Project BLACK MAMBA: The Long Road Back, Part I

Today, 13 January is the Optional Memorial of Saint Hilary, Bishop & Doctor of the Church (circa 310-368, of Poitiers), the "Hammer of the Arians:" Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Father of St. Abra (12 December).

Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

This staunch defender of the divinity of Christ was a gentle & courteous man, devoted to writing some of the greatest theology on the Trinity, & was like his Master in being labeled a "disturber of the peace." In a very troubled period in the Church, his holiness was lived out in both scholarship & controversy.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Remigius, Bishop (circa 437-533, of Rheims; also spelt Remi, etc.), the "Apostle of the Franks," who baptized Clovis I, King of the Franks, on 25 December 496: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Son of St. Cilinia (21 October), brother of St. Principius of Soissons (25 September), & uncle of St. Lupus of Soissons (19 October).

'Tis also the festival of Saint Mungo, Bishop (circa 518-614, A.K.A. Kentigern): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Son of St. Theneva (18 July). St. Kentigern's Church, Lanark: YouTube-link & Wikipedia-link.

"Let Glasgow flourish."

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Veronica of Milan, Religious, O.S.A. (circa 1445-1497, A.K.A. of Binasco): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The First Book of Samuel, chapter nine, verses one thru four, seventeen, eighteen, & nineteen; & chapter ten, verse one;
Psalm Twenty-one, verses two & three, four & five, & six & seven;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter two, verses thirteen thru seventeen.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel recounts Jesus’ banqueting with Matthew and his friends after he calls him to be a disciple. The very first thing that Jesus does is to invite Matthew into intimacy with him, reclining around a table for a meal with friends.

In this account, the Pharisees see Matthew’s intimacy with Jesus and they comment, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Notice that it never occurs to them that the influence might move from Jesus to the sinners rather than from the sinners to Jesus.

And then Jesus’ wonderful comment: “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” He is admitting that Matthew and his fellows are sinners. He is not in the least “soft” on sin. But he has come to bring precisely such people into intimacy with him.

Video reflection by Deacon Bernard Nojadera: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Hilary
The First Letter of John, chapter two, verses eighteen thru twenty-five;
Psalm One Hundred Ten, verse four(b);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter five, verses thirteen thru nineteen.

Saint Quote o' the Day

"May the will of God be wrought in all of us, and let Him do unto us all as seems to Him best, according to His perfect knowledge."
—St. Mungo (c. 518-614, feast day: 13 January)