Commune Evangelistarum

Lesson from the book of Ezekiel

Ezek 1:1-4

1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, when I was in the midst of the captives by the river Chobar, the heavens were opened, and I saw the visions of God. 2 On the fifth day of the month, the same was the fifth year of the captivity of king Joachin, 3 The word of the Lord came to Ezechiel the priest the son of Buzi in the land of the Chaldeans, by the river Chobar: and the hand of the Lord was there upon him. 4 And I saw, and behold a whirlwind came out of the north: and a great cloud, and a fire infolding it, and brightness was about it: and out of the midst thereof, that is, out of the midst of the fire, as it were the resemblance of amber.

Ezek 1:5-9

5 And in the midst thereof the likeness of four living creatures: and this was their appearance: there was the likeness of a man in them. 6 Every one had four faces, and every one four wings. 7 Their feet were straight feet, and the sole of their foot was like the sole of a calf's foot, and they sparkled like the appearance of glowing brass. 8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides: and they had faces, and wings on the four sides, 9 And the wings of one were joined to the wings of another. They turned not when they went: but every one went straight forward.

Ezek 1:10-12

10 And as for the likeness of their faces: there was the face of a man, and the face of a lion on the right side of all the four: and the face of an ox, on the left side of all the four: and the face of an eagle over all the four. 11 And their faces, and their wings were stretched upward: two wings of every one were joined, and two covered their bodies: 12 And every one of them went straight forward: whither the impulse of the spirit was to go, thither they went: and they turned not when they went.

From the Exposition of the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel by Pope St. Gregory (the Great.)

Hom. 3, Bk. I

The Prophet writeth very minutely touching the four holy living creatures, whom he saw in the spirit as being to come. He saith: “Every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.” What signifieth the face save likeness whereby we are known? or wings, save the power to fly since it is by the face that man is known from man, and by their wings that the birds' bodies are carried up into the air. So the face pertaineth to certitude, and the wings to contemplation. With certitude we are known of God Almighty, Who saith: “I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine.” (John x. 14.) And again: “I know whom I have chosen.” (xiii. 18.) And by contemplation, whereby we rise above ourselves, we as it were fly heavenwards.

“Verily one had four faces.” Four faces, that is, and one body. If thou seek to know what Matthew teacheth concerning the Incarnation of the Lord, he teacheth no other doctrine than teacheth Mark, or Luke, or John. If thou seek to know what John teacheth, it is beyond all doubt that his doctrine is the doctrine of Matthew, and Mark, and Luke. If thou ask concerning Mark, he hath that which hath Matthew, and John, and Luke. If thou wilt know of Luke, know that he teacheth as doth Matthew, and Mark, and John. Therefore every one hath four faces, for God knoweth and seeth in them but one faith, which thou mayest see in each and in all.

“And every one had four wings.” For they do all with one accord preach our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of Almighty God toward Whose Godhead lifting up the eyes of their mind, they do lift the wings of contemplation, and do fly. In the Evangelists, the face pertaineth to the Lord's Manhood, and the wings to His Godhead for they turn their face toward Him Whom they see in bodily shape: but when they say that He is, as touching His Godhead, Incomprehensible, and Incorporeal, the wings of their contemplation do, in a manner, carry them in flight heavenward. Because, then, they have all one faith in the Incarnation, and all equally look by contemplation toward the Godhead it is well written of them, “Every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.”

From the Holy Gospel according to Luke

Luke 10:1-9

At that time, the Lord appointed other seventy-two also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come. And so on.

Homily by Pope St. Gregory (the Great.)

17th Homily on the Gospels

Dearly beloved brethren, our Lord and Saviour doth sometimes admonish us by words, and sometimes by works. Yea, His very works do themselves teach us for that which He doth silently His example still moveth us to copy. Behold how He sendeth forth His disciples to preach by two and two since there are two commandments to love, that is, a commandment to love God, and a commandment to love our neighbour and where there are not two, the one, being alone, hath not whereon to do the Lord's commandment. And no man can properly be said to love himself: for love tendeth outward toward our neighbour, if it be the love whereto the Gospel doth oblige us.

