1 APRIL – WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

On this day in the Roman Church was held the sixth Scrutiny for the admission of catechumens to Baptism. Those upon whom there had been previous doubts were now added to the number of the chosen ones if they were found worthy. There were two Lessons read in the Mass, as on the day of the great Scrutiny, the Wednesday of the fourth Week of Lent. As usual, the catechumens left the church after the Gospel, but, as soon as the Holy Sacrifice was over they were brought back by the Door-Keeper, and one of the priests addressed them in these words: “On Saturday next, the Eve of Easter, at such an hour, you will assemble in the Lateran Basilica, for the seventh Scrutiny. You will then recite the Symbol which you must have learned, and lastly, you will receive by God’s help the sacred laver of regeneration. Prepare yourselves zealously and humbly by persevering fasts and prayers in order that, having been buried, by this holy Baptism, together with Jesus Christ, you may rise again with Him to life everlasting. Amen.”

Lesson – Isaias lxii. 11, lxiii. 1‒7

Thus says the Lord God: “Tell the daughter of Sion: Behold your Saviour comes: behold his reward is with him. Who is this that comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bosra, this beautiful one in his robe, walking in the greatness of his strength? I, that speak justice, and am a defender to save. Why then is your apparel red, and your garments like them that tread in the wine-press? I have trodden the wine-press alone, and of the Gentiles there is not a man with me. I have trampled on them in my indignation, and have trodden them down in my wrath, and their blood is sprinkled on my garments, and I have stained all my apparel. For the day of vengeance is in my heart, the year of my redemption is come. I looked about, and there was none to help. I sought, and there was none to give aid, and my own arm has saved me, and my indignation itself has helped me. And I have trodden down the people in my wrath, and made them drunk in my indignation and have brought down their strength to the earth. I will remember the tender mercies of the Lord, the praise of the Lord, for all that the Lord has bestowed on us.”

Thanks be to God.

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

How terrible is this our Defender, who tramples His enemies beneath His feet, as they that tread in the wine-press so that their blood is sprinkled on His garment! But is not this the fittest time for us to proclaim His power, now that He is being treated with ignominy, and sold to His enemies by one of His disciples? These humiliations will soon pass away: He will rise in glory, and His might will be shown by the chastisements with which He will crush them that now persecute Him. Jerusalem will stone them that will preach in His name. She will be a cruel step-mother to those true Israelites, who, docile to the teaching of the Prophets, have recognised Jesus as the promised Messiah. The synagogue will seek to stifle the Church in her infancy, but no sooner will the Church, shaking the dust from her feet, turn from Jerusalem to the Gentiles, than the vengeance of Christ will fall on the city which bought, betrayed and crucified Him. Her citizens will have to pay dearly for these crimes. We learn from the Jewish historian, Josephus (who was an eye-witness to the siege), that the fire which was raging in one of the streets, was quenched by the torrents of their blood. Thus were fulfilled the threats pronounced by our Lord against this faithless city as he sat on Mount Olivet the day after his triumphant entry.

And yet, the destruction of Jerusalem was but a faint image of the terrible destruction which is to befall the world at the last day. Jesus, who is now despised and insulted by sinners, will then appear on the clouds of heaven, and reparation will be made for all these outrages. Now He suffers Himself to be betrayed, scoffed at, and spit upon, but when the day of vengeance is come, happy they that have served Him, and have compassionated with Him in His humiliations and sufferings! Woe to them that have treated Him with contempt! Woe to them, who not content with their own refusing to bear His yoke, have led others to rebel against him! For He is King. He came into this world that He might reign over it, and they that despise His mercy will not escape His justice.

Epistle – Isaias liii. 1‒12

In those days Isaias said: “Who has believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? And he will grow up as a tender plant before him, and as a root out of a thirsty ground. There is no beauty in him, nor comeliness. And we have seen him, and there was no sightliness that we should be desirous of him; despised, and the most abject of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with infirmity. And his look was as it were hidden and despised; upon which we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our infirmities, and carried our sorrows. And we have thought him as it were a leper, and as one struck by God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our iniquities, he was bruised for our sins; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, every one has turned aside into his own way: and the Lord has laid upon him the iniquity of us all. He was offered because it was his own will, and he opened not his mouth. He will be led as a sheep to the slaughter, and will be dumb as a lamb before his shearer; and he will not open his mouth. He was taken away from distress, and from judgement. Who will declare his generation? because he is cut off out of the land of the living. For the wickedness of my people have I struck him. And he will give the ungodly for his burial, and the rich for his death; because he has done no iniquity, neither was there deceit in his mouth. And the Lord was pleased to bruise him in infirmity. If he will lay down his life for sin, he will see a long-lived seed, and the will of the Lord will be prosperous in his hand. Because his soul has laboured, he will see and be filled: by his knowledge will this my just servant justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore will I distribute to him very many, and he will divide the spoils of the strong, because he has delivered his soul to death, and was reputed with the wicked; and he has borne the sins of many, and has prayed for the transgressors.

Thanks be to God.

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

Again it is Isaias that instructs us, not indeed upon the triumph which our Emmanuel is to win over His enemies, but upon the sufferings of the Man of Sorrows. So explicit is his description of our Lord’s Passion, that the holy Fathers have called him the fifth Evangelist. What could be more sublimely plaintive than the language here used by the son of Amos? And we, after hearing both the Old and New Testament upon the sufferings which Jesus went through for our sins, how shall we sufficiently love this dear Redeemer, who bore our infirmities and carried our Sorrows, so as to look as a leper, and as one struck by God and afflicted?

We are healed by his bruises! Heavenly Physician, that takes upon Himself the sufferings of them He comes to cure! But not only was He bruised for our sins, He was also slaughtered as a lamb: and this not merely as a Victim submitting to the inflexible justice of His Father who has laid on Him the iniquity of us all, but, (as the Prophet here assures us), because it was His own will. His love for us, as well as his submission to His Father, led him to the great sacrifice. Observe, too, how He refuses to defend Himself before Pilate who could so easily deliver Him from his enemies: He will be dumb as a lamb before his shearers, and he will not open his mouth. Let us love and adore this divine silence which works our salvation. Let us not pass over an iota of the devotedness which Jesus shows us — a devotedness which never could have existed, save in the Heart of a God. Oh! how much He has loved us — His children, the purchase of His Blood, His Seed, as the Prophet here calls us. Holy Church! Long-lived Seed of Jesus that laid down his life! You are dear to Him, for He bought you at a great price. Faithful souls! Give Him love for love. Sinners! Be converted to this your Saviour. His Blood will restore you to life, for if we have all gone astray like sheep, remember what is added: The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. There is no sinner however great may be his crimes, there is no heretic or infidel who has not his share in this Precious Blood, whose infinite merit is such that it could redeem a million worlds, more guilty even than our own.

Gospel – The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke (xxii‒xxiii)

At that time the feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Pasch, was at hand. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put Jesus to death, but they feared the people. And Satan entered into Judas, who was surnamed Iscariot, one of the twelve. And he went and discoursed with the chief priests and the magistrates, how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised. And he sought opportunity to betray Him in the absence of the multitude.

And the day of the unleavened bread came, on which it was necessary that the Pasch should be killed. And He sent Peter and John, saying:” Go and prepare us the Pasch, that we may eat.” But they said: “Where will you that we prepare?” And He said to them: “Behold, as you go into the city, there will meet you a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him into the house where he enters in, and you will say to the good man of the house: ‘The Master says to you: Where is the guest-chamber, where I may eat the Pasch with my disciples?’ and he will show you a large dining-room furnished. And there prepare.” And they going found as He had said to them, and they made ready the Pasch. And when the hour was come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. And He said to them: “With desire I have desired to eat this Pasch with you before I suffer. For I say to you, that from this time I will not eat it, till it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And having taken the chalice He gave thanks and said: “Take and divide it among you. For I say to you, that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, till the kingdom of God comes.” And taking bread, He gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to them, saying: “This is my Body, which is given to you: do this for a commemoration of me.” In like manner the chalice also, after He had supped, saying: “This is the chalice, the new testament of my Blood, which will be shed for you. But yet behold, the hand of him that betrays me is with me on the table. And the Son of Man indeed goes according to that which is determined, but yet woe to that man by whom he will be betrayed.” And they began to enquire among themselves which of them it was that should do this thing.

