FEAST OF ST. MICHAEL, SEPTEMBER 29

Feast of St. Michael

SEPTEMBER 29.

MICHAEL is the prince of the heavenly armies, who first con tended against the proud Lucifer. The holy Church honors him as a particular defender, and the faithful call upon him in all dangers of soul and body, but they particularly implore his intercession at the hour of death, in order that, after having, according to his example, courageously fought against Satan, they may receive the crown of victory, and that their souls may by him be brought before the throne of God. Let us also venerate him, and, full of confidence, cry out with the holy Church, "Holy archangel Michael, protect us in battle, that we may not perish in the tremendous judgment."

Prayer.

O God, Who with wonderful order dost direct the ministry of angels and of men, mercifully grant that our life on earth may be protected by those who ever minister before Thee in heaven. Through Christ Jesus our Lord etc. Amen.

EPISTLE. Apocalypse i. 1-5.

In those days God made known the things which must shortly come to pass : and signified, sending by His angel to His servant John, who hath given testimony to the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, what things soever He hath seen. Blessed is he that readeth and heareth the words of this prophecy: and keepeth those things which are written in it.  For the time is at hand. John to the seven churches which are in Asia : Grace be unto you and peace from Him that is, and that was, and that is to come, and from the seve:i spirits which are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, Who is the faithful witness, the first-begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth, Who hath loved us, and washed us from our sins, in His own blood.

This epistle is read to-day because St. Michael so bravely contended against the sedition of Satan, and, after gaining the victory, drove him and his adherents from heaven.

GOSPEL. Matt, xviii. 1-10.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who thinkest Thou is the greater in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus calling unto Him a little child, set him in the midst of them, and said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven.  And he that shall receive one such little child in My name receiveth Me. But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea. Wo to the world because of scandals. For it must needs be that scandals come : but nevertheless, wo to that man by whom the scandal cometh. And if thy hand or thy foot scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee.  It is better for thee to go into life maimed or lame, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee.  It is better for thee having one eye to enter into life, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. See that you despise not one of these little ones : for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father Who is in heaven.

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel.

Great prince of heaven, St. Michael, to thy protection I commend my soul and body, and, by the glory which thou possessest in heaven, I beseech thee that thou wouldst ever assist me, particularly at the close of my life ; that thou wouldst strengthen my faint-hearted ness, and obtain for me from God the remission of my sins, and an entire submission to His holy will, that my soul may depart full of comfort. Then receive it, and bring it, under the guidance of the holy angels, before the face of God, to enjoy the contemplation of Him for all eternity.  Amen.
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Next: Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

THE Introit of the Mass of this day is a fervent prayer which may be said in any need or adversity.
“ Bow down Thy ear, O Lord, to me and hear me ; save Thy servant, O my God, that trusteth in Thee ; have mercy on me, O Lord, for I have cried to Thee all day. Give joy to the soul of Thy servant, for to Thee, O Lord, I have lifted up my soul.” Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

May continued mercy purify and defend Thy Church, O Lord ; and since without Thee it cannot remain safe, may it ever be governed by Thy bounty ! Through Christ our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE. Gal. v. 25, 26; vi. 1-10.

Brethren : If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be made desirous of vainglory, provoking one another, envying one another. And if a man be overtaken in any fault, you, who are spiritual, instruct such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  Bear ye one another s burdens, and so you shall fulfil the law of Christ. For if any man think himself to be something, whereas he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every one prove his own work, and so he shall have glory in himself only, and not in another. For every one shall bear his own burden.  And let him that is instructed in the word communicate to him that instructeth him, in all good things. Be not deceived : God is not mocked. For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, of the flesh also shall reap corruption : but he that soweth in the Spirit, of the Spirit shall reap life everlasting. And in doing good, let us not fail : for in due time we shall reap, not failing. Therefore whilst we have time, let us work good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Explanation.

From this epistle we learn that humility should teach and admonish us to think little of ourselves to shun self-confidence and vainglory ; charity should incite us, on the other hand, to be meek, loving, compassionate, and kind to every man, even to sinners; to administer correction to the erring only with charity, for if this be done with impertinent and insolent zeal, we shall not only fail to correct offenders, but shall ourselves fall into the same temptations and sins ; for God, by a common and just judgment, allows the proud, who look down upon others sins, to fall into sin themselves, that they may learn to be humble, and to have compassion upon those who have gone astray.

Aspiration.

O St. Paul, procure for me, by thy prayers, the grace of God, that I may continually walk in humility, may always love my neighbor, and, in particular, may bear with patience his faults and frailties, that so I may fulfil the law of God, and reap an abundant harvest.

GOSPEL. Luke vii. 11-16.

At that time Jesus went into a city that is called Nairn :and there went with Him His disciples, and a great multitude.  And when He came nigh to the gate of the city, behold a dead man was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow : and a great multitude of the city was with her.  Whom when the Lord had seen, being moved with mercy towards her, He said to her : Weep not. And He came near and touched the bier. And they that carried it stood still.  And He said : Young man, I say to thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up and began to speak. And He gave him to his mother. And there came a fear on them all : and they glorified God, saying : A great prophet is risen up among us : and God hath visited His people.

Why did Christ have compassion on this widow ?

To show us that God takes forsaken and afflicted under His care, and becomes Himself their comforter and helper, and to teach us that we should do likewise. Christ had, however, still other grounds for His compassion ; for He fore saw in this dead youth of Nairn the death of the sinner, and in the affliction of the mother the grief which the Church would suffer over the spiritual loss of so many children.

Why did Christ say to this widow, “Weep not” ?

To intimate that He would restore her son to her, and at the same time to teach us that we should not mourn and weep to excess for the dead. St. Paul therefore admonishes us not to be sorrowful in regard to the dead, as others who have no hope of resurrection (i. Thess. iv. 12).

Why did Christ command the bearers to stand still?

To awaken their confidence and to put it beyond doubt that the resurrection of the dead proceeded from Him. This should teach us that a soul that is dead cannot be restored to life so long as the passions which have caused its death, and borne it, as it were, to the grave, are not brought to a stop.
What more do we learn from this gospel?

That no one, however young, is safe from death ; and that every one, therefore, should be always prepared for it.  What is often the cause of early death among young persons?  1. Gluttony and intemperance; for by surfeiting and in temperance more perish than by the sword (Ecclus. xxxvii. 34).  2. Lust. 3. Anger; “;If you bite and devour one another, take heed you be not consumed one of another” (Gal. v. 15).  From angry words often come strife and blows, and not unfrequently murder itself. 4. Disobedience. We have dreadful examples to show that God has taken out of the world, early and suddenly, disobedient children; for instance, Absalom.  Not without reason does God say to children: “Honor thy father and mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee, that thou mayest live a long time, and it may be well with thee in the land” (Deut. v. 16).

ON DEATH.

Certain it is that we shall die, but uncertain the hour of our death. Would that we might never forget this truth ; that we might earnestly think of it every day ! How different our lives would then be ! Have mercy, then, on thine own soul. Keep thyself in readiness ; so live that thou mayest have no reason to fear death. Do in thy lifetime what in the hour of death you will wish that you had done. Die daily, with St. Paul, by crucifying the flesh with its desires and lusts, and by voluntarily loosening thy heart from the world, its goods, and its vanities, before death does this for you by violence. In time of temptation and passion think of these truths, and resist ; then to die will not be too hard.

Aspiration.

I must one day die! How, then, can I live so carelessly?  Why do I so cling to the world, which I must leave? Never again shall this be! And you, my dear friends and relatives, I will in future love only with a love and affection sanctified and directed to God ; such as shall not cease in death, but, like God Himself, shall last for eternity.

INSTRUCTION ON THE CEREMONIES OF THE CHURCH AT BURIALS.
“Behold, a dead man was carried out, the only son of his mother: and a great multitude of the city was with her.” Luke vii. 12.

From the people who thus accompanied the corpse of the young man we should learn to pay the last honors to the dead, and to follow their bodies to the grave.

Why is the cross carried before the corpse?

To signify that the deceased confessed Christ crucified, and departed this life believing in Him and hoping to rise again through Him.

Why are lighted candles placed around and carried before the coffin?

To signify that we pray the deceased may have eternal light.  This custom is very old ; for St. Cyprian, who was beheaded for Christ’s sake about sixteen hundred years ago, was carried to his grave with lights and the singing of hymns.

Why are the coffin and grave sprinkled with holy water?

In token that the Church desires for the deceased the comfort of God’s grace in case he should be detained.

Why are the corpse and the grave incensed?

To signify that the deceased, according to his Christian vocation, had been “a good odor of Christ”(II. Cor. ii. 15), and to remind the faithful that their prayers and good works should, like the incense, go up to heaven for the deceased.

Why are psalms and hymns sung?

1. To remind us of the teaching of St. Paul, that we should not be sorrowful on account of the dead, as are those who have no hope of eternal life; 2. To declare that we esteem the departed happy on account of the rest of which henceforth they are made partakers (Apoc. xiv. 13). This usage descends to us from the apostles, who buried St. Stephen with the singing of psalms and hymns.

Why are the bells rung at funerals?

