Saints + Scripture

Simplex Complex Edition | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

'Tis the festival of Saints Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus (floruit first century): Saints-link, Saint-link Juliett & Wikipedia-link Juliett, & Saint-link November & Wikipedia-link November.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Aristides of Athens (died circa 134; A.K.A. the Philosopher, Marcianus Aristides), author of the Apology of Aristides: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Apology of Aristides.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Paulinus of Trier, Bishop & Martyr (died 358), Bishop of Trier (349-358), a foe of the Arian heresy, martyred in the reign of the Arian Roman emperor Constantius II: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link & Wikipedia-link Trier; & Heresy-link & Wikipedia-link Arianism.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Aiden of Lindisfarne, Bishop (circa 590-651, the "Apostle of Northumbria"), inaugural Bishop of Lindisfarne (635-651) as founder of the Lindisfarne Priory (634): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link & Wikipedia-link Lindisfarne, Wikipedia-link Priory, & Wikipedia-link Holy Island.

'Tis also the festival of Saints Cuthburh & Cwenburh of Wimborne, Abbesses, O.S.B. (died circa 725; also spelt Cuthburg, Cuthburga & also spelt Quenburga), foundresses & first two abbesses of Wimborne Abbey: Saint-link C-U & Wikipedia-link C-U, Saint-link C-W & Wikipedia-link C-W; Wikipedia-link Wimborne.

Commentary: Sisters.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Raymond Nonnatus, Priest, O. de M. (1204-1240), Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church (1239-1240), second (II) Master General of the Mercedarians (O. de M.), formally the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, Saint-link trēs, & Wikipedia-link; Cardinal-link & Wikipedia-link Cardinal.

Commentary: Nonnatus is an epithet, meaning "not born," referring to St. Raymond's birth by Caesarean section.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Andrea Dotti, Priest, O.S.M. (1256-1315): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Monday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter two, verses one thru five;
Psalm One Hundred Nineteen (R/. ninety-seven), verses ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one hundred, one hundred one, & one hundred two;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter four, verses sixteen thru thirty.

Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus begins his Galilean ministry with a prophetic message in the synagogue at Nazareth: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”

The moment has arrived, the privileged time, the kairos; something that human beings have been longing for and striving after and hoping to see has appeared. In Jesus of Nazareth, the divine and human have come together in a salvific way, and this reconciliation is the long awaited kingdom of God.

One motif in Scripture is persistent: the passionate desire for deliverance, the cry of the heart toward the God from whom the people feel alienated. What Jesus announces in his first sermon, and what he demonstrates throughout his life and ministry, is that this wild desire of his ancestors, this hope against hope, this intimate union of God and humanity, is an accomplished fact, something that can be seen and heard and touched.

Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Video reflection by Curtis Mitch (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Daily Reflection.

Scripture Study—Day 91: Decapitation Rock, Day 29
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter twenty-one, verses one, two, five, six, seven, twelve, thirteen, & fourteen.

Commentary: David Avenges the Gibeonites (2 Samuel, 21:1-2, 5-7, 12-14).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"No matter where we look, no matter how we strive, if we wander far from God, we will not enjoy nature's tranquility, nor harmony & peace of soul. We will be restless & harassed, as though tossed by fever."
—Pope Ven. Pius XII (1876-1958, r. 1939-1958)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"The Church admires the simplicity & the depth of St. Joseph's faith."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast: 22 October)

Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day

"Jesus loves you. Ever more—He longs for you. He misses you when you don't come close. He thirsts for you, even when you don't feel worthy."
—St. Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)

Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day

"Pain without Christ is suffering. Pain with Christ is sacrifice."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAugust

Reel Big Fish, "The Kids Don't Like It" from Why Do They Rock So Hard? (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Skammentary: Thus concludes another fantastic SKAugust; thanks for joining me on this ska trek.

"It may sound real good,
But I don't think we're getting through.

"Because the kids don't like it! No, no!
The kids don't like it! No, no, no!
The kids don't like it!
No, they don't like it at all!
I said, the kids don't like it! No, no!
The kids don't like it! No, no, no!
The kids don't like it!
No, they don't like it at all!

"Thought there'd come a day
I'd run out of thing to say,
But now I know it's true:
No one listens anyway…"

Bonus! Song o' the Day: SKAugust

Desmond Dekker & the Aces, "Rudy Got Soul" from King of Ska (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Skammentary:

"'Cause when I sing my song,
You got to move along,
Because Rudy's got, Rudy got soul,
A dancin' soul!…"

The Stars My Destination: Gemini V

The Space Race: That's NumberWang!
The Soviet Union had sparked the Space Race with the 4 October 1957 launch of Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, & the Soviets maintained their lead for the next eight years, with the first manned spaceflight (Yuri Gagarin aboard the Vostok 1 on 12 April 1961), also the first manned orbit of the Earth; the first flight of multiple spacecraft (Vostok 3 & Vostok 4 on 12 August 1962); the first flight of a spacecraft with a crew of more than one (Voskhod 1 on 12 October 1964); & the first spacewalk (Alexei Leonov aboard the Voskhod 2 on 18 March 1965: Wayback Machine—"The Explorers' Club, № DCCXXXVIII").

