Monday, May 8, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA: Eastertide

'Tis the festival of Saint Benedict II, Pope (died 685), eighty-first Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Peter of Tarentaise, Bishop, O.Cist. (1102-1174): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Fun Fact: Pope Bl. Innocent V (22 June), who lived a century after St. Peter of Tarentaise, was also named Peter of Tarentaise before taking the regnal name Innocent.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter eleven, verses one thru eighteen;
Psalm Forty-two, verses two & three & Psalm Forty-three, verses three & four;
The Gospel according to John, chapter ten, verses eleven thru eighteen.

Commentary: Easter Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
The image of God as shepherd is a classic one in the Bible. In the book of the prophet Ezekiel, we hear that God would one day come and shepherd Israel himself. Shepherds guarded, guided, protected, and watched over their flocks—just as God guards, guides, protects and watches over Israel.

This image comes to a climactic expression in the words of Jesus: “I am the good shepherd.” What precisely makes him good? A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The good shepherd is so other-oriented, so devoted to his sheep that he is willing to surrender his life that they might live. Sure, a good shepherd should do all that he can to protect and guide his flock, but who among us would really expect him to give his life for them? But this is precisely what Jesus claims to do.

Imagine the difference between humans and sheep; and now multiply that difference infinitely. That would give you some idea of the difference between God and humanity. And yet God is willing to lay down his life for the likes of us.
Bible Study
The First Letter of Peter, chapter four, verses twelve thru nineteen;
The First Letter of Peter, chapter five (of five; verses one thru fourteen).

Commentary: IV. Advice to the Persecuted: Trial of Persecution (4:12-19), Advice to Presbyters (5:1-4), & Advice to the Community (5:5-11); V. Conclusion (5:12-14).

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