To call the faithful to prayer for the dead : for adults, that they may obtain eternal rest; for children, to thank God that He has delivered them from all dangers and temptations, and received them into His heavenly kingdom.

Why is a cross or headstone erected over the grave?

To point out that there lies the body of a Christian and a brother, and to remind us to pray for our friend.

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Next: Feast of Saint Michael, September 29

FEAST OF ST. MATTHEW THE APOSTLE, SEPTEMBER 21

Feast of St. Matthew the Apostle
September 21

MATTHEW, also called Levi, a son of Alpheus, and brother of the holy apostle James the Less, was a receiver in the Roman custom-house on Lake Tiberias. Such officers were hated by the Jews for their injustice, and were called publicans, or public sinners. While he was sitting at the receipt of custom he was called by Christ to be one of His disciples, and immediately leaving his lucrative office and all that he had, followed Him. On account of his distinguished zeal he was afterwards received into the number of the apostles. After the descent of the Holy Ghost he remained in Judea, preached the Gospel, wrote the passion of Our Lord as contained in his gospel, and lived strictly in the fear of God. At a later day he travelled through Persia, Ethiopia, and other countries. At  last he was killed at the altar, by command of King Hirtacus, for opposing his marriage with the Princess Iphigenia, who, by St. Matthew‘s direction, had vowed to God perpetua] virginity.  His holy remains were brought to Salermo in the tenth century.  Thus may great sinners become great saints by following faith fully, like St. Matthew, the voice of God.
At the Introit of the Mass the Church sings : “The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak judgment; the laws of God is in his heart,” etc. Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

May we be assisted, O Lord, by the prayers of the blessed apostle Matthew, that what of ourselves we are unable to obtain may be given to us by his intercession. Through Our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE. Ezech. i. 10-14.

The likeness of the face of the four living creatures: the face of a man, and the face of a lion on the right side of all the four : and the face of an ox on the left side of all the four : and the face of an eagle over all the four. And their faces, and their wings were stretched upward : two wings of every one were joined, and two covered their bodies : and every one of them went straight forward : whither the impulse of the spirit was to go, thither they went : and they turned not when they went. And as for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like that of burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps. This was the vision running to and fro in the midst of the living creatures, a bright fire, and lightning going forth from the fire. And the living creatures ran and returned like flashes of lightning.

GOSPEL. Matt. ix. 9-13.

At that time Jesus saw a man sitting in the custom-house, named Matthew : and He saith to him : Follow Me. And he rose up and followed Him. And it came to pass as He was sitting at meat in the house, behold many publicans and sinners came, and sat down with Jesus and His disciples. And the Pharisees seeing it, said to His disciples : Why doth your master eat with publicans and sinners ? But Jesus hearing it, said : They that are in health need not a physician, but they that are ill. Go then and learn what this meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice. For I am not come to call the just, but sinners.

Explanation.

This gospel teaches us: 1. That when God calls we should obey at once, lest, by not giving heed to His voice, lie should cease to call us, or withdraw from us His grace. 2. To forsake the occasions of sin ; as St. Matthew not only left the place where he sinned, but abandoned entirely the very house and office which had led him into sin. 3. That we should not only cease to sin, but, like St. Matthew, should follow Christ in poverty, humility, meekness, patience, if we would enter the kingdom of God.

Prayer.

O holy apostle, who hast made ready for us a glorious feast in thy gospel, pray for me that thy gospel may be in truth food for my soul ; pray that in it I may devoutly consider the  life, virtues, passion and death of Jesus Christ, that I may faithfully follow, in all things, thy words, written by inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and by the operation of the same Spirit may be able to exclaim : How sweet are thy words to my palate ! more than honey to my mouth.

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Next: Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost.

AT the Introit of the Mass, join with the priest in awaking in your heart a fervent desire for heaven by these words :“Behold, O God, our protector, and look on the face of Thy Christ; for better is one day in Thy courts above thousands.  How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord”(Ps. Ixxxiii.).Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

Preserve Thy Church, we beseech Thee, O Lord, with perpetual mercy, and since without Thee mortal man goes astray, may we be ever withheld by Thy grace from what is hurtful, and directed to what is profitable. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.

EPISTLE. Gal. v. 10-24.

Brethren: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the spirit : and the spirit against the flesh ; for these are contrary one to another : so that you do not the things that you would. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are, fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, luxury, idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, con
tentions, emulations, wraths, quarrels, dissensions, sects, envies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like, of which I foretell you, as I have foretold to you, that they who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity,  mildness, faith, modesty, continency, chastity.  Against such there is no law. And they that are Christ s have crucified their flesh with the vices and concupiscences.

