Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the festival of Saint Hermione, Martyr (died circa 117, of Ephesus), martyred in the reign of the emperor Trajan: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Daughter of St. Philip the Deacon [11 October].

'Tis also the festival of Saint Boniface I, Pope (circa 350-422), forty-second Bishop of Rome: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Rosalia, Virgin (circa 1130-1160), nicknamed "La Santuzza" (the "Little Saint": Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Rose of Viterbo, Virgin, T.O.S.F. (circa 1234-1252), venerated annually by the procession of the magnificent Macchina di Santa Rosa through Viterbo: Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Machine.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The First Letter to the Thessalonians, chapter four, verses thirteen thru eighteen;
Psalm Ninety-six, verses one & three, four & five, eleven & twelve, & thirteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter four, verses sixteen thru thirty.

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

Friends, in our Gospel for today Jesus reads from Isaiah a prophecy dealing with the Messianic transformation of the world. And then he declares it fulfilled, precisely in him. The audience initially is positive. And then we see why they are so favorable: "They also asked, 'Isn't this the son of Joseph?'" Undoubtedly, they are thinking: well, if this man is the Messiah, and he's a local boy, we will benefit enormously! As Tip O'Neill said, "all politics is local."

But Jesus commences to throw them for a loop. He invokes two uneasy stories from the Old Testament tradition, the first dealing with Elijah. During a drought Elijah is sent, not to an Israelite, but to a widow from Sidon, a foreigner. And the second deals with Elisha, who cleanses from leprosy, not an Israelite, but Naaman the Syrian.

At these key moments in its history, God attends to the needs of the other nations and not the needs of Israel. He is reminding them that Israel existed for the sake of the other nations.

Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Labor Day
The Book of Genesis, chapter one, verse twenty-six thru chapter two, verse three;
confer Psalm One Hundred Twenty-seven, verse one;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter six, verses thirty-one thru thirty-four.

Commentary: Quoth the missalette:

The readings, psalm, & Gospel acclamation may be taken from the Masses for Various Needs & Occasions: For the Blessings of Human Labor. The [above] are suggested from among the many options.