And there was also a strife among them, which of them should seem to be greater. And He said to them: “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and they that have power over them, are called beneficent. But you not so. But he that is the greater among you, let him be as the younger, and he that is the leader, as he that serves. For which is greater, he that sits at table, or he that serves? Is not he that sits at table? But I am in the midst of you, as he that serves, and you are they who have continued with me in my temptations. And I dispose to you, as my Father has disposed to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and may sit upon thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” And the Lord said: “Simon, Simon, behold Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith fail not: and you, being once converted, confirm your brethren.” Who said to Him: “Lord, I am ready to go with you, both into prison, and to death.” And He said: “I say to you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day till you thrice deny that you know me.” And He said to them: “When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, did you want anything?” But they said: “Nothing.” Then said he to them: “But now he that has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a scrip: and he that has no sword, let him sell his coat and buy one. For I say to you, that this that is written must yet be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was reckoned among the wicked:’ for the things concerning me have an end.” But they said: “Lord, here are two swords.” And He said to them: “It is enough.”

And going out, He went according to His custom to the mount of Olives. And His disciples also followed Him. And when He was come to the place, He said to them: “Pray, lest you enter into temptation.” And He was withdrawn away from them a stone’s cast, and kneeling down He prayed, saying: “Father, if you will, remove this chalice from me. But yet not my will, but yours be done.” And there appeared to Him an Angel from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in an agony, He prayed the longer. And His sweat became as drops of blood trickling down on the ground. And when He rose up from prayer and was come to His disciples, He found them sleeping for sorrow. And He said to them: “Why sleep you? Arise, pray, lest you enter into temptation.” As He was yet speaking, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. And Jesus said to Him: “Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” And they that were about Him, seeing what would follow, said to Him: “Lord shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the High Priest, and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answering, said: “Suffer ye thus far.” And when He had touched his ear, He healed him. And Jesus said to the chief priests and magistrates of the temple, and the ancients that were come to Him: “Are you come out, as it were against a thief, with swords and clubs? When I was daily with you in the temple, you did not stretch forth your hands against me. But this is your hour and the power of darkness.”

And apprehending Him, they led him to the High Priest’s house, but Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall and were sitting about it, Peter was in the midst of them. Whom when a certain servant maid had seen sitting at the light, and had earnestly beheld him, she said: “This man also was with him.” But he denied, saying: “Woman, I know him not.” And after a little while, another seeing him, said: “You also are one of them.” But Peter said: “Man, I am not.” And after the space as it were of one hour, another certain man affirmed, saying: “Of a truth this man was also with him: for he is also a Galilean.” And Peter said: “Man, I know not what you say.” And immediately as he was yet speaking the cock crew. And the Lord turning looked on Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, as He had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me thrice.” And Peter going out wept bitterly.

And the men that held Him, mocked Him and struck Him. And they blindfolded Him, and smote Him on the face. And they asked Him, saying: “Prophesy, who is it that struck you?” And blaspheming, many other things they said against Him. And as soon as it was day, the ancients of the people, and the chief priests, and scribes came together, and they brought Him into their council, saying: “If you be the Christ, tell us.” And He said to them: “If I will tell you, you will not believe me. And if I will also ask you, you will not answer me, nor let me go. But hereafter the Son of man will be sitting on the right hand of the power of God.” Then said they all: “Are you the Son of God?” And He said: “You say that I am.” And they said: “What need we any further testimony? For ourselves have heard it from his own mouth.” And the whole multitude of them rose up, and led Him away to Pilate. And they began to accuse Him, saying: “We have found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he is Christ the King.” And Pilate asked Him, saying: “Are you the King of the Jews?” But He answering, said: “You say it.” But Pilate said to the chief priests and to the multitude: “I find no cause in this man.” But they were more earnest, saying: “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.” But Pilate hearing Galilee, asked if the man were of Galilee. And when he understood that He was of Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him away to Herod, who himself was also at Jerusalem in those days. And Herod seeing Jesus was very glad, for he was desirous of a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things of Him and he hoped to see some sign wrought by Him. And he questioned Him with many words. But He answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes stood by, earnestly accusing Him. And Herod with his army set Him at naught, and mocked Him, putting on him a white garment and sent Him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate were made friends that same day: for before they were enemies to one another. Then Pilate calling together the chief priests, and the magistrates, and the people, said to them: “You have brought this man to me as one that perverts the people and, behold I, having examined him before you, find no cause in this man touching those things in which you accuse him. No, nor Herod neither. For I sent you to him, and behold, nothing worthy of death is done to him. I will chastise him therefore and release him.”

Now of necessity he was to release to them one upon the feast day. But the whole multitude together cried out at once saying: “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas.” Who, for a certain sedition made in the city, and for a murder, was cast into prison. And Pilate again spoke to them, desiring to release Jesus, But they cried out again, saying: “Crucify him, crucify him.” And he said to them the third time: “Why, what evil has this man done? I find no cause of death in him. I will chastise him therefore, and let him go.” But they were instant with loud voices requiring that He might be crucified, and their voices prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. And he released to them him who for murder and sedition had been cast into prison, whom they had desired: but Jesus he delivered up to their will.

And as they led him away, they laid hold on one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country: and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus. And there followed Him a great multitude of people, and of women, who bewailed and lamented Him. But Jesus turning to them, said: “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For behold the days will come in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that have not borne, and the paps that have not given suck.’ Then will they begin to say to the mountains: ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills: ‘Cover us.’ For if in the green wood they do these things, what will be done in the dry?” And there were also two other malefactors led with Him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified Him there, and the robbers, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. And Jesus said: “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” But they dividing His garments, cast lots. And the people stood beholding, and the rulers with them derided Him, saying: “He saved others. Let him save himself, if he be Christ, the elect of God.” And the soldiers also mocked Him, coming to Him and offering Him vinegar, and saying: “If you be the King of the Jews, save yourself.” And there was also a superscription written over Him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew: “This is the King of the Jews.” And one of the robbers who were hanged, blasphemed Him saying: “If you be Christ, save yourself and us.” But the other answering, rebuked him, saying: “Neither do you fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation. And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds. But this man has done no evil.” And he said to Jesus: “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him: “Amen I say to you, this day you will be with me in paradise.” And it was almost the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the Temple was rent in the midst. And Jesus crying with a loud voice, said: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” And saying this, He gave up the ghost.

And behold there was a man named Joseph who was a counsellor, a good and just man (the same had not consented to their counsel and doing), of Arimathea, a city of Judea, who also himself looked for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus. And taking Him down He wrapped him in fine linen, and laid Him in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, in which never yet any man had been laid.

31 MARCH – TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

Today again our Saviour sets out in the morning for Jerusalem. His intention is to repair to the temple, and continue His yesterday’s teachings. It is evident that His mission on earth is fast drawing to its close. He says to His disciples: “You know that after two days will be the Pasch, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified (Matthew xxvi. 2). On the road from Bethany to Jerusalem the disciples are surprised at seeing the fig tree which their Divine Master had yesterday cursed, now dead. Addressing himself to Jesus, Peter says: “Rabbi, behold, the fig tree which you cursed is withered away” (Mark xi. 21). In order to teach us that the whole of material nature is subservient to the spiritual element when this last is united to God by faith, Jesus replies: “Have the faith of God. Amen I say to you, that whoever will say to this mountain: Be removed and cast into the sea! and will not stagger in his heart, but believe, that whatever he says will be done, it will be done to him” (Mark xi. 22, 23).

Having entered the city, Jesus directs His steps towards the Temple. No sooner has He entered than the Chief Priests, the Scribes and the Ancients of the people, accost him with these words: “By what authority do you these things? and who has given you this authority, that you should do these things?” (Mark xi. 28). We will find our Lord’s answer given in the Gospel. Our object is to mention the leading events of the last days of our Redeemer on earth. The holy Volume will supply the details.

As on the two preceding days, Jesus leaves the city towards evening: He passes over Mount Olivet and returns to Bethany where he finds His Blessed Mother and His devoted friends. In today’s Mass, the Church reads the history of the Passion according to Saint Mark who wrote his Gospel the next after Saint Matthew: hence it is that the second place is assigned to him. His account of the Passion is shorter than Saint Matthew’s, of which it would often seem to be a summary, and yet certain details are peculiar to this Evangelist and prove him to have been an eye-witness. Our readers are aware that Saint Mark was the disciple of Saint Peter, and that his Gospel was written under the very eye of the Prince of the Apostles.

