Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saints Cosmas & Damian, Martyrs (died circa 303), martyred in the reign of the emperors Diocletian & Maximian, victims of the Great Persecution: Martyrs-link, Martyr-link Charlie, Martyr-link Delta, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Persecution.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

They are reputed twin brothers, physicians, & early Christian martyrs. Accepting no payment for their services, it has been said that, by this, they attracted many to the Christian faith.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Little of known about Ss. Cosmas & Damian except that they suffered martyrdom for their faith in Syria sometimes during the persecutions of Diocletian (around 303). We may never know exactly what happened, but we do know that their witness to the faith was so strong that people turned to them for prayerful help & passed their story on to others.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Elzéar of Sabran & Blessed Delphine of Glandèves, Virgin, T.O.S.F. (1285-1323 & circa 1283-1360): Saint-&-Blessed-link, Saint-link & Wikipedia-link Echo, & Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link Delta.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Previously observed on 27 September, the preponderance of evidence now favors 26 September.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Paul VI, Pope (1897-1978), two hundred sixty-second Bishop of Rome: Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

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

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

Friends, in today's Gospel Jesus identifies his disciples as his family. I want to say something about our becoming disciples in his family. Once we make the decision to follow Jesus then every other claimant to supremacy must fall away. As I've argued many times before, every one of us has something or some set of values that we consider greatest.

Perhaps it is money, material things, power, or the esteem of others. Perhaps it is your family, your kids, your wife, your husband.

None of this is false, and none of these things are bad. But when you place any of them in the absolute center of gravity, things go awry. When you make any of them your ultimate or final good, your spiritual life goes haywire. When you attach yourself to any of them with an absolute tenacity, you will fall apart.

Only when we make Christ the cornerstone of our lives are we truly ready for mission. Keep in mind that every encounter with God in the Bible conduces to mission, to being sent to do the work of the Lord. If we try to do this work while we are stuck to any number of attachments, we will fail. Period.

Video reflection by Father Seán Paul Fleming: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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

Bible Study—The Bible Timeline: Return
The Book of Ezra, chapter one (of ten; verses one thru eleven);
The Book of Ezra, chapter two (verses one thru seventy);
The Book of Ezra, chapter three (verses one thru thirteen);
The Book of Ezra, chapter four (verses one thru twenty-four);
The Book of Ezra, chapter five (verses one thru seventeen);
The Book of Ezra, chapter six (verses one thru twenty-two);
The Book of Haggai, chapter one (of two; verses one thru fifteen);
The Book of Haggai, chapter two (of two; verses one thru twenty-three).

Commentary: I. The Return from Exile: The Decree of Cyrus (Ezra, 1:1-11), Census of the Province (2:1-70), Restoration of the Altar (3:1-6), Founding of the Temple (3:7-13), Samaritan Interference (4:1-5), Later Hostility (4:6-23), Rebuilding of the Temple (4:24-5:17), The Decree of Darius (6:1-18), & the Passover (6:19-22); Exhortation to Rebuild the Temple of the Lord (Haggai, 1:1-15), Future Glory of the Temple (2:1-9), Offerings of the Unclean Rejected (2:10-14), Promise of Immediate Blessings (2:15-19), & Pledge of Zerubbabel (2:20-23).

Bible Study—Proverbs in a Month
The Book of Proverbs, chapter twenty-six (verses one thru twenty-eight).