Project BLACK MAMBA: 9th Week in Ordinary Time

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop & Martyr, O.S.B. (circa 675-754), martyred at the hands of pagan Frisians: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

St. Boniface was born in England about the year 673. He was first professed in the monastic life at Exeter, but in 719 went to Germany to preach the Gospel. He made many converts there & was consecrated bishop, ruling over the church at Mainz. He attracted many companions by whose help he founded or restored dioceses in Bavaria, Thuringia, & Franconia. He also convened councils & promulgated laws. He uprooted the superstition & idolatry of the pagans, eventually cutting down their sacred oak tree. While preaching the Gospel to the Frisians, St. Boniface was killed by pagans in 754.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Meinwerk of Paderborn, Bishop (circa 975-1036): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Małgorzata Szewczyk, Religious, T.O.S.F. (1828-1905, A.K.A. Łucja), foundress of the Daughters of the Sorrowful Mother of God: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Weekday (Monday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time)
The Book of Tobit, chapter one, verse three & chapter two, verses one(a) thru eight;
Psalm One Hundred Twelve, verses one(b) & two, three(b) & four, & five & six;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter twelve, verses one thru twelve.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel tells of the landowner who planted a vineyard and leased it to tenants. This vineyard stands for Israel, but it could be broadened to include the whole world. Like the landowner, God has made for his people a beautiful and productive place, a place where they can find rest, enjoyment, and good work.

When vintage time drew near, the landowner sent his servants to the tenants to obtain the produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Is this not the whole, sorry history of Israel and its prophets, of the world and the people whom God has sent?

Then we hear the event upon which the parable turns: “Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they killed him.” After the terrible treatment that his representatives have received, the owner sends his son? Is he crazy? Yes, a little. But this is the over-the-top patience and generosity of God, his crazy love. “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,” knowing full well what his fate would be.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Boniface
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter twenty-six, verses nineteen thru twenty-three;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verse fifteen;
The Gospel according to John, chapter ten, verses eleven thru sixteen.

Bible Study
The First Letter of Peter, chapter three, verses eighteen thru twenty-two;
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter two, verses one thru thirteen.

Commentary: Christian Suffering (1 Peter, 3:18-22) & The Coming of the Spirit (Acts, 2:1-13).