Common of Saints. VIGILS OF APOSTLES. The office is of the feria, except the Lessons, which are set down in their proper places. But where there are no proper Lessons, the following Gospel and Homily are read. Lesson II. THE commandments of the LORD are therefore both many, and one many by the diversity of the work, one by the root of love. How this love is to be holden He Himself hinteth, for in many sentences of His Scriptures He commandeth that friends must be loved in Him, and Lesson of the Holy Gospel according enemies for His sake. For he of a to S. John. A Homily of S. Gregory the Pope. Hom. 27 on the Gospels. When the holy sayings of the LORD are full of commandments, wherefore doth the LORD say of love, as though it were His only commandment: This is My commandment, that ye love one another save because every commandment is of love alone, and all are but one command? because whatsoever is commanded is made sure in charity alone. For even as the many branches of a tree come forth but from one root so many virtues are begotten from charity alone. Neither hath the branch of good works any greenness, if it abide not in the root of charity. RR. of the week-day, according to the Season. truth hath charity who both loveth. his friends in GOD, and his enemy for GOD's sake. For some there are who love their neighbours but with the love of kin, and of the flesh nevertheless the sacred Scripture forbiddeth not this manner of love to such but that which is bestowed freely by nature is one thing, that which comes from charity by the LORD'S commandment, and is due to obedience, is another. Lesson III. THESE in truth love their neigh bour, and yet nevertheless attain not those loftier rewards of love: because they bestow their love not spiritually but carnally. Wherefore when the LORD had said: This is My commandment, that ye love one another immediately He added: As I have loved you as if He had plainly said: Love ye for this, because of which I have loved you. Herein, dearly beloved brethren, we must heedfully observe that our old enemy, while he draweth aside our hearts to delight in things temporal, stirs up against us weaker neighbour, who thus endeavours to take from us those very things which we love. our COMMON OF APOSTLES AND about unto the end of it again : and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. EVANGELISTS. * Inv. The LORD, the King of Apostles: O come let us worship. Ps. Venite. p. 3. HYMN.-Annue Christe, as vol. 3, p. i.; or, Eterna Christi munera. H' eternal gifts of CHRIST the King, The Church in these her princes boasts, Redeemer, hear us of Thy love, 7 The law of the LORD is an undefiled law, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, and giveth wisdom unto the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, and rejoice the heart the and giveth light unto the eyes. commandment of the LORD is pure, 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, and endureth for ever the judgements of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold : sweeter also than honey, and the honey-comb. 11 Moreover, by them is thy servant taught and in keeping of them there is great reward. 12 Who can tell how oft he offendeth O cleanse thou me from my secret faults. 13 Keep thy servant also from presumptuous sins, lest they get the dominion over me : so shall I be undefiled, and innocent from the great offence. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be alway acceptable in thy sight, : 15 O LORD: my strength, and my redeemer. Ant. Their sound is gone out into all lands and their words into the ends of the world. Ant. The righteous cry: * and the LORD heareth them. : 10 The lions do lack, and suffer hunger but they who seek the LORD shall want no manner of thing that is good. 11 Come, ye children, and hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 What man is he that lusteth to live and would fain see good days? 13 Keep thy tongue from evil : and thy lips, that they speak no guile. 14 Eschew evil, and do good: seek peace, and ensue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are over the righteous and his ears are open unto their prayers. : 16 The countenance of the LORD is against them that do evil : to root out the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth them and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart : and will save such as be of an humble spirit. 19 Great are the troubles of the righteous but the LORD delivereth him out of all. 20 He keepeth all his bones: so that not one of them is broken. 21 But misfortune shall slay the ungodly and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. Ps. xlv. Eructavit cor meum. MY heart is inditing of a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made unto the King. 2 My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. 3 Thou art fairer than the children of men: full of grace are thy lips, because GOD hath blessed thee for ever. 4 Gird thee with thy sword upon thy thigh, O thou most Mighty: according to thy worship and renown. 5 Good luck have thou with thine honour ride on, because of the word of truth, of meekness, and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. 6 Thy arrows are very sharp, and the people shall be subdued unto thee even in the midst among the King's enemies. 7 Thy seat, O GOD, endureth for ever the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. 8 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity wherefore GOD, even thy GOD, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 9 All thy garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia: out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. 10 Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in a vesture of gold, wrought about with divers colours. 11 Hearken, O daughter, and consider, incline thine ear: forget also |