Project BLACK MAMBA: The Long Road Back, Part IV

Monday, 9 October was the Optional Memorial of Saint Denis, Bishop, & Companions, Martyrs (died circa 257), martyred in the reign of the emperor Valerian, in his persecution; a cephalophore; & one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers: Martyr-link Delta ūnus, Martyr-link Delta duo, & Wikipedia-link; Martyr-link Echo & Martyr-link Romeo; & Wikipedia-link Head, Wikipedia-link Persecution, & Wikipedia-link XIV.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Denis was bishop of Paris in the third century &, together with his companions Rusticus & Eleutherius, was martyred for his faith by decapitation.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Research indicates that the title Saint Denis has been given to three people. The Denis the Church commemorates this day was martyred in Parish alongside his companions Rusticus & Eleutherius in the middle of the third century. St. Denis is the patron saint of Paris.

'Twas also the festival of Optional Memorial of Saint John Leonardi, Priest, O.M.D. (1541-1609), founder of the Clerics Regular of the Mother of God: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.M.D.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

John Leonardi first dedicated himself to the Christian formation of adolescents in his local Lucca parish. He assumed the name of "Giovanni of the Mother of God" as his religious name.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Luis Beltrán, Priest, O.P. (1526-1581, Anglicized as Louis Bertrand), the "Apostle to the Americas:" Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed John Henry Newman, Cardinal, C.O. (1801-1890), founder of the London Oratory & the Birmingham Oratory: Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link London & Wikipedia-link Birmingham.

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The Book of Jonah, chapter one, verse one thru chapter two, verse two & eleven;
The Book of Jonah, chapter two, verses three, four, five, & eight;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses twenty-five thru thirty-seven.

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

Friends, our Gospel today is one of the best-known of Jesus' parables, the story of the Good Samaritan. Every story, parable, illustration, exhortation is, at the end of the day, a picture of the Lord.

In one of the great windows of Chartres Cathedral there is an intertwining of two stories, the account of the Fall of Mankind and the parable of the Good Samaritan. This reflects a connection that was made by the church fathers. The Good Samaritan is a symbol of Jesus, himself, in his role as savior of the world.

Now our task is to be other Christs. "Which of these three was neighbor to the man who fell in with the robbers? The one who treated him with compassion". Jesus says to him, "Go and do the same."

We spend our lives now looking for those people stranded by the road, victimized by sin. We don't walk by, indifferent to them, but rather we do what Jesus did. Even those who are our natural enemies, even those who frighten us. And we bring the Church's power to bear, pouring in the oil and wine of compassion, communicating the power of Christ's cross.

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

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Denis & Companions
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter six, verses four thru ten;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-six, verse five;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter five, verses thirteen thru sixteen.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. John Leonardi
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter four, verses one, two, five, six, & seven;
Psalm Ninety-six, verse three;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter five, verses one thru eleven.