Project BLACK MAMBA: Advent, Late Edition

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Nicholas, Bishop (circa 270-346, of Myra, A.K.A. the Wonder-worker): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Saint Nicholas's Day.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, & students. His reputation evolved among the faithful, as was common for early Cristian saints, & his legendary habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus.

On that last bit: Wikipedia-link Sinterklaas & Wikipedia-link Santa Claus

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Peter Pascual, Bishop & Martyr, O. de M. (circa 1227-1300), martyred in the reign of the sultan Muhammad II al-Faqih: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed János Scheffler, Bishop & Martyr (1887-1952), martyred in the reign of the Communist dictator Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Advent Weekday
The Book of Isaiah, chapter twenty-five, verses six thru ten(a);
Psalm Twenty-three, verses one, two, & three(a); three(b) & four; five; & six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter fifteen, verses twenty-nine thru thirty-seven.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel tells of Jesus feeding the four thousand with seven loaves and a few fish.

An awful lot of contemporary theologians and Bible commentators have tried to explain away the miracles of Jesus as spiritual symbols. Perhaps most notoriously, many preachers tried to explain the multiplication of the loaves and fishes as a "miracle" of charity, with everyone sharing the little that he had.

But I think it’s hard to deny that the first Christians were intensely interested in the miracles of Jesus, and that they didn’t see them as mere literary symbols! They saw them for what they really were: actions of God, breaking into our world.

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

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Nicholas
The Book of Isaiah, chapter six, verses one thru eight;
Psalm Forty, verses eight(a) & nine(a);
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses one thru nine.

†

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

Commentary: Thanksgiving to God Who Delivers the Just (Psalm 34), Prayer for Help against Unjust Enemies (Psalm 35), & Human Wickedness & Divine Providence (Psalm 36); Miscellaneous Proverbs (Proverbs, 6:1-19) & Warning against Adultery (6:20-35); & III: Special Providence of God during the Exodus: Introduction (Wisdom, 11:2-5), First Example: Water Punishes the Egyptians & Benefits the Israelites (11:6-14), Second Example: Animals Punish the Egyptians & Benefit the Israelites (11:15-16), Digression on God's Mercy (11:17-12:22), & Second Example Resumed (12:23-27).

Proverb o' the Day (6:25)

Lust not in your heart after her beauty,
let her not captivate you with her glance!

Saint Quote o' the Day
From "Heroes' Words" in 54-Day Basic Training in Holiness by Father Richard Heilman:

"If you want God to hear your prayers, hear the voice of the poor. If you wish God to anticipate your wants, provide those of the needy without waiting for them to ask you. Especially anticipate the needs of those who are ashamed to beg. To make them ask for alms is to make them buy it."
—St. Thomas of Villanova (22 September)

A Humble Contribution to the New Evangelization
The Popish Plot—Wacky Wednesday: "The Feast of St. Nicholas"