Project BLACK MAMBA: The Long Road Back, Part I

This long road back seems all the longer as it has taken us so long even to set out upon the road.

Saturday, 21 October was the festival of Saint Hilarion, Hermit (circa 291-371, of Gaza, the Great), around whose hermitage was built the Saint Hilarion Monastery, A.K.A. the Tell Umm el-'Amr: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Monastery.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Ursula, Virgin, & Companions, Martyrs (died circa 383), martyred at Cologne by the Huns; patroness, not foundress, of the Ursulines, formally the Order of Saint Ursula, & the Angelines, formally the Company of Saint Ursula: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.S.U. & Wikipedia-link Angelines.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Wendelin, Hermit & Abbot (circa 554-617, of Trier), around whose company of hermits was later built the Benedictine Abbey of Tholey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Giuseppe Puglisi, Priest & Martyr (1937-1993, nicknamed "Pino"), martyred by the Mafia against whom he preached passionately: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The Letter to the Romans, chapter four, verses thirteen, sixteen, seventeen, & eighteen;
Psalm One Hundred Five, verses six & seven, eight & nine, & forty-two & forty-three;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twelve, verses eight thru twelve.

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

Friends, in today's Gospel Jesus tells us how to deal with persecution. When does the Church stop being persecuted? When the Lord returns, and not before.

From the earliest days until the present, the community of Jesus Christ has been the focus of the world's violence. The Church will announce, until the end of time, that the old world is passing away, that a new world of love, nonviolence, and life is emerging. This announcement always infuriates the world of sin. Always. The twentieth century was the bloodiest on record—and the one with the most martyrs.

Here's Jesus' encouragement: "When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say."

What do we do in the meantime? We maintain a detachment from the world that is passing away, our eyes fixed on the world that will never end. And we speak. Confidently, boldly, provocatively. The message of the Gospel, the dying and rising of the Lord.

Video reflection by Ellen Mady: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.