Thursday, November 30, 2017

The Explorers' Club, № DLXXXIV

Operation AXIOM: The World War
25 November 1917: The Battle of Ngomano—After a pyrrhic victory at the Battle of Mahiwa (15-18 October) & the airship L 59's resupply mission was aborted, Lettow-Vorbeck's Germans & askaris, short on ammunition & everything else, invaded Portuguese East Africa (África Oriental); routed the Portuguese defenders; & rearmed, reequipped, & replenished themselves with Entente matériel.




Lest we forget.

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle (died circa 60): Apostle-link ūnus, Apostle-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Saint Andrew's Day.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Andrew the Apostle, also known as Saint Andrew & called in the Orthodox tradition "the First-Called," was a Christian Apostle & the brother of Saint Peter [22 Feb., 29 June].
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
Andrew was Saint Peter’s brother, and was called with him. “As [Jesus] was walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is now called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, ‘Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him” (Matthew, 4:18-20).

John the Evangelist presents Andrew as a disciple of [St.] John the Baptist [24 June, 29 August]. When Jesus walked by one day, John said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” Andrew and another disciple followed Jesus. “Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come, and you will see.’ So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day” (John, 1:38-39a).

'Tis also the festival of Blessed John of Vercelli, Priest, O.P. (circa 1205-1283, A.K.A. Giovanni Garbella), sixth Master of the Order of Preachers: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Master.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Cuthbert Mayne, Priest & Martyr (circa 1544-1577), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I, one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link XL & Wikipedia-link XL.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feast of St. Andrew
The Letter to the Romans, chapter ten, verses nine thru eighteen;
Psalm Nineteen, verses eight, nine, ten, & eleven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter four, verses eighteen thru twenty-two.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today’s Gospel reports the Lord’s calling of his first disciples. What is it about this scene that is so peaceful and right? Somehow it gets at the very heart of Jesus’ life and work, revealing what he is about. He comes into the world as the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, a representative from the community which is God—and thus his basic purpose is to draw the world into community around him.

"He said to them, ‘Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.’" There is so much packed into that simple line. Notice the way that God acts. He is direct, in your face; he does the choosing. Jesus is not offering a doctrine, a theology, or a set of beliefs. He is offering himself: become my disciple, apprentice to me.

"And I will make you fishers of men." This is one of the best one-liners in Scripture. God is the Creator, the one who makes us from nothing. And what he makes us is always a reflection of himself: a fisher of men.
Video reflection by Father Don Miller, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.




Bible Study—Wisdom Books
The Book of Psalms, psalm thirty (verses one thru thirteen);
The Book of Proverbs, chapter thirty (verses one thru thirty-three);
The Book of Wisdom, chapter six verses twenty-two thru twenty-five;
The Book of Wisdom, chapter seven (verses one thru thirty);
The Book of Wisdom, chapter eight, verse one.

Commentary: Thanksgiving for Deliverance (Psalm 30); VI: The Words of Agur (Proverbs, 30:1-6) & VII: Numerical Proverbs (30:7-33); & II: Praise of Wisdom by Solomon: Introduction (Wisdom, 6:22-25), Solomon Is Like All Other Men (7:1-6), Solomon Prayed & Wisdom & Riches Came to Him (7:7-12), Solomon Prays for Help to Speak of Wisdom (7:13-22a), & Nature & Incomparable Dignity of Wisdom (7:22b-8:1).

Proverb o' the Day (30:5-6)
Every word of God is tested;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Add nothing to his words,
lest he reprove you, & you be exposed as a deceiver.
Commentary: This is an uncharitable thought, but: *cough* Martin Luther! *cough*

Saint Quote o' the Day
From "Heroes' Words" in 54-Day Basic Training in Holiness by Father Richard Heilman:
"Sanctify yourself & you will sanctify society."
—St. Francis of Assisi (4 October)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' Being a Better Man

The Littlest Man Band, "Better Man" from Better Book Ends (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:
"I'm not the sharpest shard of glass
From this broken window,
But there's a few things that I've learned
That you might want to know:
That misery is a talent you can hone
And sorrow is a product we all can't wait to own.

"But I'm just trying to be
A better man.

"Flesh and blood cover the statues on the street,
They'll treat you like a friend,
But they'll stare at you like fresh meat,
And the porcelain teeth
That smile in your face
Can't wait for you to fall so they can take your place.

"But I'm just trying to be
A better man,
Yeah, I'm just trying to be
A better man.

"Lie and cheat your friends
While you still have time,
And downplay the drama
While you figure out a clever rhyme,
And smile with a semi-sympathetic tone,
Can't appreciated good friends until you find you're all alone.

"But I'm just trying to be
A better man,
Yeah, I'm just trying to be
A better man."

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the festival of Our Lady of Baeuraing (apparitions November 1932-January 1933, A.K.A. the Virgin of the Golden Heart): Madonna-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Brendan of Birr, Abbot (died circa 572, A.K.A. the Elder), one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link XII.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Edward Burden, Priest & Martyr (circa 1540-1588), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

'Tis also the festival of Blesseds Denis of the Nativity, Priest, & Redemptorus of the Cross, Religious; Martyrs, O.C.D. (died 1638, A.K.A. Pierre Berthelot & Tomás Rodrigues da Cunha), martyred in the reign of the sultan Iskandar Thani at the instigation of the Dutch East India Company: Martyr-link Delta & Wikipedia-link Delta; Martyr-link Romeo & Wikipedia-link Romeo.


Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The Book of Daniel, chapter five, verses one thru six, thirteen, fourteen, sixteen, seventeen, & twenty-three thru twenty-eight;
The Book of Daniel, chapter three, verses sixty-two, sixty-three, sixty-four, sixty-five, sixty-six, & sixty-seven;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty-one, verses twelve thru nineteen.

Commentary: The First Reading is the famous story of the writing on the wall & the Prophet Daniel's interpretation of this auspicious miracle to the king of Babylon (pictured above).

Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today’s Gospel passage describes the persecution Christians face before the end of the world. When will the Church stop being persecuted? When the Lord returns, but not before.

From the earliest days until the present, the community of Jesus Christ has been the focus of the world’s violence. The old principle of "killing the messenger" applies here. The Church will announce, until the end of time, that the old world is passing away, that a new world of love, non-violence, and life is emerging. This announcement always infuriates the world of sin, which explains why the twentieth century was the bloodiest on record—and the one with the most martyrs.

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 Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.




