SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY

Sexagesima Sunday

THE name Sexagesima has been explained in the instruction of last Sunday.) The Introit of the Mass is taken from the forty-third psalm : “Arise ; why sleepest Thou, O Lord ? Arise, and cast us not off to the end ; why turnest Thou Thy face away, and forgettest our trouble? for our soul is humbled down to the dust ; our belly cleaveth to the earth. Arise, O Lord, help us, and redeem us for Thy name s sake. We have heard, O God, with our ears ; our fathers have declared to us.” Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

O God, Who seest that we confide in no action of our own, grant, in Thy mercy, that we may be defended from all evils by the protection of the Doctor of the gentiles. Through Our Lord. Amen.

EPISTLE, ii. Cor. xi. 19 ; xii. 9.

Brethren: You gladly suffer the foolish: whereas yourselves are wise. For you suffer if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take from you, if a man be lifted up, if a man strike you on the face. I speak according to dishonor, as if we had been weak in this part. Wherein if any man dare (I speak foolishly) I dare also : they are Hebrews, so am I : they are Israelites, so am I : they are the seed of Abraham, so am I : they are the ministers of Christ (I speak as one less wise), I am more : in many more labors : in prisons more frequently, in stripes above measure, in deaths often. Of the Jews five times did I receive forty stripes, save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once I was stoned, thrice I suffered ship wreck, a night and a day I wras in the depth of the sea. In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own nation, in perils from the gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils from false brethren : in labor and painfulness, in much watchings, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides those things which are without : my daily instance, the solicitude for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is scandalized, and I am not on fire? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my infirmity. The God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is blessed forever, knoweth that I lie not. At Damascus, the governor of the nation under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes to apprehend me : and through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and so escaped his hands.  If I must glory (it is not expedient indeed), but I will come to the visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not, God knoweth), such an one rapt even to the third heaven. And I know such a man (whether in the body or out of the body, I cannot tell : God knoweth) that he was caught up into paradise : and heard secret words which it is not granted to man to utter. For such an one I will glory: but for myself I will glory nothing, but in my infirmities. For though I should have a mind to glory, I shall not be foolish : for I will say the truth : but I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth in me, or anything he heareth from me. And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me. For which thing thrice I besought the Lord, that it might depart from me : and He said to me :My grace is sufficient for thee : for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

By the example of St. Paul the Church would incite us to work out our salvation by cooperating faithfully with the grace of God. Let us, like this great apostle, be not irritated at temptations, but firmly combat and overcome them by the help of divine grace.

Prayer.

Grant me, O God, Thy grace, that I may in these evil days keep steadily to Thy holy doctrine, and never be seduced from obeying it, either by the allurements of the world, or the reproaches of the wicked. Amen.

GOSPEL. Luke viii. 4-15.

At that time : When a very great multitude was gathered together and hastened out of the cities unto Him, He spoke by a similitude : The sower went out to sow his seed : and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside and was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And other some fell upon a rock : and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And other some fell among thorns, and the thorns growing up with it, choked it. And other some fell upon good ground : and being sprang up, yielded fruit a hundredfold. Saying these things, He cried out: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And His disciples asked Him what this parable might be. To whom He said : To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to the rest in parables, that seeing they may not see, and hearing may not understand. Now the parable is this : The seed is the word of God. And they by the wayside, are they that hear ; then the devil cometh, and taketh the word out of their heart, lest believing they should be saved. Now they upon the rock, are they who when they hear, receive the word with joy : and these have no roots : for they believe for awhile, and in time of temptation, they fall away. And that which fell among thorns, are they who have heard, and going their way, are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and yield no fruit. But that on the good ground : are they who in a good and a very good heart, hearing the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit in patience.

Why is the word of God here compared to seed?

Because as good fruits spring from good seed, so do good works from the word of God ; and as it is impossible for any soil not sown to produce good fruits, so neither can men produce the fruits of the Spirit without the seed of the divine Word.

Why did Our Saviour cry out,” He that hath ears to hear, let him hear”?

To declare the necessity of heeding the word of God, since without the instruction in our holy religion which we derive from that word we cannot know what we must do to please God, and save our souls.

