Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Project BLACK MAMBA: The Long Road Back, Part III

Advent
Monday, 18 December was the festival of Saint Auxentius of Mopsuetia, Bishop (died circa 321): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Flannán, Bishop & Abbot (floruit seventh century, of Killaloe): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Samthann, Abbess (died 739, of Clonbroney): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Winebald, Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 701-768, of Heidenheim; also spelt with numerous variations): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Son of St. Richard the Pilgrim (7 February), brother of Ss. Willibald (7 June) & Walpurga (25 February), & nephew of St. Boniface (5 June).

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Advent Weekday
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter twenty-three, verses five thru eight;
Psalm Seventy-two, verses one & two, twelve & thirteen, & eighteen & nineteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter one, verses eighteen thru twenty-five.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today’s Gospel centers on the intriguing figure of Joseph. Joseph is one of the most beloved of the saints, featured in countless works of art and prominent in the devotional lives of many.

We know almost nothing about him, yet some very powerful spiritual themes emerge in the accounts of Joseph. He had become betrothed to Mary and this union had been blessed by God. And then he finds that his betrothed is pregnant.

This must have been an emotional maelstrom for him. And, at a deeper level, it is a spiritual crisis. What does God want him to do? Then the angel appears to him in a dream and tells him, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home." He realizes at that moment that these puzzling events are part of a much greater plan of God’s. What appears to be a disaster from his perspective is meaningful from God’s perspective.

Joseph was willing to cooperate with the divine plan, though he in no way knew its contours or deepest purpose. Like Mary at the Annunciation, he trusted and let himself be led.
Video reflection by Msgr. James Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

No comments: