Project BLACK MAMBA: Advent

'Tis the festival of Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop & Doctor of the Church (circa 337-397, of Milan; A.K.A. Aurelius Ambrosius): Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Traditionally, Ambrose is credited with promoting "antiphonal chant," a style of chanting in which one side of the choir responds alternately to the other, as well as with composing Veni redemptor gentium, an Advent hymn. Ambrose was one of the four original Doctors of the Church.

Wikipedia-link Veni & Wikipedia-link Doctors.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Diuma, Bishop (died circa 658): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Charles Garnier, Priest & Martyr, S.J. (1606-1649), martyred by Iroquois, specifically by Mohawks; one of the North American Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link VIII & Wikipedia-link VIII.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Maria Giuseppa Rossello, Virgin, F.D.M. (1811-1880; Anglicizes as Mary Joseph, A.K.A. Benedetta Rossello), foundress of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link F.D.M.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Advent Weekday
The Book of Isaiah, chapter twenty-six, verses one thru six;
Psalm One Hundred Eighteen, verses one, eight, & nine; nineteen, twenty, & twenty-one; & twenty-five, twenty-six, & twenty-seven(a);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter seven, verses twenty-one & twenty-four thru twenty-seven.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel asks how we apply the Lord’s teaching. "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse." This is the heart of it: if you are rooted in God, then you can withstand anything, precisely because you are linked to that power which is creating the cosmos. You will be blessed at the deepest place, and nothing can finally touch you.

But the one who does not take Jesus’ words to heart "will be like the fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined." When the inevitable trials come, the life built on pleasure, money, power, or fame will give way.

So the question is a simple one: where do you stand? How goes it with your heart? On what, precisely, is the whole of your life built?

Video reflection by Father Don Miller, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Ambrose
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter three, verses eight thru twelve;
Psalm Eighty-nine;
The Gospel according to John, chapter ten, verses eleven thru sixteen.

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

"I know well that the greater & more beautiful the work is, the more terrible will be the storms that rage against it."
—St. Maria Faustyna of the Blessed Sacrament (5 October)

A Humble Contribution to the New Evangelization
The Popish Plot—Theology Thursday: "Mary, Did You Know?"

Commentary: The short answer is: Yes!