verses nineteen thru thirty-one.

Commentary: Video Easter Gospel reflection by Jeff Cavins: Encountering the Word.

Easter Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron:
Friends, our magnificent Gospel declares that there is no greater manifestation of the divine mercy than the forgiveness of sins. We are in the upper room with the disciples, those who had denied, betrayed, and abandoned their master. Jesus came and stood in their midst. When they saw him, their fear must have intensified: undoubtedly he was back for revenge.

Instead, he spoke the simple word “Shalom”, peace. He showed them his hands and his side, lest they forget what the world (and they) did to him, but he does not follow up with blame or retribution—only a word of mercy. And then the extraordinary commission: “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” Jesus’ mercy is communicated to his disciples who in turn are sent to communicate it to the world.

This is the foundation for the sacrament of penance, which has existed in the Church from that moment to the present day as the privileged vehicle of the divine mercy.
Otherwise, 23 April would be the festival of Saint George, Martyr (circa 280-303), martyred in the reign of the emperior Diocletian, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; & Wikipedia-link XIV.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. A Golden Legend: Wikipedia-link Day & Wikipedia-link Dragon.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
Legend states that St. George was born at Cappadocia & instructed in the Christian religion by his mother. He became a soldier in the Roman army & confronted Diocletian, the cruel persecutor of Christians. As a result, George was handed over to the torturers, who tried every means to put him to death; but he came through all the tortures unscathed. Pretending ot offer sacrifice to the pagan idols, with all the people assembled, George prayed & fire came down from heaven, killing all the pagan priests & people. In the end, George was beheaded. The crusaders considered St. George to be their patron. He was also named the patron of England in 1222. Until 1778, the feast of St. George was a holy day of obligation for English Catholics. In iconography, St. George is portrayed as the conqueror of a dragon.
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Adalbert of Prague, Bishop & Martyr, O.S.B. (circa 956-997), martyred by pagan priests of the Old Prussians: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Giles of Assisi, Religious, O.F.M. (circa 1190-1262): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Teresa Maria of the Cross, Religious, O.C.D. (1846-1910, A.K.A. Teresa Maria Manetti): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Mass Journal: Week 17
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
Catholicism is not merely a religion, or a sect, or a set of rules. When small minds & smaller spirits try to capture the essence of Catholicism, this is often what they tend to conclude. But Catholicism is more than a religion. It is more than just another movement. The essence of Catholicism is not sin, punishment, duty, or obligation, & it is more than a set of lifeless rules & regulations. Catholicism is more. It is more than most people think & more than most Catholics ever experience. The essence of Catholicism is dynamic transformation. You cannot become more like Jesus Christ & at the same time stay as you are. To be Catholic means to be striving to live the Gospel, to be striving to become more like Jesus Christ. It is this dynamic approach to transformation that animates the human person—physically, emotionally, intellectually, & spiritually—& allows us to experience like "to the fullest" (John, 10:10). When are you most fully alive? When you are changing & growing & exploring all you are capable of becoming.

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


The A-OKs, "Ruby Red Lips" from Words Are Not for Eating (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: This is the second year that a photograph of the professionally pretty Karlie Kloss has played a part in SKApril. What say ye, should we officially dub her SKAphrodite?
"She's a blonde bombshell with ruby red lips,
She's been driving me crazy with the motion of her hips,
She'll tear you apart if you ever got in her way…

"She has a smirk on her face from all the hearts she steals,
You know, she'll probably mess you up if she ever got the chance,
She has killer in her eyes as you ask her out to dance…"

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA: Saturday / Octave of Easter

'Tis the Saturday within the Octave of Easter: Octave-link.

Otherwise, 22 April would be the festival of Saint Soter, Pope (died circa 174), twelfth Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Caius, Pope (died 296, also spelt Gaius), twenty-eighth Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Agapetus I, Pope (died 536), fifty-seventh Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Theodore of Sykeon, Bishop (died circa 613): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter four, verses thirteen thru twenty-one;
Psalm One Hundred Eighteen, verses one, fourteen & fifteen(a,b) & sixteen thru twenty-one;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verses nine thru fifteen.