What is it to walk in the Spirit ?

It is, in all things and at all times, to follow the inspirations of the Holy Spirit ; and not merely to abstain from the works of the flesh, but rather to crucify the flesh and its lusts, and earnestly to aspire after those fruits which the Holy Ghost produces in men? such as charity, peace, and joy. So shall we be long to Christ, and become partakers of eternal life.  Is it not wonderful that while all Christians desire to belong to Christ, and to be heirs of His kingdom, they are unwilling to crucify the flesh with its vices and concupiscences, and to destroy its lusts, as though they believed this to be required only of the clergy, whereas it is to all Christians that Christ says : “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me”? (Matt. xvi. 24.)

GOSPEL. Matt vi. 24-33.

At that time Jesus said to His disciples : No man can serve two masters : for either he will hate the one, and love the other : or he will sustain the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say to you, be not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat, nor for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than the meat, and the body more than the raiment ? Behold the birds of the air, for they neither sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns : and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not you of much more value than they? And which of you by taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? And for raiment why are you solicitous? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow: they labor not, neither do they spin. But I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these.  And if the grass of the field, which is to-day, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, God doth so clothe: how much more you, O ye of little faith! Be not solicitous therefore, saying: What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the heathens seek. For your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things. Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God and His justice : and all these things shall be added unto you.

What is meant by serving God?

Doing the will of God in all things which He requires of us, in whatever state of life we may be placed, and doing this with fidelity, with unwearied zeal, and out of love for Him.

Who are the two masters whom we cannot serve at the same time?

God and an inordinate desire for worldly gain. One cannot serve both, because they demand things that are contradictory.

Who are they that serve mammon, or worldly wealth?

The avaricious, who, impelled by their longing for riches, offend God by manifold transgressions of His commandments.

Why does Christ refer us to the birds of the air and the lilies of the field?

To awaken in us confidence in Divine Providence. If God feeds the young ravens (Ps. cxlvi. 9) and the birds of the air ; if He decks so beautifully the flowers of the field, how much more will He not care for men, whom He has created after His own image, and adopted as His children.

Are we, then, to use no care or labor?

That by no means follows from what has been said. The Saviour forbids only that anxiety, proceeding from little faith, which, in striving for a maintenance, neglects God s honor and commandments, and the good of one s soul. For the rest, God Himself has commanded man to labor (Gen. iii. 17-19); and St. Paul says, “ If any man will not work, neither let him eat”(n. Thess. iii. 10).

What should preserve us from excessive anxiety?

A firm and living faith that God can and will help us. That He can is clear, because He is almighty ; that He will is certain, for the reason that He is love that He has promised it to us, more than once, most expressly, and that He is faithful in keeping His promises.
Let us, then, trust in God, and daily renew our confidence in Him, particularly when we say the Creed, or when, in the Our Father, we pray, ”Give us this day our daily bread.”
Consolation in Poverty.

In your misery and poverty, say often, with Job: “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away ; as it hath pleased the Lord so it is done ; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job i.  21). Or seek comfort in these words:”We lead indeed a poor life, but we shall have many good things if we fear God and depart from all sin, and do that which is good”(Job iv.23).

Warning against Usury.

Usury is that mortal sin which takes advantage of our neighbor s poverty and need to extort from him what is justly his own. Would that usurers might bear in mind what the Lord says: “What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul?” (Matt. xvi. 26.)
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Next: Feast of St. Matthew the Apostle, September 21

FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS, SEPTEMBER 14

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
SEPTEMBER 14.

THIS feast is a yearly commemoration of the erection, at Jerusalem, by Constantine the Great, and his mother, St.  Helena, of the cross on which Christ died. This took place under the Emperor Heraclius, by whom the holy cross, which Khosroo, King of Persia, had carried into his own country, was, after fourteen years, recovered, brought back to Jerusalem, and borne by the emperor himself to the hill of Calvary, whither it had been borne by the Saviour. Upon this occasion a miracle occurred. As Heraclius was about to carry the cross to the proper place on his shoulders, out of veneration for it, he found that while wearing the imperial dress he could not move it, until, by the advice of the patriarch Zachary, he laid aside his royal ornaments, dressed himself plainly, took off his shoes, and in such manner made himself like the humble Saviour.  Introit of the Mass: “ But it behooves us to glory in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, in Whom is our salvation, life, and resurrection.”

Prayer.

O God, Who on this day givest us joy by the annual solemnity of the exaltation of the holy cross, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may deserve the reward of His redemption in heaven Whose mystery we have known upon earth. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, etc. Amen.

EPISTLE. Phil ii. 5-11.