The United States was playing catch-up, but from the jump showed signs that the Soviets' lead was evaporating & doomed to disappear. The American astronauts were pilots, able to maneuver their Mercury capsules, whereas the Soviet cosmonauts aboard their Vostok capsules were passengers. Soviet formation flight was achieved through meticulously timed launches, whereas the Americans were able to pilot to true orbital rendezvous (Gemini VI-A & Gemini VII on 15-16 December 1965, as we shall soon see—stay tuned!). With the triumph of Gemini V in August 1965, the United States took an insurmountable lead that endured 'til the Space Race was definitively won with the first Moon landing by Apollo 11 (Neil Armstrong & Buzz Aldrin aboard the Eagle on 20 July 1969: Wayback Machine—"№ DCXCVIII", Wayback Machine—"№ DCXCIX", & Wayback Machine—"№ DCC").

Manned missions
United States: 9
Soviet Union: 8

Manned hours in space
United States: 642
Soviet Union: 607

Single-mission orbits
United States: 120
Soviet Union: 81

Capcom: "How does it feel the United States to be a new record holder?"
Cooper: "At last, huh?"

The Explorers' Club, № DCCLXVIII

Operation AXIOM: The Space Race—The 55th Anniversary of Gemini V, Part II
29 August 1965: Problems with the new fuel cells threatened to cut short the mission on day one, but Cooper & Conrad pressed on, setting a new endurance record for manned spaceflight, simulating orbital rendezvous, & gathering a wealth of physiological data; Conrad quipped that he wished he'd brought a book; they splashed down in the Atlantic & were recovered by the U.S.S. Lake Champlain.

Commentary: Gordon Cooper's design for the Gemini V mission patch was emblazoned "8 Days or Bust," an act of bravado with which N.A.S.A. management was none too pleased, reasoning that if the mission did indeed "bust" short of the eight-day goal the bravado would make the public embarrassment that much more acute. The compromise solution was that Cooper & Conrad flew with the patch on their spacesuits, but with "8 Days or Bust" covered up (as seen above) 'til they splashed down & were safely recovered.

Bonus! Space Race Song o' Gemini V
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, "The End of the Road" from Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Take a Break (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary: The Gemini V capsule is on display at Space Center Houston, the Johnson Space Center's official visitor's center, where, in an act of historical vandalism, it has been mocked up to simulate the Gemini IV capsule as it appeared during Ed White's first American spacewalk. For shame! The genuine Gemini IV capsule is displayed in a place of honor at the National Air & Space Musem in Washington, D.C.

Semper exploro.

Saints + Scripture — Please Stand By

The Popish Plot
"Welcome to Year 4"

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAugust

Bite Me Bambi, "Crazy" from the Crazy single (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Skammentary:

"I'm not the kind of girl who'll bail,
I just love to read your mail!
Can't you see we're meant to be?
Don't worry, I don't have a gun.
Oh, God, what have I become?
Look what you've done to me!…"

Bonus! Space Race Song o' Gemini V

They Might Be Giants, "Road Movie to Berlin" (live) from Flood Live in Australia (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary:

"We're in a Road movie to Berlin,
Can drive out the way we drove in…"

Saints + Scripture

Simplex Edition | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

The Popish Plot
"Year 3: What a Crazy Year It's Been!"

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop & Doctor of the Church (354-430, of Hippo; A.K.A. Aurelius Augustinus), fifth (V) Bishop of Hippo Regius (395-430), also a Father of the Church, & author of the Confessions: Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, Doctor-link trēs, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Hippos Regius; Doctors-link & Wikipedia-link Doctors; Fathers-link & Wikipedia-link Fathers; & Confessions-link & Wikipedia-link Confessions.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Son of St. Monica [27 August].

'Tis also the festival of Saint Hermes of Rome, Martyr (died circa 120), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Hadrian: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Brother of St. Theodora of Rome [1 April].

'Tis also the festival of Saint Moses the Black, Priest & Martyr (330-405, of Skete [also spelt Scetis]; A.K.A. the Robber, the Ethiopian, the Strong), one of the Desert Fathers, martyred by pagan Mazices (Berbers): Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Desert Fathers.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Henry Webley, Martyr (circa 1558-1588), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyr-link England & Wales & Wikipedia-link England & Wales.

'Tis also the festival of Blesseds James Claxton, William Dean, William Gunter, Thomas Holford, Hugh More, & Robert Morton, Priests & Martyrs (died 1588), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, six of the one hundred fifty-eight Martyrs of Douai: Martyr-link Juliett Charlie, Martyr-link Whiskey Delta & Wikipedia-link Whiskey Delta, Martyr-link Whiskey Golf, Wikipedia-link Tango Hotel, Martyr-link Hotel Mike, & Martyr-link Romeo Mike; Martyrs-link Douai & Wikipedia-link Douai.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Thomas Felton, Religious & Martyr, O.F.M. (circa 1566-1588), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the one hundred fifty-eight Martyrs of Douai: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link Douai & Wikipedia-link Douai.

