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At the Introit of the Mass the Church calls upon all to invoke our Lord: INTROIT Look Thou upon me, and have mercy on me O Lord, for I am alone and poor. See my abjection and my labor, and forgive me all my sins, O my God, To Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul. In Thee, O my God I put my trust, let me not be ashamed. Glory etc. Psalm 24 COLLECT O God, the protector of them that hope in Thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: multiply Thy mercy upon us, that guided and directed by Thee, we may so pass amid temporal goods as not to lose the eternal. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. EPISTLE First Peter 5. Dearly beloved, Be you humbled under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in the time of visitation: casting all your care upon him for he hath care of you. Be sober and watch because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour: whom resist ye, strong in faith: knowing that the same affliction befalls your brethren who are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, will himself perfect you and confirm you and establish you. To him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen. EXPLANATION In this lesson St. Peter teaches that if we would be exalted we must humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. This necessary humility shows itself in us by giving ourselves and all our cares up to the providence of God who as St. Augustine says, provides for one as for all. We should not fail, however, to be sober and circumspect, and not think ourselves secure from the lusts of the world. The devil like a lion seeking prey, desires the ruin of our souls, tormenting us by temptations and afflictions. By confidence in God’s help we can and should resist him, especially when we consider that after the trials of this life the crown of glory will be our portion for all eternity. |
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GOSPEL (Luke XV. 1-10.) At that time, The publicans and sinners drew nigh unto Jesus to hear him. And the Pharisees and Scribes murmured, saying: This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them And he spoke to. them this parable, saying: What man of you that hath an hundred sheep, and if he shall lose one of them, Both he not leave the ninety-nine in the desert, and go after that which was lost until he find it? Arid when he hath found it, lay it upon his shoulders rejoicing: and coming home, call, together his friends and neighbors, saying to them: Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost? I say to you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven upon one sinner that doth penance, more than upon ninety?nine just who need not penance. Or what woman having ten groats, if she lose one groat, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it? And when she bath found it, call together her friends and neighbors, saying: Rejoice with me, because I have found the groat, which I had lost? So I say to you, there shall be joy before the angels of God upon one sinner doing penance. |
OFFERTORY. Let them trust in Thee who know Thy Name O Lord; for thou hast not forsaken them that seek Thee: sing ye to the Lord, Who dwelleth in Sion; for He hath not forgotten the cry of the poor.
THE SECRET. Look upon the offerings of Thy praying Church and grant that they may ever be received unto the perpetual sanctification and salvation of those who believe. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ Amen
COMMUNION VERSE; I say to, there will be joy among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
POST COMMUNION May Thy Sacrament, which we have received, give us life, and having cleansed us from sin, prepare us for Thine everlasting mercies. Through Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen