Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the festival of Saint Bibiana, Virgin & Martyr (died circa 361), martyred in the reign of the emperor Julian the Apostate; over her grave was built the Church of Santa Bibiana: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Church.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Silverius, Pope (circa 480-537), fifty-eighth Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Supreme Pontiff.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Son of Pope St. Hormisdas (6 August).

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Jan of Ruusbroec, Priest (circa 1293-1381; Anglicized as John; town also spelt Ruysbroeck, Ruisbroek): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Rafał Chyliński, Priest, O.F.M. Conv. (1694-1741, A.K.A. Melchor Chyliński): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The Book of Daniel, chapter seven, verses fifteen thru twenty-seven;
The Book of Daniel, chapter three, verses eighty-two, eighty-three, eighty-four, eighty-five, eighty-six, & eighty-seven;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty-one, verses thirty-four, thirty-five, & thirty-six.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus urges us to watch and pray as we await his coming again. In one sense, Christianity is a religion of fulfillment (the Lord has come), but in another sense, it is a religion of waiting, for we expect the second coming of Jesus in the fullness of his power.

We wait and watch and keep vigil. And this is difficult. But what we all know is that great things take time. For example, when a woman becomes pregnant, she has to wait nine long months before the baby is ready.

"How long does this analysis take?" a woman once asked Carl Jung. "Just as long as it takes," came the answer. Gestation, growth, healing—during any of these processes, the very worst thing one can do is to pick at it, to force it, to make it operate according to our private timetables.

That’s why Jesus calls us to "be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength…to stand before the Son of Man."

Video reflection by Linda Ritzer: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

†

Bible Study—Wisdom Books
The Book of Psalms, psalm thirty-two (verses one thru eleven);
The Book of Psalms, psalm thirty-three (verses one thru twenty-two);
The Book of Proverbs, chapter two (verses one thru twenty-two);
The Book of Proverbs, chapter thirty-one (verses one thru thirty-one);
The Book of Wisdom, chapter nine (verses one thru eighteen);
The Book of Wisdom, chapter ten (verses one thru twenty-one);
The Book of Wisdom, chapter eleven, verse one.

Commentary: Remission of Sin (Psalm 32) & Praise of God's Power & Providence (Psalm 33); I: Introduction: The Value of Wisdom (cont'd): The Blessings of Wisdom (Proverbs, 2:1-22), VIII: The Words of Lemuel (31:1-9), & IX: The Ideal Wife (31:10-31); & II: Praise of Wisdom by Solomon (cont'd): Solomon's Prayer (Wisdom, 9:1-18) & Wisdom Preserves Her Followers (10:1-11:1).

Bible Study—Prophetic Books
The Book of Hosea, chapter twelve (verses one thru fifteen);
The Book of Hosea, chapter thirteen (verses one thru fifteen);
The Book of Hosea, chapter fourteen (verses one thru ten).

Commentary: Infidelity of Israel (Hosea, 12:1-13:1), Punishment for Ingratitude (13:2-14:1), & Sincere Conversion (14:2-10).

Proverb o' the Day (2:21-22)

For the upright will dwell in the land,
the honest will remain in it;
But the wicked will be cut off from the land,
the faithless will be rooted out of it.

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Holy Communion is the shortest & safest way to Heaven."
—Pope St. Pius X (21 August)