How, then, does it happen that, notwithstanding the excellence of the divine word, there are so many bad Christians?  

The fault is with men, who, though they hear the word of God, hear, read, and meditate superficially. The divine seed finds no moisture or root in their hearts ; they are overgrown with the piercing thorns of cares, riches, and sensual lusts, so that the seed of the divine word is choked up, and can neither grow nor bear fruit.

What is the effect of the word of God when heeded?

To wash away sin, implant virtue, and create the world anew. Jeremias says” Are not My words as a fire” (Jer. xxiii. 29) which bursts out from within, consuming the vapors of sin, drying up the marshes of vice, and killing the deep roots of bad habits? Again, it is " a hammer," breaking in pieces the rocks of hardened hearts. St. Paul says: "It is living and effectual, and more piercing than any two-edged sword : reaching into the division of the soul and spirit, of the joints also and the marrow" (Heb. iv. 12) that is, cutting away from the spirit sensual lusts. St. James calls it a mirror, in which a man beholding himself and his sins becomes ashamed, and tries to get free from them (James i. 23). It is, finally, the good seed, which, falling upon good ground, yields fruit a hundredfold. 

What must we do before a sermon?

St. Chrysostom asks, “ Who pours a precious liquid into an unclean vessel, before he has washed it ? " We should, there fore, cleanse our hearts before a sermon by contrition, " for wisdom will not enter into a malicious soul (Wis. i. 4). As the ground to be sown must first be prepared, so must our hearts be cleansed, and made ready by a holy desire of learning what is good.

What must we do during a sermon?

We must listen attentively and respectfully, for it is God Who speaks to us through the preacher : “He that heareth you, heareth Me “ (Luke x. 16). If an ambassador reading the letters of his king is listened to with great attention, quiet, and respect, says St. Chrysostom, how much greater veneration should we not pay to the minister of God announcing His holy will? Be careful, therefore, not to show contempt for the preacher, for that will reach back to God, Who has said, “He that despiseth you, despiseth Me “(Luke x. 16). Be careful not to apply what is said in the sermon to others, but rather “take heed to thyself” (i. Tim. iv. 16). If you are free from those sins which the sermon points at, thank God, arid pray that you may not fall into them.

What must we do after a sermon ?

We must endeavor to practise what we have heard ; for God justifies, not the hearers of the law, but only the doers (Rom.ii.13) of it. In order to practise what we hear in the sermon it is necessary, in the first place, to keep it in our minds, to ponder it carefully and remember it. Christ, therefore, blesses those

who hear the word of God and keep it (Luke xi. 28). The seed cannot bring forth fruit if not well covered with good ground, warmed by the sun, moistened by the rain and dew, and cared for in other ways. Finally, pray often to God, that He may keep alive in you the divine truths which you have heard.

Prayer.

O my God, I am covered with shame, because the seed of Thy divine word, which Thou hast so abundantly sown in my heart, has brought forth so little fruit. Have mercy, O Lord, and change my heart, that it may become good ground, in which Thy word may take root, thrive, grow, and finally bring forth the fruit of salvation, which Thou requirest of me. Amen.  

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Next: Quinquagesima Sunday

SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY

Septuagesima Sunday

WHY is this Sunday called Septuagesima?

The word means seventy. According to the First Council of Orleans, in the year A.D. 545, many pious ecclesiastics and lay persons of the primitive Church used to fast seventy days before Easter, and their fast was called, therefore, Septuagesima, a name which was afterwards retained to distinguish this Sunday from others. The same was the case with the three following Sundays; many Christians beginning their fast sixty days before Easter, whence the name Sexagesima; others fifty days, whence Quinquagesima; others forty days, whence Quadragesima.

Why did the first Christians fast seventy days?

Alcuin and Amakrius say that the captivity of the Jews in Babylon first suggested it; for as the Jews were obliged to do penance seventy years, that they might thereby merit to return into the promised land, so Christians sought to regain the grace of God by fasting for seventy days.