Commentary: Easter Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron:
Friends, in today’s passage Jesus commissions his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all. A great lesson of the Resurrection is that the path of salvation has been opened to everyone. Paul told us that “though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not deem equality with God something to be grasped. Rather he emptied himself and took the form of slave… accepting even death, death on a cross.”

In a word, Jesus went all the way down, journeying into pain, despair, alienation, even godforsakenness. Why? In order to reach all of those who had wandered from God. Then, in light of the Resurrection, the first Christians came to know that, even as we run as fast as we can away from the Father, all the way to godforsakenness, we are running into the arms of the Son. The Resurrection shows that Christ can gather back to the Father everyone whom he has embraced through his suffering love.

So let us not domesticate the still stunning and disturbing message of Resurrection. Rather, let us allow it to unnerve us, change us, and set us on fire.

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


Suburban Legends, "You" from Rump Shaker (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: We've established before that romantic love never (or, at best, very, very rarely) works out in third-wave ska, right? It's one of the defining traits of ska-punk. I'm sure my own disastrous history with romance has nothing at all to do with my deep & abiding love for ska.
"Four score and seven minutes ago, our Founding Fathers found the truth of what girls like and what girls don't like. Article I: Girls don't like you. They never will like you! No matter how hard you try, they can't stop you now…

"I see you everywhere, but why aren't you with me?
I've got so much to offer: fun, sensitivity,
But you are too cool to talk to me,
All your friends keep jabbering junk that you are way out of my league.

"So, come on tonight,
Be by my side, all right?
'Cause—

"I like you! Look into my eyes,
I like you! I guarantee you, I'm not like other guys,
I like you! C'mon and give me a try,
I like you! There must be something I can do to change your mind.

"Every story starts like this one, end it here with me,
I can't believe what you're saying: you say it will never be,
And now I'm frowning all the time
Just because your stupid friends have ruined everything and now you'll never be mine…"

Friday, April 21, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA: Friday / Octave of Easter

'Tis the Friday within the Octave of Easter: Octave-link.

Otherwise, 21 April would be the festival of Saint Simeon of Ctesiphon, Bishop & Martyr (died 345, A.K.A. Shemon Bar Sabbae), martyred in the reign of the king Shapur II: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Anselm of Canterbury, Bishop & Doctor of the Church, O.S.B. (circa 1033-1109, of Aosta): Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
At fifteen, Anselm wanted to enter the monastery, but was refused acceptance because of his father's opposition. Twelve years later he finally fulfilled his desire to be a monk. He entered the monastery of Bec in Normandy, was elected prior three years later, & fifteen years later, was unanimously chosen abbot. Considered an original & independent thinker, Anselm was admired for his patience, gentleness, & teaching skill. Under his leadership, the Abbey of Bec became a monastic school, influential in philosophical & theological studies.
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Conrad of Parzham, Religious, O.F.M. Cap. (1818-1894): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter four, verses one thru twelve;
Psalm One Hundred Eighteen, verses one, two, & four & twenty-two thru twenty-seven(a);
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty-one, verses one thru fourteen.

Commentary: Easter Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron:
Friends, in today’s Gospel, the Risen Jesus appears to seven disciples on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias. Jesus rose bodily from the dead. This is the fact—eminently surprising and unexpected—that gives birth to Christianity. The excitement that you can sense on every page of the New Testament comes from this novelty.

Why did the Risen Jesus appear only to a few? Why didn’t he make himself readily apparent to anyone who wanted to see? Cardinal Newman commented on this. If Jesus had appeared publicly and indiscriminately to all, the power of the resurrection would have been lessened. Some would believe; others wouldn’t. Some would get it; others wouldn’t. Some would be fascinated, others indifferent.