Commentary: Bl. Thomas is a son of the martyr Bl. John Felton [8 August]. Our sources indicate that he was seminarian who had studied for the priesthood at Douai & had not been ordained by the time of his martyrdom; no disrespect is intended if he had indeed been ordained a priest.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Edmund Arrowsmith, Priest & Martyr, S.J. (1585-1628; A.K.A. Brian Arrowsmith, Edmund Bradshaw, Edmund Rigby), martyred in the reign of the Anglo-Scottish king Charles I, one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link England & Wales & Wikipedia-link England & Wales.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Friday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter one, verses seventeen thru twenty-five;
Psalm Thirty-three (R/. five), verses one & two, four & five, & ten & eleven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses one thru thirteen.

Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus recognizes the prudence of the ten wise virgins. In the Middle Ages, prudence was called “the queen of the virtues,” because it enabled one to do the right thing in a particular situation. Prudence is a feel for the moral situation, something like the feel that a quarterback has for the playing field or a politician has for the voters in his district.

Wisdom is, like prudence, a kind of vision, but it is, unlike prudence, a sense of the big picture. It is the capacity to survey reality from the vantage point of God, appreciating the grandest perspective. Without wisdom even the most prudent judgment will be erroneous, short-sighted, inadequate.

The combination, therefore, of prudence and wisdom is especially powerful. Someone who is both wise and prudent will have both a sense of the big picture and a feel for the particular situation.

This is the combination possessed by the saints. This is why so many of the saints could be both ethereal and practical. Think of Mother Cabrini—a woman with a remarkably broad vision who was also capable of negotiating with bankers and real estate brokers.

Video reflection by Father Praveen Lakkisetti (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Video reflection by Doctor John Bergsma (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Daily Reflection.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Augustine
The First Letter of John, chapter four, verses seven thru sixteen;
Psalm One Hundred Nineteen (R/. twelve), verses nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, & fourteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-three, verses eight thru twelve.

Scripture Study—Day 91: Decapitation Rock, Day 26
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter twenty, verses one, two, & four thru ten.

Commentary: The Rebellion of Sheba (2 Samuel, 20:1-2, 4-10).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"We have our individual personal duty to be good. That does not mean to be weak. It means to be capable of breaking the sad chain of evil by patience & forgiveness. It means to love, that is, to be Christians."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, r. 1963-1978; feast: 29 May)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"In my deepest wound I saw Your glory, & it dazzled me."
—St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church (354-430, feast: 28 August)

Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day

"If you hear of someone who doesn't want to have her child, who wants to have an abortion, try to convince her to bring the child to me. I will love that child, who is a sign of God's love… I don't think any human heart should dare to take life, or any human hand be raised to destroy life. Life is the life of God in us. Life is the greatest gift that God has bestowed on human beings, & man has been created in the image of God. Life belongs to God, & we have no right to destory it."
—St. Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAugust

Mad Caddies, "The Joust" from Duck and Cover (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Bonus! Space Race Song o' Gemini V

Fastball, "Nowhere Road" from All the Pain Money Can Buy (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary:

"It don't matter what they say,
You can't get there going this way…"

Saints + Scripture

Simplex Complex Edition | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Monica (circa 322-387, of Hippo): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duæ, Saint-link tria, Saint-link The Bible & the Church Fathers, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Mother of the bishop & Doctor of the Church St. Augustine of Hippo [28 August].

'Tis also the festival of Saints Rufus, Deacon, & Carpophorus, Martyrs (died circa 295), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian: Martyr-link Romeo, Martyr-link Charlie, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Caesarius of Arles, Bishop (circa 468-543, A.K.A. of Chalon), fifteenth (XV) Archbishop of Arles (503-543), presider over the Council of Agde (506) & the Second Council of Orange (529): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Arles, & Wikipedia-link Agde & Wikipedia-link Orange.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Decuman, Hermit & Martyr (died circa 706, A.K.A. Dagan), martyred by a pagan Celt, a cephalophore: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Cephalophore.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Roger Cadwallador, Priest & Martyr (circa 1566-1610), martyred in the reign of the Anglo-Scottish king James VI & I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link England & Wales & Wikipedia-link England & Wales.

'Tis also the festival of Saint David Lewis, Priest & Martyr, S.J. (1616-1679, A.K.A. Charles Baker), martyred in the reign of the Anglo-Scottish king Charles II, a victim of the perjurer Titus Oates's "Popish Plot" hoax; one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Popish Plot-link & Wikipedia-link Popish Plot; & Martyrs-link England & Wales & Wikipedia-link England & Wales.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Thursday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter one, verses one thru nine;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-five (R/. one), verses two & three, four & five, & six & seven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-four, verses forty-two thru fifty-one.

Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus praises the faithful servant who served his master in a theo-drama. We are called to serve our Master in the same way. A theo-drama is written and directed by God. On the great stage that is the created universe and according to the prototype that is Christ, we are invited to “act,” to find and play our role in God’s theater.

The problem is that the vast majority of us think that we are the directors, writers, and above all, stars of our own “ego-dramas,” with other people functioning as either our supporting players or the villains in contrast to whom we shine all the brighter.

Of course, our dramas are always uninteresting, even if we are playing the lead role. The key is to find the role that God has designed for us, even if it looks like a bit part. Sometimes, in a lengthy novel, a character who has seemed minor emerges as the fulcrum around which the entire narrative turns.

When we de-center the ego and live in an exciting and unpredictable relationship to God, we realize very clearly that our lives are not about us. And that’s a liberating discovery.

Video reflection by Father Roger Lopez, O.F.M. (U.S.C. of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Video reflection by Becket Ghioto (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Daily Reflection.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Monica
The Book of Sirach, chapter twenty-six, verses one thru four & thirteen thru sixteen;
Psalm One Hundred Thirty-one (R/. "In You, Lord, I have found my peace"), verses one (b/c/d/e), two, & three;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter seven, verses eleven thru seventeen.

Scripture Study—Day 91: Decapitation Rock, Day 25
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter nineteen, verses thirty-two thru forty.

Commentary: David Blesses Barzillai (2 Samuel, 19:32-40).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Change your thoughts, your tastes according to the will of God. Correct those faults that we often boast of as our principles & qualities. Search for a continual interior uprightness of feelings & resolutions. Let yourselves really be guided by the love of God & by the love of your neighbor."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, r. 1963-1978; feast: 29 May)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Nothing is far from God."
—St. Monica of Hippo (322-387, feast: 27 August)

Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day

"What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight: Build anyway."
—St. Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)

Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day

"Look at the limitations of our reason: how poor it is! Even those with very good powers of reason have admitted in the end that they have captured just a little of truth. The great scientist Isaac Newton said that he felt as if he were standing on the seashore of infinite truth & the vast waters of knowledge stretched endlessly before him. Socrates, one of the wisest of the Greeks, said, 'There is only one thing that I know & that is that I know nothing.' Thomas Aquinas, who was the greatest mind that ever lived, said at the end of his life that all he had written seemed to him as so much straw in comparison to a dim vision that he received of heaven."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAugust

The Loose Ties, "Becca's Song (I Don't Love You Enough)" from Champ of the Week (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Skammentary:

"So you think there might be something out there better than me,
And you'd be missing out if you just didn't look see,
And if you find it's not true, you hope it's still you and me,
But don't count on it, 'cause I won't wait.

"And you really do like me, but you just can't get past yourself
And you can't give it all up and put me before everything else,
Well, at least you've been honest, but still all I hear is:
'I don't love you enough'…"

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAugust

Nothing for Something, "Ska Kids" courtesy Sergeant Ska (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Skammentary:

"Many guys will leave the show tonight with a little girl in tow (All right!),
For us it's always just dance, dance, dance,
And we never will get a chance—

"'Cause ska kids (Hey!), we never get laid!
And ska bands (Hey!), they never get paid!
Oh, no! Oh, no! Oh, no!…"

Bonus! Space Race Song o' Gemini V

Fountains of Wayne, "A Road Song" from Sky Full of Holes (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary:

"Wish I was lyin',
But there isn't much to report,
My phone is dyin',
So I got to keep it short…"

Saints + Scripture

Simplex Complex Edition | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

'Tis the festival of Our Lady of Częstochowa (A.K.A. the Black Madonna of Częstochowa), housed at the Jasna Góra Monastery: Madonna-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Jasna Góra.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Melchizedek, Priest (second millennium B.C.), king of Salem: Patriarch-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Salem.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Alexander of Bergamo, Martyr (died circa 303), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution (303-313): Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Persecutions-link & Wikipedia-link Great Persecution.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Bregowine of Canterbury, Bishop (died 764, also spelt Bregwin), thirteenth (XIII) Archbishop of Canterbury (760-764): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link, Wikipedia-link Canterbury, & Wikipedia-link Archbishops.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Joan Elizabeth Bichier des Âges, Religious, F.C. (1773-1838), co-foundress of the Sisters of the Cross, Sisters of Saint Andrew (1807, F.C.): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link F.C.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Mary of Jesus Crucified, Virgin, O.C.D. (1846-1878, A.K.A. Mariam of Bethlehem, Mariam Baouardy), stigmatic: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Stigmata-link & Wikipedia-link Stigmata.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Religious, H.A.D. (1843-1897, A.K.A. Teresa Jornet Ibars), foundress of the Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly (1872, H.A.D.): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link H.A.D.

Commentary: Grand-niece of Bl. Francisco Palau [7 November].

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Wednesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
The Second Letter to the Thessalonians, chapter three, verses six thru ten, sixteen, seventeen, & eighteen;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-eight (R/. one), verses one & two, & four & five;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-three, verses twenty-seven thru thirty-two.

Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus judges the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. He says, “On the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.”

One of the greatest dangers in the spiritual life is to fall into the trap of auto-salvation, the conviction that one can save oneself through heroic moral effort. The principal problem with such a strategy is that it results in the strengthening of the very egotism that one hopes to overcome.
What Jesus so vehemently critiqued in the Pharisees was just this kind of egotism: “You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones.” Sin is not a weakness that we can overcome but a condition from which we have to be saved.

This insight should allow us, at an elemental psychological and spiritual level, to relax and to surrender. What happens often in the hearts of sinners is a kind of tightening of the spirit as the mind and will strive to break out of the prison of fear. All of this stretching and straining serves only to throw the ego back on itself in a misery of failure and self-reproach.

Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D. (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Video reflection by Doctor John Bergsma (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Daily Reflection.

Scripture Study—Day 91: Decapitation Rock, Day 24
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter nineteen, verses twenty-four thru thirty.

Commentary: David & Mephibosheth Meet (2 Samuel, 19:24-30).

Scripture Study—Pierced Hands Bible Reading Plan: Day 23
The Book of Genesis, chapter forty-four (verses one thru thirty-four);
The Book of Genesis, chapter forty-five (verses one thru twenty-eight);
The Book of the Psalms, psalm twenty-three (verses one thru six);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eleven, verses twenty thru thirty.

Commentary: Joseph Detains Benjamin (Genesis, 44:1-17), Judah Pleads for Benjamin's Release (Genesis, 44:18-34), & Joseph Makes Himself Known to His Brothers (Genesis, 45:1-28); the Divine Shepherd (Psalm 23); & Jesus Upbraids the Unrepentant Cities (Matthew, 11:20-24) & Jesus Thanks His Father (Matthew, 11:25-30).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Hope, which is the gaze of the Church turned toward the future, fills her heart, & tells us how it is throbbing in new & loving expectation. The Church is not old, she is ancient. Time does not subdue her; it rejuvenates her."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, r. 1963-1978; feast: 29 May)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Be careful to be gentle, lest in removing the rust, you break the whole instrument."
—St. Benedict of Nursia, O.S.B. (480-543, feast: 11 July)

Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day

"Each one of us is merely a small instrument. All of us, after accomplishing our mission, will disappear. The only question is: Will you collaborate with God so He can use you to do His work here on earth?"
—St. Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)

Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day

"Early Saturday morning, therefore, the chief priests & the Pharisees broke the Sabbath & presented themselves to Pilate saying, 'This deceiver while yet alive said, "I am to rise again after three days." Give orders then that his tomb shall be securely guarded until the third day, or perhaps his disciples will come & steal him away. And they could then say to the people, "He has risen from the dead." This last deceit would be more dangerous than the others.' But Pilate was in no mood to see this group. He had made his own official investigation. Christ was dead. He would not submit to the absurdity of using Caesar’s armies to guard a dead Jew.

"Pilate therefore said to them, 'You have guards, away with you. Make it as secure as best you know how.' There must be a seal, & the enemies would seal it. There must be a watch, & the enemies must keep it. The certificates of the death & Resurrection must be signed by the enemies themselves. The Gentiles were satisfied through nature that Christ was dead, & the Jews were satisfied through the law that he was dead. As the Gospel of Matthew puts it, 'And they went & made the tomb secure, putting a seal on the stone & setting a guard over it.' The king lay in state with His guard about Him. And the most astounding fact about this spectacle of vigilance over the dead is that the enemies of Christ expected the Resurrection, but His friends did not. It was the believers who were the skeptics. It was the unbelievers who were credulous."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

The Explorers' Club, № DCCLXVII

Operation AXIOM: After the World War—The German Revolution, Part X
13-20 March 1920: The Kapp Putsch—Reichswehr general Walther von Lüttwitz seized power in Berlin & civil servant Wolfgang Kapp declared himself Reichskanzler; Reichspräsident Ebert & the lawful cabinet fled first to Dresden then to Stuttgart & called for a general strike that brought Germany to a standstill; unable to govern, with no water, gas, nor electricity in Berlin, Kapp & Lüttwitz resigned.

Commentary: I am very sorry to be late in dedicating an episode to the Kapp Putsch. I knew the centenary of the putsch was coming up, but failed to make proper note of it on my calendar & this is the all-too-predictable result. March 2020 was a busy month for "The Explorers' Club," with the fifty-first anniversary of Apollo 9 & the fifty-fifth anniversaries of Voskhod 2 & Gemini 3, but I wished to, ought to have, & regret having not commemorated the Kapp Putsch on schedule.

Lest we forget.