Bible Study—Wisdom Books
The Book of Psalms, psalm twenty-seven (verses one thru fourteen);
The Book of Psalms, psalm twenty-eight (verses one thru nine);
The Book of Psalms, psalm twenty-nine (verses one thru eleven);
The Book of Proverbs, chapter twenty-nine (verses one thru twenty-seven);
The Book of Ecclesiastes, chapter three, verses one thru eight;
The Book of Wisdom, chapter four, verse twenty;
The Book of Wisdom, chapter five (verses one thru twenty-three);
The Book of Wisdom, chapter six, verses one thru twenty-one.

Commentary: Trust in God (Psalm 27), Petition & Thanksgiving (Psalm 28), & the Lord of Majesty Acclaimed as King of the World (Psalm 29); V: Second Collection of the Proverbs of Solomon (concl'd; Proverbs, 29:1-27); Man Cannot Hit on the Right Time to Act (Ecclesiastes, 3:1-8); & I: The Reward of Justice (cont'd): The Final Judgment of the Wicked (Wisdom, 4:20-5:23) & Exhortation to Seek Wisdom (6:1-22).

Proverb o' the Day (29:11)
The fool gives vent to his anger;
but by bidding his time, the wise man calms it.
Saint Quote o' the Day
"When we pray, we speak to God; when we read Scripture, God speaks to us."
—St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church (28 August)

A Humble Contribution to the New Evangelization
The Popish Plot—Wordy Wednesday: "Don't Be a Lazy Catholic"

Operation ÖSTERREICH

Weekly Wednesday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 346.0 lbs
This weigh-in: 345.2 lbs.
Difference: -O.8 lbs.

All the Thanksgiving feasting & I lost four-fifths of a pound (0.8 lbs.)? I'll take it.

Bonus! Lied von ÖSTERREICH
"Weird Al" Yankovic, "Inactive" from Mandatory Fun (The Last Angry Turkey)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' Being a Better Man

Leon Bridges, "Better Man" from Coming Home (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:
"I don't want much,
I just wanna be a better man
To my baby…

"What can I do? What can I do
To get back to your heart?
I'd swim the Mississippi River,
If you would give me another start, girl…"

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' Being a Better Man

Gregory Porter, "Real Good Hands" courtesy iTunes, Free Single of the Week (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:
"Mama, don't you worry 'bout your daughter,
'Cause you're leaving her in real good hands,
I'm a real good man,
Now the picture of this man is slowly coming into view.

"Papa, don't you fret and don't forget
That one day you was in my shoes,
Somehow you paid your dues,
Now you're the picture of a man that I someday wanna be.

"I know it's hard, watching the changes in our lives,
But I wanna make your daughter my wife…

"…Now you're the picture of the man that I someday wanna be,
And the picture of this man is surely coming into view,
And the picture of my wife is slowly coming into view,
And the picture of this love is surely coming into view,
Yeah, the picture of this love is surely coming into view…"

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the festival of Saint Sosthenes, Bishop & Martyr (floruit first century, of Corinth, of Colophon), martyred in the reign of the emperor Nero: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Gregory III, Pope (died 741), ninetieth Bishop of Rome, who fought against the heresy of Byzantine iconoclasm: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Iconoclasm.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint James of the Marches, Priest, O.F.M. (circa 1391-1476; in the Italian: Giacomo della Marca, A.K.A. Dominic Gangala): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed James Thompson, Priest & Martyr (died 1582, A.K.A. James Hudson), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Catherine Labouré, Virgin, D.C. (1806-1876, A.K.A. Zoë Labouré), to whom Our Lady revealed the Miraculous Medal: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Medal.

Commentary: "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!"

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The Book of Daniel, chapter two, verses thirty-one thru forty-five;
The Book of Daniel, chapter three, verses fifty-seven, fifty-eight, fifty-nine, sixty, & sixty-one;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty-one, verses five thru eleven.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus responds to questions about the end of the world. When will it come? What will happen?

Why were the first Christians interested in these questions? The simplest and deepest answer is that they had experienced the end of the world—precisely in the dying and rising of Jesus.

Jesus came preaching the kingdom of God, and the nations conspired against him. The old world seemed to conquer this new world that Jesus embodied. But then, in the Resurrection, they saw that the old world—the world predicated upon death and the world that had done Jesus in—was now defeated.

So awed were they by the Resurrection—and you can sense it in every book and letter of the New Testament—that they awaited the imminent arrival of the new state of affairs, the return of Jesus and the establishment of God’s kingdom. Though Jesus did not immediately return, the old world was over, broken, compromised, its destruction now just a matter of time.
Video reflection by Father Robert Agbo: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.


Saint Quote o' the Day
From "Heroes' Words" in 54-Day Basic Training in Holiness by Father Richard Heilman:
"The source of justice is not vengeance but charity."
—St. Bridget of Sweden (23 July)

* * * * *

The editor of Holy Family's parish bulletin following Franciscan Media's calendar of saints. We here at The Secret Base also regularly utilize Franciscan Media as a resource, but in the full knowledge that the good folks at Franciscan Media space out the saint's festivals, to avoid honoring more than one saint on the same day as much as possible. Holy Family's bulletin editor either does not known this or is not concerned. Last week, there were no hagiographies in the Holy Family bulletin. This week, two saints whose festivals are observed on 23 November are honored on 26 November & 29 November, precisely according to Franciscan Media's calendar. I have subsequently amended the BLACK MAMBA post for 23 November with the belated Holy Family hagiographies: Wayback Machine.

Monday, November 27, 2017

The Explorers' Club, № DLXXXIII

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Russian Revolution, Part VI
25 November 1917: Elections were held for the Russian Constituent Assembly, the long-promised permanent, democratic governing body of post-monarchy Russia; the Bolsheviks participated, thinking the electorate would affirm their "Red October" seizure of power, but the anti-Bolshevik Socialist Revolutionary Party won the largest plurality of the vote & the outright majority of seats.





Lest we forget.

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the festival of Saint James Intercisus, Martyr (died 421; A.K.A. of Persia, the Mutilated; also Anglicized as Jacob Intercisus), martyred in the reign of the shahanshah Bahram V: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. "Intercisus" is not a surname but an epithet, meaning "cut into pieces." St. James was cut into twenty-eight pieces to be precise, before being beheaded.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Fergus, Bishop (died circa 730, the Pict; A.K.A. Fergustian, Fergus Cruithneach, Fergustus Pictus): Saint-link, Wikipedia-link Fergus, & Wikipedia-link Pictus.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Apollinaris of Monte Cassino, Abbot, O.S.B. (died 828), abbot of the far-famed Abbey of Monte Cassino: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link (list); Wikipedia-link Monte Cassino.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Francesco Antonio Fasani, Priest, O.F.M. Conv. (1681-1742), who was known to levitate during prayer: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: I have amended & corrected yesterday's BLACK MAMBA post to include the saints who would have been honored had 26 November not been a Sunday: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The Book of Daniel, chapter one, verses one thru six & eight thru twenty;
The Book of Daniel, chapter three, verses fifty-two, fifty-three, fifty-four, fifty-five, & fifty-six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty-one, verses one thru four.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today's Gospel tells of the poor widow who gave her last penny to the Temple treasury. Her behavior makes us consider our possessiveness. What do we tell ourselves all the time? That we're not happy because we don't have all the things that we should have or that we want to have. What follows from this is that life becomes a constant quest to get, to acquire, to attain possessions.