Instead, he deigned to appear to a small coterie of dedicated disciples who knew him, loved him, understood him—confident that they would be the effective bearers of his message. We are those now who eat and drink with him after his resurrection. And so we have a commission to announce this good news.
* * * * *

Thursday, 20 April would also have been the festival of Saint Anicetus, Pope (died circa 168), eleventh Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

* * * * *

Tuesday, 21 March was also the festival of Blessed Thomas Pilchard, Priest & Martyr (1557-1587, also spelt Pilcher), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


The Toasters, "I'm Running Right through the World" from Don't Let the Bastards Grind You Down (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Bonus! Song of the Day: SKApril!


The Specials, "A Message to You Rudy" from The Specials (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: "A Message to You Rudy" was a R.B.D.S.O.T.D. during the very first SKApril, April 2011: Wayback Machine.

Project BLACK MAMBA: Thursday / Octave of Easter

'Tis the Thursday within the Octave of Easter: Octave-link.

Otherwise, 20 April would be the festival of Saint Cædwalla, Confessor (circa 658-689), King of Wessex: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Agnes of Montepulciano, Abbess, O.P. (1268-1317): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Blesseds James Bell, Priest, & John Finch, Martyrs (died 1584), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I: Martyr-link Juliett Bravo & Wikipedia-link Juliett Bravo, Martyr-link Juliett Foxtrot & Wikipedia-link Juliett Foxtrot.

'Twould also be the festival of Blesseds Richard Sergeant & William Thomson, Priests & Martyrs (died 1586), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I, two of the Eight-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link Romeo Sierra & Wikipedia-link, & Martyr-link Whiskey Tango; Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter three, verses eleven thru twenty-six;
Psalm Eight, verses two(a,b) & five, six & seven, & eight & nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty-four, verses thirty-five thru forty-eight.

Commentary: Easter Gospel reflection by the Most Reverend Robert Barron, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles & founder of Word on Fire:
Friends, in today’s Gospel, the Risen Jesus appears to his eleven disciples. Understandably terrified, they thought they were seeing a ghost. But Jesus is quick to disabuse them of this notion: “Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.”

While they were still amazed and incredulous for joy, he stunned them further, saying, “Have you anything here to eat?” With that, they gave him a piece of baked fish, which he ate in their presence. The bodily resurrection of Jesus—as the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep—is the great sign that heaven and earth are coming together. A body, which can be touched and which can consume baked fish has found its way into the realm of heaven.

What does this mean? That bodies are not finally alien to God. We have indeed an Advocate in the heavenly places. Were the Resurrection a convenient story or a clever myth, the two realms of heaven and earth would be as separate as ever.

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


Prince Buster, "Judge Dread" from Fabulous Greatest Hits (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: Prince Buster released "Judge Dread" years before the character Judge Dredd was introduced in 2000 A.D. (which occurred years before the film starring Sylvester Stallone was made), & I have no reason to believe Dredd was in any way inspired by "Judge Dread," but this is still the first image that came to mind when I began considering "Judge Dread" as a R.B.D.S.O.T.D.: SKApril!
"You rough, you tough,
You rough, you tough,
You rough, you tough,
You rough, you tough.

"Order! While my court is in session, will you please stand. First, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Judge Hundred Years. Some people call me 'Judge Dread.' Now, I've come here to whoop you, to try all you rude boys for shooting black people. In my court, only we talk, 'cause I am vexed, and I am the rude boy today…"

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

The Queue

The fault almost certainly lies with me, but the previous book I was using to learn how to pray the Divine Office was proving an obstacle; so, I've decided to try a different how-to guide. I've bumped How the Reformation Happened to the top of the queue because I definitely want to read it in 2017, the five hundredth anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation (which sparked the subsequent Catholic Counter-Reformation).