Lesson – Jeremias xi. 18‒20

In those days Jeremias said: “You, O Lord, have showed me, and I have known: then you showed me their doings. And I was as a meek lamb, that is carried to be a victim; and I knew not that they had devised counsels against me, saying: ‘Let us put wood on his bread, and cut him off from the land of the living, and let his name be remembered no more.’ But you, O Lord of Sabaoth, who judges justly and tries the reins of the heart, let me see your revenge on them, for to you I have revealed my cause, O Lord, my God!”

Thanks be to God.

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

Again, we have the plaintive words of Jeremias: he gives us the very words used by his enemies when they conspired his death. It is evident, however, that the Prophet is here a figure of one greater than himself. Let us, say these enemies, put wood on his bread: that is, let us put poisonous wood into what he eats, that so we may cause his death. This is the literal sense of these words, as applied to the Prophet ; but how much more truly were they fulfilled in our Redeemer! He tells us that His Divine Flesh is the True Bread that came down from heaven. This Bread, this Body of the Man-God, is bruised, torn, and wounded. The Jews nail it to the Wood so that, it is, in a manner, made one with the Wood, and the Wood is all covered with Jesus’ Blood. This Lamb of God was immolated on the Wood of the Cross: it is by His immolation that we have had given to us a sacrifice which is worthy of God, and it is by this sacrifice that we participate in the Bread of Heaven, the Flesh of the Lamb, our true Pasch.

Gospel – The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark (xiv‒xv)

At that time the Feast of the Pasch and of Azymes was after two days, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might by some wile lay hold on Jesus, and kill Him. But they said: “Not on the festival day, lest there should be a tumult among the people.”

And when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the Leper, and was at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of precious spikenard. And breaking the alabaster box she poured it out on His head. Now there were some that had indignation within themselves and said: “Why was this waste of the ointment made? For this ointment might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and given to the poor.” And they murmured against her. But Jesus said: “Let her alone, why do you molest her? She has wrought a good work upon me. For the poor you have always with you, and whenever you will, you may do them good. But me you have not always. What she had, she has done. She has come beforehand to anoint my body for the burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever this gospel will be preached in the whole world, that also which she has done will be told for a memorial of her.”

And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests, to betray Him to them. Who hearing it were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray Him. Now on the first day of the unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Pasch, the disciples said to Him: “Where will you that we go and prepare for you to eat the Pasch?” And He sent two of His disciples and said to them: “Go into the city, and there will meet you a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him, and wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house: ‘The Master says: Where is my refectory, that I may eat the Pasch with my disciples?’ And he will show you a large dining room furnished. And there prepare for us.” And His disciples went their way and came into the city, and they found as He had told them, and they prepared the Pasch.

And when evening was come, He came with the twelve. And when they were at table eating, Jesus said: “Amen I say to you, one of you that eats with me will betray me.” But they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one: Is it I? Who said to them: “One of the twelve who dips his hand in the dish with me. And the Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him. But woe to that man by whom the Son of Man will be betrayed. It were better for him, if that man had not been born.” And while they were eating, Jesus took bread: and blessing, broke, and gave to them, and said: “Take, this is my body.” And having taken the chalice, giving thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank of it and He said to them: “This is my blood of the new testament, which will be shed for many. Amen I say to you, that I will drink no more of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I will drink it new in the kingdom of God.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went forth to the mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them: “You will all be scandalised in my regard this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be dispersed.’ But after I will be risen again, I will go before yon into Galilee.” But Peter said to Him: “Although all will be scandalised in you, yet not I.” And Jesus said to him “Amen I say to you, today, even in this night before the cock crow twice, you will deny me thrice.” But he spoke the more vehemently: “Although I should die together with you, I will not deny you.” And in like manner also said they all. And they came to a farm called Gethsemani. And He said to His disciples: “Sit here while I pray.” And He took Peter and James and John with Him. And He began to fear and to be heavy. And he said to them: “My soul is sorrowful even unto death. Stay you here, and watch.” And when He had gone forward a little, He fell flat on the ground and prayed that, if it might be, the hour might pass from Him: and He said: “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you, remove this chalice from me. But not what I will, but what you will.” And He came and found them sleeping. And He said to Peter: “Simon, you sleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And going away again He prayed, saying the same words. And when He returned He found them again asleep (for their eyes were heavy), and they knew not what to answer Him. And He came the third time and said to them: “Sleep now, and take your rest. It is enough, the hour is come. Behold the Son of man will be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go. Behold he that will betray me is at hand.”

And while he was yet speaking, came Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves from the chief priests, and the scribes, and the ancients. And he that betrayed Him had given them a sign, saying: “Whoever I will kiss, that is he, lay hold on him, and lead him away carefully.” And when he was come, immediately going up to Him, he said: “Hail Rabbi!” And he kissed Him. But they laid hands on Him, and held Him. And one of them that stood by, drawing a sword, struck a servant of the chief priest and cut off his ear. And Jesus answering, said to them: “Are you come out as to a robber with swords and staves to apprehend me? I was daily with you in tho temple teaching, and you did not lay hands on me.” But, that the scripture may be fulfilled. Then His disciples leaving Him, all fled away. And a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body, and they laid hold on him. But he casting off the linen cloth, fled from them naked.

And they brought Jesus to the High Priest, and all the priests and the scribes and the ancients were assembled together. And Peter followed Him afar off even into the court of the High Priest, and he sat with the servants at the fire and warmed himself. And the chief priests and all the council sought for evidence against Jesus that they might put Him to death, and they found none. For many bore false witness against Him, and their evidences were not agreeing. And some rising up, bore false witness against Him, saying: “We heard him say: ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another not made with hands.’” And their witness did not agree. And the High Priest rising up in the midst, asked Jesus, saying: “Answer you nothing to the things that are laid to your charge by these men?” But He held his peace and answered nothing. Again the High Priest asked Him, and said to him: “Are you Christ the Son of the Blessed God?” and Jesus said to him: “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Then the High Priest rending his garments said: “What need we any further witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What think you?” Who all condemned Him to be guilty of death. And some began to spit on Him, and to cover His face, and to buffet Him, and to say to Him: “Prophesy!” And the servants struck Him with the palms of their hands.

Now when Peter was in the court below, there came to him one of the maid servants of the High Priest. And when she had seen Peter warming himself, looking on him, she said:”You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.” But he denied, saying:” I neither know nor understand what you say.” And he went forth before the court, and the cock crew. And again a maid servant seeing him, began to say to the standers-by: “This is one of them.” But he denied again. And after a while, they that stood by said again to Peter: “Surely you are one of them, for you also are a Galilean.” But he began to curse and swear, saying: “I know not this man of whom you speak.” And immediately the cock crew again. And Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said to him: “ Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me thrice.” And he began to weep.

And straight away in the morning the chief priests holding a consultation with the ancients and the scribes, and the whole council, binding Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. And Pilate asked Him: “Are you the king of the Jews?” But He answering, said to him: “You say it.” And the chief priests accused Him in many things. And Pilate again asked Him, saying: “Answer you nothing? Behold in how many things they accuse you.” But Jesus still answered nothing so that Pilate wondered.

Now on the festival day he was wont to release to them one of the prisoners, whoever they demanded. And there was one called Barabbas who was put in prison with some seditious men who in the sedition had committed murder. And when the multitude was come up, they began to desire that he would do as he had ever done to them. And Pilate answered them, and said: “Will you that I release to you the King of the Jews?” For he knew that the chief priests had delivered Him up out of envy. But the chief priests moved the people that he should rather release Barabbas to them. And Pilate again answering, said to them: “What will you then that I do with the King of the Jews?” But they again cried out: “Crucify him.” And Pilate said to them: “Why, what evil has he done?” But they cried out the more: “Crucify him.” And Pilate being willing to satisfy the people, released to them Barabbas, and delivered up Jesus, when he had scourged Him, to be crucified.