Behold, the Lord sendeth forth His disciples to preach by two and two and thus doing, He doth silently teach us that whosoever loveth not his neighbour, such a one it behoveth not to take upon him the office of a preacher. Well also is it said that He sent them before His face into every city and place whither He Himself would come. The Lord followeth His preachers first cometh preaching, and then the Lord Himself cometh to the house of our mind, whither the word of exhortation hath come before and so cometh the truth into our mind.

Therefore, to preachers saith Isaiah: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight an highway for our God.” (xl. 3.) And again the Psalmist saith: “Spread a path before him that rideth upon the West.” (lxvii. 4.) The Lord rideth upon the West above that from which in death He veiled His glory, hath He royally exalted that glory that excelleth, even the glory of His rising again. He rideth upon the West, Who, being risen again from the dead, is throned high above the death to which He bowed. Before Him, therefore, That rideth upon the West, we spread a path, when we set forth His glory before the eyes of your mind, to the end that He Himself may come after, and Himself enlighten the same your minds by His presence and His love. v. We praise thee, O God we acknowledge thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship thee the Father everlasting. To thee all Angels cry aloud the Heavens, and all the Powers therein. To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry,

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Sabaoth;

Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of thy glory. The glorious company of the Apostles praise thee. The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise thee. The noble army of Martyrs praise thee.

The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee; The Father of an infinite Majesty; Thine honourable, true and only Son; Also the Holy Ghost the Comforter.

Thou art the King of Glory O Christ. Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.

When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. Thou sittest at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father. We believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge.

Kneel for the following verse

We therefore pray thee, help thy servants whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood. Make them to be numbered with thy Saints in glory everlasting. O Lord, save thy people and bless thine heritage. Govern them and lift them up for ever.

Day by day we magnify thee; And we worship thy Name ever world without end. Vouchsafe, O Lord to keep us this day without sin. O Lord, have mercy upon us have mercy upon us. O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us as our trust is in thee.

O Lord, in thee have I trusted let me never be confounded.

This is my commandment * that you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love than this no man hath, * that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends * if you do the things that I command you, said the Lord. Blessed are the peacemakers * the clean of heart, they shall see God. In your patience * you shall possess your souls.

v. Now let the earth with joy resound, And heaven the chant re-echo round; Nor heaven nor earth too high can raise The great Apostles' glorious praise.

O ye who, throned in glory dread, Shall judge the living and the dead, Lights of the world forevermore! To you the suppliant prayer we pour.

Ye close the sacred gates on high; At your command apart they fly: Oh! loose for us the guilty chain We strive to break, and strive in vain.

Sickness and health your voice obey; At your command they go or stay: From sin's disease our souls restore; In good confirm us more and more.

So when the world is at its end, And Christ to judgement shall descend, May we be called those joys to see Prepared from all eternity.

* Praise to the Father, with the Son, And Holy Spirit, Three in One; As ever was in ages past, And so shall be while ages last. Amen.

Exsúltet cælum láudibus, Resúltet terra gáudiis: Apostolórum glóriam Sacra canunt solémnia.

Vos sæcli justi júdices, Et vera mundi lúmina, Votis precámur córdium, Audíte preces súpplicum.

Qui cælum verbo cláuditis, Serásque ejus sólvitis: Nos a peccátis ómnibus Sólvite jussu, quǽsumus.

Quorum præcépto súbditur, Salus, et languor ómnium: Sanáte ægros móribus, Nos reddéntes virtútibus.

Ut, cum Judex advénerit Christus in fine sǽculi, Nos sempitérni gáudii Fáciat esse cómpotes.

* Deo Patri sit glória, Ejúsque soli Fílio, Cum Spíritu Paráclito, Et nunc, et in perpétuum. Amen.

V. Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth: R. And their words unto the ends of the world.

For they shall deliver you * up to councils: and in the synagogues you shall be beaten: and you shall stand before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony unto them.

Oratio propria.

The Lord, the King of Apostles, * O come, let us adore.

v. Th' eternal gifts of Christ the King, The Apostles' glory, let us sing; And all with hearts of gladness raise Due hymns of thankful love and praise.

For they the Church's princes are, Triumphant leaders in the war, The heavenly King's own warrior band, True lights to lighten every land.