Recently
Matt Fraction & David Aja, Annie Wu, et al., Hawkeye: My Life As a Weapon (volume one), Little Hits (volume two), L.A. Woman (volume three), & Rio Bravo (volume four)
Matthew Kelly, Resisting Happiness

Currently
Daria Sockey, The Everyday Catholic's Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours
Pope Francis, Amoris Lætitia (The Joy of Love)

Presently
Hilaire Belloc, How the Reformation Happened
Norman Davies, Vanished Kingdoms: The Rise and Fall of States and Nations ***interrupted***
Richard Price, Clockers
Sir Richard Francis Burton, translator, "Sinbad the Sailor" from The Arabian Nights
Sir Ernest Shackleton, South: A Memoir of the Endurance Voyage
William F. Buckley Jr., The Unmaking of a Mayor
Scott & Kimberly Hahn, Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism
Margaret MacMillan, Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World
Sherry A. Weddell, Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus
William E. Simon Jr., Great Catholic Parishes: How Four Essential Practices Make Them Thrive
Mike Aquilina, Understanding the Mass: 100 Questions, 100 Answers
Bishop Robert Barron, Seeds of the Word: Finding God in the Culture

Project BLACK MAMBA: Wednesday / Octave of Easter

'Tis the Wednesday within the Octave of Easter: Octave-link.

Otherwise, 19 April would be the festival of Saint Crescentius of Florence, Deacon (died circa 396): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link (list, "deacon of St. Zenobius"; also: Wikipedia-link Zenobius).

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Alphage of Canterbury, Bishop & Martyr (circa 953-1012, A.K.A. Ælfheah), martyred by Viking Danes: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Leo IX, Pope (1002-1054), the "Pilgrim Pope," one hundred fifty-first Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed James Duckett, Martyr (died circa 1602), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter three, verses one thru ten;
Psalm One Hundred Five, verses one & two, three & four, six & seven, & eight & nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty-four, verses thirteen thru thirty-five.

Mass Journal: Week 16
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
For the first Christians, Christianity was a lifestyle. They shared a common life. Living in a community, they often worked together, prayed together, & studied the Scriptures together. Their faith was the center of their lives; it affected everything they did. They shared meals together, played together, & cared for each other in sickness. They allowed the principles of the Gospel to guide them in the activities of their daily lives. They comforted each other in their afflictions & challenged each other to live the Gospel more fully. There was unity & continuity between their professional lives & their family lives, between their social lives & their lives as members of the Church. They allowed the Holy Spirit to guide them in all they did. Then, at the pinnacle of their common life, they celebrated Eucharist together.

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


The Skatalites, "Trip to Mars" via iTunes (from Greetings from Skamania) (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: "Trip to Mars" is instrumental & I have no reason to believe it has anything to do with the 1938 serial Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars, but we here at The Secret Base will never be picky about opportunities to mention the actor & gold medal-winning Olympian Larry "Buster" Crabbe.

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


Derrick Morgan, "Happy Independence" via iTunes (from the Do the Beng Beng compilation) (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: Jamaica achieved independence from the British Empire on 6 August 1962, in the formative years of ska (before the further development into rocksteady & reggae). The lyrics reflect Jamaica's national motto, "Out of many, one people."
"Hooray! Hip hip, hooray!
Hooray! Hip hip, hooray!

"Independence! (Celebration!)
Independence! (Celebration!)
Independence! (Celebration!)

"Hooray! Hip hip, hooray!
Hooray! Hip hip, hooray!

"Out of many, one (people),
Out of many, one (people),
Out of many, one (people),
Out of many, one (people).

"Let's live in unity (all progress),
Let's live in unity (all progress),
Let's live in unity (all progress),
Let's live in unity (all progress)…

"Hooray! Hip hip, hooray!
Hooray! Hip hip, hooray!"

Project BLACK MAMBA: Tuesday / Octave of Easter

'Tis the Tuesday within the Octave of Easter: Octave-link.

Otherwise, 18 April would be the festival of Saint Perfectus of Córdoba, Priest & Martyr (died 850), martyred in the reign of the emir Abd ar-Rahman II, one of the forty-eight Martyrs of Córdoba: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link XLVIII.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Giacomo Oldo, Priest, O.F.M. (1364-1404, Anglicized as James Oldo): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Blessed-link trēs.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Marie Anne Blondin, Religious, S.S.A. (1809-1890), foundress of the Sisters of Saint Anne: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link S.S.A.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter two, verses thirty-six thru forty-one;
Psalm Thirty-three, verses four & five, eighteen & nineteen, & twenty & twenty-two;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty, verses eleven thru eighteen.

Commentary: I receive in my e-mailbox a daily Gospel reflection from Bishop Barron's Word on Fire Ministries, just as during Lent, but so far this is only available as an e-mail, not through a freestanding website; so, I am uncertain how to share the reflection with you, my treasured readers, but I'll keep working at it.

Monday, April 17, 2017

The Explorers' Club, № DXLV

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Nivelle Offensive, Part II
16 April-9 May 1917: The Second Battle of the Aisne—French commander-in-chief Robert Nivelle promised to win the war within forty-eight hours with a single decisive stroke; the French troops, psychologically fragile after the horrors of Verdun, were euphoric; the battle was a tactical success, but failed to achieve a strategic breakthrough, with massive casualties; French morale collapsed.






Lest we forget.

The Queue

I did not succeed in my Lenten ambition of finishing Resisting Happiness, but the end is in sight. (Famous last words, those.)

Fraction & Aja's Hawkeye is interesting & delightfully non-traditional superhero fare, but does not recapture the brief, shining glory of The Immortal Iron Fist, which remains for me a comic-book landmark.

Recently
Matt Fraction & David Aja, et al., Hawkeye, Volume 1 (hardcover of volumes one & two)
Matt Fraction & Annie Wu, et al., Hawkeye: L.A. Woman (volume three)
Matt Fraction & David Aja, Hawkeye: Rio Bravo (volume four)

Currently
Pope Francis, Amoris Lætitia (The Joy of Love)
Matthew Kelly, Resisting Happiness

Presently
Norman Davies, Vanished Kingdoms: The Rise and Fall of States and Nations ***interrupted***
Hilaire Belloc, How the Reformation Happened
Richard Price, Clockers
Sir Richard Francis Burton, translator, "Sinbad the Sailor" from The Arabian Nights
Sir Ernest Shackleton, South: A Memoir of the Endurance Voyage
William F. Buckley Jr., The Unmaking of a Mayor
Scott & Kimberly Hahn, Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism
Margaret MacMillan, Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World
Sherry A. Weddell, Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus
William E. Simon Jr., Great Catholic Parishes: How Four Essential Practices Make Them Thrive
Mike Aquilina, Understanding the Mass: 100 Questions, 100 Answers
Bishop Robert Barron, Seeds of the Word: Finding God in the Culture

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


The Pietasters, "Spiderview" from Awesome Mix Tape № 6 (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: The Pietasters continue to defy the odds as SKApril's unlikeliest all-stars. They've never been one of my favorite bands, yet year after year after year—for seven dratted years now—their music has earned its way into SKApril. (The six previous Pietasters SKApril songs had all been from Oolooloo, the highest numerical contribution by any single album.) They've never been the recipients of SKAffirmative Action; if fact, after SKApril last year I'd marked them down on the list of bands not to include in SKApril '17. They continue to earn their way in, in spite of even me.
"Now I see, you can't be trusted,
Watched all your boys get busted,
But here comes somebody's jailhouse tear tattoo,
In spite of you, in spite of you…

"All those times, those times you hated,
When you're sick and underrated,
They come back when there's no wrong that you can do,
In spite of you, in spite of you…

"There's no, no use in cryin',
And I've seen a thousand lives end,
Hey, look, here comes that Jesus guy we knew,
In spite of you, in spite of you,
In spite of you, in spite of you."
The seemingly nonsensical title "Spiderview" is presumably a corruption of the repeated phrase, "In spite of you."

Project BLACK MAMBA: Monday / Octave of Easter

'Tis the Monday within the Octave of Easter: Octave-link.

