Occurring Scripture for the
Hour of Matins
Christmas Vigil and Octave
December 24
The Vigil of Christmas
Lesson i
The continuation of the Holy Gospel according to
Matthew
Matthew 1:18-21
Now the generation of Christ was in
this wise. When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came
together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon
Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose
her, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought
on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep,
saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take Mary for your wife, for
that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. And she
shall bring forth a Son: and you shall call His name JESUS. For He
shall save His people from their sins.
An homily of Saint Jerome, Priest
Book of Commentaries, on Matthew
Why was the Lord conceived of an
espoused virgin rather than of one who was free? First, for the sake
of the genealogy of Mary, which we have obtained by that of Joseph.
Secondly, because she was thus saved from being stoned by the Jews as an
adulteress. Thirdly, that Himself and His mother might have a guardian on
their journey into Egypt. To these, Ignatius, the martyr of Antioch, has
added a fourth reason namely, that the birth might take place unknown to the
devil, who would naturally suppose that Mary had conceived by Joseph.
Lesson ii
Before they came together,
she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. She was found, that is by
Joseph, but by no one else. He had already almost an husband's privilege to
know all that concerned her. Before they came together. This
does not imply that they ever did come together—the
Scripture merely show the absolute fact that up to this time they had not
done so.
Lesson iii
Then Joseph her husband,
being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded
to put her away privately. If any man be joined to a fornicator they
become one body; and according to the law they that are privy to a crime and
are thereby guilty. How then can it be that Joseph is described as a
just man, at the very time he was compounding the criminality of his
espoused? It must have been that he knew her to be pure, and yet understood
not the mystery of her pregnancy, but, while he wondered at that which had
happened, he was willing to hold his peace.
Collect:
Let us pray.
O God, Thou Who gladden us year after year with the expectation of our
redemption, grant that we, who now welcome with joy thy only-begotten Son as
our Redeemer, may also gaze upon Him without fear when He comes as our
judge, our Lord Jesus Christ. Who with Thee and the Holy live and reign, one
God, forever and ever. Amen
December 25
Christmas—Birthday of Our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ
Lesson i
A reading from the Prophet Isaias
Isaias 9:1-6
At the first time the land of Zabulon, and the land of
Nephtali was lightly touched: and at the last the way of the sea beyond the
Jordan of the Galilee of the Gentiles was heavily loaded. The people that
walked in darkness, have seen a great light: to them that dwelt in the
region of the shadow of death, light is risen. Thou hast multiplied
the nation, and have not increased their joy. They shall rejoice before Thee, as
they that rejoice in the harvest, as conquerors rejoice after taking a prey,
when they divide the spoils. For the yoke of their burden, and the rod of
their shoulder, and the scepter of their oppressor Thou hast overcome, as in
the day of Median. For every violent taking of spoils, with tumult, and
garments mingled with blood, shall be burnt, and be fuel for the fire. For
a child is born to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon
His shoulder: and His name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, God the
Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace.
Lesson ii
Isaias 40:1-8
"Be comforted, be comforted,
My people, says
your God. "Speak ye to the heart of Jerusalem, and call to her: for her
evil is come to an end, her iniquity is forgiven: she hath received of the
hand of the Lord double for all her sins." The voice of one crying in the
desert: "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the wilderness the
paths of our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain
and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the
rough ways plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all
flesh together shall see, that the mouth of the Lord has spoken." The voice of
one, saying: "Cry." And I said: "What shall I cry?" "All flesh is grass, and all
the glory thereof as the flower of the field. The grass is withered, and
the flower has fallen, because the spirit of the Lord has blown upon it.
Indeed the people are grass: The grass is withered, and the flower is
fallen: but the word of our Lord endures for ever."
Lesson iii
Isaias 52:1-6
Arise, arise, put on thy strength, O Sion, put
on the garments of thy glory, O Jerusalem, the city of the Holy One: for
henceforth the uncircumcised, and unclean shall no more pass through thee.
Shake thyself from the dust, arise, sit up, O Jerusalem: loose the bonds
from off thy neck, O captive daughter of Sion. For thus said the Lord:
"You were sold gratis, and you shall be redeemed without money." For thus said the Lord God:
"My people went down into Egypt at the beginning to sojourn there: and the
Assyrian has oppressed them without any cause at
all. And now what have I here?" said the Lord: "for My people are taken away
gratis. They that rule over them treat them unjustly," said the Lord, "and
My
name is continually blasphemed all the day long. Therefore My people shall
know My name in that day: for I Myself that spoke, behold I am here."
Lesson iv
A Sermon of Pope Saint Leo the Great
First for
Christmas
Dearly beloved brethren, "Unto us is born this day a Savior"
(Luke 2:11). Let us rejoice. It would be unlawful to be sad to day, for today is
Life's Birthday; the Birthday of that Life, Which, for us dying creatures, takes away the sting of death, and brings the bright promise of the
eternal gladness hereafter. It would be unlawful for any man to refuse to
partake in our rejoicing. All men have an equal share in the great cause of
our joy, for, since our Lord, Who is the destroyer of sin and of death,
finds that all are bound under the condemnation, He has come to make all
free. Rejoice, you that are holy, you draw nearer to your crown!
Rejoice, you that are sinful, your Savior offers you pardon! Rejoice
also, O you Gentile, God calls thee to life! For the Son of God, when the
fullness of the time was come, which had been fixed by the unsearchable
counsel of God, took upon Him the nature of man, that He might reconcile
that nature to Him Who made it, and so the devil, the inventor of death, is
met and beaten in that very flesh which had been the field of his victory.
Lesson v
When our Lord entered the field of battle against the devil,
He did so with great and wonderful fairness. Being Himself the Almighty,
He laid aside His uncreated Majesty to fight with our cruel enemy in our
weak flesh. He brought against him the very shape, the very nature of our
mortality, yet without sin. (cf. Hebrews 4:15). His birth however was not a birth
like other births for no other is born pure, nay, not the little child whose
life endures but a day on the earth. [Pope Leo accidentally includes the
Blessed Virgin (conceived immaculate) and John the Baptist (purified by
Christ before his birth) in saying that "no other is born pure.] To His birth alone the throes of human
passion had not contributed, in His alone no consequence of sin had had
part. For His Mother was chosen a Virgin of the kingly lineage of David, and
when she was to grow heavy with the sacred Child, her soul had already
conceived Him before her body. She knew the counsel of God announced to her
by the Angel, lest the unwonted events should alarm her. The future Mother
of God knew what was to be wrought in her by the Holy Ghost, and that her
modesty was absolutely safe.
