Project BLACK MAMBA: Advent

'Tis the feast of Saint Zephyrinus, Pope (died 217), fifteenth Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Dominic of Silos, Priest & Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 1000-1073): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Dominic of Silos was born in Spain around the year 1000 into a peasant family. As a young boy he spent time in the fields, where he welcomed the solitude. He became a Benedictine priest & served in numerous leadership positions. Following a dispute with the king over property, Dominic & two other monks were exiled. They established a new monastery in what at first seemed an unpromising location. Under Dominic's leadership, however, it became one of the most famous houses in Spain. Many healings were reported there. About one hundred years after Dominic's death, a young woman made a pilgrimage to his tomb. There Dominic of Silos appeared to her & assured her that she would bear another son. The woman was (Bl.) Joan of Aza (2 August), & the son she bore grew up to be the "other" Dominic—the one who founded the Dominicans.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Vincent Romano, Priest (1751-1831), the "Worker Priest:" Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Isaiah, chapter seven, verses ten thru fourteen;
Psalm Twenty-four, verses one thru four(b), five, & six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter one, verses twenty-six thru thirty-eight.

Individual Reading
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eleven, verses two thru thirty.

Commentary: IV. Opposition from Israel: The Messengers from John the Baptist (11:2-6), Jesus's Testimony to John (11:7-19), Reproaches to Unrepentant Towns (11:20-24), the Praise of the Father (11:25-27), & the Gentle Mastery of Christ (11:28-30).

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song of the Day

Reel Big Fish, "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" from the Happy Skalidays E.P. (The Last Jolly Man)

Skammentary: It was in preparing to assign this whole week's R.B.D.S.O.T.D. to R.B.F.'s Happy Skalidays that I discovered, very much to my surprise, that "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" had never been a part of the R.B.D.S.O.T.D.'s Christmas observance. So, attentive readers got received a double helping of the silly Christmas classic. You're welcome!

Cold pizza & a Red Bull: the breakfast of champions.

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song of the Day

Reel Big Fish, "Skank for Christmas" from the Happy Skalidays E.P. (The Last Jolly Man)

Skammentary: Interwoven within "Skank for Christmas's" original melody is a medley of Christmas classics. This is just the tip of the iceberg of uncharacteristic things about Happy Skalidays.

"I don't wanna go riding in a one-horse sleigh,
I don't care about a winder wonderland anyway,
I don't wanna build a man out of ice and snow,
I don't wanna kiss under the mistletoe,
I don't care if there are presents underneath the tree,
Well, there's just one thing I need.

"I just wanna,
I just wanna,
I just wanna,
I just wanna,
I just wanna skank for Christmas!

"I don't wanna eat sugar plumbs or candy canes,
I don't wanna go wassailing, whatever that means,
I don't care about a white-bearded man in red,
I don't care about elves or a reindeer-pulled sled,
I don't care if Rudolph's nose is shining bright,
There's only one thing I need tonight.

"I just wanna,
I really, really wanna,
I just wanna,
I only, only wanna,
I just wanna skank for Christmas!

"I don't wanna roast chestnuts on an open flame,
Silver bells and tinsel won't make my day,
I didn't hang up my stocking above the fireplace,
But I've got my dancing shoes on and I'm running in place,
Baby, it's cold outside, but don't worry,
Once we start dancing we'll be warm in a hurry.
Let's go!

"Dancer, Dasher, Prancer, Vixen,
Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen,
You could turn 'em all into venison,
Tails (unintelligible) medicine!

"I don't care about coal in my stocking,
Sugar plumb fairies or jingle bell rocking,
Maybe I could use a little ho-ho-ho,
Well, we'll just see how it goes!…

"And there's nobody
I'd rather be skanking with
Than you!

"And of course, when I say 'skank' I'm talking about the ska dance, and nothing else. Merry Christmas!"

Your humble narrator did once pen the lines, for the Real Can of Yams song "Riot Grrl":

"I want a girl who likes to skank,
I want a girl who's not a skank…"

Project BLACK MAMBA: Advent

'Tis the feast of Saint Anastasius I, Pope (died circa 401), thirty-ninth Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Urban V, Pope, O.S.B. (1310-1370), two hundredth Bishop of Rome: Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Kazimiera Wołowska, Prioress & Martyr (1879-1942, A.K.A. Maria Marta of Jesus, Marta Wołowska), martyred in the reign of the Führer Adolf Hitler, one of the One Hundred Eight Martyrs of World War II: Martyr-link; Martyrs-link CVIII & Wikipedia-link CVIII.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed René Dubroux, Priest & Martyr, M.E.P. (1914-1959), martyred at the hands of the Pathet Lao, one of the Martyrs of Laos: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link Laos.

Commentary: Father Dubroux & his fellow martyrs were beatified way back on 11 December 2016.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Judges, chapter thirteen, verses two thru seven, twenty-four, & twenty-five(a);
Psalm Seventy-one, verses three, four(a), five, six(a,b), sixteen, & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter one, verses five thru twenty-five.

Individual Reading
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten (verses one thru forty-two);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eleven, verse one.

Commentary: The Mission of the Twelve (10:1-4), the Commissioning of the Twelve (10:5-15), Coming Persecutions (10:16-25), Courage under Persecution (10:26-33), Jesus: A Cause of Division (10:34-36), the Conditions of Discipleship (10:37-39), & Rewards (10:40-11:1).

The Explorers' Club, № DXXVIII

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Battle of Verdun, Part VI
15-17 December 1916: The "Second Offensive"—Again preceded by a six-day artillery bombardment, French infantry attacked, finding two-thirds of the German defenders still sheltering from the creeping barrage; 13,000-plus men & over a hundred heavy guns were captured; Verdun was a defeat for the Germans & a victory for the French, but the morale & discipline of the French army was crumbling.

The Wayback Machine Tour of the Battle of Verdun
№ CDLXXXV: "Bleed France Dry" (Part I)
№ CDLXXXVII: The Capture of Fort Douaumont (Part II)
№ CDXCII: "On ne passe pas! ("They Shall Not Pass!") (Part III)
№ DI: The Siege & Capture of Fort Vaux (Part IV)
№ DXX: The "First Offensive" Recaptures Forts Douaumont & Vaux (Part V)

Lest we forget.

Project BLACK MAMBA: Fourth Sunday of Advent

'Tis the Fourth Sunday of Advent: Advent-link & Wikipedia-link.

Otherwise, 18 December would be the feast of Saint Auxentius of Mopsuetia, Bishop (died circa 321): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the feast of Saint Samthann of Clonbroney, Abbess (died 739): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the feast of Saint Winebald of Heidenheim, Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 701-768, A.K.A. numerous variant spellings): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Fourth Sunday of Advent
Mass Readings
The Book of Isaiah, chapter seven, verses ten thru fourteen;
Psalm Twenty-four, verses one thru six;
The Letter to the Romans, chapter one, verses one thru seventeen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter one, verses eighteen thru twenty-four.