Do you remember the parable about the foolish rich man? When his barns were filled with all his possessions, he decided to tear them down and build bigger ones. Why is he a fool? Because (and I want you to repeat this to yourself as I say it) you have everything you need right now to be happy.
Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.




Bible Study—Wisdom Books
The Book of Psalms, psalm twenty-six (verses one thru twelve).

Commentary: Prayer of Innocence (Psalm 26).

Saint Quote o' the Day
From "Heroes' Words" in 54-Day Basic Training in Holiness by Father Richard Heilman:
"Charity is no substitute for justice withheld."
—St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church (28 August)

A Humble Contribution to the New Evangelization
The Popish Plot—Make-It Monday: "Advent Wreath"

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' Being a Better Man

Raphael Saadiq, "Good Man" from Luke Cage: Original Soundtrack Album (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:
"I'm a good man, food on the table,
Working two jobs, ready willing, and able,
Check!
Good man, love having fun,
Got no kids and I love the Lord,
Check!
I'm a good man, I'm monogamous,
Never did time, well, maybe just once,
Check!…

"(Right now I'm better)
What was I going through?
(Better than ever)
That was the hardest time of my live.
(So much better now.)
But I do understand you got to go through it to get to it.
(My life is better.)
I just didn't think I'd be going through this
(My love is pretty.)
With you.
(So much better now.)
But I'm so much better now…"

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA: Solemnity of Christ the King

'Tis the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe: Christ the King-link, Wikipedia-link Kingship, & Wikipedia-link Feast.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
This is the last Sunday of the liturgical year. On this day, we contemplate the kingship of Jesus our Redeemer. Our Holy Father (emeritus), Pope Benedict XVI, has spoken of the power of Christ the King in this way:

"It is not the power of the kings or the great people of this world; it is the divine power to give eternal life, to liberate from evil, to defeat the dominion of death. It is the power of Love that can draw good from evil, that can melt a hardened heart, bring peace amid the harshest conflict, & kindle hope in the thickest darkness."
Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
The Book of Ezekiel, chapter thirty-four, verses eleven, twelve, fifteen, sixteen, & seventeen;
Psalm Twenty-three, verses one & two, two & three, & five & six;
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter fifteen, verses twenty thru twenty-six & twenty-eight;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses thirty-one thru forty-six.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, our Gospel today is the scene of the Last Judgment. We hear that the specifics are a matter of love concretely expressed: "For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me." And we know the famous connection that Jesus makes: "Whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me."

There is something awful about the specificity of these demands. This is not love in the abstract, having affection for "humanity." It is caring for that person who is homeless, for that person who is ill, for that person who is in prison.

We do not take our money, our social status, our worldly power into the next world; but we do take the quality of our love. You might consider doing an examination of conscience at the end of each day, and use as your criteria this passage. Perhaps put it up on your wall or post it next to your bed so that you see it before you go to sleep.
Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Video reflection by Jeff Cavins: Encountering the Word.

Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D.: Breaking the Bread.


Mass Journal: Week 48
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
Three or four years ago, my brother Andrew gave me a copy of a book titled Letters to a Young Poet. It is a small book that contains a collection of letters written by the great German lyric poet Rainer Maria Rilke to Franz Kappus, who at the time was a young aspiring poet. In one of the letters, Rilke penned some words that have remained ingrained on my heart since I read & underlined them in that small volume:

"Be patient toward all that is unresolved in your heart & try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms & like books that are written in a foreign tongue. Do not seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer."

Otherwise, 26 November would be the festival of Saint Siricius, Pope (circa 334-399), thirty-eighth Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Conrad of Constance, Bishop (circa 900-975, in the German: Konrad von Konstanz): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Saint Sylvester Gozzolini, Priest & Abbot, O.S.B. Silv. (1177-1267), founder of the Sylvestrine Congregation of the wider Benedictine Confederation: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.S.B. Silv. & Wikipedia-link Confederation.

'Twould also be the festival of Blesseds Hugh Taylor, Priest, & Maramduke Bowes, Martyrs (died 1585), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I, two of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link Hotel Tango, Martyr-link Mike Bravo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

Commentary: Bl. Hugh & Bl. Marmaduke were the first martyrs killed under a law that made it illegal simply to be a Catholic priest in Elizabethan England or to render aid to a priest.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Jan Berchmanns, Religious, S.J. (1599-1621, Anglicized as John Berchmanns), patron saint of altar servers: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Gaetana Sterni, Religious (1827-1889), foundress of the Sisters of the Divine Will: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link: Sisters-link (Italian).

Saint Quote o' the Day
From "Heroes' Words" in 54-Day Basic Training in Holiness by Father Richard Heilman:
"The prudent man considers things afar off, in so far as they tend to be a help or a hindrance to that which has to be done at the present time."
—St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church (28 January)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' Christ the King


Melanie Rea & Daniel Schmit, "You Are My King (Amazing Love)" from Mercy (The Last Angry Man)

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA: Saturday Late Edition

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin & Martyr (circa 287-306), martyred in the reign of the emperors Maxentius & Galerius, a victim of the Great Persecution; one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers: Martyr-link ūna, Martyr-link duae, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Persecution & Wikipedia-link XIV.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
From a young age she devoted herself to study. A vision of the Madonna & Child persuaded her to become a Christian. When the persecutions began under Maxentius, she went to the emperor & rebuked him for his cruelty.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Peter of Alexandria, Bishop & Martyr (died 311, A.K.A. Pope Peter I of Alexandria), martyred in the reign of the emperors Maxentius & Galerius, a victim of the Great Persecution: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Persecution.