Lesson vi
Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us give thanks to
God the Father, through His Son, in the Holy Ghost: Who, for His great love
with which He loved us, had had mercy on us and, even when we were dead in
sins, revived us together with Christ, (Cf. Ephesians 2:4, 5), that in Him we
might be a new creature, and a new workmanship. "Let us then put off the old
man with his deeds" (Colossians 3:9); and, having obtained a share in the Sonship
of Christ, let us renounce the deeds of the flesh. Learn, O Christian, how
great you are, you who have been made partaker of the Divine nature (2
Peter 1:4), and fall not again by corrupt conversation into the beggarly
elements above which you have been lifted. "Remember Whose Body it is of
Which you are made
a member, and Who is its Head, (Cf. I Corinthians 6:15).
Remember that it is He Who delivered you from the power of darkness and has
translated you into God's light, and God's kingdom (Collosians 1:13).
Lesson vii
The continuation of the Holy Gospel according to
Luke
Luke 2:1-14
It came to pass, that in those days there went out a decree from
Cæsar Augustus, that the whole world
should be enrolled. This enrolling
was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria. And all went to be
enrolled, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from
Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which
is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David, To
be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child. And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were
accomplished, that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her
firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a
manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were
in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over
their flock. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the
brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear. And the angel said to them:
"Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people: For, this day, is born to you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in
the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find
the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger." And
suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising
God, and saying: "Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men
of good will."
An homily of Pope Saint Gregory the Great
VIII on the Gospels
By God's mercy
we are to say three Masses today, so that there is not much time left for
preaching; but at the same time the occasion of the Lord's Birthday itself
obliges me to speak a few words. I will first ask why, when the Lord was to
be born, the world was enrolled? Was it not to herald the appearing of Him
by Whom the elect are enrolled in the book of life? Whereas the Prophet said of the reprobate:
"Let them be blotted out of the book of the living,
and not be written with the righteous" (Psalm 68:29). Then, the Lord is
born in Bethlehem. Now the name Bethlehem signifies "the House of Bread," and
thus it is the birth-place of Him Who said: "I am the Living Bread,
Which came down from heaven" (John 6:51). We see then that this name of
Bethlehem was prophetically given to the place where Christ was born,
because it was there that He was to appear in the flesh by Whom the souls of
the faithful are fed unto life eternal. He was born, not in His Mother's
house, but away from home. And this is a mystery, showing that this our
mortality into which He was born was not the home of Him Who is begotten of
the Father before the worlds.
Lesson viii
The continuation of the Holy Gospel according to
Luke
Luke 2: 15-20
And it came to pass, after the angels
departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go
over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the
Lord has shown to us. And they came with haste; and they found Mary
and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. And seeing, they
understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child.
And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the
shepherds. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. And the
shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had
heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
An homily of Saint Ambrose, Bishop
Book II on Luke 2
Behold the
beginning of the Church. Christ is born, and the shepherds watch; shepherds,
to gather together the scattered sheep of the Gentiles, and to lead them
into the fold of Christ, that they might no longer be a prey to the ravages
of spiritual wolves in the night of this world's darkness. And that shepherd
is wide awake, whom the Good Shepherd stirs up. The flock then is the
people, the night is the world, and the shepherds are the Priests. And
perhaps he is a shepherd to whom it is said: Be watchful and strengthen (Apocalypse 3:2),
for God has ordained as the shepherds of His flock not
bishops only, but also angels.
Lesson ix
The continuation of the Holy Gospel
according to John
John 1:1-14
In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in
the beginning with God. All things were made by Him: and without Him
was made nothing that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the
light of men. And the light shined in darkness, and the darkness did
not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
This man came for a witness, to give testimony of the light, that all men
might believe through Him. He was not the light, but was to give
testimony of the light. That was the true light, which enlightens
every man that comes into this world. He was in the world, and the
world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His
own, and His own received Him not. But to as many as received him, he
gave the power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in His name.
Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of
man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and
we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father,
full of grace and truth.
An homily of Saint Augustine, Bishop
Tract I on John
You are so used to hearing human words
that you may make the mistake of thinking that the "Word" was an ordinary
human "word." So, hear and digest this: "The Word was God".
Now perhaps there will come forward some Arian unbeliever, and say that the
Word of God was a creature. How can the Word of God be a creature, when it
was by the Word that all creatures were made? If He is a creature, then there must have been some
other Word, not a creature, by which He was made. And what Word is that? If
you say that it was by the word of the Word Himself that He was made, I
tell thee that God had no other, but One Only-begotten Son. But if you do
not posit a "word of the Word," then grant that the Word through which all
things were made was not Itself made. For the Word through which all
things were made could not have been made by Itself. Believe the
Evangelist.
Collect
Let us
pray: Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the new birth of thy Only-begotten Son as man may set us free, who are held by the old bondage under the yoke of sin. Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord, Who lives and reigns with
Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
Sunday Withn the Octave of
Christmas
If this Sunday falls on December
26th, 27th or 28th, lessons i, ii, and iii are taken from the first nocturn
of Christmas Day. If it falls on the 29th, 30th, or 31st of December
they are taken from the occurring Scripture of those days
Lesson iv
From the Sermons of Pope Saint Leo the Great. IX on
Christmas.
Dearly beloved brethren, the greatness
of God's work, in its breadth and height, passes the power of man's
utterance; and, therefore, when we must not keep silence, we find it hard to
know what to say. The words of the Prophet: "Who shall declare His
generation?" (Isaias 53:8) look not only to the Divine, but also to
the human birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Faith believes, but words
cannot explain, how the two natures were joined in one Person, and therein
we find that we shall never lack matter of praise in Him, Whose abundance
ever outruns the power of our expression.
Lesson v
Therefore let us rejoice, that this
mystery of mercy is greater than we can ever speak; and let us feel that it
is good for us to fail if we try to express the height and depth of
redeeming love. He comes nearest to the knowledge of the truth, who, the
farther he advances, sees all the more clearly that he can never overtake
that for which he searches. For he that imagines that he has ever attained
the goal, has not found that which he seeks, but has missed it altogether.
Lesson v
But lest we be confounded at the
weakness of our mortality, we have help in the words of the Prophets and
Evangelists; and they are able to inflame and teach us that we may see the
Birth of the Lord, wherein the Word was made Flesh, not so much as a thing
past, as a thing present. The proclamation of the angel to the shepherds who
watched their flocks by night, rings also in our ears; and for this end are
we appointed to rule the Lord's flock, that we may ever keep in our heart
the word revealed from heaven, and say unto you, as we do this day "Behold,
I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people; for
unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, Who is Christ the
Lord!"