And the soldiers led Him away into the court of the palace, and they called together the whole band, and they clothed Him with purple, and platting a crown of thorns, they put it on Him. And they began to salute Him: “Hail, king of the Jews.” And they struck his Head with a reed, and they did spit on Him, and bowing their knees, they adored Him. And after they had mocked Him, they took off the purple from Him, and put His own garments on Him, and they led Him out to crucify Him. And they forced one Simon, a Cyrenean, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and of Rufus, to take up His cross. And they brought Him into the place called Golgotha, which being interpreted is, The place of Calvary. And they gave Him to drink wine mingled with myrrh, but He took it not. And crucifying Him, they divided His garments casting lots for them, what every man should take. And it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. And the inscription of His cause was written over, The King of the Jews. And with Him they crucified two thieves, the one on His right hand and the other on His left. And the scripture was fulfilled which says: “And with the wicked he was reputed.” And they that passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads, and saying: “You that destroy the Temple of God, and in three days build it up again, save yourself, coming down from the cross.” In like manner also the chief priests with the scribes mocking, said one to another: “He saved others, himself he cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel come down from the cross that we may see and believe.” And they that were crucified with Him reviled Him. And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole earth until the ninth hour, and at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Eloi, Eloi, lamma Sabacthani?” which is, being interpreted: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the standers-by hearing, said: “Behold, he calls Elias.” And one running and filling a sponge with vinegar, and putting it upon a reed, gave Him to drink, saying: “Stay, let us see if Elias will come to take him down.” And Jesus having cried out with a loud voice, gave up the ghost.

And the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom, and the centurion who stood over against Him, seeing that crying out in this manner he gave up the ghost, said: “Indeed this man was the Son of God.” And there were also women looking on afar off, among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less, and of Joseph, and Salome, who also when He was in Galilee followed Him, and ministered to Him, and many other women came up with Him to Jerusalem.

And when the evening was now come (because it was the Parasceve, that is, the day before the Sabbath), Joseph of Arimathea, a noble counsellor, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, came and went in boldly to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. But Pilate wondered that He should be already dead, and sending for the centurion, he asked him if He were already dead. And when he had understood it by the centurion, He gave the body to Joseph. And Joseph buying fine linen, and taking Him down, wrapped Him up in the fine linen and laid Him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and he rolled a stone to the door of the sepulchre.

30 MARCH – MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Lesson – Isaias l. 5‒10

In those days, Isaias said: “The Lord has opened my ear, making known His will to me, and I do not resist: I have not gone back. I have given my body to the strikers, and my cheeks to them that plucked them: I have not turned away my face from them that rebuked me, and spit on me. The Lord God is my helper, therefore am I not confounded. He is near that justifies me, who will contend with me? Let us stand together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. Behold the Lord God is my helper: who is he that will condemn me? Lo, they will all be destroyed as a garment, the moth will eat them up. Who is there among you that fears the Lord, that hears the voice of His servant? He that has walked in darkness, and has no light, let him hope in the name of the Lord, and lean upon his God.”

Thanks be to God. 

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

The sufferings of our Redeemer, and the patience with which He is to bear them, are thus prophesied by Isaias, who is always so explicit on the Passion. Jesus has accepted the office of victim for the world’s salvation. He shrinks from no pain or humiliation: He turns not His Face from them that strike Him and spit on Him. What reparation can we make to this Infinite Majesty, who, that He might save us, submitted to such outrages as these? Observe these vile and cruel enemies of our Divine Lord: now that they have Him in their power, they fear Him not. When they came to seize Him in the Garden, He had but to speak, and they fell back on the ground. But He has now permitted them to bind His hands and lead him to the High Priest. They accuse Him. They cry out against Him. And He answers but a few words. Jesus of Nazareth, the great Teacher, the wonder-worker, has seemingly lost all His influence. They can do what they will with Him. It is thus with the sinner. When the thunderstorm is over, and the lightning has not struck him, he regains his courage. The holy Angels look on with amazement at the treatment shown by the Jews to Jesus, and falling down, they adore the Holy Face, which they see thus bruised and defiled: let us, also, prostrate and ask pardon, for our sins have outraged that same Face.

But let us hearken to the last words of our Epistle: “He that has walked in darkness, and has no light, let him hope in the name of the Lord and lean upon his God.” Who is this but the Gentile, abandoned to sin and idolatry? He knows not what is happening at this very hour in Jerusalem. He knows not that the earth possesses its Saviour, and that this Saviour is being trampled beneath the feet of His own chosen people: but, in a very short time, the light of the Gospel will shine on this poor Gentile: he will believe. He will obey. He will love his Redeemer, even to the laying down his life for Him. Then will be fulfilled the prophecy of the unworthy Pontiff, who prophesied against his will that the death of Jesus would bring salvation to the Gentiles, by gathering into one family the children of God that hitherto had been dispersed (John xi. 52).

Gospel – John xii. 1‒9

Six days before the Pasch Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus had been dead, whom Jesus raised to life. And they made Him a supper there; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of them that were at table with Him. Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of right spikenard, of great price, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, he that was about to betray him, said: “Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?” Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and, having the purse, carried the things that were put therein. Jesus therefore said: “Leave her alone, that she may keep it against the day of my burial. For the poor you will have always with you, but me you will have not always.” A great multitude therefore of the Jews knew He was there. And they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus whom He had raised from the dead.

Praise be to you, O Christ. 

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

The event related in this passage of the Gospel took place on Saturday, the eve of Palm Sunday, but as formerly there was no Station for that day, the reading of this Gospel was deferred till the following Monday. The Church brings this episode of the last days of our Saviour before us, because it enables us to have a clearer understanding of the history of the Passion.

Mary Magdalene, whose conversion was the subject of our meditation a few days back, is a prominent figure in the Passion and Resurrection of her Divine Master. She is the type of a soul that has been purified by grace, and then admitted to the enjoyment of God’s choicest favours. It is of importance that we study her in each of the several phases, through which divine grace led her. We have already seen how she keeps close to her Saviour and supplies His sacred wants. Elsewhere we will find Jesus giving the preference to her over her sister Martha, and this because Mary chose a better part than Martha; but now, during these days of Passiontide, it is her tender love for Jesus that makes her dear to us. She knows that the Jews are plotting Jesus’ death. The Holy Spirit who guides her through the different degrees of perfection inspires her, on the occasion mentioned in today’s Gospel, to the performance of an action which prophesied what she most dreaded.

One of the three gifts offered by the Magi to the Divine Infant, was myrrh. It is an emblem of death, and the Gospel tells us that it was used at the burial of our Lord. Magdalene, on the day of her conversion, testified the earnestness of her change of heart by pouring on the feet of Jesus the most precious of her perfumes. She gives Him today the same proof of her love. Her divine Master is invited by Simon the Leper to a feast: His Blessed Mother and His disciples are among the guests: Martha is busy looking after the service. Outwardly there is no disturbance, but inwardly there are sad forebodings. During the repast, Magdalene is seen entering the room, holding in her hand a vase of precious spikenard. She advances towards Jesus, kneels at His feet, anoints them with the perfume, and wipes them with her hair, as on the previous occasion. Jesus lay on one of those couches which were used by the Eastern people during their repasts. Magdalene, therefore, could easily take her favourite place at His feet, and give Him the same proof of her love as she had already done in the Pharisee’s house. The Evangelist does not say that this time she shed tears. Saint Matthew and Saint Mark add that she poured the ointment on his head also. Whether or not Magdalene herself understood the full import of what the Holy Spirit inspired her to do, the Gospel does not say, but Jesus Himself revealed the mystery to His disciples, and we gather from His words that this action of Magdalene was, in a certain manner, the commencement of His Passion: “She, in pouring this ointment on my body, has done it for my burial.”

The fragrance of the ointment fills the whole house. One of the disciples, Judas Iscariot, dares to protest against this waste, as he calls it. His base avarice deprives him of feeling and respect for his Divine Master. His opinion was shared in by several of the other disciples, for they were still carnal-minded. For several reasons Jesus permits Magdalene’s generosity to be thus blamed. And firstly, He wishes to announce His approaching death which is mystically expressed by the pouring of this ointment on His body. Then, too, he would glorify Magdalene. And He therefore tells them that are present that her tender and ardent love will be rewarded, and that her name will be celebrated in every country, wherever the Gospel will be preached. And lastly, He would console those whose generous love prompts them to be liberal in their gifts to His altars, for what He here says of Magdalene is in reality a defence for them, when they are accused of spending too much over the beauty of God’s House.