Otherwise, 17 April would be the festival of Blessed Henry Heath, Priest & Martyr, O.F.M. Rec. (circa 1599-1643), martyred in the reign of the king Charles I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

Commentary: There is no Wayback Machine link to past 17 Aprils as further research indicates that the saints we had been honoring on 17 April would be more appropriately honored on alternate dates. Project BLACK MAMBA is subject to continual improvement & refinement, all glory to God.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter two, verses fourteen & twenty-two thru thirty-three;
Psalm Sixteen, verses one, two(a), & five; seven & eight; nine & ten; & eleven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-eight, verses eight thru fifteen.

Sunday, April 16, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA: Resurrection of the Lord

'Tis the Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord (Easter Sunday): Paschal-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.


Otherwise, 16 April would be the festival of Saint Turibius of Astorga, Bishop (circa 402-460): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Magnus of Orkney, Martyr (circa 1075-1118, A.K.A. Magnus Erlendsson), Earl of Orkney, martyred on the order of his cousin, the rival jarl Haakon Paulsson: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Drogo, Hermit (circa 1105-1186, of Sebourg; A.K.A. Dreux): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes, Virgin (1844-1879, A.K.A. Bernadette Soubirous), to whom were revealed the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes: Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Our Lady.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Mass in the Morning
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter ten, verses thirty-four(a) & thirty-seven thru forty-three;
Psalm One Hundred Eighteen, verses one & two, sixteen & seventeen, & twenty-two & twenty-three;
The Letter to the Colossians, chapter three, verses one thru four;
or, The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter five, verses six(b) thru eight;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty, verses one thru nine;
or, The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-eight, verses one thru ten.

Mass Readings—Mass in the Afternoon
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter ten, verses thirty-four(a) & thirty-seven thru forty-three;
Psalm One Hundred Eighteen, verses one & two, sixteen & seventeen, & twenty-two & twenty-three;
The Letter to the Colossians, chapter three, verses one thru four;
or, The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter five, verses six(b) thru eight;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty-four, verses thirteen thru thirty-five.

Commentary: Video Easter Gospel reflection by Jeff Cavins: Encountering the Word. Written Easter Gospel reflections: Franciscan Media & Word on Fire.

Bonus! Song of Easter Sunday


The Fesitval Choir & Hosanna Chorus, "Jesus Christ Is Risen Today" via iTunes (from 100 Church Classics) (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:
"Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the Cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

"Hymns of praise now let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ our heavenly king, Alleluia!
Who endured the Cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!

"Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as His love, Alleluia!
Praise Him, all ye heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Alleluia!"

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


The O.C. Supertones, "Like No One Else" from Supertones Strike Back (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary:
"This is a time for us to demonstrate our appreciation,
Amazing grace and sweet salvation…

"I cast all my life and all my cares and everything on You.

"He cares for you like no one else,
He cares for you like no one else,
He cares for you like no one else,
He cares for you like no one else.

"This is a time for us to celebrate our emancipation,
Voices ring across the nation,
There will never be another and has never been,
Helpless and you took us in,
Because of Jesus Christ we know salvation is secure,
I don't worry any more,
You can give you counsel, Lord, and you can search your mind?
You're before me and behind…"

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Bonus! Song of Holy Saturday

Matt Maher, "The Waiting" from Saints and Sinners (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:
"The evening tide is falling fast,
My feet are weary, but I'm free at last,
So meet me in the tomb, my Lord,
Come roll away, roll away, the stone.

"And this is a mystery,
Death bows to the King of Kings,
He has overcome the grave
For the sinners and the saints."
On the album
Saints and Sinners, "The Waiting" directly proceeds "Because He Lives (Amen)," so "The Waiting" itself ends in the midst of a crescendo building to "Because He Lives (Amen)."

Project BLACK MAMBA: Triduum — Holy Saturday

'Tis Holy Saturday, act three of the Paschal Triduum: Holy Saturday-link & Wikipedia-link Holy Saturday; Triduum-link & Wikipedia-link Triduum.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Otherwise, 15 April would be the festival of Saint Padarn, Bishop (circa 482-565, A.K.A. of Wales, Paternus): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Hunna, Confessor (died 679, of Alsace), the "Holy Washerwoman:" Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed César de Bus, Priest (1544-1607, also spelt Caesar), founder of the Fathers of Christian Doctrine & the Daughters of Christian Doctrine: Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Easter Vigil
I. The Book of Genesis, chapter one, verse one thru chapter two, verse two
(or, the Book of Genesis, chapter one, verses one & twenty-six thru thirty-one[a]);
Psalm One Hundred Four, verses one & two; five & six; ten; twelve, thirteen, & fourteen; twenty-four; & thirty-five;
or, Psalm Thirty-three, verses four thru seven; twelve & thirteen; & twenty, twenty-one, & twenty-two;
II. The Book of Genesis, chapter twenty-two, verses one thru eighteen
(or, the Book of Genesis, chapter twenty-two, verses one, two, nine[a], ten thru thirteen, & fifteen thru eighteen);
Psalm Sixteen, verses five, eight, nine & ten, & eleven;
III. The Book of Exodus, chapter fourteen, verse fifteen thru chapter fifteen, verse one;
The Book of Exodus, chapter fifteen, verses one & two, three & four, five & six, & seventeen & eighteen;
IV. The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-four, verses five thru fourteen;
Psalm Thirty, verses two, four, five & six, eleven & twelve, & thirteen;
V. The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-five, verses one thru eleven;
The Book of Isaiah, chapter twelve, verses two & three, four, & five & six;
VI. The Book of Baruch, chapter three, verses nine thru fifteen & thirty-two thru chapter four, verse four;
Psalm Nineteen, verses eight, nine, ten, & eleven;
VII. The Book of Ezekiel, chapter thirty-six, verses sixteen, seventeen(a), & eighteen thru twenty-eight;
Psalm Forty-two, verses three & five & Psalm Forty-three, verses three & four;
or, the Book of Isaiah, chapter twelve, verses two & three, four(b,c,d), & five & six;
or, Psalm Forty-one, verses twelve & thirteen, fourteen & fifteen, & eighteen & nineteen;
VIII. The Letter to the Romans, chapter six, verses three thru eleven;
Psalm One Hundred Eighteen, verses one & two, sixteen & seventeen, & twenty-two & twenty-three;
IX. The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-eight, verses one thru ten.

Commentary: Easter Scripture reflections: Franciscan Media & Word on Fire.

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!

Catch 22, "Dear Sergio" from Keasbey Nights (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: I was so surprised that "Dear Sergio" had not previously been selected as a SKApril R.B.D.S.O.T.D. that sitting all alone in my room I said aloud, "You've got to be kidding me!" For the record, no, I was not kidding myself.

Friday, April 14, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA: Triduum — Good Friday

'Tis the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday), act two of the Paschal Triduum: Good Friday-link & Wikipedia-link Good Friday; Triduum-link & Wikipedia-link Triduum.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Otherwise, 14 April would be the festival of Saint Bénézet the Bridge Builder (circa 1163-1184, A.K.A. Benoît, et al.; of Hermillon), founder of the Bridge-building Brotherhood: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Brotherhood-link & Wikipedia-link Brotherhood.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Peter González, Priest, O.P. (1190-1246, A.K.A. "St. Elmo"): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saints Antony, John, & Eustace of Vilnius, Martyrs (died 1347), martyred in the reign of the grand duke Algirdas: Martyr-link Alpha, Martyr-link Juliett, Martyr-link Echo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Liturgical Readings
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-two, verse thirteen thru chapter fifty-three, verse twelve;
Psalm Thirty-one, verses two, six, twelve & thirteen, fifteen & sixteen, seventeen, & twenty-five;
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter four, verses fourteen, fifteen, & sixteen & chapter five, verses seven, eight, & nine;
The Gospel according to John, chapter eighteen, verse one thru chapter nineteen, verse forty-two.