Lesson vii
The continuation of the Holy Gospel according to
Luke
Luke 2:33-40
At that time, His father
and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning Him.
And so on. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother:
"Behold this Child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in
Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And a sword
shall pierce your soul, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed."
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe
of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven
years from her virginity. And she was a widow until fourscore and four
years; who departed not from the temple, by fasting and prayers serving
night and day. Now, at the same hour, coming in, she confessed to the
Lord; and spoke of Him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel.
And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord,
they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth. And the child
grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him.
An homily of Saint Ambrose, Bishop
Book ii on Luke 2
We see that God's abounding grace is
poured forth on all by the birth of the Lord, and that the gift of prophecy
is not denied to the righteous, but to the unbelieving. Simeon prophesies
that our Lord Jesus Christ is set for the fall and rising again of many in
Israel, setting forth that the just and the unjust reap different fruits
from the coming of the Savior; so will it be with us; according to our
individual works will the True and Just Judge apportion to us punishment or
reward.
Lesson viii
See, "a sword shall pierce
your soul" also. We have no record or tradition that Mary left this world by
suffering a violent death, and the material sword can pierce the body only,
and not the soul. Therefore, here we see the wisdom of Mary in that she was
not ignorant of the heavenly mysteries. For, "the word of God is quick, and
powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the
dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" for all things are naked
and opened unto the eyes of the Son of God, from Whom also the secret things
of our conscience are not hidden. (Cf. Hebrews 4:12).
Lesson ix
There had been a triple
prophecy; the prophecy of Simeon had followed the prophecy of the virgin,
and the prophecy of the wife; those, namely, of Mary and Elizabeth. And now
ought the widow also to prophesy, that no sex nor state might be wanting.
And Anna is brought before us with such a title from her widowhood and her
life, that we may well believe that she received the grace to announce the
Advent of the Redeemer. In our exhortation addressed to widows we have
already treated of her gifts at length, and, as we have much matter before
us, we will not now again enter on the subject.
Collect:
Let us pray:
O Almighty and everlasting God, do Thou order all our actions
in conformity with Thy good pleasure, that through the name of Thy
well-beloved Son, we may worthily abound in all good works. Who with Thee.
December 26
Saint Stephen, Protomartyr
Lesson i
A reading from the Acts of Apostles
Acts 6:1-6
And in those days, the number of the disciples increasing,
there arose a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, that their
widows were being neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve calling
together the multitude of the disciples, said: "It is not reasonable that we
should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Therefore, brethren,
find among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Ghost and
wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves
continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." And this
proposition was
approved by all the multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, and
of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and
Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the
apostles; and they praying, imposed hands upon them.
Lesson ii
Acts 6:7-10; 7:54
And the word of the Lord increased; and
the number of the disciples was multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly: a great
multitude also of the priests obeyed the faith. And Stephen, full of grace
and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people. Now there
arose some of that which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of
the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them that were of Cilicia and
Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the
wisdom and the spirit that spoke. Now hearing these things, they were cut to the
heart, and they gnashed with their teeth at him.
Lesson iii
Acts 7:55-59
But he, being full of the
Holy Ghost, looking up steadfastly to heaven, saw the glory of God, and
Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And he said: Behold, I see the
heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
And they crying out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and with one
accord ran violently upon him. And casting him forth outside the city,
they stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a
young man, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, who invoked, and said:
"Lord Jesus,
receive my spirit." And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice,
saying: "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." And when he had said this,
he fell asleep in the Lord.
Lesson iv
A Sermon of Saint Fulgentius, Bishop
On Saint
Stephen
Yesterday we were celebrating the birth in time of our Eternal
King; today we celebrate the victory, through suffering, of one of His
soldiers. Yesterday our King was pleased to come forth from His royal palace
of the Virgin's womb, clothed in a robe of flesh, to visit the world; today
His soldier, laying aside the tabernacle of the body, entered in triumph
into the heavenly palaces. The One, preserving unchanged that glory of the
Godhead which He had before the world was, girded Himself with the form of a
servant, and entered the arena of this world to fight sin; the other takes
off the garments of this corruptible body, and entered into the heavenly
mansions, where he will reign for ever. The One comes down, veiled in
flesh; the other goes up, clothed in a robe of glory, red with blood.
Lesson v
The One comes down amid the jubilation of angels; the other goes up amid the stoning of the Jews. Yesterday the holy angels were
singing, "Glory to God in the highest"; today there is joy among them, for
they receive Stephen into their company. Yesterday the Lord came forth from
the Virgin's womb; today His soldier is delivered from the prison of the
body. Yesterday Christ was for our sakes wrapped in swaddling bands; today
He girds Stephen with a robe of immortality. Yesterday the new-born Christ
lay in a narrow manger; today Stephen enters victorious into the boundless
heavens. The Lord came down alone that He might raise many up; our King
humbled Himself that He might set His soldiers in high places.
Lesson vi
Why brethren, it behooves us to consider with what arms
Stephen was able, amid all the cruelty of the Jews, to remain more than
conqueror, and worthily to attain to so blessed a triumph. Stephen, in that
struggle which brought him to the crown whereof his name is a prophecy, had
for armor the love of God and man, and by it he remained victorious on all
hands. The love of God strengthened him against the cruelty of the Jews; and
the love of his neighbor made him pray even for his murderers. Through love
he rebuked the wandering, that they might be corrected; through love he
prayed for them that stoned him, that they might not be punished. By the
might of his love he overcame Saul his cruel persecutor; and earned for a
comrade in heaven, the very man who had done him to death upon earth.
Lesson vii
The continuation of the Holy Gospel
according to Matthew
Matthew
23:34-39
At that time, Jesus
said to the scribes and Pharisees: "behold I send to you prophets, and
wise men, and scribes: and some of them you will put to death and crucify,
and some you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to
city: That upon you may come all the just blood that hath been shed
upon the earth, from the blood of Abel the just, even unto the blood of
Zacharias the son of Barachias, whom you killed between the temple and the
altar. Amen I say to you, all these things shall come upon this
generation. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets, and
stone them that are sent unto you, how often would I have gathered together
your children, as the hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you
would not? Behold, your house shall be left to you, desolate.
For I say to you, you shall not see Me henceforth till you say: 'Blessed is
He that comes in the name of the Lord.'"