Theirs was the steadfast faith of saints, The hope that never yields nor faints, The love of Christ in perfect glow, That lay the prince of this world low.

In them the Father's glory shone, In them the Spirit's will was done, The Son himself exults in them; Joy fills the new Jerusalem.

* Praise to the Father, with the Son, And Holy Spirit, Three in One; As ever was in ages past, And so shall be while ages last. Amen.

v. Th' eternal gifts of Christ the King, The Apostles' glory, let us sing; And all with hearts of gladness raise Due hymns of thankful love and praise.

For they the Church's princes are, Triumphant leaders in the war, The heavenly King's own warrior band, True lights to lighten every land.

Theirs was the steadfast faith of saints, The hope that never yields nor faints, The love of Christ in perfect glow, That lay the prince of this world low.

In them the Father's glory shone, In them the Spirit's will was done, The Son himself exults in them; Joy fills the new Jerusalem.

Now to you, Redeemer, we ask: That you might unite to the fellowship of those above your servants at prayer here Forever and ever more Amen.

Now to you, Redeemer, we ask: That you might unite to the fellowship of those above your servants at prayer here Forever and ever more

Their sound * hath gone forth into all the earth: and their words unto the ends of the world.;;18 The just cried * and the Lord heard them.;;33 Thou shalt make them princes * over all the earth. They shall remember thy name, O Lord.;;44 The princes of the people * are gathered together, with the God of Abraham.;;46 Thou hast given an inheritance * to them that fear thy name, O Lord.;;60 They declared * the works of God, and understood his doings.;;63 The horns of the just * shall be exalted. Alleluia.;;74 Light is risen * to the just, alleluia, and joy to the right of heart. Alleluia.;;96 They kept his testimonies, * and the commandment which he gave them. Alleluia.;;98

V. Thou shalt make them princes over all the earth. R. They shall remember thy name, O Lord.

V. Thy friends, O Lord, are made exceedingly honourable. R. Their principality is exceedingly strengthened.

R. Behold, I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves, said the Lord: * Be ye, therefore, wise as serpents and simple as doves. V. Whilst you have the light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light. R. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves.

R. Take up my yoke upon you, said the Lord, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart. * For my yoke is sweet and my burden light. V. And you shall find rest to your souls. R. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.

R. But when they shall deliver you up to the judges, take no thought how or what to speak: * for it shall be given you in that hour what to speak: V. For it is not you that speak, but the spirit of your Father that speaketh in you. R. For it shall be given you in that hour what to speak. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. R. For it shall be given you in that hour what to speak.

R. I saw men standing together, clad in shining raiment, and the Angel of the Lord spoke unto me, saying: * These men are holy, for they are the friends of God. V. I saw a strong Angel of God fly into the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice: R. These men are holy, for they are the friends of God.

R. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake; * Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven. V. When men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. R. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven.

R. These are they which have conquered, and are become the friends of God, who recked not of the commandments of princes, and earned the everlasting reward. * And now have they crowns on their heads, and palms in their hands. V. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. R. And now have they crowns on their heads, and palms in their hands. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. R. And now have they crowns on their heads, and palms in their hands.

R. These are they who while yet they lived in the flesh, planted the Church in their own blood; * They drank of the Lord's cup, and became the friends of God. V. Their sound is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. R. They drank of the Lord's cup, and became the friends of God.

R. These men are saints, whom the Lord hath chosen in love unfeigned, and hath given them glory everlasting. These are they * By the light of whose teaching the Church is glorified, even as the moon is glorified by the light of the sun. V. The saints through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness. R. By the light of whose teaching the Church is glorified, even as the moon is glorified by the light of the sun. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. R. By the light of whose teaching the Church is glorified, even as the moon is glorified by the light of the sun.

V. Dedísti hereditátem. R. Timéntibus nomen tuum, Dómine.

This is my commandment * that you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love than this no man hath, * that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends * if you do the things that I command you, said the Lord. Blessed are the peacemakers * the clean of heart, they shall see God. In your patience * you shall possess your souls.

Eph 2:19-20

v. Brothers: Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners; but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and the domestics of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. R. Thanks be to God.

v. Now let the earth with joy resound, And heaven the chant re-echo round; Nor heaven nor earth too high can raise The great Apostles' glorious praise.

O ye who, throned in glory dread, Shall judge the living and the dead, Lights of the world forevermore! To you the suppliant prayer we pour.

Ye close the sacred gates on high; At your command apart they fly: Oh! loose for us the guilty chain We strive to break, and strive in vain.

Sickness and health your voice obey; At your command they go or stay: From sin's disease our souls restore; In good confirm us more and more.

So when the world is at its end, And Christ to judgement shall descend, May we be called those joys to see Prepared from all eternity.

* Praise to the Father, with the Son, And Holy Spirit, Three in One; As ever was in ages past, And so shall be while ages last. Amen.

Exsúltet cælum láudibus, Resúltet terra gáudiis: Apostolórum glóriam Sacra canunt solémnia.

Vos sæcli justi júdices, Et vera mundi lúmina, Votis precámur córdium, Audíte preces súpplicum.

Qui cælum verbo cláuditis, Serásque ejus sólvitis: Nos a peccátis ómnibus Sólvite jussu, quǽsumus.

Quorum præcépto súbditur, Salus, et languor ómnium: Sanáte ægros móribus, Nos reddéntes virtútibus.

Ut, cum Judex advénerit Christus in fine sǽculi, Nos sempitérni gáudii Fáciat esse cómpotes.

* Deo Patri sit glória, Ejúsque soli Fílio, Cum Spíritu Paráclito, Et nunc, et in perpétuum. Amen.

V. They declared the works of God. R. And understood his doings.

You who left all * and follow me, you will receive hundredfolds, and you will have eternal life.

Acts 5:41

V. And the Apostles indeed went from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were accounted worthy to suffer reproach for the name of Jesus.

R.br. Their sound hath gone * forth into all the earth. R. Their sound hath gone * forth into all the earth. V. And their words unto the ends of the world. R. Forth into all the earth. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. R. Their sound hath gone * forth into all the earth.

Acts 5:12

v. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people. R. Thanks be to God.

R.br. Thou shalt make them princes * over all the earth. R. Thou shalt make them princes * over all the earth. V. They shall remember thy name, O Lord. R. All over the earth. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. R. Thou shalt make them princes * over all the earth.

Acts 5:41

V. And the Apostles indeed went from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were accounted worthy to suffer reproach for the name of Jesus. R. Thanks be to God.

R.br. Thy friends, O God * are made exceedingly honourable. R. Thy friends, O God * are made exceedingly honourable. V. Their principality is exceedingly strengthened. R. O God, thy friends. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. R. Thy friends, O God * are made exceedingly honourable.

The Lord hath sworn * and will not repent: thou art a Priest for ever.;;109 That the Lord may set him * with the princes of his people.;;112 O Lord, thou hast loosed my bonds; * I will offer thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving.;;115 They went forth weeping * sowing their seed.;;125 O God, thy friends are honourable; * their power is waxen right strong.;;138

V. They declared the works of God. R. And understood his doings.

Be valiant * in battle, fight the ancient serpent and accept the eternal kingdom. Alleluia.

From the Exposition of the Eighty-sixth Psalm by St. Augustine, Bishop (of Hippo.)

Ante medium

Her foundation is in the holy mountains; the Lord loveth the gates of Zion. Wherefore hath the city twelve foundations, and in them the names of the Prophets and of the Apostles of the Lamb? Because their authority is the foundation whereon our weakness resteth. Wherefore are they the gates? Because through them we enter in unto the kingdom of God, since they have preached the same unto us, and when we enter in through their preaching, we enter in by Christ, Who is Himself The Door. (John x. 7.) And, whereas it is written that the city hath twelve gates, and, again, that Christ is the one Door, Christ is all the twelve, for He is in all the twelve and therefore were twelve Apostles chosen. There lieth a great mystery in the signification of this number twelve: Ye shall sit, said the Lord, upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

If then there be set there twelve thrones of judgment, (Ps. cxxi. 5,) Paul, in that he is the thirteenth Apostle, hath not where to sit, nor wherein to judge. Nevertheless, he hath said of himself that he will judge not men only, but angels. Know ye not, saith he, that we shall judge angels? (i Cor. vi. 3,) that is, the fallen angels. Then might they have answered him: Wherefore boastest thou thyself to be a judge? For where is thy seat? The Lord hath said that for the twelve Apostles there shall be twelve thrones; one of the twelve, even Judas, is indeed fallen, but holy Matthias is chosen into his place; for the twelve thrones there are still twelve to sit thereon first find whereon thou shalt sit, and afterward give thyself out for a judge. Let us see, then, what is the meaning of these twelve thrones. By them is signified in a mystery the whole world, since the Church shall be through all the earth, whence this building is called to be built up together in Christ.