Saints + Scripture

Better Late Than Never, Simplex Complex Edition | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Louis (1214-1270, A.K.A. King Louis IX of France), leader of the Seventh Crusade (1248-1254) & the Eighth Crusade (1270), & builder of the Sainte-Chapelle (1248, "Holy Chapel"): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, Saint-link trēs, & Wikipedia-link; Crusade-link VII & Wikipedia-link Seventh Crusade; Crusade-link VIII & Wikipedia-link Eighth Crusade; & Wikipedia-link Sainte-Chapelle.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth Minute Meditations from the Popes:

O Lord, grant me the generosity of spirit of St. Louis, the King. He served his country all his life; calling his fellow citizens to build a society based on Christ's teachings. Help me to do the same.

'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Saint Joseph Calasanz, Priest, Sch.P. (1557-1648, A.K.A. Josephus a Mater Dei ["Joseph of the Mother of God"]), founder of the Piarists (Sch.P.), formally the Order of Poor Clerics Regular of the Mother of God of the Pious Schools, A.K.A. the Scolopi: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Order-link & Wikipedia-link Sch.P.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Aredius of Limoges, Abbot (circa 510-591, A.K.A. Yrieix), founding abbot of the abbey at Attanum (564-591; later, St. Yrieix): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Saint-Yrieix-le-Déjalat.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Gregory of Utrecht, Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 700-775, A.K.A. of Pfalzel), abbot of the Abbey of St. Martin (750-775) & apostolic administrator of Utrecht (754-775): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link & Wikipedia-link Utrecht.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Thomas de Cantilupe, Bishop (circa 1218-1282), Bishop of Hereford (1275-1282), an attendee of the Second Council of Lyon (1272-1274, the fourteenth [XIV] ecumenical council): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link & Wikipedia-link Hereford; & Wikipedia-link Lyon.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Luigi of the Consolata, Priest (1922-1977, A.K.A. Andrea Bordino): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Alessandro Dordi, Priest & Martyr (1961-1991), martyred by the Shining Path Communists, one of the Three Martyrs of Chimbote: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Chimbote.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
The Second Letter to the Thessalonians, chapter two, verses one, two, three(a), & fourteen thru seventeen;
Psalm Ninety-six (R/. thirteen[b]), verses ten, eleven & twelve, & thirteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-three, verses twenty-three thru twenty-six.

Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus forcefully calls the Pharisees (and us) to change their hearts and behavior.

St. Augustine defines sin as incurvatus in se—that means “caved in around oneself.” To be in sin is to be “caved in” around the ego and its narrow concerns. When the Lord says, “Reform your life,” he means move from that old mind and make him the center of your life.

We must know and feel in our bones what is wrong in us; we must look it in the face and acknowledge it with uncompromising honesty. Without this journey into our own inner hell, we will not feel the compunction to shift our way of being and seeing. And we must awaken to what is godlike in us, what is rich and unbroken, what is united with the saving designs of God. Without this clear sense, we will fall into complacency and see metanoia as, at best, a cruel illusion.

Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M. (U.S.C. of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Louis
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-eight, verses six thru eleven;
Psalm One Hundred Twelve (R/. one or "Alleluia"), verses one & two, three & four, five & six, seven & eight, & nine;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-two, verses thirty-four thru forty.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Joseph Calasanz
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter twelve, verse thirty-one thru chapter thirteen, verse thirteen
(or, the First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter thirteen, verses four thru thirteen);
Psalm Thirty-four (R/. two or nine), verses two & three, four & five, six & seven, eight & nine, & ten & eleven;
The Gospel according to Matthew , chapter eighteen, verses one thru five.

Scripture Study—Day 91: Decapitation Rock, Day 23
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter nineteen, verses sixteen thru twenty-three.

Commentary: Shime-i Meets David & Is Forgiven (2 Samuel, 19:16-23).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Christians should conscientiously take up their civic duties in a spirit of disinterested service. This will lead them to renounce seeking their personal gain, power, or prestige, if it is harmful to others."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, r. 1963-1978; feast: 29 May)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Have a tender pitiful heart for the poor & for all those whom you believe to be in misery of heart or body &, according to your ability, comfort & aid them with some alms."
—St. Louis (1214-1270, feast: 25 August)

Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day

"So helpless & weak. I think that is why God uses me, because I cannot depend on my own strength. I rely on Him twenty-four hours a day. If the day had even more hours, then I would need His help & grace during those hours too. I cling to Him in prayer, & I encourage you to do the same."
—St. Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)

Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day

"Evil is not positive. Evil is either an excess or a defect of what is good. Food is good. Too little of it is bad; too much of it is bad. Drink is good. Too little of it is bad; too much of it is bad. Sleep is good. However, when sleep interferes with duty, it is not good. Evil is very much like darkness. It is the absence of light. It has no purpose outside itself. Rather, it has no substance of its own. That is a better way to put it. All badness is spoiled goodness. A bad apple is a good apple that became rotten. Because evil has no capital of its own, it is a parasite that feeds on goodness. Living in this universe, with reason & will, we can see that this universe is a veil of soul-making. We were made to be good; we were made to attain the truth."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

Bonus! Space Race Song o' Gemini V

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, "Country Roads" from Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Have Another Ball (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAugust

Less Than Jake, "Johnny Quest (Thinks We're Sellouts)" from Losing Streak (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Skammentary:

"Well, I really don't know,
If it matters, and also,
But we try to keep the prices low
For our records and our show.