Commentary: The bishop of Alexandria has been known as a "pope" since antiquity. The title—& St. Peter's martyrdom—predates the Coptic schism from the one, holy, catholic, & apostolic Church over Oriental Orthodoxy's rejection of the Council of Chalcedon: Wikipedia-link Chalcedon. For more on the different kinds of popes: Wikipedia-link Coptic Pope & Wikipedia-link Catholic Pope.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Elizabeth of Reute, Religious, T.O.R. (1386-1420) a stigmatic: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Stigmata.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The First Book of Maccabees, chapter six, verses one thru thirteen;
Psalm Nine, verses two & three, four & six, & sixteen & nineteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty, verses twenty-seven thru forty.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today's Gospel reports a conversation Jesus had with some of the Sadducees, who held that there is no life after death. We could practically hear their speech on the lips of secularists today. But Jesus is having none of it. The dead shall indeed rise, he says. Otherwise, how could Moses have spoken of God as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, all of whom were long dead by Moses' time? But their risen existence, though in continuity, even bodily continuity, with what has gone before, will be transformed, transfigured, raised up.

Those who hold to the resurrection of the body are those who are most effective at working for justice and peace in this world. If you are a complete materialist and secularist, you hold that everything and everybody, in the end, just fades away. But if you believe in the resurrection of the body, then everything in this world is destined for redemption. Everything matters.
Video reflection by Sister Annie Bremmer: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.


Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Catherine of Alexandria
The Book of Revelation, chapter twenty-one, verses five, six, & seven;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-four, verse seven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten, verses twenty-eight thru thirty-three.

Saint Quote o' the Day
From "Heroes' Words" in 54-Day Basic Training in Holiness by Father Richard Heilman:
"It is not hard to obey when we love the one whom we obey."
—St. Ignatius of Loyola (31 July)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: Go Blue!


The University of Michigan Marching Band, "The Victors" from A Saturday Tradition (The Last Angry Wolverine)

Commentary: There are two recordings of "The Victors" on A Saturday Tradition, because it is the greatest college fight song known to man & due to this we Wolverines never tire of "The Victors." Today's R.B.D.S.O.T.D. is the latter of the two, the album's finale, which includes the singing of "The Victors."

Go Blue!

Friday, November 24, 2017

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day

Echosmith, "Bright" from Talking Dreams (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:
"Did you see that shooting star tonight?
Were you dazzled by the same constellation?
Did you and Jupiter conspire to get me?
I think you and the Moon and Neptune got it right,
'Cause now I'm shining bright, so bright,
Bright, so bright.

"And I see colors in a different way,
You make what doesn't matter fade to gray,
Life is good and that's the way it should be…"

Project BLACK MAMBA: Friday Late Edition

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc, Priest, & Companions, Martyrs (died 1745-1862; A.K.A. the Martyrs of Vietnam, of Tonkin, of Annam, of Indochina), martyred in the reigns of the Lê, Tây Sơn, & Nguyễn dynasties: Martyr-link Alpha Delta Lima & Wikipedia-link Alpha Delta Lima; Martyrs-link ūnus, Martyrs-link duo & Wikipedia-link CXVII.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Andrew was one of one hundred seventeen people martyred in Vietnam between 1820 & 1862. Members of the companions group gave their lives for Christ in the seventeenth, eighteenth, & nineteenth centuries, & received beatification during four different occasions between 1900 & 1951.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Chrysogonus, Priest & Martyr (died circa 304), martyred in the reign of the emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Persecution.

'Tis also the festival of Saints Flora & María of Córdoba, Martyrs (died 851), martyred in the reign of the emir Abd ar-Rahman II, two of the forty-eight Martyrs of Córdoba: Martyr-link Foxtrot, Martyr-link Mike, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link XLVIII.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The First Book of Maccabees, chapter four, verses thirty-six, thirty-seven, & fifty-to thru fifty-nine;
The First Book of Chronicles, chapter twenty-nine, verses ten(b/c/d), eleven(a/b/c), eleven(d) & twelve(a), & twelve(b/c/d);
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter nineteen, verses forty-five thru forty-eight.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today's Gospel we see Jesus cleansing the Temple. What did it mean for a provincial prophet to come into the holy city of Jerusalem and make a ruckus in the Temple? Well, you can probably imagine. To make matters worse, as we heard yesterday, Jesus says something that is as shocking as his actions. He says, "I will destroy this temple and in three days rebuild it." No wonder that it was precisely this act that led to his crucifixion.

So what was he doing and why? First, in showing his lordship over even this most sacred symbol, he was announcing who he was. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus acts in the person of God. Secondly, he was instituting a new temple, the temple of his crucified and risen body. Jesus himself is the place where God dwells, and we, in the measure that we are grafted on to him, are temples of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is passing judgment on all of the inadequate, corrupt forms of human religion and is establishing the new and eternal covenant, the new temple, in his own person.
Video reflection by Paula Trigo-Galan: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.


Mass Readings—St. Andrew Dũng-Lạc & Companions
The Book of Sirach, chapter fifty-one, verses one thru eight;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-six, verse five;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten, verses twenty-eight thru thirty-three.

Saint Quote o' the Day
From Joyfully Living the Gospel Day by Day by Father John Catoir:
"Those who deem themselves to be Christian must be aware of the following obligation that is theirs. They are bound by conscience to the basic, imperative duty of bearing witness to the truth in which they believe & to the grace that has transformed their soul."
—Pope St. John XXIII (11 October)

Thursday, November 23, 2017

The Explorers' Club, № DLXXXII

Operation AXIOM: The World War
21-25 November 1917: The Kaiserliche Marine dirigible L 59 (LZ 104), nicknamed "Das Afrika-Schiff" ("The Africa Ship"), attempted a one-way flight to resupply Lettow-Vorbeck's troops in Africa—cut off for three years—to deliver cargo & then be cannibalized for matériel, but turned back when radioed the Germans had been forced to retreat from the planned flat landing zone to hazardous mountains.






Lest we forget.

Commentary: The flight of Das Afrika-Schiff, ninety-five hours airborne traversing four thousand two hundred miles, remains the longest non-stop military flight in history, a century after the feat. The L 59 still had fuel for another sixty-four hours of flight at the time she returned to her hanger in Bulgaria.

Project BLACK MAMBA: Supersized Late Edition

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Clement I, Pope & Martyr (died circa 101, of Rome), fourth Bishop of Rome, author of the non-canonical First Letter of Clement, martyred in the reign of the emperor Trajan: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link 1 Clement.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
He is considered to be the first Apostolic Father of the Church. Clement is the intermediary through whom the apostles teach the Church.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
Clement of Rome was the third successor of Saint Peter (22 February, 29 June), reigning as pope during the last decades of the first century. He's known as one of the Church's five "Apostolic Fathers," those who provided a direct link between the Apostles & later generations of Church Fathers.
Wikipedia-link Apostolic Fathers.