* * * * *

Saturday, 17 December was the feast of Saint Lazarus of Bethany (first century, A.K.A. Lazarus of the Four Days): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twas also the feast of Saint Sturmi of Fulda, Priest & Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 705-779, A.K.A. Sturm): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the feast of Saint John of Matha, Priest, O.SS.T. (circa 1160-1213), co-founder of the Trinitarians, formally the Order of the Most Holy Trinity & of the Captives: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.SS.T.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Genesis, chapter forty-nine, verses two, eight, nine, & ten;
Psalm Seventy-two, verses one thru four(b), seven, eight, & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter one, verses one thru seventeen.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the 4th Sunday of Advent

Sufjan Stevens, "Once in Royal David's City" from Songs for Christmas (The Last Jolly Man)

Commentary: There are two versions of "Once in Royal David's City" on Songs for Christmas, which is less an album than a compendium of several Advent/Christmastide E.P.s; this is the shorter, purely instrumental version. 'Tis a very lovely song.

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song of the Day

Eartha Kitt, "Santa Baby" from Elf: Music from the Major Motion Picture (The Last Jolly Man)

Commentary: There are many renditions of "Santa Baby," many of them good, but none better than the original. Orson Welles once called Eartha Kitt the "most exciting woman in the world." That sounds about right.

Project BLACK MAMBA: Advent

'Tis the feast of Saint Ado of Vienne, Bishop, O.S.B. (died circa 875): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Nicholas Chrysoberges, Bishop (died 996, A.K.A. Nicholas II of Constantinople): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Adelaide of Italy (931-999, A.K.A. of Burgundy), Holy Roman Empress: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-three, verses one, two, three(a), six, seven, & eight;
Psalm Sixty-seven, verses two, three, five, seven, & eight;
The Gospel according to John, chapter five, verses thirty-three thru thirty-six.

Individual Reading
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter nine (verses one thru thirty-eight).

Commentary: The Healing of a Paralytic (9:1-8), the Call of Matthew (9:9-13), the Question about Fasting (9:14-17), the Official's Daughter & the Woman with a Hemorrhage (9:18-26), the Healing of Two Blind Men (9:27-31), the Healing of a Mute Person (9:32-34), & the Compassion of Jesus (9:35-38).

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song of the Day

Elmo & Patsy, "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" via iTunes (The Last Jolly Man)

Commentary: Classics are not necessarily classy.

"When we found her Christmas morning,
At the scene of the attack,
She had hoof prints on forehead,
And incriminating Claus marks on her back!

"Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas Eve.
You can say there's no such thing as Santa,
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe…"

The Victors: Team 137, Game 10

Saturday, 12 November 2016 @ Kinnick Stadium
Iowa 14-13 Michigan (№ 2)
9-1, B1G 6-1

Coming into the season, the strength of Team 137, the 2016 squad of the valiant Wolverines, was presumed to be the defense. No one yet knew that the defense would become Uncle Don's Murder Machine, an even deadlier, stingier unit than Team 136's defense under then-defensive coordinator D. J. Durkin, but the defense was less of a question mark than the offense. With the exhaustion of grad transfer Jake Rudock's N.C.A.A. eligibility, who would be the Michigan quarterback? Houston transfer John O'Korn or Rudock's backup Wilton Speight? Speight won the job over O'Korn by a whisker just before the start of the season; week by week, Speight matured into a serviceable quarterback, not a world-beater, but a quarterback who rarely put Michigan's magnificent defense into untenable situations: "Mr. Efficiency," some pundits called him. As 2016 rolled on, the "Fighting Harbaughs" had an offense that put up often gaudy numbers—no fewer than forty-five points in any of the first four games, an astronomical seventy-eight against Rutgers, & fifty-nine against Maryland. On a windy day in Iowa City, against a tenacious Hawkeyes squad that had had a disappointing season, none of that earlier offensive acumen would be on display.

The defeat was a whole-team affair; we all contributed. The once-powerful offense was hapless most of the day, looking competent only on a first-quarter touchdown drive & finishing the day with a paltry two hundred one yards of offense. An ill-conceived & extremely poorly-blocked run deep in our own end led to De'Veon Smith being tackled in Michigan's own end zone, giving Iowa a safety. Speight threw poorly, finishing the day eleven of twenty-six (11/26) with no touchdowns & an interception; the ugly & inopportune interception just when we were looking to put the game away late in the fourth quarter. The special teams, normally a strength, were a mixed bag. Kicker Kenny Allen made a career-long field goal (fifty-one yards!), but the second-half kickoff was fumbled & recovered by Iowa, who gained their first lead of the game witht he ensuing field goal. A facemask penalty in the waning second gave Iowa exquisite field position from which to kick the game-winning field goal. The defense did everything that could be asked of it, including thwarting Iowa on the two-point conversion attempt after the tenacious Hawkeyes' lone touchdown, but the offensive & special-teams ineptitude gave Iowa too many short fields in which to operate, allowing their field goal kicker to negate the Murder Machine's inherent advantages.

On a weird day in college football, Michigan was not alone among top-five clubs in losing, & so did not suffer tremendously in the follow week's poles. More ominously, though, we had failed our first significant road test of the year. Of the previous nine games, only two had been played outside the friendly confines of Michigan Stadium, but neither of those could be considered a real test, as they were at the alien Scarlet Knights of Rutgers & the dastardly Spartans of Michigan State, two clubs that between them would finish the year with a solitary B1G win (& that only because "Moo U." defeated the State University of New Jersey in a conference game one of the otherwise winless-in-conference-play clubs had to win). Michigan's next road game would come in the most hostile of all environments—Ohio Stadium, "the Horseshoe," home to the hated Buckeyes of Ohio State.

I watched the Iowa game at Xanadu in *shudder" Ohio; normally I sojourn to Xanadu to watch the Michigan State game alongside my brother, but those plans were scuttled this year by the Michigan State game coinciding with Hallowe'en weekend. The embittering, embarrassing defeat at Iowa was a night game, meaning I went to bed Saturday night still demoralized & angry. Blessedly, I awoke on Sunday smiling, grateful for the very existence of Sunday, the day we cannot live without, thanks be to Our Lord & Savior for His glorious Resurrection, which assures those who follow Him of eternal life. I like (college) football, I care about football, but it is only a game. Losing a game, even an important game, is never the end of the world.

Next: The wily Hoosiers of Indiana, & Senior Day at the Big House.

Go Blue!