An Homily of Saint Jerome, Priest
Book IV Commentary on Matthew 23
We have already remarked that the Lord's words,
"Fill ye up the measure of your fathers" (Verse 32), refer in the first
place to Himself, Whom the Jews afterwards put to death. In a secondary
sense they may likewise be
applied to His disciples, of whom He said, "Behold, I send unto you
Prophets, and wise men, and Scribes." Here observe that, according to the
Apostle writing to the Corinthians, (Cf. 1 Corinthians 12:4), there are diversities of
gifts among Christ's followers. Some are Prophets of that which is to come;
some are wise men, who know the due season for rebuke and exhortation; some
are Scribes learned in the law. And of these they stoned Stephen, slew Paul
with the sword, crucified Peter, and scourged the Disciples mentioned in the
Acts of the Apostles (5:40; 16:23).
Lesson viii
It is a subject of dispute among commentators who is meant by Zacharias
the son of Barachias. We read of several persons of the name of Zacharias.
But here, in order to prevent any mistake, it is particularly said, "Whom ye
slew between the temple and the altar." I have read various opinions in
various places upon this question, and I will give each. First, some hold
that Zacharias the son of Barachias is the eleventh of the twelve Minor
Prophets; and this opinion is supported by the father's name. But the Bible
nowhere tells us that this Prophet was slain between the temple and the
altar; and it is hardly possible that he can have been, for in his time it
could scarcely be said that even the ruins of the temple were in existence.
Secondly, others maintain that this Zacharias was Zacharias, the father of
John the Baptist. This interpretation is derived from the dreams of the
Apocryphal Gospels, wherein it is asserted that he was martyred for
preaching Christ's coming.
Lesson ix
A third school will have it that this Zacharias, the son of Barachias,
was that Zacharias of whom we read (2 Paralipomenon 24:22), that he was
slain by Joash, king of Judah, between the temple and the altar. Against
this it is to be remarked, that that Zacharias was not the son of Barachias,
but of Jehoiada the priest; whence it is written, Joash remembered not the
kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him. The question therefore
arises, if this opinion be true, why, the name and manner of death both
agreeing with this explanation, Zacharias is called the son, not of Jehoiada,
but of Barachias. In Hebrew, Barachias signifies the Blessed of the Lord,
and Jehoiada proves his Righteousness. In the Gospel used by the Nazarenes
the name of Jehoiada is used instead of Barachias.
Collect
Let us pray. Grant us, we beseech
Thee, O Lord, to
emulate what we revere, that we may learn to love even our enemies; for we
celebrate the heavenly birthday of him who knew how to pray for his very
persecutors to our Lord: Who with Thee....
December 27
Saint John the Apostle
Lesson i
Here begins the first letter of St. John the Apostle
1 John 1:1-5
That which was from the
beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we
have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life: For
the life was manifested; and we have seen and bear witness, and declare to
you the life eternal, which was with the Father, and has appeared to us:
That which we have seen and have heard, we declare unto you, that you also
may have fellowship with us, and our fellowship may be with the Father, and
with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you, that you
may rejoice, and your joy may be full. And this is the declaration
which we have heard from Him, and declare unto you: That God is light, and
in Him there is no darkness.
Lesson ii
1 John 1:6-10
If we say that we have
fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not speak the
truth. But if we walk in the light, as He also is in the light, we
have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son
cleans us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
iniquity. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and
His word is not in us.
Lesson iii
1 John 2:1-5
My little children, these things I write to
you, that you may not sin. But if any man sin, we have an advocate with the
Father, Jesus Christ the just: And He is the propitiation for our
sins: and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
And by this we know that we have known Him, if we keep His commandments.
He who says that he knows Him, and keeps not His commandments, is a liar,
and the truth is not in him. But he that keeps His word, in him in
very deed the charity of God is perfected.
Lesson iv
On Ecclesiastical Writers, Chapter 9
By Saint Jerome, Priest
The Apostle John whom
Jesus loved was a son of Zebedee, and brother of the Apostle James, who was
beheaded by Herod soon after our Lord suffered. He was the last of the
Evangelists to write his Gospel, which he published at the request of the
Bishops of Asia, against Cerinthus and other heretics, and particularly
against the then spreading doctrine of the Ebionites, who asserted that
Christ had had no existence before Mary. It was therefore needful for the
Evangelist to declare His Eternal and Divine Generation.
Lesson v
In the fourteenth year
after Nero, Domitian stirred up the second persecution, and John was exiled
to the island of Patmos, where he wrote his Apocalypse, which hath been
explained by Justin the Martyr and Irenæus.
When Domitian was killed, the Senate annulled all his acts, on account of
his savage cruelty, and the Apostle returned to Ephesus, during the reign of
Nerva. He remained at Ephesus until the time of Trajan, and founded and
governed all the Churches of Asia. There, in an extreme old age, he died, in
the sixty-eighth year after the Lord's passion, and was buried near the
city.
Lesson vi
Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians, iii.
6
By Saint Jerome, Priest
The Blessed Evangelist
John lived at Ephesus to an extreme old age, and, at length, when he was
with difficulty carried to the Church, and was not able to exhort the
congregation at length, he was used simply to say at each meeting, "My
little children, love one another." At last the disciples and brethren were
weary with hearing these words continually, and asked him, "Master, why do
you always say this only?" To which he replied: "It is the commandment of
the Lord, and if this only be done, it is enough."
Lesson vii
The continuation of the Holy Gospel
according to John
John
21:19-24
At that time Jesus said to Peter:
"Follow me." Peter turning about, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved
following, who also leaned on his breast at supper, and said: "Lord, who is
he that shall betray thee?" When Peter saw John, he said to Jesus:
"Lord, and what shall this man do?" Jesus said to him: "So I will have
him to remain till I come, what is it to thee? follow me." This saying
therefore went abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die.
But Jesus did not say to him: "He should not die"; but, "So I will have him
to remain till I come, what is it to thee?" This is that disciple who
gives testimony of these things, and has written these things; and we know
that his testimony is true.
An Homily of Saint Augustine, Bishop
124 in the Tract on John.
The Church knows two different lives
which God has revealed and blessed—one
is the life of faith, the other the life of knowledge;
one the life of this pilgrimage, the other the life of the eternal
mansions; one the life of work, the other the life of rest; one the
life of the journey, the other the life of home; one the life of action, the
other the life of contemplation. The one eschews evil and does good; the
other has no evil to eschew, and only an exceeding good to enjoy. The one
strives with the enemy, the other has no enemies, and reigns.