'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Saint Columban, Abbot (543-615, A.K.A. Columbanus), founder of the Abbeys of Luxeuil & Bobbio: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Luxeuil & Wikipedia-link Bobbio.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Columban was an Irish missionary notable for founding a number of monasteries from around 590 in the Frankish & Lombard kingdoms.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
Columban was the greatest of the Irish missionaries who worked on the European continent. As a young man who was greatly tormented by temptations of the flesh, he sought the advice of a religious women who had lived a hermit's life for years. He saw in her answer a call to leave the world. He went first to a monastery on an island in Lough Erne, then to the great monastic seat of learning at Bangor.
'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, Priest & Martyr, S.J. (1891-1927), martyred in the reign of the president Plutarco Elías Calles: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Miguel was a Mexican Jesuit Catholic priest executed under the presidency of Plutarco Elías Calles on charges of bombing & attempted assassination of former Mexican president Álvaro Obregón.
Bl. Miguel's was the first Christian martyrdom ever photographed (above). His last words were,
"¡Viva Cristo Rey!" ("Long live Christ the King!")

'Tis also the festival of Saint Clement of Metz, Bishop (floruit first century): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Felicitas of Rome, Martyr (circa 101-165, Anglicized as Felicity), martyred in the reign of the emperor Marcus Aurelius: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Commentary: 23 November is always a bit of a traffic jam, what with three optional memorials on this one day, but add in a couple of different options of Thanksgiving & today we're proud—Proud? Well, bemused if not slightly chagrined—to bring you six different sets of readings one might hear at the Holy Mass today here in these United States.

Mass Readings—Feria
The First Book of Maccabees, chapter two, verses fifteen thru twenty-nine;
Psalm Fifty, verses one(b) & two, five & six, & fourteen & fifteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter nineteen, verses forty-one thru forty-four.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Clement I
The First Letter of Peter, chapter five, verses one thru four;
Psalm Eighty-nine;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter sixteen, verses thirteen thru nineteen.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Columban
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-two, verses seven thru ten;
Psalm Ninety-six, verse three;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter nine, verses fifty-seven thru sixty-two.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of Bl. Miguel Agustín Pro
The Book of Sirach, chapter fifty-one, verses one thru eight;
Psalm Thirty-one, verse six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten, verses twenty-eight thru thirty-three.

Mass Readings—Thanksgiving
Commentary: Quoth the missalette:
Today's readings & psalm may be chosen from the Proper texts "In Thanksgiving to God (Lectionary 943-947) or from the weekday Mass for Thursday of the thirty-third week in Ordinary Time (Lectionary 500, page 153). The following are suggested from among the many options.
The Book of Sirach, chapter fifty, verses twenty-two, twenty-three, & twenty-four;
Psalm One Hundred Thirteen, verses one & two, three & four, five & six, & seven & eight;
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter one, verses three thru nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter seventeen, verses eleven thru nineteen;

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today's Gospel recounts the Lord's healing of ten lepers, only one of whom comes back to give thanks. Leprosy frightened people in ancient times, just as contagious and mysterious diseases frighten people today. But, more than this, leprosy rendered someone unclean and therefore incapable of engaging in the act of worship. It is not accidental that the person responsible for examining the patient in ancient Israel was the priest. The priest's job was to monitor the whole process of Israelite worship, very much including who could and couldn't participate in the Temple.

What is so important about worship? To worship is to order the whole of one's life toward the living God, and, in doing so, to become interiorly and exteriorly rightly ordered. To worship is to signal to oneself what one's life is finally about. Worship is not something that God needs, but it is very much something that we need.
Video reflection by Father Don Miller, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.


or,
The First Book of Kings, chapter eight, verses fifty-five thru sixty-one;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-five, verses two & three, four & five, six & seven, eight & nine, & ten & eleven;
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter one, verses three thru nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter one, verses thirty-nine thru fifty-five.



Bible Study—Wisdom Books
The Book of Psalms, psalm twenty-three (verses one thru six);
The Book of Psalms, psalm twenty-four (verses one thru ten);
The Book of Psalms, psalm twenty-five (verses one thru twenty-two);
The Book of Wisdom, chapter one, verse sixteen;
The Book of Wisdom, chapter two (verses one thru twenty-four);
The Book of Wisdom, chapter three (verses one thru nineteen);
The Book of Wisdom, chapter four, verse one thru nineteen.

Commentary: The Lord, Shepherd & Host (Psalm 23), the Glory of God in Procession to Zion (Psalm 24), & Confident Prayer for Forgiveness & Guidance (Psalm 25);

I: The Reward of Justice (cont'd): The Wicked Reject Immortality & Justice Alike (Wisdom, 1:16-2:24) & the Hidden Counsels of God: A. On Suffering (3:1-12), B. On Childlessness (3:13-4:6), & C. On Early Death (4:7-19).


Saint Quote o' the Day
"Whoever sees God has obtained all the goods of which he can conceive."
—St. Gregory of Nyssa (10 January)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' Thanksgiving


The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "A Reason to Toast" from Medium Rare (The Last Thankful Man)

Commentary: A R.B.D.S.O.T.D. Thanksgiving tradition, for in its fourth year (replete with a Wayback Machine rabbit hole down which to disappear): Wayback Machine.
"I'd like to open up by making a suggestion,
One that I suggest you're open to,
And then I'll open up the floor and take a question,
After that it's time to tilt a few (you and you and you).

"A reason to toast,
A reason to cheer,
A reason to celebrate:
It's nice being here!

"You might be wondering just why I called this meeting
And let another moment pass,
Before we move on, please, let's rearrange the seating,
After that it's time to raise a glass.

"I'll raise my glass up high to all the friendly faces,
Here and wherever they may be,
I don't know why I never thought 'til now to say this,
But you mean the world to me.

"A reason to toast,
A reason to cheer,
A reason to celebrate:
It's nice being here!

"Let's raise a glass up high because we're here together,
What better reason could exist?
Hey, lads, let's raise a glass, what could be better than this?
If you're without a glass, then let's see your fist!
(Get 'em up there, boys!)

"A reason to toast,
A reason to cheer,
A reason to celebrate:
It's nice being here!…"

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin & Martyr (died circa 180-230), martyred in the reign of either the emperor Marcus Aurelius or the emperor Alexander Severus: Martyr-link ūna, Martyr-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.


Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
She is the patroness of musicians. It is written that as the musicians played at her wedding she "sang in her heart to the Lord." She is one of seven women, excluding the Blessed Virgin, commemorated by name in the Canon of the Mass.
'Tis also the festival of Saints Philemon & Apphia, Martyrs (died circa 68), martyred in the reign of the emperor Nero, recipients of the Letter to Philemon: Martyr-link Papa, Martyr-link Alpha, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Epistle.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Tommaso Reggio, Bishop (1818-1901): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The Second Book of Maccabees, chapter seven, verses one & twenty-one thru thirty;
Psalm Seventeen, verses one(b/c/d), five & six, & eight(b) & fifteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter nineteen, verses eleven thru twenty-eight.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today's Gospel Jesus uses images drawn from the world of business to instruct us in Christian living. And he especially liked the dynamic of investment, risk, and return as a model of the spiritual life. The reason is clear. God exists in gift form. Therefore, if you want his life in you, you have to learn to give it away.

Think of the coins we read about today as everything that we've received from God—life, breath, being, powers, and so on. Because they come from God, they are meant to become gifts. If you cling to them, in the manner of the third servant, they don't grow; in fact, they wither away.

Notice that the first two servants doubled their wealth precisely in the measure that they risked it. This means that the one who truly has the divine life knows how to make it a gift, and that in turn will make the original gift increase. And the opposite holds true: "From the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." This means that if you try to cling to the divine life, you will, in short order, lose it.
Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.


Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Cecilia
The Book of Hosea, chapter two, verses sixteen(b/c), seventeen(c/d), twenty-one, & twenty-two;
Psalm Forty-five, verse eleven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses one thru thirteen.



Bible Study—Festival of Ss. Philemon & Apphia
The Letter to Philemon (verses one thru twenty-five).

Commentary: Address & Greeting (1-3), Thanksgiving (4-6), Plea for Onesimus (7-22), & Final Greetings (23-35).

Bible Study—Wisdom Books
The Book of Psalms, psalm twenty-two (verses one thru thirty-two);
The Book of Wisdom, chapter one, verses one thru fifteen.

Commentary: The Prayer of an Innocent Person (Psalm 22) & I: The Reward of Justice: Exhortation to Justice, the Key to Life (Wisdom, 1:1-15).

Saint Quote o' the Day
From "Heroes' Words" in 54-Day Basic Training in Holiness by Father Richard Heilman:
"To love God is something greater than to know him."
—St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church (28 January)

Operation ÖSTERREICH

Weekly Wednesday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 341.8 lbs
This weigh-in: 346.0 lbs.
Difference: +4.2 lbs.

One step forward, two steps back.

Bonus! Lied von ÖSTERREICH
"Weird Al" Yankovic, "Spam" from U.H.F.: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (The Last Angry Fatso)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day

The University of Michigan Marching Band, "Grieg Medley" from Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: Courtesy of the muse. This is not the only Grieg in my music library (I possess a pair of complete pieces, "In the Hall of the Mountain King" & "Wedding Day at Troldhaugen"), but what she wanted was the brassy medley.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' Today

Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings" from Barenaked for the Holidays (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: I'm not trying to skip both Thanksgiving & Advent in order to proceed directly to Christmas, but longtime readers know well that "We Three Kings of Orient Are" is quite possibly my favorite Christmas carol & it has been on my mind since Sunday, when Brother & Mrs. Envy & I were joined by Santa Claus (no, seriously) to film four St. Nicholas- &/or Christmas-themed episodes of The Popish Plot. Coming soon-ish (6, 24, 25, & 31 December) to the YouTubes near you.

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' Yesterday


Montag, 20. November
Nancy Sinatra, "You Only Live Twice" from Best of Bond… James Bond 50th Anniversary Collection (The Last Angry Man)

CORRECTION: Robbie Williams's "Millennium" does not, in fact sample "You Only Live Twice" as I erroneously wrote on Saturday, 18 November. Instead, the songwriters & producers of "Millennium" wrote their own legally distinct pastiche of "You Only Live Twice," so as not to have to pay the royalty fees associated with sampling another musician's work. Let it never be said that we here at The Secret Base are not willing to raise our hand & admit our mistakes.

Commentary: I cannot defend my love for the 007 franchise—both the long-running movie series & the original source novels—which in so many ways, sex & violence prominent among them, runs absolutely counter to my faith, human dignity, & the holiness to which every one of us is called. Yet, & please do not misunderstand me, I am not claiming my feelings as incontrovertible facts, I've never felt my heart convicted to forswear Bond, as I've felt myself called to renounce so many others things. I'm still figuring out how the Lord wants me to square that circle. Maybe when my heart is properly disposed He'll show me how He wants me to redeem 007? Anything is possible.

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Madonna-link ūna, Madonna-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
According to the apocryphal "Infancy Narrative of James" text, Mary's parents, [Ss.] Joachim & Ann [26 July], who had been childless, received a heavenly message that they wold have a child. In thanksgiving for the gift of their daughter, they brought her, when still a child, to the Temple in Jerusalem to consecrate her to God.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Gelasius I, Pope (died 496), forty-ninth Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Gelasius Ó Cuileanáin, Priest & Martyr, O.Cist. (died 1580, Anglicized as O'Cullenan), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I, one of the Irish Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link Irish & Wikipedia-link Irish.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The Second Book of Maccabees, chapter six, verses eighteen thru thirty-one;
Psalm Three, verses two & three, four & five, & six & seven;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter nineteen, verses one thru ten

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today's Gospel declares in the story of Zacchaeus how quickly God responds to any sign of faith. Zacchaeus' climbing the sycamore tree shows he had more than a passing interest in seeing Jesus. He had a deep hunger of the spirit. His principal virtue was his willingness to go to great extremes. But this is what we do when we know that something of great moment is at stake. When our health is endangered, we move, we act; when our job is threatened, we go to almost any extreme to keep it.

When Jesus spotted him he said, "Zacchaeus, hurry down. I mean to stay at your house today." Christians, God responds to us readily when we show the least interest in him. He doesn't play hard to get; he is not coy with us. When we seek him, he responds, because loving us is his entire game.

Notice how Jesus tells Zacchaeus to hurry. Don't wait, don't hesitate. Seize the moment of conversion when it comes.
Video reflection by Sister Johnice Rzadkiewicz, C.S.S.F.: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.


Mass Readings—Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Book of Zechariah, chapter two, verses fourteen thru seventeen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter one, verse forty-nine;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twelve, verses forty-six thru fifty.



Bible Study—Wisdom Books
The Book of Psalms, psalm twenty (verses one thru ten);
The Book of Psalms, psalm twenty-one (verses one thru fourteen).

Commentary: Prayer for the King in Time of War (Psalm 20) & Thanksgiving & Assurances for the King (Psalm 21).