Why does the Church, from this Sunday until Easter, omit all joyful chants, as the Te Deum, Alleluia, Gloria in excelsis? To remind the sinner of the grievousness of his errors, and  to exhort him to penance. To incite us to sorrow for our sins, and to show us the necessity of repentance, the Church at the Introit in the name of all nations unites her prayers with David, saying : “The sorrows of death surrounded me, the sorrows of hell encompassed me, and in my affliction I called upon the Lord, and He heard my voice from His holy temple. I will love Thee! O Lord, my strength ; the Lord is my firmament, my refuge, and my deliverer” (Ps. xvii. 5-7, 2, 3). Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

Graciously hear the prayers of Thy people, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we, who are justly afflicted for our sins, may be mercifully delivered, for the glory of Thy name. Through Our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE, i. Cor. ix. 24 x. 5.

Brethren : Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize? So run that you may obtain. And every one that striveth for the mastery refraineth  himself from all things, and they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown : but we an incorruptible one. I therefore so run, not as an uncertainty : I so fight, not as one beating the air: but I chastise my body, and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps, when I have preached to others, I myself should be come a castaway. For I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all in Moses were baptized, in the cloud, and in the sea: and did all eat the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink (and they drank of the spiritual rock that followed them; and the rock was Christ), but with the most of them God was not well pleased.

NOTE: Reflect, O Christian, what we poor sinners ought to be willing to do to gain heaven when the great apostle suffered so much to obtain eternal life.

Prayer.

O Jesus, assist me, that with Thy holy grace I may follow the example of St. Paul, and endeavor to deny myself, to chastise my body, and, by continual exercise of every virtue, to obtain perfection and everlasting life. Amen.

GOSPEL. Matt. xx. 1-16.

At that time Jesus spoke to His disciples this parable : The kingdom of heaven is like to a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. And having agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing in the market-place idle, and he said to them :Go you also into my vineyard, and I will give you what shall be just. And they went their way. And again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour: and did in like manner. But about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing, and he saith to them : Why stand you here all the day idle ?  They say to him : Because no man hath hired us. He saith to them : Go you also into my vineyard. And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward: Call the laborers and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the first. When therefore they were come that came about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first also came, they thought that they should receive more; and they also received every man a penny. And receiving it, they murmured against the master of the house, saying : These last have worked but one hour, and thou hast made them equal to us, that have borne the burden of the day and the heats. But he answering said to one of them : Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny?Take what is thine, and go thy way : I will also give to this last even as to thee. Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? Is thy eye evil because I am good? So shall the last be last, and the first last ; for many are called, but few chosen.

 In these parables what is to be understood by the master of a family, the vineyard, the laborers, and the penny? 

The master of a family is God, Who calls all men as laborers to His vineyard of the true religion, or Church, and to receive the promised penny, which is the divine grace and eternal salvation.

How and when does God call men?

By the instruction of parents and teachers, by preachers and confessors, by spiritual books, edifying conversation, good examples and inspirations ; in early youth, in manhood, and in old age which stages of human life are also signified by the different hours of the day.

Who are the laborers in the vineyard?

Those who work, combat, and suffer for God and His honor, for their own salvation and that of others, particularly spiritual teachers.

How should we work in the vineyard of the Lord?

As in a vineyard men must dig, destroy the weeds, cut off what is useless and bad, manure, plant, and bind, in like manner must we, in the spiritual vineyard of our souls, destroy the weeds of vice by rooting out sinful inclinations and their causes, and by real penance. In other words: 1. We must hate every sin. 2. We must produce in ourselves a fervent desire to destroy vice. 3. We must earnestly beg God’s grace, without which we can do nothing. 4. We must attend zealously at instructions, sermons, and catechism. 5. We must often go to confession and communion, and follow our confessor s directions. 6. Every morning we must make firm resolutions, and every night an examination of conscience. Y. We must read in some spiritual book, treating of the predominant sin which we have to root out. 8. We must venerate some saint who in life committed the same sin, as, for instance, Mary Magdalen, who from being a great sinner became a great penitent. 9. We must fast, give alms, and do other good works.

Why did the last man, as mentioned in the gospel, receive as much as those who came first?

Because God does not reward men according to the time of their labor, but according to the zeal, love, fidelity, and humility with which they have concurred with His grace (Wis.iv. 7, 8, 11; n. Cor. ix. 6).

What is meant by i l many are called, but few chosen ? 