Therefore is it said that there shall be twelve thrones, because from all quarters shall there come men to be judged; even as it is said that the city hath twelve gates, because from all quarters shall the nations of them which are saved, enter into it. So, not the twelve only, and the Apostle Paul, but all, as many as shall judge, have part in these twelve thrones, this signifying, that they shall judge all men; even as all that enter into the city, have part in her twelve gates. For there are four quarters of the world, the East, and the West, and the North, and the South of which four quarters is mention often made in the Scriptures. From the four winds shall the elect be gathered together, as saith the Lord in the Gospel: And He shall send His Angels with a great sound of a trumpet; and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matth. xxiv. 31.) From the four winds, therefore, is the Church called together; and how are they called? Everywhere are they called in the Trinity; for they are called no otherwise than by baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. (Matth. xxvii. 19.) Now four being multiplied by three is twelve.

From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

Matt 19:27-29

In that time, Peter said to Jesus said to him: Behold we have left all things, and have followed thee: what therefore shall we have? And so on.

Sermon of the Venerable Bede, Priest (at Jarrow)

Homily for St. Benedict's Birth-day

If thou wilt be perfect, saith Christ, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and come and follow Me and thou shalt have treasure in heaven. (Matth. xix. 21.) Yea, treasure that passeth not away! Unto such saith Jesus, at the questioning of Peter Amen I say unto you, that ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. He taught them, which work for His Name's sake in this life, to look for their reward in another life that is, in the regeneration. In the regeneration! when we who have been born dying creatures into a dying life, shall in the resurrection be born again into an undying life.

And soothly, it is a just retribution, that they, who, while they were yet here, have for Christ's sake set no store by being great among men, should there by Christ be singularly glorified to be the assessors of His judgment-seat, even they whom nothing here could turn aside from being the followers of His footsteps. Nevertheless, let there be no man that believeth that the twelve Apostles only, among whom Matthias holdeth that place from which Judas by transgression fell, (Acts i. 25,) that they only shall judge, even as the twelve tribes of Israel shall not alone be judged for then were the tribe of Levi, which is the thirteenth, unjudged.

Moreover, then, were Paul, who is the thirteenth Apostle, deprived of all part in the judgment; whereas he saith of himself: Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life? But it behoveth us to know that every one who hath forsaken all and followed Christ, as did the Apostles, shall also come with Him to judgment, even as every man shall stand at His judgment seat. And the Scriptures use often to signify all by this number twelve; by the twelve thrones of the Apostles are signified the thrones of all them that shall judge; and by the twelve tribes of Israel, the whole number of them that shall be judged. v. We praise thee, O God we acknowledge thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship thee the Father everlasting. To thee all Angels cry aloud the Heavens, and all the Powers therein. To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry,

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Sabaoth;

Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of thy glory. The glorious company of the Apostles praise thee. The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise thee. The noble army of Martyrs praise thee.

The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee; The Father of an infinite Majesty; Thine honourable, true and only Son; Also the Holy Ghost the Comforter.

Thou art the King of Glory O Christ. Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.

When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. Thou sittest at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father. We believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge.

Kneel for the following verse

We therefore pray thee, help thy servants whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood. Make them to be numbered with thy Saints in glory everlasting. O Lord, save thy people and bless thine heritage. Govern them and lift them up for ever.

Day by day we magnify thee; And we worship thy Name ever world without end. Vouchsafe, O Lord to keep us this day without sin. O Lord, have mercy upon us have mercy upon us. O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us as our trust is in thee.

O Lord, in thee have I trusted let me never be confounded.