Lesson vii
The one succors the needy;
the other is where there are no needy to succor. The one forgives them that
trespass against him, that his own trespasses may be forgiven; the other
neither has trespasses to forgive nor to be forgiven. The one is chastened
with evil, lest it be exalted above measure by good; the other enjoys such a
fullness of grace that he feels no evil, and cleaves so firmly to the
Highest Good, that he has no temptation to pride.
Lesson ix
Therefore the one is good,
but still sorrowful; the other is better and perfectly blessed. And of these
two lives there are types, of the one in the Apostle Peter, of the other in
John. The one labors here even unto the end, and finds his end hereafter;
the other stretches out into the hereafter, and in eternity finds no end.
Therefore is it said unto the one, "Follow Me"; but of the other, "If I will
that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" "Follow Me."
What is the meaning of these words? who can know? who can understand? what
is it? is it "Follow Me," imitating Me in the bearing of earthly sorrow; or
"let him tarry till I come again," bringing the everlasting reward?
Collect:
Let us pray:
Do Thou, O Lord, in Thy goodness shine upon Thy Church, that
being enlightened by the doctrines of blessed John Thine Apostle and
Evangelist, She may attain to everlasting gifts.
December 28
The Holy Innocents, Martyrs
Lesson i
A reading from the book of Jeremias
Jeremias 31:15-17
Thus said the Lord: "A
voice was heard on high of lamentation, of mourning, and weeping, of Rachel
weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted for them, because
they are not." Thus said the Lord: "Let your voice cease from weeping,
and your eyes from tears: for there is a reward for your work," said the
Lord: "and they shall return out of the land of the enemy. And here is
hope for your last end," said the Lord: "and the children shall return to
their own borders."
Lesson ii
Jeremias 31:18-20
Hearing I heard Ephraim when he went into
captivity: "Thou hast chastised me, and I was instructed, as a young bullock
unaccustomed to the yoke. Convert me, and I shall be converted, for Thou are
the Lord my God. For after Thou converted me, I did penance: and
after Thou did show me, I struck my thigh: I am confounded and
ashamed, because I have borne the reproach of my youth." Surely Ephraim is
an honorable son to me, surely he is a tender child: for since I spoke of
him, I will still remember him.
Lesson iii
Jeremias 31:21-23
“Set up the roadmarks, establish the
signposts. Keep the highway in mind, the road you have traveled. Return, O
Virgin Israel, return to these cities of yours. How
long will you be dissolute in deliciousness, O wandering daughter? for the
Lord has created a new thing upon the earth: A woman shall compass a man." Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel:
"As yet shall they say
this word in the land of Juda, and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring
back their captivity: 'The Lord bless you, the beauty of justice, the holy
mountain.'"
Lesson iv
A Sermon of Saint Augustine, Bishop
X on the Saints
Dearly beloved brethren, today we keep the birthday of those
children, who, as we are informed by the Gospel, were massacred by the
savage King Herod. Therefore let earth rejoice with great joy, for she is
the mother of these heavenly soldiers, and of this numerous host. The love
of the vile Herod could never have crowned these blessed ones as has
his hatred. For the Church testifies by this holy solemnity, that whereas
iniquity did specially abound against these little saints, so much the more
were heavenly blessings poured out upon them.
Lesson v
Blessed are you, O
Bethlehem in the land of Judah, you have suffered the cruelty of King Herod
in the slaughter of your children; you are found worthy to offer at once to
God a whole white-robed army of guileless martyrs! Surely, it is well to
keep their birth-day, even that blessed birthday which gave them from earth
to heaven, more blessed than the day that brought them out of their mother's
womb. Scarcely had they entered on the life that now is, when they obtained
that glorious life which is to come.
Lesson v
We praise the death of
other martyrs because it was the crowning act of an undaunted and persistent
testimony; but these were crowned at once. He That makes an end to this
present life, gave to them at its very gates that eternal blessedness which
we hope for at its close. Those whom the wickedness of Herod tore from their
mothers' breasts are rightfully called the flowers of martyrdom; hardly had
these buds of the Church shown their heads above the soil, in the winter of
unbelief, when the frost of persecution nipped them.
Lesson vii
The continuation of the Holy Gospel
according to Matthew
Matthew
2:13-18
Behold an angel of the Lord appeared in
sleep to Joseph, saying: "Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly
into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass
that Herod will seek the child to destroy him." Who arose, and took
the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and he was there
until the death of Herod: That it might be fulfilled which the Lord
spoke by the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then
Herod perceiving that he was deluded by the wise men, was exceedingly angry;
and sending, killed all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all
the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time
which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled
that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying: "A voice in
Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel bewailing her
children, and would not be comforted, because they are not."
An Homily of Saint Jerome, Priest
Book i Commentary on Matthew 2
He took the young Child, and His
mother, and fled into Egypt, by night and in darkness; and the darkness of
that night was a figure of the darkness of ignorance in which they left the
unbelievers from whom they fled. But when they returned into Judaea, we
learn not from the Gospel that it was by night, or in darkness; which is an
image of that light which will lighten the Jews, when, at the end of the
world, they shall receive back the faith, which now enlightens the Gentiles,
even as Judaea received Christ returning from Egypt.
Lesson viii
That it might be fulfilled
which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet, saying "Out of Egypt have I
called My Son." Those who go about to deny the authority of the Hebrew
Scriptures, ask where any such passage is to be found in the Septuagint.
But, although they find it not there, I tell them that the fact of its being
written in the Prophet Osee (11:1) can be proved by the texts which I have
lately published.
Lesson ix
Then was fulfilled that
which was spoken by Jeremias the Prophet, saying; "In Rama was there a voice
heard, weeping and great mourning; Rachel weeping for her children." The
child of Rachel was Benjamin, and Bethlehem is not a town belonging to his
tribe. We must therefore seek another reason why Rachel should weep for the
children of Judah, to whom Bethlehem belongs, as for her own. The plain
answer is that she is buried at Ephrath close to Bethlehem, and she is
called Mother on account of the resting-place of her earthly tabernacle
being there. It is possible also that she is called Mother because the
tribes of Judah and Benjamin were joined together, and Herod slew not only
all the children that were in Bethlehem, but also in all the coasts thereof.
Collect:
Let us pray:
O God, Whose praise the martyred innocents did this day
proclaim, not by speaking, but by dying, do to death in us all the malice of
sinfulness, that our lives may also proclaim Thy faith, which our tongues
profess. Through our Lord.