Brethren : Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus : Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God : but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause God also hath exalted Him, and hath given Him a name which is above all names : that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

GOSPEL. John xii. 31-36.

At that time Jesus said to the multitudes of the Jews : Now is the judgment of the world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all things to Myself. (Now this He said, signifying what death He should die.) The multitude answered Him : We have heard out of the law, that Christ abideth forever : and how sayest Thou: The Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man? Jesus therefore said to them: Yet a little while the light is among you. Walk whilst you have the light, that the darkness overtake you not. And he that walketh in dark ness knoweth not whither he goeth. Whilst you have the light, believe in the light that you may be the children of light.

INSTRUCTION ON THE DEVOTION OF THE WAY OF THE CROSS.

What is the Holy Way of the Cross?

It is a devotional exercise by which we meditate upon the passion and death of Jesus, and particularly upon His last way of sorrows, from the house of Pilate to Mount Calvary.

Tradition testifies that after Christ s ascension the Christians living in Jerusalem were accustomed particularly to venerate the holy places which had been sanctified by the passion of the divine Redeemer. But after Jerusalem fell into the hands of the infidels, so that it became dangerous, and often impossible, to pass over the ground which Our Lord had trod, the children of St. Francis of Assisi began to erect in their churches the four teen stations of the Way of the Cross, by meditating on which the faithful might, in spirit, accompany the pilgrims to Jerusalem on the way to Calvary, dwelling in thought on what Christ had suffered for men. Station here means a place to pause, a resting-point for meditation. This devotion has been examined and approved by many Popes, enriched with indulgences, and earnestly recommended to Christians. It may be found in any prayer-book. No exercise is more profitable to our souls than this. What can bring before us the love of God and the abominableness and frightfulness of sin in a more vivid manner than the sufferings of the God-man? How can we any longer indulge in hate when we hear Jesus pray for His enemies? How can we give ourselves up to sensuality and lust when we see the divine Saviour scourged, crowned with thorns, and hanging on the cross? How can we murmur at our trials when we think that Jesus innocent takes up the cross for us guilty ? In truth, we should see our coldness and indifference disappear, as ice melts in the heat, we should grow more and more zealous in the way of virtue, if we would but rightly meditate upon the passion of Christ.

How are visits to the Stations of the Cross to be made ?

Rightly to visit the Stations of the Cross, and to draw there from real benefit, we should at each station consider with attention, with devotion and sorrow, what Jesus has done and suffered for us. We should not content ourselves with merely reciting at each station the proper prayers and meditations, but should pause, to impress upon our hearts what is there represented, that we may be moved and quickened to wholesome resolutions.  In order to gain the indulgences we must endeavor to be in the state of grace, and therefore at least, by way of beginning, we must have perfect contrition for our sins.
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Next: Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

UNITE  your voice with the Church in the Introit of the Mass, and pray for assistance against her enemies. “ Have regard, O Lord, to Thy covenant, and forsake not, unto the end, the souls of Thy poor : Arise, O Lord, and judge Thy cause, and forget not the voices of them that seek Thee. O God, why hast Thou cut us off unto the end? Why is Thy wrath enkindled against the sheep of Thy pasture?” Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

O almighty and eternal God, grant to us an increase of faith, hope, and charity ; and that we may deserve to obtain what Thou promisest, make us love what Thou commandest. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.

EPISTLE. Gal. iii. 16-22.
Brethren : To Abraham were the promises made, and to his seed. He saith  not : And to his seeds, as of many : but as of one: And to thy seed, which is Christ. Now this I say, that the testament which was confirmed by God : the law which was made after four hundred and thirty years, doth not annul, to make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise. Why then was the law? It was set because of transgressions, until the seed should come, to whom He made the promise, being ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.  Now a mediator is not of one : but God is one. Was the law then against the promises of God? God forbid. For if there had been a law given which could give life, verily justice should have been by the law. But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by the faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Explanation.

St. Paul shows the Galatians that they could not be justified by the Mosaic law, but only by active faith. The promise, he says, which God gave to Abraham, that all nations should be saved through faith in one of his seed, pointed to Christ. Even the Scriptures tell us that, notwithstanding the law and its sacrifices, the Jews remained sinners; it could not, therefore, by itself, justify man. It follows, therefore, that salvation was to be gained only through Jesus, Who delivered men from the Jewish law. Let us, then, by active faith in Him, make use of this grace for eternity.

GOSPEL. Luke xvii. 11-19.

