Project BLACK MAMBA: Late Edition

'Tis the festival of Saint Cleopas, Apostle (floruit first century, also spelt Cleophas, Clopas): Saint-link, Wikipedia-link C-L-E-O, & Wikipedia-link C-L-O.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Finbarr, Bishop & Abbot (circa 550-623, of Cork; also spelt Fionnbharra, whence Barra), founder of Gougane Barra & Cork: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; & Wikipedia-link Monastery & Wikipedia-link City.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Hermann of Reichenau, Religious, O.S.B. (1013-1054, A.K.A. the Cripple): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, Priest & Abbot (1314-1392, A.K.A. of Moscow), founder of the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Lavra.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Vincenzo Strambi, Bishop, C.P. (1745-1824, Anglicized as Vincent Strambi): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The Book of Ezra, chapter one, verses one thru six;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-six, verses one(b) & two(a,b), two(c,d) & three, four & five, & six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eight, verses sixteen, seventeen, & eighteen.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, today's Gospel is the parable of the lamp, which placed on a lampstand gives light to all. Light obviously isn't for itself. Rather, we see things by it. It illuminates things upon which it shines.

We are light by which people around us come to see what is worth seeing. By the very quality and integrity of our lives, we shed light, illumining what is beautiful and revealing what is ugly. The clear implication is that without vibrant Christians the world is a much worse place. Let me illustrate this principle with an example. One of the most painful truths of the last century is that the weakness of Christian witness allows some of the worst elements in society to flourish.

Think of the rise of the evil powers that created WWII. Christianity had become so weak, so uncompelling, so attenuated that great evil was allowed to flourish. Yes indeed there were a handful of powerful Christian resisters, but let's face it: the overwhelmingly vast majority of Christians either supported Hitler or remained in silence, either out of fear or indifference.

Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.