It is as if Our Saviour should say, Do not wonder that the last shall be first, and the first last, for many will not be received at all. From among the Jews and gentiles He has called many, but few only have followed Him, and of these again only few can be the chosen. How many Christians are there who do not accept His calling, or who fail to live according to their vocation, neither cooperating with His grace nor trying forcibly to enter the kingdom of heaven !

Prayer.

O most merciful and benign Lord, Who, without any merit of our own, hast called us, Thy unworthy servants, out of mere mercy, into Thy vineyard the Church and commanded us to work therein, grant us grace, we beseech Thee, never to be idle, but as faithful servants to be always doing Thy holy will. 

Whatever we have heretofore left undone, we will in future endeavor to do with persevering zeal, through the grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.  

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Next: Sexagesima Sunday

SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

With this week the Church concludes the solemnities of Christmas. At the Introit, which is the same as on the third Sunday after Epiphany, she calls upon the angels to adore and praise God for the grace of the incarnation of His divine Son, which gave joy to the Church and all pious men.

Prayer.

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that, ever fixing our thoughts on reasonable things, we may perform, both in words and works, the things that are pleasing to Thee. Through Christ, etc. Amen.

EPISTLE, i. Thess. i. 2-10.

Brethren : We give thanks to God always for you all : making a remembrance of you in our prayers without ceasing, being mindful of the work of your faith, and labor, and charity, and of the enduring of the hope of Our Lord Jesus Christ before God and our Father. Knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election : for our Gospel hath not been unto you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much fulness, as you know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes. And you became followers of us, and of the Lord, receiving the word in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Ghost : so that you were made a pattern to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. For from you was spread abroad the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and in Achaia, but also in every place, your faith which is towards God, is gone forth, so that we need not to speak anything. For they themselves relate of us, what manner of entering in we had unto you ; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven (Whom He raised up from the dead), Jesus Who hath delivered us from the wrath to come.

Explanation.

St. Paul wishes grace and peace to the Thessalonians ; gives them the assurance of his prayers without ceasing, and declares his joy at their having received the faith in Christ ; at their be ing zealous in good works and firm in tribulation, and at their persevering in the hope of reward, whereby they became a pattern to others, who were led to embrace the true religion, and were confirmed in it by their example. Oh, that we could say the same of Christians of the present day ! Such a life isthe glory of Christianity. Let us, therefore, endeavor to have a living faith, shining forth in all good works, with a firm hope of our salvation, that we too may be an example to unbelievers.

GOSPEL. Matt. xiii. 31-35.

At that time Jesus spoke to the multitudes this parable: The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard-seed, which a man took and sowed in his field : which is the least indeed of all seeds : but when it is grown up, it is greater than all herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and dwell in the branches thereof. Another parable He spoke to them: The kingdom of heaven is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened.  All these things Jesus spoke in parables to the multitudes : and without parables He did not speak to them. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: I will open My mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.

Why are the Church and the doctrines of Christ compared to a grain of mustard-seed?
Because they are very similar : the mustard-seed, though small, in Palestine grows to be very high, spreads wide, and is very prolific. In like manner the Church and doctrine of Christ, though at the beginning very small, increased so fast, and in time reached such a large growth, as to surpass all other religions, so that the princes and wise men of the world sheltered themselves under the protection of Christianity, as the bird?  dwell under the branches of the tree.

Why are the Church and the doctrines of Christ compared to leaven?
Because as leaven in a short time penetrates and makes palatable a large measure of meal, so the Church and the doctrines of Christ penetrated most rapidly three quarters of the globe, corrected the foolish opinions of the heathen, and gave them a taste lor divine things and heavenly wisdom.

Prayer.

Most amiable Jesus, we thank Thee for having called us to Thy Church, and for having communicated to us Thy doctrine.  Give us grace to become by it each day better and more pleasing to Thee, and finally to attain eternal happiness. Enlighten also the nations living in heresy and darkness, that they may know Thee, and be delivered from the wrath to come. Amen.
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Next-Septuagesima Sunday

FEAST OF ST. BLASE, BISHOP AND MARTYR FEBRUARY 3

Feast of St. Blasé, Bishop and Martyr
FEBRUARY 3.