December 29
Saint Thomas of Canterbury
Lesson i
Here begins the letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to
the Romans
Romans 1:1-7
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle,
separated unto the gospel of God, Which he had promised before, by his
prophets, in the holy scriptures, Concerning his Son, who was made to him
of the seed of David, according to the flesh, Who was predestinated the
Son of God in power, according to the spirit of sanctification, by the
resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead; By whom we have
received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith, in all nations,
for his name; Among whom are you also the called of Jesus Christ: To all
that are at Rome, the beloved of God, called to be saints. Grace to you, and
peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lesson ii
Romans 1:8-12
First I give thanks to my God, through Jesus
Christ, for you all, because your faith is spoken of in the whole world.
For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son,
that without ceasing I make a commemoration of you; Always in my
prayers making request, if by any means now at length I may have a
prosperous journey, by the will of God, to come unto you. For I long to see you,
that I may impart unto you some spiritual grace, to strengthen you: That
is to say, that I may be comforted together in you, by that which is common
to us both, your faith and mine.
Lesson iii
Romans 1:13-19
And I would not have you
ignorant, brethren, that I have often purposed to come unto you, (and have
been hindered hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even
as among other Gentiles. To the Greeks and to the barbarians, to the
wise and to the unwise, I am a debtor; So (as much as is in me) I am ready to preach the
gospel to you also that are at Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel.
For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes, to the
Jew first, and to the Greek. For the justice of God is revealed
therein, from faith unto faith, as it is written: "The just man lives by
faith." For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness and injustice of those men that detain the truth of God in
injustice: Because that which is known of God is manifest in them. For
God hath manifested it unto them.
Lesson iv
Thomas was born in England in the city
of London. He succeeded Theobald as bishop of Canterbury. He had previously
acquitted himself with much honor as the king's chancellor, and was
strenuous and unflinching in his duty as bishop; for when Henry II, King of
England, in an assembly of bishops and nobles of the realm, passed certain
laws inconsistent with the interests and honor of the Church, the bishop
withstood the King's avarice so courageously that neither fair promises nor
threats could draw him over to the King's side, and being in danger of
imprisonment, he privately withdrew. Not long after all his relatives, young
and old, all his friends and household, were banished, and such of them as
had attained the age of discretion were made to promise on oath that they
would go to Thomas, as perhaps he, who could not be made to swerve from his
holy purpose by any personal consideration, might relent at the
heart-rending spectacle of the sufferings of those who were dear to him. But
he regarded not the demands of flesh and blood, neither did he permit the
feelings of natural affection to weaken the firmness required of him as
bishop.
Lesson v
He therefore repaired to Pope Alexander III, from whom he
met with a kind reception, and who commended him on his departure to the
Cistercian monks at Pontigny. As soon as Henry came to know this he strove
to have Thomas expelled from Pontigny, and for this purpose sent threatening
letters to the General Chapter at Cîtaeux. Whereupon the holy man, fearing
lest the Cistercian Order should be made to suffer on his account, left the
monastery of his own accord, and betook himself to the hospitable shelter to
which he had been invited by Louis, King of France. There he remained until,
by the intervention of the Pope and Louis the King, he was called home from
his banishment, to the joy of the whole kingdom. Whilst resuming the
intrepid discharge of the duty of a good shepherd, certain calumniators
denounced him to King Henry as one who was plotting sundry things against
the country and the public peace. Wherefore the King was heard frequently
complaining that there was only on Priest in his kingdom with whom he could
not be in peace.
Lesson vi
Certain wicked satellites concluded from this expression
of the King that he would be pleased at their ridding him of Thomas.
Accordingly they stealthily entered Canterbury, and finding that the bishop
was in the church officiating at Vespers, they began their attack. The
clergy were using means to prevent them from entering the church, when the
Saint coming to them forbade their opposition, and opening the door, thus
spoke to them, "The church is not to be guarded like a citadel, and I am
glad to die for God's Church." Then turning to the soldiers, he said, "I
command you in the name of God that you hurt not any of them that are with
me." After this he knelt down, and commending himself and his church to God,
to the Blessed Mary, to St. Denis, and to the other patron saints of his
cathedral, with the same courage that he had shown in resisting the King's
execrable laws, he bowed down his head to the impious murderers, on the
fourth of the Calends of January (December 29th), in the year of our Lord
1171. His brains were scattered on the floor of the church. God having shown
the holiness of His servant by many miracles, he was canonized by the same
Pope Alexander III.
Lesson vii
The continuation of the Holy Gospel according
to John
John 10:11-16
At that time Jesus
said to the Pharisees: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his
life for his sheep. But the hireling, and he that is not the shepherd,
whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and
flies: and the wolf catches, and scatters the sheep: And the hireling
flies, because he is a hireling: and he has no care for the sheep. I
am the good shepherd; and I know mine, and mine know me. As the Father
knows me, and I know the Father: and I lay down my life for my sheep.
And other sheep I have, that are not of this fold: them also I must bring,
and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.
An homily of Saint John Chrysostom,
Bishop
IL on John
Dearly beloved brethren, the bishops of the Church hold a great office, an
office that needs much of that wisdom and strength that Christ has given
us as an example. We must learn from Him to lay down our lives for the sheep and
never to leave them; and to fight bravely against the wolf. This is the
difference between the true shepherd and the hireling. The one leaves the
sheep and seeks his own safety, but the other thinks not of his own
safety, so as he may watch over the sheep. Christ then having given us the
pattern of a good shepherd, warns us against two enemies; first, the thief
that cometh not but to kill and to steal, and, secondly, the hireling that
stands by, and defends not those who are committed to his charge.
Lesson viii
Ezechiel said of old time: "Woe be to the shepherds of
Israel! do they not feed themselves? Should not the shepherds feed the
flocks?" (Ezechiel 34:2). But they did the contrary, a great wickedness and the root of many
evils. Therefore, he said, they brought not back that which was gone astray
neither did they search for that which was lost neither did they bind up
that which was broken, nor strengthen that which was sick; for they fed
themselves, and not the flock. And Paul said the same in other words, where
he said: "All seek their own, not the things which are Jesus
Christ's" (Philippians 2:21).
Lesson ix
Christ showed Himself to
be very different from either the thief
or the hireling; whereas the thief cometh to destroy, He came that they
might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. The hireling flees, but He lays down His life for the sheep, that the sheep
will not perish. When the Jews went about to kill Him, He ceased not to teach: He
did not give up those who believed in Him, but stood steadfast and died.