Saint Quote o' the Day
From "Heroes' Words" in 54-Day Basic Training in Holiness by Father Richard Heilman:
"Love to be real, it must cost—it must hurt—it must empty us of self."
—St. Teresa of Calcutta (5 September)

Monday, November 20, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the festival of Saints Edmund the Martyr & Humbert of Elmham, Bishop; Martyrs (died 869; A.K.A. King Edmund of the East Angles; also spelt Humbertus), martyred at the hands of the Great Heathen Army: Martyr-link Echo & Wikipedia-link Echo, Martyr-link Hotel & Wikipedia-link Hotel; Wikipedia-link Great Heathen Army.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Bernward of Hildesheim, Bishop (circa 960-1022): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Maria Fortunata Viti, Religious, O.S.B. (1827-1922, A.K.A. Anna Felicia Viti): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The First Book of Maccabees, chapter one, verses ten thru fifteen; forty-one, forty-two, & forty-three; fifty-four thru fifty-seven; sixty-two; & sixty-three;
Psalm One Hundred Nineteen, verses fifty-three, sixty-one, one hundred thirty-four, one hundred fifty, one hundred fifty-five, & one hundred fifty-eight;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eighteen, verses thirty-five thru forty-three.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today in the Gospel passage we see Jesus' mercy toward the blind man as a hallmark of his ministry. Jesus comes as healer, savior, inaugurator of the kingdom. He is the embodiment of hope. Jesus wanted to connect human suffering to the very source of life and health. The energy of God pours through him to the needy.

Now I realize a question may be forming in your mind: "Well, why doesn't he simply cure everyone, then?" The answer is obviously wrapped up in the mystery of God's will, but the important point is this: Jesus is healer in many senses, but ultimately in the sense that he heals us from sin and death, not only physical maladies. What appears historically in Jesus is an eschatological anticipation, a hint and foreshadowing of what is coming in God's time and in God's way.
Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.


Saint Quote o' the Day
From "Heroes' Words" in 54-Day Basic Training in Holiness by Father Richard Heilman:
"Pray, hope, & don't worry."
—St. Pio of Pietrelcina (23 September)

Yesterday's BLACK MAMBA post, for the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, has been "unsimplex-ed": Wayback Machine.

Sunday, November 19, 2017

The Explorers' Club, № DLXXXI

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Battle of Cambrai, Part I
20 November 1917: On the first day of Cambrai, a British artillery bombardment utilizing the new technique of predicted fire, which did not alert the enemy with ranging shots, breached the so-called "Hindenburg Line" (the German name was Siegriedstellung, "Siegried Position"); massed tanks & infantry advanced as much as five miles; back home in Britain, church bells were rung in jubilation.





Lest we forget.

Project BLACK MAMBA: XXXIII Sunday, Ordinary Time

Simplex Edition
'Tis the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Book of Proverbs, chapter thirty-one, verses ten thru thirteen, nineteen, twenty, thirty, & thirty-one;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-eight, verses one & two, three, & four & five;
The First Letter to the Thessalonians, chapter five, verses one thru six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses fourteen thru thirty
(or, the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses fourteen, fifteen, nineteen, twenty, & twenty-one).

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today's Gospel gives us the challenging parable of the talents. A man goes on a journey, but before leaving he entrusts his money to three of his servants. To one he gives five talents, to a second, two, and to a third, one.

The first man trades with the five talents. The second does the same, and both receive a rich return on their investment. The third man cautiously buries his talent. When the owner returns, he praises the first two servants and gives them greater responsibilities, but the third man he upbraids.

Jesus loved to use examples drawn from the world of business. And he especially liked this dynamic of investment as a model of the spiritual life. The reason is clear, and I've said it to you often. God exists in gift form. Therefore, if you want his life in you, you have to learn to give it away. Think of the talents as everything that we've received from God—life, breath, being, powers. Because they come from God, they are meant to become gifts. If you cling to them, in the manner of the third servant, they don't grow; in fact, they wither away.
Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Video reflection by Jeff Cavins: Encountering the Word.

Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D.: Breaking the Bread.


Mass Journal: Week 47
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
Mass is not about whom you sit next to. It's not about which priest says Mass. It is not about what you wear or who is there. Mass is not about the music. It's not even about the preaching. It [is] about gathering as a community to give thanks to God for all the blessings he fills our lives with. It is about receiving the Body & Blood of Christ, not just physically, but spiritually. Perhaps you have been receiving the Eucharist physically every Sunday for your whole life. Next Sunday, prepare yourself, be conscious of the marvel, the wonder, the mystery, & receive spiritually.

Otherwise, 19 November would be the festival of Saint Egbert of York, Bishop (died 766, also spelt Ecgbert): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Mechtilde of Helfta, Religious, O.S.B. (circa 1241-1298, A.K.A. of Hackeborn), "The Nightingale of Helfta:" Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. St. Mechtilde served as the novice mistress of, & was a profound influence on, St. Gertrude the Great (16 November).

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Giacomo Benefatti, Bishop, O.P. (died 1332, of Mantua; Anglecized as James Benefatti): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Saint Quote o' the Day
From "Heroes' Words" in 54-Day Basic Training in Holiness by Father Richard Heilman:
"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible."
—St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church (28 January)

A Humble Contribution to the New Evangelization
The Popish Plot—Saintly Sunday: "10 Easy Steps to Become a Saint!"

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Lord's Day

Ellie Holcomb, "Find You Here" from Red Sea Road (The Last Angry Man)

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Bonus! Song o' the Day

Robbie Williams, "Millennium" from I've Been Expecting You (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: "Millennium" samples "You Only Live Twice," composed by John Barry & performed by Nancy Sinatra for the James Bond film You Only Live Twice. I've been thinking about You Only Live Twice, & thus "You Only Live Twice," & thus "Millennium," because I'm working up a Popish Plot episode to explain the theological truth that we all, saint & sinner alike, will live twice. Every human who has ever lived will be resurrected at the Second Coming of the Lord, at the Last Judgment—the righteous resurrected for life eternal in perfect relationship with the God Who created us & the wicked resurrected for the second death of eternal separation from the God Who loves us. My intention is to call it "You Only Live Twice."

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter & Paul, Apostles: Dedication-link ūnus, Dedication-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link St. Peter's & Wikipedia-link St. Paul's outside the Walls.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, Virgin, R.S.C.J. (1769-1852, A.K.A. "Woman-Who-Prays-Always"): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Odo of Cluny, Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 879-942), abbot of the Abbey of Cluny: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey.