Project BLACK MAMBA: Advent

'Tis the feast of Saint Offa of Essex, Monk (died circa 709), King of Essex: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Margaret of Fontana, Virgin, T.O.S.D. (1440-1513): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Maria Crocifissa di Rosa, Religious, A.D.C. (1813-1855), foundress of the Handmaids of Charity: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link A.D.C.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Mary Frances Schervier, Religious, S.P.S.F. (1819-1876), foundress of the Poor Sisters of Saint Francis & the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor: Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link Mike Foxtrot Sierra; Wikipedia-link S.P.S.F. & Wikipedia-link S.F.P.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-four, verses one thru ten;
Psalm Thirty, verses two, four, five, six, eleven, twelve(a), & thirteen(b);
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter seven, verses twenty-four thru thirty.

Individual Reading
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eight (verses one thru thirty-four);
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter seven, verses one thru ten;
The Gospel according to John, chapter four, verses forty-six thru fifty-four.

Commentary: III. Ministry & Mission in Galilee: The Cleansing of a Leper (Matthew, 8:1-4), the Healing of a Centurion's Servant (8:5-13), the Cure of Peter's Mother-in-Law (8:14&15), Other Healings (8:16&17), the Would-be Followers of Jesus (8:18-22), the Calming of the Storm at Sea (8:23-27), & the Healing of the Gadarene Demoniacs (8:28-34); the Healing of a Centurion's Servant (Luke, 7:1-10) & Second Sign at Cana (John, 4:46-54).

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song of the Day

Barenaked Ladies, "Carol of the Bells" from Barenaked for the Holidays (The Last Jolly Man)

Commentary: I've mentioned my fondness for (almost) any rendition of "Carol of the Bells," yes? The great tragedy of the Barenaked Ladies is that at one point they were a really good band, before Steven Page's drug-fueled departure & the rest of the band soldiered on in increasingly mediocre mediocrity. But let's nae dwell on such unpleasantness in this festive season.

Merry Christmas, you hosers!

The Victors: Team 137, Game 9

Saturday, 5 November 2016 / Michigan Stadium
(№ 2*) Michigan 59-3 Maryland
9-0, B1G 6-0

In the late summer or early fall, Red Patton contacted me with an offer of inexpensive tickets to the Indiana game (Saturday, 19 November). I had not been to "the Big House" since the Big Chill hockey game 'twixt Michigan & Michigan State in December of 2010, & had not seen a football game there since 2000 or 2001; so, I accepted his offer enthusiastically. Only days later, he informed me he'd meant the Maryland game, not Indiana; this was unfortunate, as it precluded my attendance at a Knights of Columbus event I should like to have attended, but I was still very excited to return to the hollowed ground of Michigan Stadium.

I was a season ticket-holder for four years while a student at Michigan, so I'd never really tailgated. While eat & drink out of the trunk of a motorcar when you can eat & drink in your dorm room or rental house? Super Mario, the Trojan Horse, & I gathered at Red Patton & Mrs. Red Patton's Ann Arbor apartment (Mrs. Red Patton is a mad scientist at the University) & from there drove to the University Michigan Golf Course in Red Patton's aging chariot. With the game set for a 3:30 kickoff, we had plenty of time to grill & drink beforehand without feeling like degenerates. (Yes, it's always five o'clock somewhere, but no respectable nor self-respecting gentleman imbibes before noon.) We sat in lawn chairs & joked with strangers, we played Cornhole (on the dustiest boards known to man, with equally dusty beanbags) & grilled on the trunk of Red Patton's motorcar, we sought shade from the bright Indian Summer sunshine & debated the manifold virtues of the valiant Wolverines under the enthusiastic leadership of Coach Harbaugh. It was altogether a nearly perfect early afternoon. Super Mario had some trouble getting Red Patton & the Trojan Horse to recognize when it was time to pack up our stuff & walk over to the stadium (of which we had a lovely view from where we were parked), but my voice carried more weight & we were soon sauntering amidst the growing throng filing into the House that Yost Built.

We attained our seats in the southeast corner of the stadium (opposite the student section in the northwest corner, from which I saw all the games back in my day) shortly before the pre-game festivities began & hooted & hollered along with the crowd as the Michigan Marching Band took the field & played the sacred strains of "The Victors." We thrilled as the valiant Wolverines of Team 137 streamed out of the tunnel & leapt to touch the M Club banner. I was the old hand, the sage answering the many excited questions about what was to happen next from my companions, some of whom were experiencing their first game in the Big House & others only his second. It was a joy to be there with Red Patton, Super Mario, & the Trojan Horse, even aside from the on-field action.

The game wasn't much of a game, to the supreme delight of the Maize & Blue faithful. Under clear blue skies & weather conditions that felt more appropriate for a September non-conference game than for a November B1G slug fest, the valiant Wolverines dominated the terrible Terrapins, much improved under first-year head coach & former Michigan defensive coordinator D. J. Durkin, but still no match for the undefeated "Fighting Harbaughs." Everyone was in such a good mood & having so much fun that it was only a minor shame when Maryland kicked a field goal & Uncle Don's Murder Machine lost the shutout. As the poet wrote (Robert Browning, "Pippa Passes"):

God’s in His heaven—
All’s right with the world!

After the game, we ambled back to the car in the gathering dark, waited for the outpouring of traffic from the golf course to slacken, & took a very circuitous route back to the Red Pattons' apartment, where pizza was consumed & much fun was had. Super Mario & the Trojan Horse stayed overnight with Red Patton, while I was due to make a presentation at church early upon the morrow, & so had to bow out of the festivities to drive home. Just as well, because they started talking about fantasy football & playing Madden, twin activities that I find mind-numbing. What an altogether grand day!

Next: The tenacious Hawkeyes of Iowa, & the death of the dream.

Go Blue!

*In the first College Football Playoff (C.F.P.) ranking, Michigan was ranked № 3 behind № 1 Alabama & № 2 Clemson. Michigan remained № 2 in the Associated Press (A.P.) poll, for which we here at The Secret Base have more respect than the C.F.P. selection committee. In the A.P. poll, Michigan was sandwiched betwixt № 1 Alabama & № 3 Clemson, so its not as if the C.F.P. rankings were way out in left field, but we maintain our tradition of using the A.P. rankings to the exclusion of all else.