ST. BLASE was born at Sebaste, in Armenia, of which place he was subsequently appointed bishop, on the
solicitation of the people, and suffered martyrdom in 316, during the persecution under Licinius. This saint
wrought many miracles, and is yet invoked in dangerous diseases of the throat, because he saved the life of a rich widows son, who had nearly died in consequence of swallowing a fish-bone. The Church accordingly sanctions a special blessing of throats on his day. Holding the blessed candles near the throat, in the form of a cross, the priest says : “Through the merits and intercession of St. Blase, bishop and martyr, God deliver thee from all diseases of the throat, and preserve thee from every other evil. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

If we take part in this pious custom of the Church, we should, above all, consider that while we unite our supplications with the prayers of the Church, to be preserved from bodily illness, we ought to guard our souls against sin, particularly sins of the tongue and of the palate, as being more dangerous ills than any that can afflict our bodies.

Prayer.

O God, Who givest us joy by the annual solemnity of St.  Blase, Thy holy bishop and martyr, mercifully grant us, in the fulness of Thy love, that we may rejoice in the protection of him whose festival we to-day joyfully celebrate. Through Christ our Lord, etc.
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Next: Feast of St. Matthias the Apostle, February 24 or 25

INSTRUCTIONS FOR WOMEN AFTER CHILDBIRTH

Instruction for Women after Childbirth

The law of purification in the Old Testament, it is true, no longer applies to Christian women, because the Church has done away with Jewish ceremonies. But the spirit and intention of that law the Church would yet have complied with. She permits women, therefore, to remain at home, with a good conscience, for six weeks after childbirth, or so long as circumstances may require, without attending divine service, in order to care for their health. This permission is, at the same time, an excellent admonition to women, that, in order to their recovery, they should refrain from anger, from exposure, from hard labor, from injurious food; to men, not to refuse their wives during this period, set apart by God Himself under the Old Law, the rest and attention which their nature requires.  But when this time is past the Church desires that women should, after the example of Mary, repair to the church with their children, to procure the blessing of the priest, to give thanks to God for their safe delivery, to dedicate their children to Him, and to implore of Him, with the priest, grace to bring up their offspring in piety and holiness. In this consists the so-called  “churching of women” and, from what has been said, it is evident, not only that it contains nothing to be ashamed of, but that it should by no means be omitted by such as desire God s blessing.

The feeble health of both women and children after child-birth is almost always owing to their having injured themselves by want of care.

Prayer for Women after Childbirth.

Almighty and merciful God, Who didst lay upon our mother Eve the tit punishment for her disobedience that she should bear children in sorrow, I offer to Thee all the pains of my child-bear ing in propitiation for my sins; and I thank Thee that, through Thy help, the fruit of my womb has been safely brought forth into the world, and new-born in Baptism. According to the example of the Mother of Thy only-begotten Son, I also offer to Thee my child for Thy holy service, and will earnestly strive to bring it up to Thy honor. To this end give me, through the intercession of the most blessed Virgin, Thy grace; bless me and my child, and grant that we may live according to Thy will here, and hereafter may obtain everlasting happiness. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, etc. Amen.
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Next. Feast of St. Blase, Bishop and Martyr, February 3

PURIFICATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, FEBRUARY 2

Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Commonly Called Candlemas-Day.
February 2

ON this day the Church solemnly celebrates the presentation of Jesus in the temple, and the obedience and humility both of Mary and her divine Son, who, though not subject to the law in regard to purification and presentation, yet subjected themselves to it. Hence this feast is called the Purification of the Virgin Mary. In common speech we call it also Candlemas, because on this day the candles required for the divine service are blessed and carried in procession.

What is the design of this custom?
1.    It is to remind us that Jesus, the light of the world, was offered up to His heavenly Father, by Mary, in the temple at Jerusalem, where He was called by Simeon “a light for the revelation of the gentiles, and the gbry of the people of Israel.”
2.    To remind us, also, of several important truths, to which the priest refers in the prayers at the blessings. Thus he prays that as the earthly light dispels the darkness of night, so Jesus, with the light of His divine doctrine, may clear away our spiritual blindness and ignorance, and lead us in the way of virtue ; that as the Holy Ghost enlightened Simeon, so He may also enlighten us to acknowledge Jesus as the true light, to love Him and follow Him, to keep our hearts from the way of sin, and to guide them in the way of virtue, and to kindle them with the fire of holy love ; finally, that God may preserve, in soul and body, those who use blessed candles with devotion, may hear their prayers, and grant them entrance into the kingdom of the eternal and ever-blessed light.