Let us prize each of these divine teachings. Let us love to honour Jesus, both in His own person, and in His poor. Let us honour Magdalene, and imitate her devotion to the Passion and Death of our Lord. In fine, let us prepare our perfumes for our Divine Master: there must be the Myrrh of the Magi, which signifies penance, and the precious Spikenard of Magdalene, which is the emblem of generous and compassionating love.

29 MARCH – PALM SUNDAY (SECOND SUNDAY OF THE PASSION)

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

Holy Church has so arranged the service of today that it should express both joy and sorrow. Joy, by uniting herself with the loyal Hosannas of the City of David, and sorrow, by compassionating the Passion of her Divine Spouse. The whole function is divided into three parts, which we will now proceed to explain.

The first is the BLESSING OF THE PALMS, and we may have an idea of its importance by the solemnity used by the Church in this sacred rite. One would suppose that the Holy Sacrifice has begun, and is going to be offered up in honour of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Introit, Collect, Epistle, Gradual, Gospel, even a Preface, are said as though we were, as usual, preparing for the immolation of the Spotless Lamb, but, after the triple Sanctus! Sanctus! Sanctus! the Church suspends these sacrificial formulas and turns to the Blessing of the Palms. The prayers she uses for this Blessing are eloquent and full of instruction, and together with the sprinkling with Holy Water and the Incensation, impart a virtue to these branches, which elevates them to the supernatural order, and makes them means for the sanctification of our souls and the protection of our persons and dwellings. The faithful should hold these Palms in their hands during the procession, and during the reading of the Passion at Mass, and keep them in their homes as an outward expression of their faith, and as a pledge of God’s watchful love.

It is scarcely necessary to tell our reader that the palms or olive branches, thus blessed, are carried in memory of those with which the people of Jerusalem strewed the road, as our Saviour made His triumphant entry, but a word on the antiquity of our ceremony will not be superfluous. It began very early in the East. It is probable, that as far as Jerusalem itself is concerned, the custom was established immediately after the Ages of Persecution. Saint Cyril, who was bishop of that city in the fourth century tells us that the palm tree from which the people cut the branches when they went out to meet our Saviour was still to be seen in the Valley of Cedron. Such a circumstance would naturally suggest an annual commemoration of the great event. In the following century we find this ceremony established, not only in the Churches of the East, but also in the monasteries of Egypt and Syria. At the beginning of Lent many of the holy monks obtained permission from their Abbots to retire into the desert that they might spend the sacred season in strict seclusion, but they were obliged to return to their monasteries for Palm Sunday, as we learn from the Life of Saint Euthymius, written by his disciple Cyril. In the West, the introduction of this ceremony was more gradual: the first trace we find of it is in the Sacramentary of Saint Gregory, that is, the end of the sixth or the beginning of the seventh century. When the faith had penetrated into the north it was not possible to have palms or olive branches: they were supplied by branches from other trees. The beautiful prayers used in the Blessing, and which are based on the mysteries expressed by the palm and olive trees, are still employed in the blessing of our willow, box, or other branches, and rightly, for they represent the symbolical ones which nature has denied us.

The second of today’s ceremonies is the PROCESSION which comes immediately after the Blessing of the Palms. It represents our Saviour’s journey to Jerusalem and His entry into the city. To make it the more expressive, the branches that have just been blessed are held in the hand during it. With the Jews, to hold a branch in one’s hand was a sign of joy. The Divine Law had sanctioned the practice, as we read in the following passage from Leviticus where God commands His people to keep the Feast of Tabernacles: “And you will take to you, on the first day, the fruits of the fairest tree, and branches of palm trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook, and you will rejoice before the Lord your God” (Leviticus xxiii. 40). It was, therefore, to testify their delight at seeing Jesus enter within their walls that the inhabitants, even the little children, of Jerusalem, went forth to meet Him with palms in their hands. Let us, also, go before our King, singing our Hosannas to Him as the Conqueror of death, and the Liberator of His people.

During the Middle Ages it was the custom in many churches to carry the Book of the Holy Gospels in this Procession. The Gospel contains the words of Jesus Christ, and was considered to represent Him. The procession halted at an appointed place or Station: the Deacon then opened the sacred Volume and sang from it the passage which describes our Lord’s entry into Jerusalem. This done, the cross, which, up to this moment, was veiled, was uncovered. Each of the clergy advanced towards it, venerated it, and placed at its foot a small portion of the palm he held in his hand. The procession then returned, preceded by the cross, which was left unveiled until all had re-entered the church. In England and Normandy, as far back as the eleventh century, there was practised a holy ceremony which represented, even more vividly than the one we have just been describing, the scene that was witnessed, on this day, at Jerusalem: the Blessed Sacrament was carried in procession. The heresy of Berengarius against the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist had been broached about that time, and the tribute of triumphant joy here shown to the Sacred Host was a distant preparation for the feast and procession, which were to be instituted at a later period.

A touching ceremony was also practised in Jerusalem during today’s Procession, and, like those just mentioned, was intended to commemorate the event related by the Gospel. The whole community of the Franciscans (to whose keeping the Holy Places are entrusted), went in the morning to Bethphage. There the Father Guardian of the Holy Land, being vested in pontifical robes, mounted upon an ass on which garments were laid. Accompanied by the Friars and the Catholics of Jerusalem, all holding palms in their hands, he entered the city, and alighted at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Mass was celebrated with all possible solemnity.

We have mentioned these different usages, as we have done others on similar occasions, in order to aid the faithful to the better understanding of the several mysteries of the Liturgy. In the present instance they will learn that, in today’s Procession the Church wishes us to honour Jesus Christ as though He were really among us, and were receiving the humble tribute of our loyalty. Let us lovingly go forth to meet this our King, our Saviour, who comes to visit the Daughter of Sion, as the Prophet has just told us. He is in our midst. It is to him that we pay honour with our palms. Lt us give Him our hearts too. He comes that He may be our king. Let us welcome Him as such, and fervently cry out to him: Hosanna to the Son of David!

At the close of the Procession a ceremony takes place which is full of the sublimest symbolism. On returning to the church the doors are found to be shut. The triumphant Procession is stopped, but the songs of joy are continued. A hymn in honour of Christ our King is sung with its joyous chorus and at length, the Sub-deacon strikes the door with the staff of the cross. The door opens, and the people, preceded by the clergy, enter the church, proclaiming the praise of Him who is our Resurrection and our Life. This ceremony is intended to represent the entry of Jesus into that Jerusalem, of which the earthly one was but the figure — the Jerusalem of heaven which has been opened for us by our Saviour. The sin of our first parents had shut it against us, but Jesus, the King of glory, opened its gates by His cross, to which every resistance yields. Let us, then, continue to follow in the footsteps of the Son of David, for He is also the Son of God, and He invites us to share His kingdom with Him. Thus, by the procession which is commemorative of what happened on this day, the Church raises up our thoughts to the glorious mystery of the Ascension by which heaven was made the close of Jesus’s mission on earth. Alas, the interval between these two triumphs of our Redeemer are not all days of joy, and no sooner is our procession over, than the Church that had laid aside for a moment the weight of her grief, falls back into sorrow and mourning.

The third part of today’s service is the OFFERING OF THE HOLY SACRIFICE. The portions that are sung by the choir are expressive of the deepest desolation, and the history of our Lord’s Passion, which is to be now read by anticipation, gives to the rest of the day that character of sacred gloom which we all know so well. For the last five or six centuries, the Church has adopted a special chant for this narrative of the holy Gospel. The historian, or the Evangelist, relates the events in a tone that is at once grave and pathetic: the words of our Saviour are sung to a solemn yet sweet melody, which strikingly contrasts with the high dominant of the several other interlocutors and the Jewish populace. During the singing of the Passion the faithful should hold their palms in their hands, and, by this emblem of triumph, protest against the insults offered to Jesus by His enemies. As we listen to each humiliation and suffering, all of which were endured out of love for us, let us offer Him our palm as to our dearest Lord and King. When should we be more adoring, than when He is most suffering?

