Project BLACK MAMBA: The Long Road Back, Part II

Thursday, 11 January was the festival of Saint Hyginus, Pope (died circa 142), ninth Bishop of Rome: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Theodosius the Cenobiarch, Hermit & Abbot (circa 429-523, A.K.A. of Cappadocia), founder of the Monastery of St. Theodosius: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Monastery.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Vitalis of Gaza, Hermit (died circa 625): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed William Carter, Martyr (circa 1548-1584), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link LXXXV & Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The First Book of Samuel, chapter four, verses one thru eleven;
Psalm Forty-four, verses ten & eleven, fourteen & fifteen, & twenty-four & twenty-five;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter one, verses forty thru forty-five.

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

Friends, our Gospel for today has to do with Jesus’ healing of a leper. Leprosy frightened people in ancient times, just as contagious and mysterious diseases frightened people up through modern times. But, more than this, leprosy rendered someone unclean and therefore incapable of engaging in the act of worship. It is not accidental that the person who should do the examining of the patient in ancient Israel should be the priest.

The man who knelt before Jesus and begged for a cure was not simply concerned about his medical condition; he was an Israelite in exile from the Temple—and hence he was a very apt symbol of the general condition of scattered, exiled, wandering Israel. In curing him, Jesus was, symbolically speaking, gathering the tribes and bringing them back to the worship of the true God.

Video reflection by Father Pat McCloskey, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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

"God gives each one of us sufficient grace ever to know His holy will, & to do it fully."
—St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556, feast day: 31 July)