Project BLACK MAMBA: Backlog Edition

Mea culpa! Mea culpa! Mea máxima culpa!

Wednesday, 2 August was the Optional Memorial of Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop (circa 283-371): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Eusebius of Vercelli was a bishop & saint in Italy. Along with [St.] Athanasius [2 May], he affirmed the divinity of Jesus against Arianism.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Born on the isle of Sardinia, he became a member of the Roman clergy & is the first recorded bishop of Vercelli in Piedmont in northwest Italy. He is also the first to link the monastic life with that of the clergy, establishing a community of his diocesan clergy on the principle that the best way to sanctify his people was to have them see a clergy formed in solid virtue & living in community.

'Twas also the Optional Memorial of Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Priest S.S.S. (1811-1868), the "Apostle of the Eucharist," founder of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament & the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link S.S.S. & Wikipedia-link Servants.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Stephen I, Pope (died circa 257), twenty-third Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of that Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The Book of Exodus, chapter thirty-four, verses twenty-nine thru thirty-five;
Psalm Ninety-nine, verses five, six, seven, & nine;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter thirteen, verses forty-four thru forty-six.

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

Friends, today Jesus offers two parables about the kingdom of heaven. Let's focus on the first one: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again…."

Sometimes God's love is found that way. There's the saying, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." Sometimes in the course of our everyday lives, something happens that vividly and surprisingly summons us to union with God. We realize, in a flash, what it's all about. We weren't particularly looking for it, but it found us.

That's what Jesus is getting at today. As you walk through the fields of life, be open to the inrushing of grace, when you least expect it. And when it comes, give up anything that holds it back.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Eusebius of Vercelli
The First Letter of John, chapter five, verses one thru five;
Psalm Eighty-nine, verse two;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter five, verses one thru twelve(a);

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Peter Julian Eymard
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter four, verses thirty-two thru thirty-five;
Psalm Thirty-four, verse nine;
The Gospel according to John, chapter fifteen, verses one thru eight.