In the Introit of the Mass the Church sings : “We have received Thy mercy, O God, in the midst of Thy temple ; accord ing to Thy name, O God, so also is Thy praise unto the ends of the earth ; Thy right hand is full of justice. Great is the Lord and exceedingly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain.” Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

Almighty, everlasting God, we suppliantly beseech Thy majesty that, as Thy only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the substance of our flesh, so Thou wouldst grant us to be presented to Thee with purified souls. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, etc.

EPISTLE. Mal. iii. 1-4.

Thus saith the Lord : Behold I send My angel, and he shall prepare the way before My face. And presently the Lord "Whom you seek, and the angel of the testament whom you desire, shall come to his temple. Behold he cometh, saith the Lord of hosts: and who shall be able to think of the day of his coming?  and who shall stand to see him ? for he is like a refining fire, and like the fullers herb : and he shall sit refining and cleansing the silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and shall refine them as gold, and as silver, and they shall offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice. And the sacrifice of Juda and of Jerusalem shall please the Lord, as in the days of old, and in the ancient years, saith the Lord Almighty.

GOSPEL. Luke ii. 22-32.

At that time: After the days of Mary s purification accord ing to the law of Moses were accomplished, they carried Jesus to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord : Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord; and to offer a sacrifice according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons. And behold there was a man in Jerusa lem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel : and the Holy Ghost was in him.  And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.  And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when His parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law : he also took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said : Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word, in peace : because my eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples ; a light to the revelation of the gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.

Explanation.

The Blessed Virgin presented herself and her divine Son at the temple so as not to give scandal to such as were ignorant of their being exempt from the law, to show from the first that Jesus was come to redeem sinners, and to leave us an example of humility and obedience. Mary offered the gift of a pair of doves, like the poor, because she was poor, and was not ashamed to acknowledge it before the world.
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Next: Instructions for Women after Childbirth

FEAST OF ST. BRIDGET, FEBRUARY 1

Feast of St. Bridget, Abbess and Partoness of Ireland.
FEBRUARY 1.

ST. BRIDGET was born about the year 453 at Fochard, in Ulster.  When about twenty years old she received the veil from St. Mel, the nephew and disciple of St. Patrick. So many sought the religious life under her direction that a convent, the first in Ireland, was erected for her and she was made superior.  From this parent stem branched forth other convents in different parts of Ireland, all which acknowledged her as their mother and foundress. Several churches in England and Scotland are dedicated to God under her name, and some also in Germany and in France. After seventy years devoted to the practice of the most sublime virtues, corporal infirmities admonished our saint that the time of her dissolution was nigh. For half a century she had irrevocably consecrated herself to God, and dur ing that period great results had been attained. The day on which our abbess was to quit this life, February 1, 523, having arrived, she received the blessed body and blood of her Lord in the Blessed Eucharist, and, as it would seem, immediately aftei her spirit passed forth, and went to possess Him in that heavenly country where He is seen face to face and enjoyed without dangc r of ever losing Him. Her body was interred in the church adjoining her convent, but was some time after exhumed, and deposited in a splendid shrine near the high altar. In the ninth century, the country being desolated by the Danes, the remains of St. Bridget were removed to Down-Patrick, where they were deposited in the same grave with those of St. Patrick. Their bodies, together with that of St. Columba, were translated after wards to the cathedral of the same city, but their monument was destroyed in the reign of King Henry VIII. The head of St, Bridget is now kept in the church of the Jesuits at Lisbon.

The Introit of the Mass is as follows : “ Thou hast loved justice and hated iniquity ; therefore, O God, Thy God hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows. My heart hath uttered a good word. I speak my works to the King.” Glory be, etc.
Prayer.
Give ear to us, O God our Saviour, that, as we celebrate with joy the solemnity of blessed Bridget Thy virgin, so we may improve in the affection of piety. Through, etc.