Project BLACK MAMBA: Advent

'Tis the Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest & Doctor of the Church, O.Carm. (1542-1591), whose reforms of his own Carmelite Order led after his death to the founding of the Discalced Carmelites, formally the Order of the Discalced Carmelites of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel: Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.C.D.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

He was a major figure in the Counter-Reformation, a Spanish mystic, a Roman Catholic saint, a Carmelite friar, & a priest who was born in Fontiveros, Old Castile. Both his poetry & his studies on the growth of the soul are considered the summit of mystical Spanish literature & one of the peaks of all Spanish literature. His is one of the thirty-six Doctors of the Church.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

John of the Cross was born at Fontiveros in Spain around 1542. After a number of years as a Carmelite, he was persuaded by Saint Teresa of Ávila (15 October) in 1568 to lead a reform movement among the brothers which brought a new energy to the Carmelite Order. Renowned for his wisdom & sanity, he died in Ubeda in 1591. His spiritual writings remain a fitting testimony to his life.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Spyridon, Bishop (circa 270-348): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Nimatullah Kassab, Priest & Abbot, O.L.M. (1808-1858): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Advent Weekday
The Book of Isaiah, chapter forty-five, verses six(c) thru eight, eighteen, & twenty-one(c) thru twenty-five;
Psalm Eighty-five, verses nine(a,b) & ten thru fourteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter seven, verses eighteen(b) thru twenty-three;

or, for St. John:
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter two, verses one thru ten(a);
Psalm Thirty-seven, verse thirty(a);
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter fourteen, verses twenty-five thru thirty-three.

Individual Reading
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter seven (verses one thru twenty-nine);
The First Letter to the Thessalonians, chapter five, verses sixteen, seventeen, & eighteen;
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter four, verses seventeen thru twenty-four;
The Gospel according to John, chapter three, verses three thru eight;
The Letter to the Colossians, chapter three, verses ten, eleven, & twelve;
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter five, verses sixteen, seventeen, & eighteen;
The Letter to the Galatians, chapter two, verse twenty.

Commentary: The reading from Matthew, the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, is my personal reading; Thessalonians is for tonight's religious ed. class; & all the rest are for tonight's C.R.H.P. meeting.

Judging Others (Matthew, 7:1-5), Pearls before Swine (7:6), the Answer to Prayers (7:7-11), the Golden Rule (7:12), the Narrow Gate (7:13&14), False Prophets (7:15-20), the True Disciple (7:21-23), & the Two Foundations (7:24-29).

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song of the Day

The Puppini Sisters, "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" from Christmas with the Puppini Sisters (The Last Jolly Man)

The Victors: Team 137, Game 8

Saturday, 29 October 2016 @ Spartan Stadium
(№ 2) Michigan 32-23 Michigan State
8-0, B1G 5-0

It was with no small amount of glee that I watched the implosion of the dastardly Spartans this football season, from B1G Champions & College Football Playoff contenders in 2015 to an abysmal 3-9 (B1G 1-8) in 2016. Michigan's Lost Decade coincided with the most successful decades in dastardly Spartan history, & the prideful illiterates from "Moo U." were always keen to gloat & crow. Their struggles in 2016 could not have happened to a more deserving bunch of braggarts.

All that said, the Michigan-Michigan State game was much more of a contest that it should have been. The valiant Wolverines's offense sputtered in the second half (presaging the disasters to come in November), while the dastardly Spartans played with a verve & competence that was on display few other times in their losing season. Late in the fourth quarter, Michigan State scored a touchdown to trail 30-23. Kicking the extra point (or point after), would make the score 30-24, giving Michigan State a chance to win the game if they could recover the onside kickoff, score a touchdown (to tie the game at 30-30), & kick the subsequent point after (to prevail 31-30). Kicking the extra point is a higher-percentage play that going for two, yet dastardly Spartan head coach Mark Dantonio elected to go for two. Had the try been successful, Michigan would still have held the advantage, 30-25, requiring Michigan State to recover on onside kickoff & score a touchdown; the only difference is that the touchdown itself would have sealed the deal (31-30) rather than requiring the point after try for the win; however, with two-point conversions being so much more difficult to score than point-after kicks, there was a better than even chance that the score would remain 30-23, meaning the dastardly Spartans would need a touchdown & extra point just to tie, not to win. There was no discernible advantage to going for two rather than trying the kick for one.

So, the dastardly Spartans went for two. Not only did they not score, but in a delightful improbable turn of events the loose ball was scooped up by Michigan Heisman Trophy finalist Jabril Peppers, who ran the ball back the length of the field to score a safety for Michigan, cementing the victory with an insurmountable 32-23 lead. Had they kicked the field goal, Michigan State would have trailed 30-24 & held a ghost of a chance of winning, but because Dantonio's hatred for the Maize & Blue overcame his reason, his club faced a two-score deficit, 32-23. As Dantonio himself once remarked, with disdainful smugness, "Pride cometh before a fall." Pity he didn't heed his own advice.

Later in the year, the dastardly Spartans had a chance to redeem themselves against the hated Buckeyes of Ohio State. Again, they played above their rest-of-the-year form & in the waning seconds scored a touchdown to trail Ohio State 17-16. A successful point after kick would have tied the game, probably sending it into overtime. But again, Dantonio chose the low-percentage play & went for two; the attempt failed & his club lost the game. Time & time again, Dantonio cut his nose to spite his own face, putting his pride & fragile ego above the best interests of his club winning games. It was glorious insult added to the injury of a disappointing, losing season. Could not have happened to a more deserving jerk.

Michigan went 3-9 in 2008, the most disastrous season in living memory, the shame of which will never be completely shaken off. But there were many mitigating factors. Michigan had a new coach with a whole new (doomed, as it turned out) philosophy of the game, the old coach had stayed too long & had fallen off a recruiter, that departing coach forever tainted his legacy by encouraging players to leave the program rather than stay & play for the new coach; it was a perfect storm of misfortune. All that happened to Michigan State is that they graduated a class of seniors. They didn't switch coaches. They didn't encounter a dearth of talent; quite the opposite, the last few recruiter classes have been the most highly rated in Michigan State history. Nothing changed, except that they lost nine games; nothing changed, except that instead of playing the College Football Playoff (where, it must be noted, they were annihilated by Alabama, 38-0), their only conference win was against the alien Scarlet Knights of Rutgers, a club whose membership in the B1G is an affront to both tradition & decency.

It is a minor shame that the dastardly Spartans were so terrible this year, because I would have loved to watch the "Fighting Harbaughs" defeat the best effort the Green & White could muster, but that is a very minor shame next to the freely flowing Schadenfreude of Sparty's 3-9 debacle. Bwa ha ha ha ha!

Next: The terrible Terrapins of Maryland, & my first football to the Big House in many years.

Go Blue!

Project BLACK MAMBA: Advent

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin & Martyr (circa 283-304, A.K.A. of Syracuse), martyred in the reign of the emperor Diocletian: Martyr-link ūna, Martyr-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

She is one of eight women who, along with the Blessed Virgin Mary, are commemorated by name in the Canon of the Mass. She was a young Christian woman who vowed to live her life in service to Christ. Her mother tried to arrange a marriage for her with a pagan. Lucy knew her mother could not be swayed by a young girl's vow, so she devised a plan to convince her mother that Christ was the better partner for life. Lucy used ***lacuna*** to persuade her mother to give the dowry money to the poor & allow her to commit her life to God. The rejected bridegroom was deeply angered & betrayed Lucy's faith to the governor Paschasius. The governor attempted to force her into defilement & after several attempts murdered her.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Lucy died at Syracuse more likely during the persecution of Diocletian. Tradition holds that a disappointed suitor accused Lucy of being a Christian & she was executed in Syracuse (Sicily) in the year 304. From antiquity her cult spread throughout the Church, & her name was therefore introduced into the Roman Canon (the First Eucharistic Prayer).

'Tis the feast of Blessed Antonio Grassi, Priest, C.O. (1592-1671): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Advent Weekday
The Book of Zephaniah, chapter three, verses one, two, & nine thru thirteen;
Psalm Thirty-four, verses two, three, six, seven, seventeen thru nineteen, & twenty-three;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-one, verses twenty-eight thru thirty-two;

or, for St. Lucy:
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter ten, verse seventeen thru chapter eleven, verse two;
Psalm Thirty-one, verse six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses one thru thirteen.

Individual Reading
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter six (verses one thru thirty-four).

Commentary: Teaching about Almsgiving (6:1-4), Teaching about Prayer (6:5-8), The Lord's Prayer (6:9-15), Teaching about Fasting (6:16-18), Treasure in Heaven (6:19-21), the Light of the Body (6:22&23), God & Money (6:24), & Dependence on God (6:25-34).

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song of the Day

The Klezmonauts, "Carol of the Bells" from Oy to the World! A Klezmer Christmas

Commentary: I always like the "Carol of the Bells," but The Klezmonauts' rendition is particularly, hauntingly beautiful. Fun fact: "Carol of the Bells" is a relatively new Christmas carol, having been composed in 1914.

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song of the Day

José Feliciano, "Feliz Navidad" via iTunes (from Feliz Navidad) (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"Feliz Navidad,
Feliz Navidad,
Feliz Navidad, próspero año y felicidad.

"I wanna wish you a merry Christmas,
"I wanna wish you a merry Christmas,
"I wanna wish you a merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart!…"

Project BLACK MAMBA: Advent

'Tis the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Our Lady-link ūna, Our Lady-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

The Blessed Mother arranged the flowers herself in Juan's tilma (a burlap-type cloak) & instructed him to open the cloak only upon return to the bishop. Here are four literally awesome facts about the tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe:

It has qualities that humanly impossible to replicate.

People says it's just a painting, yet the tilma has outlived them all, in time & in quality.

The tilma has shown characteristics startlingly like a living human body.

It appears to to be virtually indestructible.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Words addressed to (St.) Juan Diego (& us) at Guadalupe: "Listen, put it into my heart, my youngest & dearest son, that the thing that frightens you, the thing that afflicts you, is nothing: Do not let it disturb you. Am I not here, I who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow & protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need something more? Let nothing else worry you or disturb you."

'Tis also the feast of Saint Finnian of Clonard, Abbot (circa 470-549): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Zechariah, chapter two, verses fourteen thru seventeen;
or, the Book of Revelation, chapter eleven, verse nineteen(a) & chapter twelve, verses one thru six & ten(a,b);
The Book of Judith, chapter thirteen, verses eighteen(b,c,d,e,) & nineteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter one, verses twenty-six thru thirty-eight;
or, the Gospel according to Luke, chapter one, verses thirty-nine thru forty-seven.

Individual Reading
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter five (verses one thru forty-eight).

Commentary: The Sermon on the Mount (5:1&2), the Beatitudes (5:3-12), the Similes of Salt & Light (5:13-16), Teaching about the Law (5:17-20), Teaching about Anger (5:21-26), Teaching about Adultery (5:27-30), Teaching about Divorce (5:31&32), Teaching about Oaths (5:33-37), Teaching about Retaliation (5:38-42), & Love of Enemies (5:43-48).

The Explorers' Club, № DXXVII

Operation AXIOM: The World War
13 December 1916: "White Friday"—An avalanche on Mount Marmolada crushed almost three hundred Austro-Hungarian soldiers; weather conditions were ideal for avalanches—heavy snowfall followed by rapid warming—but both the Austrians & the Italians also fired artillery into the others' snowpacks to induce avalanches, killing as many as 10,000 on both sides throughout December.

Lest we forget.

Commentary: As the glaciers in the Alps shift & recede, corpses & materiel from the First World War are occasionally found, churned up after a century entombed in the ice & the snow.

Project BLACK MAMBA: Third Sunday of Advent

'Tis the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday: Advent-link & Wikipedia-link Gaudete.

Otherwise, 11 December would be the feast of Saint Damasus I, Pope (circa 305-384), thirty-seventh Bishop of Rome: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Damasus was born in Spain around the year 305 & during a period of great upheaval in the Church was ordained Bishop of Rome in 366. He summon synods to work against schismatics & heretics & widely promoted the cult of martyrs whose burial places he adorned with sacred verse. During his pontificate, Christianity was declared the official religon of the Roman state, & Latin became the principal liturgical language as part of the pope's reforms. His encouragement of Saint Jerome's (30 September) biblical studies led to the Vulgate, the Latin translation of Scripture which twelve centuries later the Council of Trent declared to be "authentic in public readings, disputations, preaching." He died in 384.

'Twould also be the feast of Blessed Arthur Bell, Priest & Martyr, O.F.M. (1590-1643), martyred by the Roundhead Parliament, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Isaiah, chapter thirty-five, verses one thru six(a) & ten;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-six, verses six thru ten;
The Letter of James, chapter five, verses seven thru ten;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eleven, verses two thru eleven.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the 3rd Sunday of Advent

Relativity, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" from Joy to the World (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: Relativity is a vocal group composed of relatives—my brother, his wife, her sister, & their brother. The name is unfortunate, but the voices are beautiful.

"O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray.
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell,
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel."

Project BLACK MAMBA: Advent

'Tis the feast of Our Lady of Loreto & the Translation of the Holy House: Our Lady-link, Santa Casa-link, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Miltiades, Pope (died 314), thirty-second Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saints Edmund Gennings, Polydore Plasden, & Eustace White, Priests; & Swithun Wells, Martyrs (died 1591), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I, four of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link Echo Golf & Wikipedia-link Echo Golf, Martyr-link Papa Papa & Wikipedia-link Papa Papa, Martyr-link Echo Whiskey & Wikipedia-link Echo Whiskey, & Martyr-link Sierra Whiskey & Wikipedia-link Sierra Whiskey; Wikipedia-link XL.

