Project BLACK MAMBA: Octave of the Nativity

"The future starts today, not tomorrow."
—Pope Saint John Paul II (the Great; 1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop & Martyr (circa 1118-1170, A.K.A. of Canterbury), martyred in the reign of the king Henry II: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

He was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170. He engaged in conflict with Henry II, King of England, over the rights & privileges of the Church & was murdered.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Peter the Venerable, Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 1092-1156, A.K.A. of Montboissier), ninth Abbot of the influential Abbey of Cluny: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbots & Wikipedia-link Abbey.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed William Howard, Martyr (1614-1680), first Viscount Stafford, martyred in the reign of the king Charles II, a victim of the perjurer Titus Oates's "Popish Plot" hoax: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Popish Plot.

Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord
The First Letter of John, chapter two, verses three thru eleven;
Psalm Ninety-six, verses one & two(a), two(b) & three, & five(b) & six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter two, verses twenty-two thru thirty-five.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel tells the story of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple. The Temple was, in practically a literal sense, the dwelling place of the Lord. In the Temple, divinity and humanity embraced, and the human race was brought back online with God.

But the sins of the nation had, according to the prophet Ezekiel, caused the glory of the Lord to depart from the Temple. Therefore, one of the deepest aspirations of Israel’s people was to reestablish the Temple as the place of right praise so that the glory of the Lord might return. When Joseph and Mary bring the infant Jesus into the Temple, therefore, we are meant to appreciate that the prophecy of Ezekiel is being fulfilled. The glory of Yahweh is returning to his favorite dwelling. And this is precisely what Simeon sees.

The old seer is a symbol of ancient Israel, watching and waiting for the coming of the Messiah. Simeon knew all of the old prophecies; he embodied the expectation of the nation; and the Holy Spirit had given him the revelation that he would not die until he had laid eyes on his Savior.

Video reflection by Deacon Mike Pawelek: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Bible Study—Catholic Letters
The First Letter of John, chapter one (verses one thru ten);
The First Letter of John, chapter two (verses one thru twenty-nine);
The First Letter of John, chapter three (verses one thru twenty-four);
The First Letter of John, chapter four (verses one thru twenty-one);
The First Letter of John, chapter five (verses one thru twenty-one);
The Second Letter of John (verses one thru thirteen);
The Third Letter of John (verses one thru fifteen).

Commentary: The Word of Life (1 John, 1:1-4), God Is Light (1:5-10), Christ Our Advocate (2:1-6), A New Commandment (2:7-17), Warning against Antichrists (2:18-27), Children of God (2:28-3:10), Love One Another (3:11-24), Testing the Spirits (4:1-6), God Is Love (4:7-21), Faith Conquers the World (5:1-5), Testimony Concerning the Son of God (5:6-12), & Epilogue (5:13-21); Salutation (2 John, 1-3), Truth & Love (4-11), & Final Greetings (12-13); & Salutation (3 John, 1), Gaius Commended for His Hospitality (2-8), Diotrephes & Demetrius (9-12), & Final Greetings (13-15).

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

"Our body has this defect that, the more it is provided care & comforts, the more needs & desires it finds."
—St. Teresa of Ávila, Doctor of the Church (1515-1582, feast day: 15 October)