Commentary: Good Friday is the only day of the whole year on which no Mass is celebrated, not anywhere in the whole wide world. Good Friday Gospel reflections: Franciscan Media & Word on Fire.

Bonus! Song o' Good Friday


Daniel Schmit & Mike Hilliker, "My God, My God (Psalm 22)" from Mercy: Songs for Holy Week (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: Psalm 22-link.

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


The Chinkees, "Big World" from Peace through Music (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: The Chinkees (SKApril '11, '13, '14, & '17) is one of Mike Park's three bands that have contributed songs to SKApril, alongside The Bruce Lee Band (also SKApril '11, '13, '14, & '17; wow!) & Skankin' Pickle (SKApril '11, '13, & '16). The founder of Asian Man Records is prolific.
"Look at the sky tonight,
Saw the cold wind breathing through my sight,
Thought about my dad tonight
And asked God, 'Is he gonna be alright?'

"Now my mind thinks I can't give enough,
And I can't pour enough,
And my love is not enough in this big world,
And my love is not enough in this big world.

"Sat and talked to Dad today,
Told me stories, leaving for the States,
Trying to spend my father's time
Learning who this man is I call Dad.

"Now my mind thinks I can't give enough,
And I can't pour enough,
And my love is not enough in this big world,
And my love is not enough in this big world."
My own father's spent time in the hospital recently, for both long-overdue hip replacement surgery & a heart flutter that seemed to come out of nowhere like a bolt from the clear blue sky; so, "Big World" strikes a chord within me that perhaps it didn't not so long ago.

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Bonus! Song o' Holy Thursday


Audrey Assad, "Ubi Caritas" from Inheritance (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: Ubi caritas est vera, Deus ibi est, "Where true charity is, there is God." Ubi caritas-link.

Project BLACK MAMBA: Triduum — Holy Thursday

'Tis Holy Thursday, act one of the Paschal Triduum: Holy Thursday-link & Wikipedia-link Thursday; Triduum-link & Wikipedia-link Triduum.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Otherwise, 13 April would be the festival of Saint Martin I, Pope & Martyr (circa 595-655), seventy-fourth Bishop of Rome, martyred in the reign of the emperor Constans II: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, Martyr-link trēs, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Outside of Holy Week &/or the Triduum, St. Martin is recognized with an Optional Memorial. Are memorials observed during the Octave of Easter? Time will tell.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
When Martin I became pope in 649, Constantinople was the capital of the Byzantine empire & the patriarch of Constantinople was the most influential Church leader in the eastern Christian world. The struggles that existed with the Church at that time were magnified by the close cooperation of emperor & patriarch. In 653, he was taken prisoner by the emperor Constans & detained in Constantinople where he was tortured. He was exiled to Kherson & died in 656.
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Caradoc, Priest (died 1124): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Blesseds John Lockwood & Edmund Catherick, Priests & Martyrs (died 1642), martyred in the reign of the king Charles I: Martyr-link Juliett Lima & Wikipedia-link Juliett Lima, Martyr-link Echo Charlie & Wikipedia-link Echo Charlie.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Chrism Mass
The Book of Isaiah, chapter sixty-one, verses one, two, three(a), six(a), & eight(b) thru nine;
Psalm Eighty-nine, verses twenty-one & twenty-two & twenty-five & twenty-seven;
The Book of Revelation, chapter one, verses five thru eight;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter four, verses sixteen thru twenty-one.

Commentary: Easter Gospel reflections: Word on Fire.

Mass Readings—Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper
The Book of Exodus, chapter twelve, verses one thru eight & eleven thru twenty-four;
Psalm One Hundred Sixteen, verses twelve & thirteen, fifteen & sixteen(b,c), & seventeen & eighteen;
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter eleven, verses twenty-three thru twenty-six;
The Gospel according to John, chapter thirteen, verses one thru fifteen.

Commentary: Easter Gospel reflections: Franciscan Media.