'Tis also the feast of Saint John Roberts, Priest & Martyr, O.S.B. (1577-1610), martyred in the reign of the king James VI & I, one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Sirach, chapter forty-eight, verses one thru four, nine, ten, & eleven;
Psalm Eighty, verses two(a,c), three(b), fifteen, sixteen, eighteen, & nineteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter seventeen, verses nine(a) & ten thru thirteen.

Individual Reading
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter three (verses one thru seventeen);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter four (verses one thru twenty-five).

Commentary: II. The Proclamation of the Kingdom: The Preaching of John the Baptist (3:1-12), the Baptism of Jesus (3:13-17), the Temptation of Jesus (4:1-11), the Beginning of the Galilean Ministry (4:12-17), the Call of the First Disciples (4:18-22), & Ministering to a Great Multitude (4:23-25).

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song of the Day

Barenaked Ladies, "Jingle Bells" from Barenaked for the Holidays (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: This rendition of "Jingle Bells" is two songs in one. The front half of the almost four-minute track is solemn, almost maudlin; the back half is manic, including the Batman-themed variant lyrics every kid learns on the playground.

"Jingle bells, Batman smells,
Robin laid an egg,
Batmobile lost its wheel,
And the Joker got away!…"

Project BLACK MAMBA: The Advent Daily Double

Today is the Optional Memorial of Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (1474-1548): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

He is a native of Mexico, & the first… indigenous saint from the Americas. He is said to have been granted an apparition of the Virgin Mary on four separate occasions in December 1531 at the hill of Tepeyac, then outside but not will within metropolitan Mexico City.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

First called Cuauhtlatohuac ("the eagle who speaks"), Juan Diego's name is forever linked with Our Lady of Guadalupe because it was to him that she first appeared at Tepeyac Hill on 9 December 1531. The most famous part of his story is told in connection with the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on 12 December. After the roses gathered in his tilma were transformed into the miraculous image of Our Lady, however, little more is said about Juan Diego. In time he lived near the shrine constructed at Tepeyac, revered as a holy, unselfish, & compassionate catechist who taught by word & especially by example.

I keep in my bedroom a small statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe & next to it a laminated prayer card bearing the image of St. Juan Diego kneeling before Our Lady, with the roses filling his tilma.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Valeria of Limoges, Martyr (third century, A.K.A. Valerie), martyred by beheading, a cephalophore: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link cephalophore.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Peter Fourier, Priest, C.R.S.A. (1565-1640), founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame & the Congregation of Our Savior: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Advent Weekday
The Book of Isaiah, chapter forty-eight, verses seventeen, eighteen, & nineteen;
Psalm One, verses one thru four & six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eleven, verses sixteen thru nineteen;

or, for St. Juan Diego:
The Book of Deuteronomy, chapter six, verses three thru nine;
Psalm One Hundred Thirty-one;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eleven, verses twenty-five thru thirty.

Individual Reading
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter one (verses one thru twenty-five);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter two (verses one thru twenty-three).

Commentary: I still need to finish the Book of Job, but it's like pulling teeth. I'm taking the advice from Rediscover Jesus to re-read the Gospels, fifteen minutes a day (or two chapters, whichever takes longer).

I. The Infancy Narrative: The Genealogy of Jesus (1:1-17), the Birth of Jesus (1:17-25), the Visit of the Magi (2:1-12), the Flight to Egypt (2:13-15), the Massacre of the Infants (2:16-18), & the Return from Egypt (2:19-23).

* * * * *

Friday, 2 December was the feast of Saint Silverius, Pope (circa 480-537), fifty-eighth Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. I still think Pope St. Silverius should be recognized as a martyr.

'Twas also the feast of Blessed John of Ruusbroec, Priest (circa 1293-1381, A.K.A. Jan van Ruysbroeck): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the feast 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
The Book of Isaiah, chapter twenty-nine, verses seventeen thru twenty-four;
Psalm Twenty-seven, verses one, four, thirteen, & fourteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter nine, verses twenty-seven thru thirty-one.

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song of the Day

She & Him, "Sleigh Ride" from A Very She & Him Christmas (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together
With you…"

Project BLACK MAMBA: The Advent Daily Double

Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Our Lady-link ūna, Our Lady-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

The Immaculate Conception, according to the teaching of the Catholic Church, was the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the womb of her mother, Saint Anne (26 July), free from original sin by virtue of the foreseen merits of her son Jesus Christ.

I agree 'tis queer that there is no discussion of the Immaculate Conception in Holy Family's bulletin this week, but on the other hand they are celebrating four Masses today, plus a vigil Mass last night, providing as many opportunities as possible for the faithful to meet today's holy day obligation. By contrast, Holy Redeemer is celebrating only one Mass today, plus a vigil Mass last night.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Eutychian, Pope (died 283), twenty-seventh Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Noël Chabanel, Priest & Martyr, S.J. (1613-1649), who survived the massacres by the Iroquois only to be martyred by an apostate Huron: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Solemnity
Mass Readings
The Book of Genesis, chapter three, verses nine thru fifteen & twenty;
Psalm Ninety-eight, verses one thru four;
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter one, verses three thru six, eleven, & twelve;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter one, verses twenty-six thru thirty-eight.

Bonus! Song of the Solemnity
Michael Bublé, "Ave Maria" from Christmas (The Last Angry Man)

* * * * *

Thursday, 1 December was the feast of Blessed John Beche, Abbot & Martyr, O.S.B. (died 1539, A.K.A. Thomas Marshall), martyred in the reign of the king Henry VIII: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the feast of Saints Edmund Campion, S.J.; Ralph Sherwin; & Alexander Briant, S.J.; Priests & Martyrs (died 1581), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I, three of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link Echo Charlie & Wikipedia-link Echo Charlie, Martyr-link Romeo Sierra & Wikipedia-link Romeo Sierra, & Martyr-link Alpha Bravo & Wikipedia-link Alpha Bravo; & Wikipedia-link XL.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twas also the feast of Blessed Charles de Foucauld, Priest & Martyr (1858-1916), martyred by Senussi Muslims: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: 'Twas the one hundredth anniversary of Bl. Charles's martyrdom on 1 December 1916.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Isaiah, chapter twenty-six, verses one thru six;
Psalm One Hundred Eighteen, verses one, eight, nine, nineteen thru twenty-one, & twenty-five thru twenty-seven(a);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter seven, verses twenty-one & twenty-four thru twenty-seven.

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song of the Day

Bob Dylan, "Must Be Santa" via iTunes, (free) Single of the Week (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen,
Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon,
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen,
Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton.

"Reindeer sleigh,
Come my way,
Ho ho ho,
Cherry nose,
Cap on head,
Suit that's red,
Special night,
Beard that's white.

"Must be Santa,
Must be Santa,
Must be Santa, Santa Claus!
Must be Santa,
Must be Santa,
Must be Santa, Santa Claus!"

