Epistle – Romans xv. 4‒13
Brethren, what things were written, were written for our learning, that through patience and the comfort of the Scriptures, we might have hope. Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind one towards another according to Jesus Christ; that with one mind, and with one mouth, you may glorify God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive one another, as Christ also has received you, to the honour of God. For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for the truth of God to confirm the promises made to the Fathers; but that the Gentiles were to glorify God for His mercy, as it is written, “Therefore will I confess to you, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and will sing to your name.” And again He said: “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.” And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles: and magnify Him, all you people.” And again, Isaiah said: “There shall be a root of Jesse; and he that shall rise up to rule the Gentiles shall hope.” Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing; that you may, abound in hope, and in the power of the Holy Ghost.
Thanks be to God.
Dom Prosper Gueranger:
Here, Christians, is your instruction: be patient, be firm in hope, and you will delight in the God of peace who is coming to you. But, take heed, you must have cordial charity one for the other: it is the mark of the children of God. The Prophet tells us that the Messiah will make even wolf and lamb dwell together. And now we have the Apostle showing us how this same Christ brings Jews and Gentiles into the one same family. Glory to this sovereign King, the powerful offspring of the root of Jesse, who now bids us hope in Him!
Gospel – Matthew xi. 2‒10
At that time when John had heard in prison the works of Christ: sending two of his disciples, he said to him: “Are you be that was to come, or are we to look for another?” And Jesus answering, said to them: “Go and relate to John what you have heard and seen. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the gospel preached to them; and blessed is he that will not be scandalised in me.” And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What went you out into the desert to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went you out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Behold, they that are clothed in soft garments are in the houses of kings. But what went you out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. For thus is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, before you.”
Praise be to you, O Christ.
Dom Prosper Gueranger:
You are He that was to come,
Jesus! We look for no other. We were blind, you have enlightened us.
We were lame, you have made us walk. The leprosy of sin disfigured
us, you have cleansed us. We were deaf to your words, you have given
us hearing. We were dead in sin, you have given us life again. We
were poor and had none to care for us, you have come to us with every
aid and consolation. These have been, and will again be, the
blessings of your visit to our souls, O Jesus! A visit silent but
wonderful in its work, which flesh and blood cannot understand, but
which faithful hearts feel is granted them. Come, my Saviour, come to
me! Your condescension and familiarity with such poverty as mine will
not scandalise me. Your workings in the souls of men are proof enough
that you are God. He alone that created souls can heal them.