Today also marks the beatification of Blessed Solanus Casey, Priest, O.F.M. Cap. (1870-1957, A.K.A. Bernard Francis Casey): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Heaven permitting, if all goes to plan, at the hour this post is auto-published I will be at Ford Field, in the Archdiocese of Detroit, at the beatification Mass of Bl. Solanus.

Scripture o' the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The Book of Wisdom, chapter eighteen, verses fourteen, fifteen, & sixteen & chapter nineteen, verses six thru nine;
Psalm One Hundred Five, verses two & three, thirty-six & thirty-seven, & forty-two & forty-three;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eighteen, verses one thru eight.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today's Gospel exhorts us to pray with persistence. This command is everywhere in the Bible. We see it in Abraham's steady petition on behalf of the people of Sodom. We see it in today's account of the persistent widow. We hear it in Jesus' extraordinary teaching: "Knock and the door shall be opened to you; seek and you will find; ask and it will be given to you."

One reason that we don't receive what we want through prayer is that we give up too easily. What could be behind this rule of prayer? Augustine said that God sometimes delays in giving us what we want because he wants our hearts to expand. The more ardently we desire something, the more ready we are when it comes, the more we treasure it. The very act of asking persistently is accomplishing something spiritually important. So, when the Lord seems slow to answer your prayer, never give up.
Video reflection by Father Michael Ackerman: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.


Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Ss. Peter & Paul
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter twenty-eight, verses eleven thru sixteen, thirty, & thirty-one;
Psalm Ninety-eight, verses one, two & three(a/b), three(c/d) & four, & five & six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter fourteen, verses twenty-two thru thirty-three.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
The Book of Hosea, chapter two, verses sixteen(b/c), seventeen(c/d), twenty-one, & twenty-two;
Psalm Forty-five, verse eleven;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses thirty-eight thru forty-two.

Mass Readings—Beatification of Father Solanus Casey
The Book of Sirach, chapter three, verses seventeen thru twenty-four;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-one;
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter four, verses four thru nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eleven, verses one thru ten.

Saint Quote o' the Day
From "Heroes' Words" in 54-Day Basic Training in Holiness by Father Richard Heilman:
"Let us begin in earnest to work out our salvation, for no one will do it for us, since even He Himself, Who made us without ourselves, will not save us without ourselves."
—St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (16 October)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: Go Blue!


The University of Michigan Marching Band, "Mambo!" from Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue (The Last Angry Wolverine)

Commentary: The only lyrics to "Mambo!" are the Marching Band shouting, "Mambo!" twice &, at the very end, "Go Blue!" once.

Friday, November 17, 2017

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day

Reel Big Fish, "A Little Doubt Goes a Long Way" from Cheer Up! (The Last Angry Man)

Skammentary:
"…Maybe it's not right (I have a girlfriend),
Made a friend tonight (Who is a girl, and),
I just wanted to talk to you,
But then I started wonderin' if she's the one, or not…

"Well, I know flirting is nothing and it should be where it ends (Where it ends),
But I know, yes, I know that I want you for more than a friend (More than a friend).

"Maybe it's not right (I have a girlfriend),
Made a friend tonight (Who is a girl, and),
I just wanted to talk to you,
But then I started wonderin'
Oh, yes, I started wonderin', if you're the one, ha ha!

"So I gotta go, gotta go,
Before I do something stupid!
I gotta go!
I gotta go, gotta go,
Before I do something lame!
So I gotta go, gotta go,
Before I do something stupid,
I gotta go!
But I know, I know it's too late."

Project BLACK MAMBA: Late Edition

Commentary: Friday's late, like clockwork.

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious, T.O.S.F. (1207-1231, A.K.A. of Thuringia): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Niece of St. Hedwig of Silesia (16 October).

Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Elizabeth is perhaps best known for her miracle of the roses which says that whilst she was taking bread to the poor in secret, she met her husband Ludwig on a hunting party, who in order to quell suspicions of the gentry that she was stealing treasure from the castle, asked her to reveal what was hidden under her cloak. In that moment, her cloak fell open & a vision of white & red roses could be seen.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
While still a young girl she was married to Louis the Landgrave of Thuringia & gave birth to three children. She devoted herself toprayer & meditation. After her husband's death, she embraced a life of poverty, erecting a hospital in which she herself served the sick. She died at Marburg in 1231.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Gregory Thaumaturgus, Bishop (circa 213-170, A.K.A. of Pontus, of Neocaesarea): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: "Thaumaturgus" is not St. Gregory's surname, but an epithet, meaning "wonder-worker" or "miracle-worker."

'Tis also the festival of Saint Gregory of Tours, Bishop (circa 538-594): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture o' the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The Book of Wisdom, chapter thirteen, verses one thru nine;
Psalm Nineteen, verses two & three & four & five(a/b);
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter seventeen, verses twenty-six thru thirty-seven.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today's Gospel passage the Lord compares the clueless behavior of our time with that of Noah. Listen to his warning: "Jesus said to his disciples, 'The coming of the Son of Man will repeat what happened in Noah's time.'" Those aren't very reassuring words.

Then he specifies: people were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage right up to the time of the flood. And then, when it came with shocking suddenness, they were destroyed. The end of an old world had arrived, but the inhabitants of that world were clueless. A new world was coming, but the prospective citizens of it had no idea how to prepare for it.

Our version of Noah's world-destroying flood might be the crashing of a huge comet into the earth. What if we knew that a comet was coming, but we did nothing about it, we adjusted in no way to it? This was the situation of those in Noah's time and, Jesus suggests, those in his own time. And it's our situation, too. We must prepare for the Lord's coming by patterning our lives on the Gospel.
Video reflection by Father Juan Carlos Tejada: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.


Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Elizabeth of Hungary
The First Letter of John, chapter three, verses fourteen thru eighteen;
Psalm Thirty-four, verse two;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter six, verses twenty-seven thru thirty-eight.

Mass Readings—Requiem for Lima Kilo
The Book of Proverbs, chapter thirty-one, verses ten thru thirty-one;
Psalm Twenty-seven, verses one, four, & thirteen;
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter two, verses one thru eighteen;
The Gospel according to John, chapter fourteen, verses one thru six.

Saint Quote o' the Day
From "Heroes' Words" in 54-Day Basic Training in Holiness by Father Richard Heilman:
"He who climbs never stops going from beginning to beginning, through beginnings that have no end. He never stops desiring what he already knows."
—St. Gregory of Nyssa (10 January)
A Humble Contribution to the New Evangelization
The Popish Plot—Theology Thursday: "Devotions Aren't Magic"

The Popish Plot—Bonus Episode: "Religious Chain Mail"