EPISTLE, ii. Cor. x 17, 18 ; xi. 1, 2.

Brethren : He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he who commendeth himself is approved, but he whom God commendeth. Would to God you could bear with some little of my folly, but do bear with me. For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God. For I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.


GOSPEL. Matt. xxv. 1-13.

At that time Jesus spoke to His disciples this parable : Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who, taking their lamps, went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride.And five of them were foolish, and five wise: but the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them :but the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise : Give us of your oil : for our lamps are gone out. The wise answered, saying : Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go you rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Now whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came : and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. But at last came also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. But He answering said : Amen I say to you, I know you not. Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.
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Next: Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, February 2

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

ON this Sunday the Church reminds us how God tolerates the wicked, and exhorts us to love Him.
The Introit is the same as on the third Sunday after Epiphany.

Prayer.

Preserve, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy family by con tinued mercy, that, relying solely on the hope of heavenly grace, it may be always defended by Thy protection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

EPISTLE. Coloss. iii. 12-17.

Brethren : Put ye on therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience : bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another : even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so you also. But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection ; and let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body : and be ye thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, all things do ye in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.  Why does St. Paul call charity the bond of perfection?  Because it combines all the virtues of which perfection con sists. For whoever loves God and his neighbor practises in a perfect manner all virtues, such as humility, mercy, patience.  St. Paul would have all Christians to be rich, that is, well instructed in the word of God, that it may console and strengthen them in all adversities, which purpose is to be attained also by attending at the public services, where Christians edify one another by psalms and canticles.

The Apostle further admonishes us to do all, whatsoever we do, in word or in work whether it be to eat, or drink, or sleep to do all in the name of Jesus, in His spirit and according to His will ; thus honoring and praising God, our heavenly Father.

GOSPEL. Matt. xiii. 24-30.

At that time Jesus spoke this parable to the multitude, say ing : The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man that sowed good seed in his field : but while men were asleep, his enemy came and oversowed cockle among the wheat, and went his way.  And when the blade was sprung up, and had brought forth fruit, then appeared also the cockle. And the servants of the good man of the house coming said to him : Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it cockle? And he said to them : An enemy hath done this. And the servants said to him : Wilt thou that we go and gather it up? And he said : No ; lest perhaps gathering up the cockle, you root up the wheat also together with it. Suffer both to grow until the harvest, and in the time of the harvest, I will say to the reapers : Gather up first the cockle, and bind it in bundles to burn ; but the wheat gather ye into my barn.

What is to be understood by the kingdom of heaven?  The Church of God, or the congregation of the faithful upon earth.

What are we to understand by the good seed and the cockle?  By the good seed is meant good Christians, children of God, who bring forth thousandfold fruit of good works ; the cockle denotes heretics, infidels, and bad men. We are also to under stand by the good seed the word of God, and by the cockle false doctrines and principles.

Who are they that are asleep?
1.    Those secular and ecclesiastical superiors who neglect the obligations of their office, fail to watch over their flock, and to punish the guilty. In this case it is easy for the devil to cor rupt the congregation by false doctrine, by mockery of religion, by bad example, and immoral books. 2. Those Christians who cease to use the means of salvation by absenting themselves from divine service, by omitting to receive the sacraments, to hear the word of God, or to do good works.

Why does not God gather up the wicked, who are the cockle, ard destroy them?
1. On account of His long-suffering and patience towards the sinner, whom He gives the opportunity of doing penance. 2.Out of love for the just and righteous; for should He exter minate the wicked, the just would lose the opportunity of exer cising many virtues, such as patience, meekness, mercy, purity, and perseverance to the end, whereby they acquire the merits of eternal life.

Aspiration.

O Jesus, Who hast sown the good seed of Thy divine word ,n our hearts, grant that it may bring forth in us, many fold, the fruit of eternal life. Defend us against the enemy, that he may not sow in us false and wicked doctrines to destroy our good works ; preserve us from the sleep of sin and sloth, that we may watch against the temptations of the world, the devil, and the flesh, and, having overcome them, may die happily. Amen.
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Next: Sixth Sunday after Epiphany