"But is that, is that enough?
Or is it that we're not punk enough?
Is it that you think ska just sucks?
Johnny Quest, he thinks we're what?…"

Bonus! Space Race Song o' Gemini V

Lindsey Buckingham, "Holiday Road (Live)" from Live at the Bass Performance Hall (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)

Saints + Scripture: Feast of Saint Bartholomew

The Popish Plot
"Please, Come Back to Mass"

'Tis the Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle (first century, A.K.A. Nathanael): Apostle-link ūnus, Apostle-link duo, Apostle-link trēs, Wikipedia-link Bravo, & Wikipedia-link November; Apostles-link & Wikipedia-link Twelve Apostles.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feast of St. Bartholomew
The Book of Revelation, chapter twenty-one, verses nine(b) thru fourteen;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-five (R/. twelve), verses ten & eleven, twelve & thirteen, & seventeen & eighteen;
The Gospel according to John, chapter one, verses forty-five thru fifty-one.

Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in a conversation with Jesus in today’s Gospel, Nathaniel (usually identified with the Apostle Bartholomew) makes the earliest New Testament profession of faith in Christ’s divinity: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God." Faith is the virtue upon which Christianity rests and is the capacity to see beyond the senses to a deeper or higher reality.

There is an anticipation of faith in Plato’s parable of the cave in which a man escapes from a cavern where he had been forced to see only flickering shadows on the wall. When he emerges from the darkness, he is blinded by the intensity of the sunlight. When his eyes adjust, he surveys a new world of depth and color.

In a similar way, Christianity holds that God’s revelation draws us beyond what we can know and introduces us to a dimension of being, vibrating at a higher pitch. To be a person of faith is to know that the universe of the senses is but the tip of the iceberg, a gateway. And it is to resist the idolatry of Enlightenment rationalism, which tells us that only superstition and obscurantism lie beyond what we human beings can measure.

Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Video reflection by Curtis Mitch (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Daily Reflection.

Scripture Study—Day 91: Decapitation Rock, Day 22
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter nineteen, verses nine thru fifteen.

Commentary: David Mourns for Absalom (2 Samuel, 19:9-10) & David Is Recalled (2 Samuel, 19:11-15).

'Tis also the festival of Saint Audoin of Rouen, Bishop (circa 605-684; also spelt Ouen, Aldwin, etc.; A.K.A. Dado), Bishop of Rouen (641-684): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link & Wikipedia-link Rouen.

Commentary: Son of St. Authaire of La-Ferté [24 April].

'Tis also the festival of Saint Émilie de Vialar, Virgin, S.J.A. (1797-1856), foundress of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Apparition (1832, S.J.A.): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Order-link & Wikipedia-link S.J.A.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Maksymilian Binkiewicz, Priest & Martyr (circa 1908-1942), martyred in the reign of the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, one of the One Hundred Eight Blessed Polish Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link (List, № 52); Martyrs-link Polska & Wikipedia-link Polska.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Edward Kaźmierski, Martyr (1919-1942), martyred in the reign of the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, one of the One Hundred Eight Blessed Polish Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link Polska & Wikipedia-link Polska.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Veronica Antal, Virgin & Martyr, T.O.S.F. (1935-1958) martyred by her attempted rapist, Pavel Mocanu: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"I call. I call you. I know that this is bold of me, maybe even vain, possibly a bit inconvenient. But I must call out as Jesus did: come with me. This is to ask for a precious gift, the gift of yourself to the Lord, a sacrifice without limitations."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, r. 1963-1978; feast: 29 May)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"The holy King David tells us that one day spent in the service of God is of more value than a thousand others which the children of this world spend in their luxuries & pleasures."
—St. Jean-Marie Vianney (1786-1859, feast: 4 August)

Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day

"We fear the future because we are wasting the today."
—St. Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)

Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day

"What makes a thing bad? Well, here is a pencil. This is a good pencil; it writes. That was why it was made. Is it a good can opener? It certainly is not. Suppose I use it as a can opener. What happens? First of all, I do not open the can. I do not attain the purpose for which I used the pencil. Second, I destroy the pencil. Now if I, for example, decide to do certain things which I ought not to do, I do not attain the purpose for which I was created. For example, becoming an alcoholic does not make me happy. Furthermore, I destroy myself, just as I destroyed the pencil in using it to open a can. When I disobey God, I do not make myself very happy on the inside, & I certainly destroy any peace of soul that I ought to have."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAugust

Catch 22, "Keasbey Nights" from Keasbey Nights (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Skammentary:

"When they come for me I'll be sitting at my desk
With a gun in my hand wearing a bulletproof vest,
Singing 'My, my, my, how the time must fly
'When you know you're gonna die by the end of the night'…"

Bonus! Space Race Song o' Gemini V

Smash Mouth, "Road Man" from Astro Lounge (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)

Saints + Scripture: XXI Sunday in Tempus per annum

Better Late than Never, Simplex Complex Edition | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

'Tis the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Book of Isaiah, chapter twenty-two, verses nineteen thru twenty-three;
Psalm One Hundred Thirty-eight (R/. eight[b/c]), verses one & two, two & three, & six & eight;
The Letter to the Romans, chapter eleven, verses thirty-three thru thirty-six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter sixteen, verses thirteen thru twenty.

Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus asks his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" In response, the disciples said, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." But what all of those readings—reflective of the popular consensus—had in common was that they were wrong.

Having heard the results of this popular opinion survey, Jesus turns to his inner circle, the Twelve, and asks, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter alone speaks: "You are the Christ [the Messiah], the Son of the living God."

He would have said Mashiach, "the anointed," the one who would gather the tribes and cleanse the temple and defeat Israel’s enemies, but then he added that startling phrase, "Son of the living God." Even at this relatively early stage in Jesus’ ministry, Peter intuited that Jesus was much more than a prophet or rabbi or seer, however significant. He knew that there was something qualitatively different about his master.

Video reflection by Father Joseph Pisaneschi (U.S.C. of Catholic Bishops): Sunday Reflection.

Video reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire): Sunday Sermon.

Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D. (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Breaking the Bread.

Scripture Study—Day 91: Decapitation Rock, Day 21
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter nineteen, verses one thru eight.

Commentary: David Mourns for Absalom (2 Samuel, 19:1-8).

†

Otherwise, 23 August would be the festival of Saint Zacchaeus of Jerusalem, Bishop (died 116, A.K.A. Zacharias), fourth (IV) Bishop of Jerusalem (112-116): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link & Wikipedia-link Jerusalem.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Tydfil, Martyr (died circa 480, also spelt Tudfil), martyred by pagans (variously given as Picts, Welsh, or Saxons): Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Daughter of St. Brychan of Brycheiniog [6 April].

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Victor of Vita, Bishop (floruit 484), Bishop of Vita (484), exiled by Arian heretics: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Vita, & Heresy-link & Wikipedia-link Arianism.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Éogan of Ardstraw, Bishop & Abbot (died circa 618; A.K.A. Eugenius, Tir Eoghain, Tyrone), inaugural Bishop of Ardstraw (581-618), abbot of the Abbey of Kilnamanagh (561-576): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Ardstraw.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Filippo Benizzi, Priest, O.S.M. (1233-1285, Anglicized as Philip Benizi, Philip Benitius), Superior General of the Servite Order (1267-1285), who attended the Second Council of Lyon (1272-1274, the fourteenth [XIV] ecumenical council): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Lyon.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Rose of Lima, Virgin, T.O.S.D. (1586-1617, A.K.A. Isabel Flores de Oliva): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, Saint-link tria, & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Juan María de la Cruz, Priest & Martyr, S.C.I. (1891-1936, A.K.A. Mariano García Méndez), martyred by Spanish Communist "Republicans" (Rojos), one of the Two Hundred Thirty-three Spanish Martyrs (A.K.A. the Martyrs of Valencia): Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link España & Wikipedia-link España.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Faith in the God of Jesus Christ means faith in the God Who still opens up, really & truly, a future behind the wall of death. Only if that happens is the future truly promised."
—Pope Benedict XVI (b. 1927, r. 2005-2013)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"When we serve the poor & the sick we serve Jesus. We must not fail to help our neighbors, because in them we serve Jesus."
—St. Rose of Lima, T.O.S.D. (1586-1617, feast: 23 August)

Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day

"Here is another paradox: When you don't have anything, then you have everything. Having nothing liberates you in unimaginable ways. Be careful what you become attached to. In the end we have to give it all up anyway. But it is not true that we leave this world with nothing just as we come into the world with nothing. We cant take things or money with us, but we take all the love we have allowed God to full us with."
—St. Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Lord's Day: XXI

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Five Iron Frenzy, "World without End" from All the Hype That Money Can Buy (St. Mike Papa Whiskey)

Bonus! Song o' the Day: SKAugust

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "The Impression That I Get" from Let's Face It (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Skammentary:

"…I'm not a coward, I've just never been tested,
I'd like to think that if I was, I would pass,
Look at the tested and think, 'There but for the grace go I,'
Might be a coward, I'm afraid of what I might find out.

"Never had to knock on wood,
But I know someone who has,
Which makes me wonder if I could,
It make me wonder if I—
Never had to knock on wood,
And I'm glad I haven't yet,
Because I'm sure it isn't good,
That's the impression that I get.

"Never had to, but I better knock on wood,
'Cause I know someone who has,
Which makes me wonder if I could,
It make me wonder if I—
Never had to, but I better knock on wood,
'Cause I'm sure it isn't good,
And I'm glad I haven't yet,
That's the impression that I get."

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAugust

Ska Cubano, "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" from ¡Ay Caramba! (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Bonus! Space Race Song o' Gemini V

Michael Giacchino, "Road Trip!" from The Incredibles: Music from the Motion Picture (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)