This Sunday, besides its liturgical and popular appellation of Palm Sunday, has had several other names. Thus it was called Hosanna Sunday in allusion to the acclamation with which the Jews greeted Jesus on his entry into Jerusalem. Our forefathers used also to call it Pascha Floridum, because the Feast of the Pasch (or Easter), which is but eight days off, is today in bud, so to speak, and the faithful could begin from this Sunday to fulfil the precept of Easter Communion. It was in allusion to this name that the Spaniards, having on the Palm Sunday of 1513 discovered the peninsula on the Gulf of Mexico, called it Florida. We also find the name of Capitilavium given to this Sunday, because during those times when it was the custom to defer till Holy Saturday the baptism of infants born during the preceding months (where such a delay entailed no danger), the parents used on this day to wash the heads of these children, out of respect to the Holy Chrism with which they were to be anointed. Later on this Sunday was, at least in some churches, called the Pasch of the Competents, that is, of the Catechumens who were admitted to Baptism: they assembled today in the church, and received a special instruction on the Symbol, which had been given to them in the previous scrutiny. In the Gothic Church of Spain, the Symbol was not given till today. The Greeks call this Sunday Baiphoros, that is, Palm-Bearing.

Gospel – Matthew xxi. 1‒9

At that time when Jesus drew near to Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, He sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village that is over against you, and immediately you will find an ass tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to me. And if any man will say anything to you, say that the Lord has need of them, and forthwith he will let them go.” Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Tell the daughter of Sion, ‘Behold, your King comes to you, meek and sitting on an ass, and a colt the foal of her that is used to the yoke.’ And the disciples going, did as Jesus commanded them, and they brought the ass and the colt, and laid their garments on them, and made him sit thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way. Others cut boughs from the trees and strewed them on the way. And the multitude that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David! blessed is he that comes in the Name of the Lord.”

Praise be to you, O Christ.

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

Early in the morning of this day Jesus sets out for Jerusalem, leaving Mary his Mother and the two sisters Martha and Mary Magdalene, and Lazarus, at Bethany. The Mother of Sorrows trembles at seeing her Son thus expose Himself to danger, for His enemies are bent upon his destruction, but it is not Death, it is Triumph, that Jesus is to receive today in Jerusalem. The Messiah, before being nailed to the Cross, is to be proclaimed King by the people of the great city. The little children are to make her streets echo with their Hosannas to the Son of David, and this in presence of the soldiers of Rome’s emperor, and of the High Priests and Pharisees — the first, standing under the banner of their eagles, the second, dumb with rage.

The Prophet Zacharias had foretold this Triumph which the Son of Man was to receive a few days before His Passion, and which had been prepared for Him from all eternity. Rejoice greatly, Daughter of Sion! Shout for joy, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold your King will come to you: the Just and the Saviour. He is poor, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass (Zacharias ix. 9) Jesus, knowing that the hour was come for the fulfilment of this prophecy, singles out two from the rest of His disciples, and bids them lead to Him an ass and her colt, which they would find not far off. He had got to Bethphage, on Mount Olivet. The two disciples lose no time in executing the order given them by their divine Master, and the ass and the colt are soon brought to the place where He stands.

The holy Fathers have explained to us the mystery of these two animals. The ass represents the Jewish people, which had been long under the yoke of the Law. The colt upon which, as the Evangelist says, no man yet had sat (Mark ix. 9), is a figure of the Gentile world which no-one had ever yet brought into subjection. The future of these two peoples is to be decided in a few days hence: the Jews will be rejected for having refused to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah: the Gentiles will take their place to be adopted as God’s people, and become docile and faithful.

The disciples spread their garments upon the colt, and our Saviour, that the prophetic figure might be fulfilled, sat upon him and advances towards Jerusalem. As soon as it was known that Jesus was near the city, the Holy Spirit worked in the hearts of those Jews who had come from all part, to celebrate the Feast of the Passover. They go out to meet our Lord, holding palm branches in their hands and loudly proclaiming him to be King (Mark xi. 7; Luke xix. 35 They that had accompanied Jesus from Bethany join the enthusiastic crowd. Whilst some spread their garments on the way, others cut down boughs from the palm trees and strewed them along the road. Hosanna is the triumphant cry, proclaiming to the whole city that Jesus, the Son of David, has made His entrance as her King (Luke xix. 38).

Thus did God, in His power over men’s hearts, procure a triumph for His Son, and in the very city which, a few days after, was to clamour for His Blood. This day was one of glory to our Jesus, and the holy Church would have us renew each year the memory of this triumph of the Man-God. Shortly after the birth of our Emmanuel we saw the Magi coming from the extreme East, and looking in Jerusalem for the King of the Jews, to whom they intended offering their gifts and their adorations: but it is Jerusalem herself that now goes forth to meet this King. Each of these events is an acknowledgement of the Kingship of Jesus: the first from the Gentiles, the second from the Jews. Both were to pay Him this regal homage before he suffered His Passion. The inscription to be put upon the Cross by Pilate’s order will express the kingly character of the Crucified: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. Pilate the Roman Governor, the pagan, the base coward, has been unwittingly the fulfiller of a prophecy, and when the enemies of Jesus insist on the inscription being altered, Pilate will deign them no answer but this: “What I have written, I have written.”

Today it is the Jews themselves that proclaim Jesus to be their King: they will soon be dispersed in punishment for their revolt against the Son of David, but Jesus is King, and will be so forever. Thus were literally verified the words spoken by the Archangel to Mary when he announced to her the glories of the child that was to be born of her: “The Lord God will give him the throne of David, his father, and he will reign in the house of Jacob forever” (Luke i. 32). Jesus begins his reign on the earth this very day, and though the first Israel is soon to disclaim His rule, a new Israel formed from the faithful few of the old will rise up in every nation of the earth and become the kingdom of Christ, a kingdom such as no mere earthly monarch ever coveted in his wildest fancies of ambition.

Epistle – Philippians 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 the death of the cross. For which cause God also has exalted Him, and has given Him a name which is above all names: (Here genuflect) 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.

Thanks be to God.

Gospel – The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew (xxvi‒xxvii).

At that time Jesus said to His disciples: “You know that after two days will be the Pasch, and the Son of man will be delivered up to be crucified.” Then were gathered together the chief priests and ancients of the people into the court of the High Priest who was called Caiphas, and they consulted together that by subtlety they might apprehend Jesus and put Him to death. But they said: “Not on the Festival day, lest perhaps there should be a tumult among the people.” And when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the Leper, there came to Him a woman having an alabaster-box of precious ointment, and poured it on His head as He was at table. And the disciples seeing it had indignation, saying: “To what purpose is this waste? For this might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.” And Jesus knowing it, said to them: “Why do you trouble this woman? For she has wrought a good work upon me. For the poor you have always with you, but me you have not always. For she, in pouring this ointment upon my body, has done it for my burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever this gospel will be preached in the whole world, that also which she has done, will be told for a memory of her.”

Then went one of the twelve who was called Judas Iscariot to the chief priests and said to them: “What will you give me, and I will deliver Him unto you?” But they appointed him thirty pieces of silver. And from then on he sought an opportunity to betray Him. And on the first day of the Azymes the disciples came to Jesus, saying: “Where wish you that we prepare for you to eat the Pasch?” But Jesus said: “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, The Master says my time is near at hand. I will keep the Pasch at your house with my disciples.” And the disciples did as Jesus appointed to them, and they prepared the Pasch.

Now when it was evening, He sat down with His twelve disciples. And while they were eating, He said: “Amen, I say to you, that one of you is about to betray me.” And they being very much troubled, began everyone to say: “Is it I, Lord?” But He answering said: “He that dips his hand with me in the dish, he will betray me. The Son of man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man will be betrayed. It were better for him if that man had not been born.” And Judas that betrayed Him, answering said: “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him: “You have said it.” And while they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke, and gave to His disciples, and said: “Take and eat. This is my body.” And taking the chalice He gave thanks and gave to them, saying: “Drink all of this, for this is my blood of the new testament, which will be shed for many for the remission of sins. And I say to you, I will not drink from henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I will drink it new with you in the kingdom of my Father.”

And a hymn being said, they went out into mount Olivet. Then Jesus said to them: “All you will be scandalised in me this night. For it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed. But after I will be risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.” And Peter answering said to Him: “Although all shall be scandalised in you, I will never be scandalised.” Jesus said to him: “Amen, I say to you, that in this night, before the cock crows, you will deny me thrice.” Peter said to Him: “Yes, though I should die with you, I will not deny you.” And in like manner said all the disciples.

Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani, and He said to His disciples: “Sit here till I go yonder and pray.” And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to grow sorrowful, and to be sad. Then He said to them: “My soul is sorrowful unto death. Stay here and watch with me.” And going a little further he fell upon His face, praying and saying: “My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” And He came to His disciples, and finding them asleep, He said to Peter: “What! Could you not watch one hour with me? Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again the second time He went and prayed, saying: “My Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, your will be done.” And He came again, and found them sleeping for their eyes were heavy. And leaving them, He went again and He prayed the third time, saying the selfsame words. Then He came to His disciples and said to them: “Sleep now and take your rest. Behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of man will be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go: behold he is at hand that will betray me.”

As He yet spoke, behold Judas, one of the twelve came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, sent from the Chief Priests and the ancients of the people. And he that betrayed Him gave them a sign, saying: “Whoever I will kiss, that is he, hold him fast.” And forthwith coming to Jesus he said “Hail, Rabbi!” And he kissed Him. And Jesus said to him: “Friend, whereto have you come?” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus, and held Him. And behold one of them that were with Jesus, stretching forth his hand, drew out his sword. And striking the servant of the High Priest, cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him: “Put up again your sword into its place, for all that take the sword will perish with the sword. Do you think that I cannot ask my Father, and He will give me presently more than twelve legions of Angels? How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, that so it must be done?” In that same hour Jesus said to the multitude: “You have come out as it were to a robber, with swords and clubs, to apprehend me. I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and you laid not hands on me.” Now all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.

Then the disciples all leaving Him, fled. But they holding Jesus, led Him to Caiphas the High Priest, where the scribes and the ancients were assembled. And Peter followed Him afar off, even to the court of the High Priest. And going in, he sat with the servants, that he might see the end. And the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put Him to death. And they found not, whereas many false witnesses had come in. And last of all there came two false witnesses and they said: “This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and after three days to rebuild it.” And the High Priest rising up said to Him: “Answer you nothing to the things which these witness against you?” But Jesus held his peace. And the High Priest said to Him: “I adjure you, by the living God, that you tell us if you be the Christ the Son of God.” Jesus said to Him: “You have said it. Nevertheless I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Then the High Priest rent his garments, saying: “He has blasphemed, what further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard the blasphemy: what think you?” But they answering, said: “He is guilty of death.” Then did they spit in His face, and buffet Him, and others struck His face with the palms of their hands, saying: “Prophesy to us, Christ, who is he that struck you?”

But Peter sat without in the court, and there came to him a servant-maid, saying: “You were also with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied before them all, saying: “I know not what you say.” And as he went out of the gate another maid saw him, and she said to them that were there: “This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied with an oath: “That I know not the man.” And after a little while they came that stood by, and said to Peter: “Surely you also are one of them, for even your speech discovers you.” Then he began to curse and swear that he knew not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the words of Jesus which he had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me thrice.” And going forth, he wept bitterly.

And when morning was come, all the chief priests and ancients of the people took counsel against Jesus that they might put Him to death. And they brought Him bound, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then Judas who betrayed Him, seeing that He was condemned, repenting himself, brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and ancients, saying: “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.” But they said: “What is that to us? Look you to it.”And casting down the pieces of silver in the Temple, he departed and went and hanged himself with an halter. But the chief priests having taken the pieces of silver, said: “It is not lawful to put them into the corbona, because it is the price of blood.” And after they had consulted together, they bought with them the potter‒s field, to be a burying-place for strangers. For this cause that field was called Haceldama, that is, the field of blood, even to this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying: “and they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was prized, whom they prized of the children of Israel. And they gave them unto the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed to me.”

And Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked Him, saying: “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said to him: “You say it.” And when He was accused by the chief priests and ancients, He answered nothing. Then Pilate said to Him: “Do you not hear how great testimonies they allege against you?” And He answered him to never a word, so that the governor wondered exceedingly. Now upon the solemn day the governor was accustomed to release to the people one prisoner, whom they would. And he had then a notorious prisoner, that was called Barabbas. They therefore being gathered together, Pilate said: “Whom will you that I release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus that is called Christ?” For he knew that for envy they had delivered Him. And as he was sitting in the place of judgement, his wife sent to him, saying: “Have nothing to do with that just man. For I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.” But the chief priests and ancients persuaded the people that they should ask Barabbas, and make Jesus away. And the governor answering, said to them: “Whether will you of the two to be released to you?” But they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them: “What shall I do then with Jesus that is called Christ?” They say all: “Let him be crucified.” The governor said to them: “Why, what evil has he done?” But they cried out the more, saying: “Let him be crucified.” And Pilate seeing that he prevailed nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, taking water he washed his hands before the people, saying: “I am innocent of the blood of this just man: look you to it.” And the whole people answering, said: “His blood be on us and on our children.” Then he released to them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus delivered Him to them to be crucified.

Then the soldiers of the governor taking Jesus into the hall, gathered together to him the whole band, and stripping Him, they put a scarlet cloak about Him. And plaiting a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And bowing the knee before Him, they mocked Him, saying: :Hail, king of the Jews.” And spitting on Him, they took the reed, and struck His head. And after they had mocked Him, they took off the cloak from Him, and put on His own garments, and led Him away to crucify Him.

And going out they met a man of Cyrene, named Simon: him they forced to take up the cross. And they came to the place that is called Golgotha, which is the place of Calvary. And they gave Him wine to drink mingled with gall. And when He had tasted, He would not drink. And after they had crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “They divided my garments among them, and on my vesture they cast lots.” And they sat and watched Him. And they put over His head His cause written: “This is Jesus the King of the Jews.” Then were crucified with Him two thieves. One on the right hand, and one on the left.

And they that passed by, blasphemed Him, wagging their heads, and saying: “You that destroy the temple of God, and in three days rebuilds it, save your own self: if you be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” In like manner also the chief priests, with the scribes and ancients, mocking, said: “He saved others. Himself he cannot save: if he be the king of Israel, let him. now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God: let him now deliver him, if he will have him: for he said: I am the Son of God.” And the self same thing the thieves also that were crucified with Him reproached Him with. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over the whole earth, until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying: “Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani?” That is, “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some that stood there and heard, said: “This man calls Elias.” And immediately one of them running, took a sponge and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave Him to drink. And the others said: “Let us see whether Elias will come and deliver him.” And Jesus again crying with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

And behold the veil of the Temple was rent in two from the top even to the bottom, and the earth quaked, and the rocks were rent. And the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints that had slept arose, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, came into the holy city and appeared to many. Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, having seen the earthquake and the things that were done, were sore afraid, saying: “Indeed this was the Son of God.” And there were there many women afar off who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, among whom was Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. And when it was evening there came a certain rich man of Arimathea named Joseph who also himself was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded that the body should be delivered. And Joseph taking the body, wrapped it up in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new monument, which he had hewn out in a rock. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the monument, and went his way. And there was there Mary Magdalen, and the other Mary sitting over against the sepulchre.

And the next day, which followed the day of preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees came together to Pilate, saying: “Sir, we have remembered that that seducer said, while he was yet alive: After three days I will rise again. Command therefore the sepulchre to be guarded until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples come and steal him away, and say to the people he is risen from the dead: and the last error will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them: “You have a guard. Go, guard it as you know.”And they departing, made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone and setting guards.

28 MARCH – SAINT JOHN OF CAPISTRANO (Confessor)

St. John was born at Capistrano in the Abruzzi in Italy on 24 June 1385 and entered the Order of Friars Minor at the age of 18. God chose him to help deliver Europe from the Turks who threatened to invade in the fifteenth century. Mohammed II had taken Constantinople and was marching to Belgrade, Serbia. Pope Callistus III decreed a Crusade, and St. John preached the Gospel in Pannonia and other provinces and managed to enrol 70,000 Christians to fight the Turks and defeat them. St. John died in 1456.

Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Caesarea in Palestine, the birthday of the holy martyrs Priscus, Malchus and Alexander. In the persecution of Valerian they were dwelling in the suburbs of Caesarea, but knowing that in the city the heavenly crown of martyrdom was to be gained, and burning with the divine ardour of faith, they went to the judge of their own accord, rebuked him for shedding the blood of the faithful in torrents, and were forthwith condemned to be devoured by beasts for the name of Christ.

At Tarsus in Cilicia, the holy martyrs Castor and Dorotheus.

In Africa, the holy martyrs Rogatus, Successus and sixteen others.

At Rome, St. Sixtus III, pope and confessor.