At that time, as Jesus was going to Jerusalem, He passed through the midst of Samaria in Galilee. And as lie entered into a certain town, there met Him ten men that were lepers who stood afar oft : and lifted up their voice, saying : Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. Whom when He saw, He said : Go, show yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, as they went they were made clean. And one of them, when he saw that he was made clean, went back, with a loud voice glorifying God, and he fell on his face, before His feet, giving thanks ; and this was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering, said : Were not ten made clean? and where are the nine? There is no one found to return and give glory to God, but this stranger. And He said to him : Arise, go thy way : for thy faith hath made thee whole.

What, in a spiritual sense, does leprosy mean?

In a spiritual sense leprosy means sin, especially the sin of impurity. The Jewish law divided leprosy into three kinds, namely, that of the flesh, that of garments, and that of houses.  The leprosy of the flesh may be likened to the impure, who easily corrupt others; the leprosy of garments, to luxury of dress and scandalous fashions, by which not only souls are seduced into sin, but many families and communities are brought to poverty and plunged into eternal ruin ; the leprosy of houses, to places where wicked and immoral servants are kept ; where immodest dances and plays occur, where licentious acts are committed, where meetings are allowed and encouraged to the injury of virtue and of our neighbor’s honor, where assistance or advice is given in wicked undertakings of any sort.

Why did the lepers stand afar off ?

Because it was thus commanded by the Jewish law, so that no one might catch contagion from them. From this we learn that we must as carefully shun scandalous persons, companies, and houses, as we would the plague.  “ He that toucheth pitch shall be defiled with it, and he that hath fellowship with the proud shall put on pride.” (Ecclus. xiii. 1).

Why did Jesus ask for the nine others who also were made clean ?

To show how greatly ingratitude displeases Him. Injuries to Himself He generally submitted to in silence ; but this ingratitude He would not suffer to pass uncondemned. So great a sin is ingratitude. On this account St. Bernard says, “Ingratitude is an enemy of the soul that destroys merit, corrupts virtue, and prevents grace. It is a scorching wind that dries up the fountain of the goodness and the mercy of God.”

Why does God require us to be grateful?

This question St. Chrysostom answers very beautifully by saying : “God requires gratitude of us only that He may confer on us new graces.” Then let us not forget to thank Him morning and evening; before and after meals; as often as you recognize His blessing in your house, in your children, in your property, your cattle, your fields, your fruits. St. Augustine says: “We cannot think, speak, or write anything better or more acceptable than, ‘Thanks be to God!”

Aspiration.

O Jesus Christ, Who, while upon earth, didst for our example and encouragement give thanks to Thy Heavenly Father for all things, by Thy thankfulness I beseech of Thee grace to give thanks through Thee to our Father in heaven, at all times, for all things.

INSTRUCTION ON THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS.

“ Go, show yourselves to the priests”-- Luke xvii. 14.

What are Holy Orders?

A sacrament in which the priestly power is conferred on the candidate, together with a special grace to discharge its sacred functions.

What is the outward sign of this sacrament?
The laying on of hands and the prayer of the bishop, and the presentation of the chalice with bread and wine, together with the verbal communication of authority to change the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, and to remit and retain sins.

When did Christ institute this sacrament?

At the Last Supper, when, after changing the bread into His true body, and the wine into His true blood, He said to His apostles, “Do this for a commemoration of Me” (Luke xxii.  19).

Are Holy Orders reckoned a sacrament by the apostles?

Yes; for St. Paul admonishes His disciple Timothy to stir up the grace of God received by the imposition of his hands.  Hereby St. Paul teaches expressly that by the imposition of the hands of the apostles, or of the bishops, who are their successors, the grace of God is imparted to priests, in which consists the substance of the sacrament. Pray, then, for the priests; asking fervently of God, particularly on ember- days, to give His Church faithful pastors. Jesus Himself commands it, saying, “The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few : pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that He send laborers into His harvest” (Luke x. 2).
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Next: Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross, September 14

FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, SEPTEMBER 8

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

SEPTEMBER 8.

THIS feast is a commemoration of that happy and joyful day on which the ever-blessed virgin Mother of God first saw the light of day. The Church accordingly sings on this day, “Thy nativity, virgin Mother of God, has brought joy to the whole world ; for from thee has come forth the Sun of justice, Christ the Lord, Who putting away cursing bestowed blessing, and by overcoming death obtained for us life eternal.”

In the Introit of the Mass the Church sings: “Hail, holy parent, who as a happy mother brought forth the King Who rules heaven and earth from eternity to eternity. My heart hath uttered a good word ; I speak my works to the King.”  Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, we beseech Thee, unto us Thy servants the gift of Thy heavenly grace, that, as in the childbirth of the Blessed Virgin our salvation began, so from the votive solemnity of her nativity we may obtain an increase of peace. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc. Amen.

EPISTLE. Prov. viii. 22-35.