Therefore He has good title to say often, "I am the Good Shepherd." It was
but a little while, and He showed us how He could lay down His life for the
sheep. And if it appears not as yet how they have life, and have it more
abundantly, (but it shall appear, in the world which is to come,) we may
well be persuaded of the truth of the second promise, who have seen the
fulfillment of the first.
Collect:
Let us pray.
O God, in defense of Whose Church the glorious
Bishop Thomas fell by the swords of wicked men, grant, we beseech Thee, that
all that ask his help, may obtain wholesome fruit of their petition. Through
our Lord Jesus Christ.
December 30
Within the Octave
Lesson i
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Romans
Romans
2:1-4
You are inexcusable, O man, whoever
you are that judge. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself. For
you do the same things which you judge. For we know that the judgment
of God is, according to truth, against those who do such things. Do
you think, O man, that when you judge those who do such things, and do the
same, that you shall escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches
of His goodness, and patience, and longsuffering? Do you not know that the
benignity of God leads you to penance?
Lesson ii
Romans 2:5-8
But according to your hard and impenitent
heart, you treasure for yourself wrath, against the day of wrath, and
revelation of the just judgment of God, Who will render to every man
according to his works. To those indeed, who according to patience in good
work, seek glory and honour and incorruption, eternal life: But to them
that are contentious, and who do not obey the truth, but give credit to
iniquity, wrath and indignation.
Lesson iii
Romans 2:9-13
Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man
that works evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek. But glory,
and honor, and peace to every one that works good, to the Jew first, and
also to the Greek. For there is no respect of persons with God. For
whoever has sinned without the law, shall perish without the law; and
whoever haa sinned in the law, shall be judged by the law. For the
hearers of the law are not just before God, but the doers of the law shall be
justified.
Lesson iv
A Sermon of Pope Saint Leo the Great
The sixth, on the Nativity of the
Lord
On any day of the year, dearly beloved, whenever we make our
meditations, we are mindful of the birth of our Lord
and Savior from a Virgin Mother. Whenever our souls are uplifted in the
worship of our Maker, whether we sigh in supplication, rejoice in praise, or
offer sacrifice, there is nothing which we more frequently or more
confidently set our minds upon than the fact that God, the Son of God,
begotten of the co-eternal Father, was also born by a human birth. But on
this day his Nativity, which is to be adored both in heaven and on earth, is
brought before us as at no other time. For today it is as though a new and
radiant light is shining forth in the heavens, in such a way that the brightness of this wondrous
mystery is perceived even by our senses. And not only do we call to mind
what the Angel Gabriel said to the awe-stricken Mary, but in some sort we
seem even to be present at that colloquy when she conceived of the Holy
Ghost. And we marvel both at the promise made to her, and at her faith in
that promise.
Lesson v
For as of today the Maker of the world was brought forth
from a virginal womb, and he who made all things became the Son of her whom
he had made. As of today the Word of God appeared in a garment of flesh, and
that which was never beheld by men's eyes can now be even touched by their
hands. As of today the shepherds learned from angelic voices that a Savior
was born in the substance of our flesh and soul. And this same angelic
message was a pattern to the pastors of the Lord's flock to preach the
Gospel on this day, and to do it in such a way that we too may say with the heavenly
hosts: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will."
Lesson vi
Truly, the greatness of the gift bestowed upon us demands
a reverence worthy of its splendor. For, as the blessed Apostle said, "we
have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God,
that we may know the things that are given us from God"
(1 Corinthians 2:12). And we can
devoutly worship Him only by offering to Him that which he bestows. And in the
treasury of the Lord's bounty, what can we find so appropriate to the honor
of the present Feast, as that peace which at the birth of the Lord was first
proclaimed by the angelic choir? For peace it is that brings forth the
children of God. Peace which is also is the nurse of affection, the mother
of unity, the rest of the blessed, and our eternal home. It is
peace whose proper work and special benefit is to join to God those whom it separates from the world.
Lesson vii
The continuation of the Holy Gospel according
to Luke
Luke 2:15-20
And it came to pass, after the angels
departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go
over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the
Lord has showed to us. And they came with haste; and they found Mary
and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. And seeing, they
understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child.
And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the
shepherds. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things
they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
An Homily of Saint Ambrose, Bishop
Book II on Luke ii
The shepherds came with haste. This is
how every one comes who is really earnestly seeking Christ. The shepherds
believed the angel. Will you not believe
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Angels, Prophets, and Apostles? Here also
remark how carefully every word in the Scripture is chosen. "They came with
haste to see this Word," (as the original text has it.) A Word, indeed; the
Word of God. He that saw the Lord's Flesh, saw the Word, that is, God the
Son.
Lesson viii
Because the office of a shepherd is mean, think not meanly of the example
of their faith. Truly, he who is poorest in learning is richest in
faith. The Lord seeks not for schools crowded with wise men, but for a
people of a single heart unused to overlay and to disguise what they learn,
by vain and superfluous adornments. He will have straightforwardness rather
than vain-glory.
Lesson ix
Think not meanly either of the shepherds' words. The shepherds strengthen
the faith even of Mary; the shepherds lead God's people to His worship. For,
all they that heard it, wondered at those things which were told them by the
shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Let us learn the modesty of the Holy Virgin, that modesty of speech as of
body, whereby she laid up in her heart the evidences of her faith.
Collect:
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the
new birth of Thine Only-begotten Son as man may set us free, who are held by
the old bondage under the yoke of sin. Through the same.
December 31
Pope Saint Sylvester, Confessor
Lesson i
A reading from the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the
Romans
Romans 3:19-21
Now we know, that whatever
things the law speaks, it speaks to those who are in the law;
that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be made subject to
God. Because by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified before
Him. For by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now without the law
the justice of God is made manifest, being witnessed by the law and the
prophets. Even the justice of God, by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and
upon all them that believe in Him: for there is no distinction:
Lesson ii
Romans 3:23-26
For all have sinned, and
need the glory of God. Being justified freely by His grace, through
the redemption, that is in Christ Jesus, Whom God has proposed to be a
propitiation, through faith in His blood, to the showing of His justice, for
the remission of former sins, through the forbearance of God, for the showing of
His justice in this time; that He himself may be just, and the
justifier of him, who is of the faith of Jesus Christ.
Lesson iii
Romans 3:27-31
Where then is your boasting? It
is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we
account a man to be justified by faith, without the works of the law. Is
He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the
Gentiles also. For it is one God, that justifies circumcision by faith,
and un-circumcision through faith. Do we, then, destroy the law through
faith? God forbid: but we establish the law.
