Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Sixtus II, Pope, & Companions, Martyrs (died 258, also spelt Xystus), twenty-fourth Bishop of Rome, martyred in the reign of the emperor Valerian: Martyr-link Sierra ūnus, Martyr-link Sierra duo, & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link VI & Wikipedia-link Foxtrot & Alpha.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

St. Sixtus was martyred along with seven deacons, during the persecution of the Church by Emperor Valerian.

'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Saint Cajetan, Priest, C.R. (1480-1547, born Gaetano dei Conti di Thiene), founder of the Theatines, formally the Congregation of Clerics Regular of the Divine Providence: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link C.R.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

St. Cajetan was an Italian Catholic priest & religious reformer, who helped found the Theatines.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

St. Cajetan joined the Oratory of Divine Love in Rome, a group devoted to piety & charity, shortly after his ordination at thirty-six. When he was forty-two, he founded a hospital for incurables at Venice. At Vicenza, he joined a "disreputable" religious community that consisted only of men of the lowest stations of life—& was roundly censured by his friends, who thought his action was a reflection on his family. He sought out the sick & poor of the town & served them.

'Tis also the festival of Blesseds Edward Bamber, Thomas Whittaker, & John Woodcock (O.F.M.), Priests & Martyrs (died 1646), martyred in the reign of the Long Parliament, three of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link Echo Bravo & Wikipedia-link Echo Bravo, Martyr-link Tango Whiskey & Wikipedia-link Tango Whiskey, & Martyr-link Juliett Whiskey & Wikipedia-link Juliett Whiskey; Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The Book of Numbers, chapter eleven, verses four(b) thru fifteen;
Psalm Eighty-one, verses twelve & thirteen, fourteen & fifteen, & sixteen & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter fourteen, verses thirteen thru twenty-one.

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

Friends, our Gospel today tells about the feeding of the five thousand. Jesus instructs the crowd to recline, and they do so on the grass. Taking the 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. The Eucharist is daily food, sustenance for the journey, 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 strength.

Is this just meant in some vague symbolic way? No, rather in a vividly analogical way. For just as the body needs physical nourishment, the spirit needs spiritual nourishment and there is no getting around this law.

Now think of how many Catholics are absent from the Mass and the Eucharist and Confession or even daily prayer. This spiritual malnourishment is the number one problem facing our Church.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Sixtus II & Companions
The Book of Wisdom, chapter three, verses one thru nine;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-six, verse five;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten, verses twenty-eight thru thirty-three.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Cajetan
The Book of Sirach, chapter two, verses seven thru eleven;
Psalm One Hundred Twelve, verse one;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twelve, verses thirty-two, thirty-three, & thirty-four.