The Lord possessed me in the beginning of His ways, before He made anything from the beginning. I was set up from eternity, and of old before the earth was made. The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived, neither had the fountains of waters as yet sprung out : the mountains with their huge bulk had not as yet been established : before the hills I was brought forth : He had not yet made the earth, nor the rivers, nor the poles of the world. When He prepared the heavens, I was there ; when with a certain law and compass He enclosed the depths ; when He established the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters ; when He compassed the sea with its bounds, and set a law to the waters that they should not pass their limits ; when He balanced the foundations of the earth, I was with Him forming all things ; and was delighted every day, playing before Him at all times ; playing in the world, and my delight is to be with the children of men. Now, therefore, ye children, hear me : Blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates, and waiteth at the posts of my doors. He that shall find me shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord.

GOSPEL. Matt, i.1-16.

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham : Abraham begot Isaac. And Isaac begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Judas and his brethren. And Judas begot Phares and Zara of Thamar. And Phares begot Esron. And Esron begot Aram. And Aram begot Aminadab. And Aminadab begot Naasson. And Naasson begot Salmon. And Salmon begot Booz of Kahab. And Booz begot Obed of Ruth.  And Obed begot Jesse. And Jesse begot David the king.  And David the king begot Solomon, of her that had been the wife of Urias. And Solomon begot Roboam. And Roboam begot Abias. And Abias begot Asa. And Asa begot Josaphat And Josaphat begot Joram. And Joram begot Ozias. And Ozias begot Joatham. And Joatham begot Achaz. And Achaz begot Ezechias. And Ezechias begot Manasses. And Manasses begot Amon. And Amon begot Josias. And Josias begot Jechonias and his brethren in the transmigration of Babylon.  And after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechonias begot Salathiel.  And Salathiel begot Zorobabel. And Zorobabel begot Abiud. And Abiud begot Eliacim. And Eliacim begot Azor.  And Azor begot Sadoc. And Sadoc begot Achim. And Achim begot Eliud. And Elind begot Eleazar. And Eleazar begot Mathan. And Mathan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, Who is called Christ.

Let us honor Mary, especially by imitation of those virtues of hers which are to us, as St. John Damascene says, an open book of instruction ; let us rejoice in her prerogatives and glory ; let us encourage others in the veneration of her ; let us, in our need, have recourse to her, who, according to the name Star of the Sea with which the Church salutes her, shines for all who sail upon the dangerous sea of the world. For this reason St. Bernard calls out to each one of us, “ Take not your eyes from the light of this star if you would not be overwhelmed by the waves ; if the storms of temptation arise, if you are thrown upon the rocks of affliction, look to the star, invoke Mary. Are you confounded at the enormity of your sins, are you ashamed at the defilement of your conscience, are you terrified on account of the dreadful judgment, so that you begin to be overpowered by sadness, or even to sink into the abyss of despair, then turn your thoughts to Mary. In dangers, in distress, in doubt, call on Mary. She will not be far from your mouth, or your heart; and that you may obtain her intercession omit not to imitate her conduct. When you follow her, you will not go astray ; when you invoke her, you will no longer be in doubt ; when she supports you, you will not fall; when she leads you, you will surely come to eternal life, and will find by your own experience that she is justly called Maria that is, Star of the Sea.”
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Next: Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

THE Introit of the Mass to-day is the prayer of an afflicted soul entreating God for assistance. “ Incline to my aid, O God; O Lord, make haste to help me; let my enemies be con founded and ashamed who seek my soul. Let them be turned backwards, and blush for shame, who desire evils to me.” Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

O almighty and merciful God, from Whose gift it comes that Thou art worthily and laudably served by the faithful, grant us, we beseech Thee, to run without offence to the attainment of Thy promises. Through Christ our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE, ii. Cor. iii. 4-9.

Brethren : Such confidence we have through Christ towards God : not that we are sufficient to think anything of ourselves, as of ourselves : but our sufficiency is from God : Who also hath made us fit ministers of the New Testament, not in the letter, but in the spirit : for the letter killeth : but the spirit quickeneth.  Now if the ministration of death, engraven with letters upon stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance, which is made void : how shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather in glory? For if the ministration of con demnation be glory: much more the ministration of justice aboundeth in glory.

Explanation.

St. Paul here introduces a comparison between the priesthood of the Old and that of the New Law, in order to show that the dignity of the priesthood under the New Law (and consequently the respect and confidence due to it) as far excels the dignity of the priesthood under the Old as the spirit does the letter --the truth the figure. For if the ministry of Moses, which consisted in the service of the letter, and imparted no grace, was so glorious, how much more glorious is that priest hood of the New Law, through which is conveyed the sanctifying grace of God ! And how much more veneration and obedience should accordingly be paid to the priests of the New Law !

