Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the festival of Saint Tatiana of Rome, Virgin & Martyr (died circa 226), martyred in the reign of the emperor Alexander Severus: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Benedict Biscop, Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 628-690, A.K.A. Biscop Baducing), abbot of Saint Augustine's Abbey & founder & inaugural abbot of Monkwearmouth-Jarrow Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link St. Augustine's & Wikipedia-link Monkwearmouth-Jarrow.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys, Religious, C.N.D. (1620-1700), foundress of the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal: Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link C.N.D.

Commentary: In the Canadas, St. Marguerite's festival is an obligatory Memorial.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The First Book of Samuel, chapter eight, verses four thru seven & ten thru twenty-two(a);
Psalm Eighty-nine, verses sixteen & seventeen & eighteen & nineteen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter two, verses one thru twelve.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel focuses on the faith of the four men who brought the paralytic to Jesus for healing. How often the Bible compels us to meditate on the meaning of faith! We might say that the Scriptures rest upon faith and remain inspired at every turn by the spirit of faith.

Faith is an attitude of trust in the presence of God. Faith is openness to what God will reveal, do, and invite. It should be obvious that in dealing with the infinite, all-powerful person who is God, we are never in control.

One of the most fundamental statements of faith is this: your life is not about you. You’re not in control. This is not your project. Rather, you are part of God’s great design. To believe this in your bones and to act accordingly is to have faith. When we operate out of this transformed vision, amazing things can happen, for we have surrendered to "a power already at work in us that can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine." Even a tiny bit of faith makes an extraordinary difference.

Video reflection by Paula Trigo-Galan: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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

"We are to love God for Himself, because of a twofold reason: nothing is more reasonable, nothing more profitable."
—St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Doctor of the Church (1090-1153, feast day: 20 August)