Project BLACK MAMBA: Eastertide

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, Priest, C.O. (1515-1595), founder of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity of Pilgrims and Convalescents & of the Oratorians, formally the Congregation of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link C.O.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

St. Philip Neri was born in Florence in 1515. He went to Rome & began to work with young men among whom he fostered Christian life & formed an association for the poor & the sick. Ordained a priest in 1551, he founded the Oratory where spiritual reading, singing, & works of charity were practiced. He excelled in his love of neighbor & in evangelical simplicity along with a joyous service to God. St. Philip died in 1595.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Eleuterus, Pope (died circa 189, also spelt Eleutherius), thirteenth Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

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

Commentary: Easter Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, today’s Gospel calls us to pray in Jesus name, making our prayer a way of life. Have you noticed that when we pray liturgically, officially, we always do so in the name of Jesus the Lord? This is because Jesus himself told us so: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.” When we pray in Jesus’ name, we are relying on his influence with the Father, trusting that the Father will listen to him.

It also is a way of naturally monitoring and shaping our prayers. When we pray “through Christ our Lord,” we are praying in the stance, attitude, and spirit of Jesus, deigning to want the sort of things that wants. So we can pray, honestly and consistently, for justice, peace, forgiveness, and greater love, all in Jesus’ name.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Philip Neri
The First Letter to the Philippians, chapter four, verses four thru nine;
Psalm Thirty-four, verse two;
The Gospel according to John, chapter seventeen, verses twenty thru twenty-six.