Project BLACK MAMBA: The Advent Daily Double

Today, 7 December is the Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop & Doctor of the Church (circa 340-397): Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Noted preacher & teacher, a Bible student of renown, & writer of liturgical hymns. He stood firm against paganism & Arians. His preaching helped convert Saint Augustine of Hippo (28 August), whom Ambrose baptized & brought into the Church.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Ambrose was born of a Roman family at Trier about the year 340. He studied at Rome & served in the imperial government at Sirmium. In 374, while living at Milan, he was elected bishop of the city in popular acclaim & ordained on 7 December. He devotedly carried out his duties & especially distinguished himself by his service to the poor & as an effective pastor & teacher of the faithful. He strenuously guarded the laws of the Church & defended orthodox teachings. He was also influential in the conversion of St. Augustine. St. Ambrose died on Holy Saturday in 397.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Charles Garnier, Priest & Martyr, S.J. (1606-1649), martyred by the Iroquois whilst serving as a missionary to the Hurons: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Mary Joseph Rossello, Religious, F.D.M. (1811-1880), foundress of the Daughters of Our Lady of Charity: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link F.D.M..

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Advent Weekday
The Book of Isaiah, chapter forty, verses twenty-five through thirty-one;
Psalm One Hundred Three, verses one thru four, eight, & ten;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eleven, verses twenty-eight, twenty-nine, & thirty;

or, for St. Ambrose:
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter three, verses eight thru twelve;
Psalm Eighty-nine;
The Gospel according to John, chapter ten, verses eleven thru sixteen.

* * * * *

Wednesday, 30 November was the Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle (first century): Apostle-link ūnus, Apostle-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Both Andrew & his brother (St.) Peter (22 February, 29 June) were fishermen by trade, hence the tradition that Jesus called them to be his disciples by saying that he will make them "fishers of men." At the beginning of Jesus's public life, they were said to have occupied the same house at Capernaum. Andrew is said to have been martyred by crucifixion at the city of Patras. Andrew is described as bound, not nailed, on a cross of the form called crux decussata (X-shaped cross, or "saltire"), now commonly known as a "Saint Andrew's Cross."

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Andrew was St. Peter's brother & was called with him. "As Jesus was talking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is now called Peter, & his brother Andrew, casting nets into the seas; they were fishermen. He said to them, 'Come after me, & I will make you fishers of men.' At once they left their nets & followed him." (Matthew, 4:18-20)

John the Evangelist presents Andrew as a disciple of (St.) John the Baptist (24 June, 29 August). "When Jesus walked by one day, John said, 'Behold the Lamb of God.' Andrew & antoher disciple followed Jesus. Jesus turned & saw them following him & said to them, 'What are you looking for?' They said to him, 'Rabbi 9which translated means Teacher), where are you staying?' He said to them, 'Come, & you will see.' So they went & saw where he was staying, & they stayed with him that day." (John, 1:38-39a)

'Twas also the feast of Saint Cuthbert Mayne, Priest & Martyr (1544-1577), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I, one of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link XL.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Romans, chapter ten, verses nine thru eighteen;
Psalm Nineteen, verses eight thru eleven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter four, verses eighteen thru twenty-two.

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song of the Day

Susan Egan, "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" from Winter Tracks (The Last Angry Man)

Project BLACK MAMBA: The Advent Daily Double

Today, 6 December is the Optional Memorial of Saint Nicholas, Bishop (circa 270-343): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, & his concern for sailors & ships. One story tells of a poor man with three daughters. In those days a young woman's father had to offer prospective husbands something of value—a dowry. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor man's daughters were therefore destined to be sold into slavery. Mysteriously, on three different occasions, a bag of gold appeared in their home, providing the needed dowries. The bags of gold, tossed through an open window, are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Both the Eastern & Western Churches honor St. Nicholas, & it is claimed that after the Blessed Virgin, he is the saint most pictured by Christian artists. And yet, historically, we can pinpoint only the fact that Nicholas was the fourth-century bishop of Myra, a city in Lycia, a province of Asia Minor. Perhaps the best-known story about Nicholas concerns his charity toward a poor man who was unable to provide dowries for his three daughters of marriageable age. Rather than se them forced into prostitution, Nicholas secretly tossed a bag of gold through the poor man's window on three separate occasions, thus enabling the daughters to be married. This story helps explain how Saint Nicholas, renowned for his generosity, became Santa Claus in popular imagination.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Peter Pascual, Bishop & Martyr (circa 1227-1299), martyred in the reign of the sultan Muhammed II al-Faqih: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Advent Weekday
The Book of Isaiah, chapter forty, verses one thru eleven;
Psalm Ninety-six, verses one, two, three, ten(a,c), eleven, twelve, & thirteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eighteen, verses twelve, thirteen, & fourteen;

or, for St. Nicholas:
The Book of Isaiah, chapter six, verses one thru eight;
Psalm Forty, verses eight(a) & nine(a);
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses one thru nine.

* * * * *

Tuesday, 29 November was the feast of Saint Brendan of Birr, Abbot (died circa 572), one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link XII.

Commentary: Wayback Machine '14.

'Twas also the feast of Blesseds Denis of the Nativity, Priest, & Redemptorus of the Cross, Religious, Martyrs, O.C.D. (died 1638), martyred at the instigation of the Dutch East India Company: Martyr-link Delta & Wikipedia-link Delta, Martyr-link Romeo & Wikipedia-link Romeo.

Commentary: Wayback Machine '15.

'Twas also the feast of Our Lady of Baeuraing (apparitions 1932-1933, A.K.A. Our Lady of the Golden Heart): Our Lady-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Isaiah, chapter eleven, verses one thru ten;
Psalm Seventy-two, verses one, two, seven, eight, twelve, thirteen, & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses twenty-one thru twenty-four.

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song of the Day

Sufjan Stevens, "Get Behind Me, Santa!" from Songs for Christmas (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: The pop culture figure of Santa Claus originates in the life & legacy of St. Nicholas, a fourth-century bishop. There need not be any contradiction 'twixt the properly reverent celebration of the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) on 25 December & participation in the secular observance of Christmas as part of the "holiday season," if the secular observance is approached with the right attitude & disposition. Don't be a grouch, much less a Grinch. Make merry! The King is coming!

"I don't care about family and shopping malls,
Candy canes or the carolers decking the halls,
I don't care about what you say, Santa Claus,
You're a bad brother breaking into people's garage.

"You got it wrong, 'cause I'm just another regular guy,
With superpowers and a penchant for the Yuletide.
It is a crime to give a little once in a while?
I travel 'round the world trying to make people smile.

"I know that you take it too hard, boy.
It's Christmas time, ain't no clowning around,
And if you think you got something to prove, boy,
Santa Claus is coming to town…"

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song of the Day

Michael Bublé, "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" from Christmas (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: After an exceedingly temperate fall, the first snow of the season fell last night. It is finally beginning to look at least a little like Christmas.

