Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the festival of Saint Willibrord, Bishop, O.S.B. (circa 658-739; of Echternach, A.K.A. Clement), the "Apostle of the Frisians," founder of the Abbey of Echternach: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Ernest, Abbot & Martyr, O.S.B. (died 1148), martyred at Mecca during the Second Crusade, abbot of the Abbey of Zwiefalten: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Crusade & Wikipedia-link Abbey.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Engelbert of Cologne, Bishop & Martyr (circa 1185-1225, A.K.A. Count Engelbert II of Berg), martyred in defense of the nuns of the Abbey of Essen by his cousin, Count Frederick of Isenberg: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The Letter to the Romans, chapter twelve, verses five thru sixteen(b);
Psalm One Hundred Thirty-one, verses one(b/c/d/e), two, & three;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter fourteen, verses fifteen thru twenty-four.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today's Gospel likens the kingdom of heaven to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. Notice that the father (God the Father) is giving a banquet for his son (God the Son), whose bride is the Church. Jesus is the marriage of divinity and humanity—and we his followers are invited to join in the joy of this union.

The joyful intimacy of the Father and the Son is now offered to us to be shared. Listen to Isaiah to learn the details of this banquet: "On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines."

Now, there is an edge to all of this. For it is the king who is doing the inviting, and it is a wedding banquet for his son. We can see how terribly important it is to respond to the invitation of the King of kings.

We have heard the invitation of God to enter into intimacy with him, to make him the center of our lives, to be married to him in Christ—and often we find the most pathetic excuses not to respond.
Video reflection by Father Joseph Gatto: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.


Bible Study—A Psalm a Day: The Long Road Back
The Book of Psalms, psalm four (verses one thru nine);
The Book of Psalms, psalm five (verses one thru thirteen).

Commentary: Trust in God (Psalm 4) & Prayer for Divine Help (Psalm 5).

A Humble Contribution to the New Evangelization
The Popish Plot—Bonus Episode: "Vocations Awareness Week"

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