Lesson iv
Sylvester was a Roman by birth, and his
father's name was Rufinus. He was brought up from a very early age under a
Priest named Cyrinus, of whose teaching and example he was a diligent
learner. In his thirtieth year he was ordained Priest of the Holy Roman
Church by Pope Marcellinus. In the discharge of his duties he became a model
for all the clergy, and, after the death of Melchiades, he succeeded him on
the Papal throne, in the year of our Lord 314, during the reign of
Constantine, who had already by public decree proclaimed peace to the Church
of Christ. Hardly had he undertaken the government of the Church when he
betook himself to stir up the Emperor to protect and propagate the religion
of Christ. Constantine was fresh from his victory over his enemy Maxentius,
on the Eve of which the sign of the Cross had been revealed to him
illustrated in
light upon the sky; and there was an old story in the Church of Rome that it
was Sylvester who caused him to recognize the images of the Apostles,
administered to him holy Baptism, and cleansed him from the leprosy of
unbelief.
Lesson v
The godly Emperor had already granted to
Christ's faithful people permission to build public churches, and by the
advice of Sylvester he himself set them the example. He built many
Basilicas, and magnificently adorned them with holy images, and gifted them
with gifts and endowments. Among these there were, besides others, the
Church of Christ the Savior, hard by the Lateran Palace; that of Saint
Peter, upon the Vatican Mount; that of Saint Paul, upon the road to Ostia;
that of Saint Lawrence, in Verus' field; that of the Holy Cross at the Sessorian hall;
that of Saint Peter and Saint Marcellinus, upon the Lavican Way; and that of
Saint
Agnes, upon the road to Mentana. Under this Pope was held the first Council
of Nicea, presided over by the Papal Legates, and in the Presence of
Constantine, and three hundred and eighteen Bishops, where the holy and
Catholic Faith was declared, and Arius and his followers condemned; which
Council was finally confirmed by the Pope, at the request of all the
assembled Fathers, in a synod held at Rome, where Arius was again condemned.
This Pope issued many useful ordinances for the Church of God. He reserved
to Bishops the right of consecrating the Holy Chrism; ordered Priests to
anoint with Chrism the heads of the newly baptized; settled the officiating
dress of Deacons as a dalmatic and a linen maniple; and forbade the
consecration of the Sacrament of the Altar on anything but a linen corporal.
Lesson vi
Sylvester is likewise said to have
ordained that all persons taking Holy Orders should remain awhile in each
grade before being promoted to a higher; that laymen should not go to law
against the clergy; and that the clergy themselves were not to plead before
civil tribunals. He decreed that the first and seventh days of the week
should be called respectively the Lord's Day and the Sabbath, and the
others, Second Day, Third Day, and so on. In this he confirmed the use of
the word Feria for the weekdays, the which use had already begun in the
Church. This word signifies a holiday, and points to the duty of the
clergy ever to lay aside all worldly labor, and leave themselves free to do
continually the work of the Lord. The heavenly wisdom with which he ruled
the Church of God, was joined in him to a singular holiness of life, and an
inexhaustible tenderness towards the poor; in which matter he ordained that
the wealthy clergy should each relieve a certain number of needy persons;
and he also made arrangements for supplying the consecrated virgins with the
necessaries of life. He lived as Pope twenty-one years, ten months and one
day, and was buried in the cemetery of Priscilla on the Salarian Way, in the
year 335. He held seven Advent ordinations, and made forty-two Priests,
twenty-five Deacons, and sixty-five Bishops of various sees.
Lesson vii
The continuation of the Holy Gospel
according to Matthew
Matthew 16:13-19
At that time: When Jesus came into the
quarters of Caesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: "Whom do
men say that the Son of man is?" But they said: "Some John the
Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets."
Jesus said to them: "But whom do you say that I am?" Simon Peter
answered and said: "Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God." And
Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art you, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh
and blood has not revealed it to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
And I say to you: That you are Peter; and upon this rock I will build my
church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give
to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever you shall bind upon
earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose upon
earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.
An Homily by Pope Saint Leo the
Great
Sermon II on the anniversary of his assumption of the Papacy (before the
middle)
When the Lord, as we read in the Gospel, asked his
disciples who did men, amid their diverse speculations, believe him the Son
of Man to be, blessed Peter answered and said: "Thou art the Christ, the Son
of the living God." And the Lord answered and said to him: "Blessed art you, Simon Bar-Jona:
for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you, but my Father, who is in heaven: and I say also unto
you: That you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the
gates of hell shall not prevail against it; and I will give unto thee the
keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall
be bound in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
But the dispensation of truth endures, and blessed Peter, persevering in the
strength of the rock which he has received, has not relinquished the
position he assumed at the helm of the Church.
Lesson viii
In the universal Church it is as if Peter
were still saying every day: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
For every tongue which confesses the Lord is taught that confession by the
teaching of Peter. This is the Faith that overcomes the devil and looses
the bonds of his prisoners. This is the Faith which makes men free of the
world and brings them to heaven, and the gates of hell are impotent to
prevail against it. This is the rock which God has fortified with such
ramparts of salvation, that the contagion of heresy will never be able to
infect it, nor idolatry and unbelief to overcome it. And therefore, dearly
beloved, we celebrate today’s festival with reasonable obedience, that in my
humble person he may be acknowledged and honored who continues to care
for all the shepherds as well as sheep entrusted unto him, and who losees
none of his dignity even in an unworthy successor.
Lesson viii
When, therefore, we
address our exhortations to your godly ears, believe that you are hearing him speak whose office we
are discharging. Yea, it is with his love for you that we warn you. And we
preach unto you no other thing than that which he taught, entreating you as
did he: "Gird up the loins of your mind; be sober; be ye holy in all manner
of living; pass the time of your sojourning here in the fear of God" (Cf. 1 Peter 1:13). My
disciples, dearly beloved, you are to me as the disciples of the Apostle Paul
were to him, namely: My crown and joy; if so be that your faith, abide,
still in all lowliness and holiness, like unto the first times of the
Gospel. For although the whole Church, which is in all the world, should
indeed abound in all the virtues, it becomes especially you among all
others to excel in acts of piety, founded as ye be on the very citadel of
the Apostolic Rock ye who have not only been redeemed with the rest of men
by our Lord Jesus Christ, but who have been instructed by the blessed
Apostle Peter far beyond all others.
Collect:
Let us pray:
Look forgivingly on thy flock, Eternal Shepherd, and keep it in thy constant
protection, by the intercession of blessed Sylvester Thy Sovereign Pontiff,
whom Thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ.