Project BLACK MAMBA: The Long Road Back, Part I

Advent
Friday, 15 December was the festival of Saint Offa, Religious (died circa 709, of Essex), King of Essex: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Margaret of Fontana, Virgin, T.O.S.D. (1440-1513): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Maria Vittoria De Fornari Strata, Religious, O.SS.A. (1562-1617), foundress of the Blue Nuns, formally the Order of the Most Holy Annunciation: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.SS.A.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Maria Crocifissa di Rosa, Religious, A.D.C. (1813-1855, A.K.A. Paolina di Rosa), foundress of the Handmaids of Charity: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link A.D.C.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Mary Frances Schervier, Religious, S.P.S.F. (1819-1876, A.K.A. Franziska Schervier), foundress of the Poor Sisters of Saint Francis & the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor: Blessed-link ūna, Blessed-link duae, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link S.P.S.F. & Wikipedia-link S.F.P.

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Advent Weekday
The Book of Isaiah, chapter forty-eight, verses seventeen, eighteen, & nineteen;
Psalm One, verses one & two, three, four, & six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eleven, verses sixteen thru nineteen.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel the Pharisees compare the eating habits of John the Baptist, who fasted, and Jesus, who dined with sinners. In the carefully stratified society of Jesus’ time, a righteous person would never associate with the unrighteous, for fear of becoming unclean.

But here is Jesus, scandalizing everyone because he does indeed break down these barriers. How would you feel if you saw me socializing with prostitutes and drug-dealers, eating and drinking with terrorists? Would it shock you, dismay you, disappoint you? But this is what Jesus did, precisely because he was the Incarnation of the God who aggressively seeks out the lost.

God looks for us, comes running after us, never lets go, never relents, never gives up. The more we run, the more he runs after; the more we hide, the more he looks; the more we resist, the more he persists. God likes sinners and associates with them.

Video reflection by D. J. Bernal: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.