GOSPEL. Luke x. 23-37.

At that time Jesus said to His disciples : Blessed are the eyes that see the things which you see. For I say to you that many prophets and kings have desired to see the things that you see, and have not seen them ; and to hear the things that you hear, and have not heard them. And behold a certain lawyer stood up, tempting Him, and saying: Master, what must I do to possess eternal life? But He said to him: What is written in the law? how readest thou? He answering, said : Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind : and thy neighbor as thyself. And He said to him : Thou hast answered right : this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said to Jesus : And who is my neighbor? And Jesus answering, said : A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who also stripped him: and, having wounded him, went away leaving him half dead. And it chanced that a certain priest went down the same way : and seeing him, passed by. In like manner also a Levite, when he was near the place and saw him, passed by. But a certain Samaritan being on his journey came near him : and seeing him, was moved with compassion. And going up to him, bound np his wounds, pouring in oil and wine : and setting him upon his own beast, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two pence, and gave to the host, and said : Take care of him : and whatsoever thou shalt spend over and above, I at my return will repay thee. Which of these three in thy opinion was neighbor to him that fell among the robbers? But he said : He that showed mercy to him. And Jesus said to him : Go and do thou in like manner.

Why does Jesus call His disciples blessed?

Because they had the happiness which so many kings, patriarchs, and prophets had desired in vain of seeing the Saviour of the world, and of hearing His teaching.

What is it to love God?

To acknowledge God as the highest and most perfect good ; to desire that He should be known, honored, loved, by all men ; that His will should be fulfilled by all; and so zealously to observe His commandments that we would lose all the goods of life, and even life itself, rather than transgress these commands and be separated from God.

What does it mean to love God with the whole heart, etc.?

“ With thy whole heart” signifies with all the motions and inclinations of the heart; “with thy whole soul,” with all the thoughts, conceptions of the soul; “with thy whole mind,” with all the desires, wishes, and determination of the will; “with all thy strength,” with all the powers and faculties of body and soul with all the acts and motions of the senses. All these should be directed to God alone, as the last object and end of man.

How can this be done?

By doing whatever we do, whether it be mental or manual labor, eating, drinking, or recreation, with the intention of doing the will of God and what is pleasing to Him. By this it is understood that idle talk, intemperance in meat and drink, and in general all sinful works, cannot be offered to God, be cause they are contrary to His will and therefore deserve punishment.

Is that true love which loves God because He does us good?

That love is truly good and praiseworthy, but not perfect, for self-interest creeps in with it.

What, then, is the perfect love of God?

When we love God only because He is in Himself the highest good and most worthy of love. In such manner must we endeavor to love God ; not out of self-interest, not from the expectation of reward, nor yet from fear of punishment.

Can every one thus love God?

Yes ; for there is no state of life in which we cannot refer everything to God. Love does not require great deeds, but that we should avoid evil, and refer everything to God ; and all can do this.

Aspiration.

O Jesus, rich in love, Who hast so earnestly exhorted us to the love of God and of our neighbor, engrave deep in our hearts, we pray Thee, this commandment of love, that whatever we do or leave undone, all our thoughts, words, and works, may begin and end in love of Thee; and that no tribulation, temptation, or danger, nor even death itself, may ever separate us from Thee. Grant, also, that out of love to Thee we may love our neighbor, whether friend or enemy, as ourselves, and by this love may deserve to have Thee as a Saviour and merciful Judge.

Who is our neighbor?

Every man, be he a foreigner or a fellow-countryman, poor or rich, of our own religion or of any other, a friend or an enemy.

How are we to love our neighbor?

We must love our neighbor as ourselves; that is, we must wish for him and do for him what in similar circumstances we should desire for ourselves, and not wish for him or do to him what we would not wish done to ourselves (Matt. vii. 12).

In what way are we particularly to practise the love of our neighbor ?

1. By heartily rejoicing over the gifts and graces which our neighbor has received from God, and by sympathizing with him in misfortune ; 2. By praying God to grant to our neighbor such gifts as St. Paul, on his knees, besought for the Ephesians, the fulness of the knowledge of God, and of all perfection ; 3. By overlooking and patiently bearing our neighbor s faults, disorders, and infirmities of every kind, as St. Paul says: “Bear ye one another’s burdens and so you shall fulfil the law of Christ”; 4. In general, by both the spiritual and the corporal works of mercy.

With what intention should we love our neighbor?

We must love our neighbor in God, and for God s sake, because He commands it, and because such love is pleasing to Him.
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Next: Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, September 8