Project BLACK MAMBA: Second Sunday of Advent

Yesterday was the Second Sunday of Advent: Advent-link & Wikipedia-link.

Otherwise, 4 December would have been the feast of Saint John Damascene, Priest & Doctor of the Church (circa 676-749): Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

John Damascene was born of a Christian family in Damascus in the latter part of the seventh century. Learned in philosophy, he became a monk in the monastery of Saint Sabbas (5 December) near Jerusalem & was then ordained a priest. He wrote many doctrinal works, particularly against iconoclasts. He died in the middle of the eighth century.

'Twould also have been the feast of Blessed Adolph Kolping, Priest (1813-1865) the "Father of All Apprentices:" Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings
The Book of Isaiah, chapter eleven, verses one thru ten;
Psalm Seventy-two, verses one, two, seven, eight, twelve, thirteen, & seventeen;
The Letter to the Romans, chapter fifteen, verses four thru nine;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter three, verses one thru twelve.

Individual Reading
The Book of Sirach, chapter seven, verse thirty-one thru chapter eight, verse two.

Commentary: Portions of Duties of Family Life, Religion, & Charity (7:18-36) & Prudence in Dealing with Other Men (8, inclusive).

* * * * *

Today, 5 December is the feast of Saint Sabbas the Sanctified, Priest & Abbot (439-532, A.K.A. Sava, the Great, of Mar Saba), founder of the Mar Saba monastery, formally the Holy Larva of Saint Sabbas the Sanctified: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Mar Saba.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Justinian, Priest & Martyr (sixth century, A.K.A. of Ramsey Island), martyred by his own diabolically-inspired servants: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Nicolas Steno, Bishop (1638-1686, A.K.A. Niels Steensen): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Isaiah, chapter thirty-five, verses one thru ten;
Psalm Eighty-five, verses nine(a,b) & ten thru fourteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter five, verses seventeen thru twenty-six.

The Explorers' Club, № DXXVI

Operation AXIOM: The World War
5-6 December 1916: H. H. Asquith resigned as prime minister of the United Kingdom, succeeded the next day by David Lloyd George, who had been War Secretary since June 1916, succeeding Lord Kitchener upon the latter's death in the sinking of H.M.S. Hampshire; Lloyd George would lead the British Empire through the end of the war & into the peace, remaining at 10 Downing Street 'til 1922.

Commentary: For the death of Kitchener, see "The Explorers' Club," episode № D.

Lest we forget.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the 2nd Sunday of Advent

The Civil Wars, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" via iTunes, (free) Single of the Week (The Last Angry Man)

Project BLACK MAMBA: Advent

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest, S.J. (1506-1552): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Co-founder of the Society of Jesus. He was a companion of St. Ignatius of Loyola (31 July) & one of the first seven Jesuits who took vows of poverty & chastity at Montmartre, Paris in 1534. He was also the first Christian missionary to venture into Japan.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Francis made the spiritual exercises under the direction of St. Ignatius (of Loyola), & in 1534 joined his little community, the newly formed Society of Jesus. Together at Montmartre they vowed poverty, chastity, & apostolic service according to the directions of the pope.

From Venice, where he was ordained a priest in 1537, Francis Xavier went on to Lisbon & from there sailed to the East Indies, landing at Goa, on the west coast of India. For the next ten years he labored to bring the faith to such widely scattered people as the Hindus, the Malayans, & the Japanese. He spend much of that time in India, & served as provincial of the newly established Jesuit province of India.

Francis went through the islands of Malaysia, then up to Japan. He learned enough Japanese to preach to simple folk, to instruct, & to baptize, & to establish missions for those who were to follow him. From Japan he had dreams of going to China, but this plan was never realized.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Emma of Lesum (circa 977-1038, A.K.A. of Bremen): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Edward Coleman, Martyr (1636-1678), martyred in the reign of the king Charles II, a victim of the perjurer Titus Oates's "Popish Plot" hoax: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Johann Nepomuk von Tschiderer zu Gleifheim, Bishop (1777-1860): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Advent Weekday
The Book of Isaiah, chapter thirty, verses nineteen thru twenty-one & twenty-three thru twenty-six;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-seven, verses one thru six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter nine, verse thirty-five thru chapter ten, verses one, five(a), six, seven, & eight;

or, for St. Francis Xavier:
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter nine, verses sixteen thru nineteen, twenty-two, & twenty-three;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verse fifteen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verses fifteen thru twenty.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day

Aloe Blacc, "Here Today" from Lift Your Spirit (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: This last non-Advent/Christmas-themed R.B.D.S.O.T.D. is a reminder, to me more than anyone else, to fight & to strive & to struggle to make the most of the gift that is each day. For as the Scriptures teach us, we are but puffs of smoke that appear today & then vanish (James, 4:14).

"All I know for sure is that nothing is forever
And all that matter is how we get along together—

"'Cause we're here today and gone tomorrow,
We're here today and gone tomorrow,
Through the joy and the sorrow,
We're here today and gone tomorrow.

"We ain't promised tomorrow…"

Also, I'm trying (& not really succeeding) not to be blinded by bitterness that the valiant Wolverines are not playing in tonight's B1G Championship Game, thank you very much, Wilton Speight.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day

Vampire Weekend, "Horchata" from Contra (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"In December, drinking Horchata,
I look psychotic in a balaclava.
Winter's cold is too much to handle…"

The Rebel Black Dot Songs of the Day

Aloe Blacc, "Love Is the Answer" from Lift Your Spirit (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: This is how the R.B.D.S.O.T.D. works: "Love Is the Answer" has never been one of my favorite songs off Lift Your Spirit, but I woke up this morning with its lyrics & melody dancing through my head; so, here we are. Whom am I to question the muses?

For those of you wondering, the German word for Thursday is Donnerstag.

Mittwoch, 30. November
Jim Gaffigan, "Bed" from King Baby (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: Alas, yesterday was not one of "those bed days" for me. I was sick.

"I had a bed day today. You ever hang out in bed all day? Anyone else do heroin? No?

'That's not funny.'

Those bed days are the best. People rarely volunteer that information. 'Sorry I'm late, I didn't get out of bed 'til 5:00 P.M.'

'Oh, were you sick?'

'No, I was in heaven. Just fantasizing about being in a coma…'"

Dienstag, 29. November
Fountains of Wayne, "Kid Gloves" from Out-of-State Plates (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: In the grip of the dreadful sick, during the first sustained period of wakefulness amidst a day spent entirely in bed or the water closet, what I wanted to listen to as I drifted back to Slumberland was Fountains of Wayne, specifically "Kid Gloves." Gentle, gentle was what I needed.