At Norcia, the abbot St. Speus, a man of extraordinary patience, whose soul at its departure from this life was seen by all his brethren to ascend to heaven in the shape of a dove.

At Chalons in France, the demise of St. Gontram, king, who devoted himself to exercises of piety, renounced the pomps of the world, and bestowed his treasures on churches and the poor.

And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.

Thanks be to God.

28 MARCH – SATURDAY IN PASSION WEEK

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

Today we begin, as does the holy Gospel, to number the days which precede the Death, the Sacrifice, of the Lamb of God. Saint John, in the Twelfth Chapter of his Gospel, tells us that this is the Sixth day before the Pasch. Jesus is in Bethany, where a feast is being given in His honour. Lazarus, he whom Jesus has restored to life, was present at this repast which was given in the house of Simon the Leper. Martha is busy looking after the various arrangements. Her sister Mary Magdalene has a heavenly presentiment that the death and burial of her beloved Master are soon to be, and she has poured on Him a precious perfume. The Holy Gospel which ever observes such a mysterious reserve with regard to the Mother of Jesus, does not tell us that Mary was at Bethany on this occasion, but there can be no doubt of her being present. The Apostles were also there and partook of the repast. While the friends of our Saviour were thus grouped around Him in this village which was about two thousand paces from Jerusalem, the aspect of the faithless city becomes more and more threatening, and yet, though His disciples are not aware of it, Jesus is to enter the city tomorrow, and in a most public manner. The heart of Mary is a prey to sadness. Magdalene is absorbed in grief. Everything announces that the fatal day is near.

The Church has reserved for Monday next the Gospel which relates the history of this Saturday. The reason is, that formerly, and up to the twelfth century, there was no Station held on this day in Rome: it was left free in order that the Pope might rest before the great fatigues of Holy Week, whose long and solemn services were to begin on the morrow. But, although he did not preside over the assembly of the faithful, he, on this day, had to observe two usages which had been handed down by tradition and which had almost become of liturgical importance in the Church at Rome. During the whole year, the Pope used, every Sunday, to send a portion of the sacred species consecrated by him to each of the priests of the presbyterial Titles, or parochial churches, of the city. But it was today that this distribution was made for the whole of Holy Week, perhaps on account of tomorrow’s long service. We know from the ancient liturgical books of Rome that it was in the Lateran Consistory that today’s sacred distribution was made, and it is probable (as the Blessed Cardinal Tommasi and Benedict XIV tell us) that the Bishops of the suburbicarian churches were of the number of those who received it. We have several instances proving that formerly bishops occasionally sent to one another the Blessed Sacrament as a sign of the union that existed between them. With regard to the priests of the city parochial churches to whom a particle was sent by the Pope, they put a portion of it in the chalice before receiving the Precious Blood. The other custom peculiar to this day consisted in giving alms to all the poor. The Pope presided at this distribution, which was no doubt made ample enough to last the whole of the coming week when, on account of the long ceremonies, it would scarcely be possible to attend to individual cases of poverty. The Liturgists of the Middle Ages allude to the beautiful appropriateness of the Roman Pontiff’s distributing alms with his own hand to the poor on this day, the same on which Mary Magdalene embalmed, with her perfumes, the feet of Jesus.

Lesson – Jeremias xviii. 18‒23

In those days the wicked Jews said to one another: “Come, and let us invent devices against the Just: for the Law will not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us strike him with the tongue, and let us give no heed to all his words.” Give heed to me, Lord, and hear the voice of my adversaries. Will evil be rendered for good, because they have dug a pit for my soul? Remember that I have stood in your sight, to speak good for them, and to turn away your indignation from them. Therefore deliver up their children to famine, and bring them into the hands of the sword. Let their wives be bereaved of children and widows, and let the husbands be slain by death. Let their young men be stabbed with the sword in battle. Let a cry be heard out of their houses, for you will bring the robber upon them suddenly, because they have dug a pit to take me, and have hid snares for my feet. But you, O Lord, know all their counsel against me unto death. Forgive not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight. Let them be overthrown before your eyes, in the time of your wrath destroy them, Lord our God.

Thanks be to God.

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

Alas, the sinner who knows Jesus and the worth of His Blood, yet who again sheds this Precious Blood, does not he expose himself to the severity of that same Justice which fell so heavily on the Jews? Let us tremble and pray. Let us implore the divine mercy in favour of those many obstinately blind and hardened sinners who are hastening to destruction. Oh that by the fervour of our supplications addressed to the merciful Heart of our common Redeemer, we could obtain a reversion of their sentence, and secure them pardon.

Gospel – John xii. 10‒36

At that time the chief priests thought to kill Lazarus also, because many of the Jews by reason of him went away, and believed in Jesus. And on the next day a great multitude that was come to the festival day when they had heard that Jesus was coining to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went forth to meet him, and cried: “Hosanna, blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it, as it is written: “Fear not, daughter of Sion; behold your king comes sitting on an ass’s colt. These things His disciples did not know at first, but when Jesus was glorified they then remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him.

The multitude therefore gave testimony, which was with Him, when he called Lazarus out of the grave, and raised him from the dead. For which reason also the people came to meet Him, because they heard He had done this miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves: “Do you see that we prevail nothing? Behold, the whole world is gone after him.” Now there were certain Gentiles among them that came up to adore on the festival day. These therefore came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him saying: “Sir, we would see Jesus.” Philip came and told Andrew. Again Andrew and Philip told Jesus. But Jesus answered them, saying: “The hour is come that the Son of man will be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falling into the ground dies, itself remains alone. But if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. He that loves his life will lose it, and he that hates his life in this world keeps it unto life eternal. If any man ministers to me, let him follow me, and where I am, there also will my minister be. If any man ministers to me, him will my Father honour. Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour. But for this cause I came unto this hour. Father, glorify your name.” A voice therefore came from heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The multitude therefore that stood and heard said that it thundered. Others said: “An Angel spoke to him.” Jesus answered and said: “This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgement of the world. Now will 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 abides forever, and now you say: 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 while you have the light, that the darkness overtake you not. And he that walks in darkness, knows not where he goes. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and H went away and hid Himself from them.

Praise be to you, O Christ.

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

The enemies of Jesus have come to that pitch or hatred which robs a man or his senses. Lazarus who has been restored from death to life, is here standing before them, and instead or his resuscitation convincing them of Jesus being the Messiah, it sets them thinking how best to make away with this irresistible witness. O senseless men that Jesus who raised him to life when dead, can again bring him to life if you murder him. Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, which we are solemnly to commemorate to morrow, adds to their jealousy and hatred. Behold, say they, we prevail nothing: the whole world goes after him. Alas, this ovation is to be soon followed by one or those reverses to which a populace is so subject. Meanwhile, however, we have certain Gentiles who desire to see Jesus. It is the beginning or the fulfilment of Jesus’ prophecy: The kingdom of God will be taken from you, and will be given to a nation yielding the fruits thereof (Matthew xxi. 43). Then will the Son of man be glorified. Then will all nations, by their humble homage to the crucified, protest against the sinful blindness of the Jews. But, before this comes to pass, it is requisite that the Divine Wheat be cast into the ground and die. Then, the glorious harvest, and the beautiful seed will yield a hundredfold. And yet, Jesus feels in his human nature a momentary fear at the thought of this death He is to undergo. It is not the agony in the Garden. It is a trouble of soul. Let us listen to his words: “Father! Save me from this hour.” It is our God who foresees all that He is about to suffer for our sakes, and it fills Him with fear: He asks to he freed from it, though His will has decreed and accepted it. He immediately adds: “But for this cause I came to this hour: Father! Glorify your name.” His soul is now calm. He once more accepts the hard conditions of our salvation. After this, His words bespeak a triumph. By virtue of the sacrifice about to be offered, Satan will be dethroned: The Prince of this world will be cast out. But the defeat of Satan is not the only fruit of our Saviour’s immolation: man, earthly and depraved creature as he is, is to be raised from this earth to heaven. The Son of God is to be the heavenly lodestone, attracting man to Himself: “And, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all things to myself.” He forgets His sufferings and the terrible death which just now troubled Him. He thinks but of the defeat of our implacable enemy, and of our being saved and glorified by His Cross. These few words reveal the whole Heart of our Redeemer: if we attentively weigh them, they will suffice to inflame us with devotion as we celebrate the ineffable Mysteries of Holy Week.