Commune Evangelistarum tempore Paschali

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.

Your saints, O Lord, * flourish like lilies, alleluia: and like the smell of balsam are before you, alleluia. In the heavenly kingdom is the habitation of the saints, alleluia: and they rest in the eternity, alleluia. Protected by a veil * your saints turn to you, O Lord, alleluia, alleluia. Spirits and souls * of the just, sing hymns to our Lord, alleluia, alleluia. The just shine * like the sun at the face of God, alleluia.

v. While Christ's disciples, grieving, sad, Their master's painful death deplore, Whom faithless servants' cruel hands, Had bathed in his own crimson gore;

Quick from the happy realms above, An angel comes on joyful wing, And to the women tells the joy That to his flock their Lord will bring.

As they with eager steps make haste, Their joyous message to repeat, Their master's glorious form they see, And falling clasp his sacred feet.

Cheered by this tale, his faithful flock The Galilean mount ascend, And there with loving awe behold Their heart's sole wish, their truest friend.

That thou mayst be our Paschal joy Through happy, never-ending years, thine own poor children, Jesu, free From sin's sad death with all its fears.

* To God the Father, and the Son, Who rose from death, glad praise repeat; Let equal praise be ever sung To God the Holy Paraclete. Amen.

v. Tristes erant Apóstoli De nece sui Dómini, Quem pœna mortis crudéli Servi damnárant ímpii.

Sermóne blando Angelus Prædíxit muliéribus: In Galilǽa Dóminus Vidéndus est quantócius.

Illæ dum pergunt cóncitæ, Apóstolis hoc dícere, Vidéntes eum vívere, Osc[u]lántur pedes Dómini.

Quo ágnito, discípuli In Galilǽam própere Pergunt vidére fáciem Desiderátam Dómini.

Quǽsumus, Auctor ómnium, In hoc pascháli gáudio, Ab omni mortis ímpetu Tuum defénde pópulum.

* Glória tibi Dómine, Qui surrexíst[i] a mórtuis, Cum Patr[e] et Sancto Spíritu, In sempitérna sǽcula. Amen.

V. Saints and just, rejoice in the Lord, alleluia. R. The Lord has chosen you for his inheritance, alleluia.

Eternal light will shine * over your saints, O Lord, and the eternity of times, alleluia.

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

v. While Christ's disciples, grieving, sad, Their master's painful death deplore, Whom faithless servants' cruel hands, Had bathed in his own crimson gore;

Quick from the happy realms above, An angel comes on joyful wing, And to the women tells the joy That to his flock their Lord will bring.

As they with eager steps make haste, Their joyous message to repeat, Their master's glorious form they see, And falling clasp his sacred feet.

Cheered by this tale, his faithful flock The Galilean mount ascend, And there with loving awe behold Their heart's sole wish, their truest friend.

That thou mayst be our Paschal joy Through happy, never-ending years, thine own poor children, Jesu, free From sin's sad death with all its fears.

* To God the Father, and the Son, Who rose from death, glad praise repeat; Let equal praise be ever sung To God the Holy Paraclete. Amen.

v. Tristes erant Apóstoli De nece sui Dómini, Quem pœna mortis crudéli Servi damnárant ímpii.

Sermóne blando Angelus Prædíxit muliéribus: In Galilǽa Dóminus Vidéndus est quantócius.

Illæ dum pergunt cóncitæ, Apóstolis hoc dícere, Vidéntes eum vívere, Osc[u]lántur pedes Dómini.

Quo ágnito, discípuli In Galilǽam própere Pergunt vidére fáciem Desiderátam Dómini.

Quǽsumus, Auctor ómnium, In hoc pascháli gáudio, Ab omni mortis ímpetu Tuum defénde pópulum.

* Glória tibi Dómine, Qui surrexíst[i] a mórtuis, Cum Patr[e] et Sancto Spíritu, In sempitérna sǽcula. Amen.

Then shall the just stand * with great constancy against those that have afflicted them, alleluia.;;18 ;;33 ;;44 Behold * how they are numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the Saints, alleluia.;;46 ;;60 ;;63 Eternal light * will shine over your saints, O Lord, and the eternity of times, alleluia.;;74 ;;96 ;;98

V. Eternal light will shine over your saints, O Lord, alleluia. R. And the eternity of times, alleluia.

V. Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads, alleluia. R. They shall obtain joy and gladness, alleluia.

R. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, alleluia. * He shall delight exceedingly in his commandments, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. V. Glory and wealth shall be in his house: and his justice remaineth for ever and ever. R. He shall delight exceedingly in his commandments, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

R. Your sorrow, alleluia. * Shall be turned into joy, alleluia. V. The world shall rejoice: and you shall be made sorrowful, but your sorrow. R. Shall be turned into joy, alleluia.

R. Precious in the sight of the Lord, alleluia. * Is the death of his saints, alleluia. V. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart: and he will save the humble of spirit. R. Is the death of his saints, alleluia. 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. Is the death of his saints, alleluia.

R. Eternal light will shine over your saints, O Lord, * And the eternity of the times, alleluia, alleluia. V. Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads, they shall obtain joy and gladness R. And the eternity of the times, alleluia, alleluia.

R. With great power did the Apostles * Give testimony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord, alleluia, alleluia. V. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost: and they spoke the word of God with confidence. R. Give testimony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord, alleluia, alleluia.

R. These are the young lambs, who were promised, they are just coming to the fountains. * They are filled with glory, alleluia, alleluia. V. In sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. R. They are filled with glory, alleluia, alleluia. 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. They are filled with glory, alleluia, alleluia.

R. I am the vine: you the branches. * He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit, alleluia, alleluia. V. As the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you. R. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit, alleluia, alleluia. 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. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit, alleluia, alleluia.

R. Her Nazarites are become pure, Alleluia: they reflect the glory of God, Alleluia. * They are whiter than milk. Alleluia, Alleluia. V. They are purer than snow, they are whiter than milk, they are more ruddy in body than coral, their polishing is of sapphire. R. They are whiter than milk. Alleluia, Alleluia. 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. They are whiter than milk. Alleluia, Alleluia.

Your saints, O Lord, * flourish like lilies, alleluia: and like the smell of balsam are before you, alleluia. In the heavenly kingdom is the habitation of the saints, alleluia: and they rest in the eternity, alleluia. Protected by a veil * your saints turn to you, O Lord, alleluia, alleluia. Spirits and souls * of the just, sing hymns to our Lord, alleluia, alleluia. The just shine * like the sun at the face of God, alleluia.

Wis 5:1

v. Then shall the just stand with great constancy against those that have afflicted them, and taken away their labours. R. Thanks be to God.

v. With the fair sun of Easter morn The world's excelling joy is born, When, bright with new and greater grace, The Apostles see the Saviour's face.

They in their Lord's fair flesh descry The wounds that shine as stars on high, And, wondering, faithful witness bear, And all that they have seen declare.

O Christ, most loving King, we pray, Possess our inmost hearts today, While grateful lips with glad acclaim Sing fervent praises to thy name.

Lord Jesu, that thou mayest be Our Easter joy eternally, Our souls from death of sin set free That they, new born, may live to thee.

* To God the Father, and the Son, From death arisen, praise be done: With God the Holy Ghost on high Henceforth to all eternity. Amen.

v. In this our bright and Paschal day The sun shines out with purer ray, When Christ, to earthly sight made plain, The glad Apostles see again.

The wounds, the riven wounds He shows In that His flesh with light that glows, In loud accord both far and nigh The Lord's arising testify.

O Christ, the King Who lovest to bless, Do Thou our hearts and souls possess; To Thee our praise that we may pay, To Whom our praise is due for aye.

We pray Thee, King with glory decked, In this our Paschal joy, protect From all that death would fain effect Thy ransomed flock, Thine own elect.

* To Thee Who, dead, again dost live, All glory, Lord, Thy people give; All glory, as is ever meet, To Father and to Paraclete. Amen.

V. Precious in the sight of the Lord, alleluia. R. Is the death of his saints, alleluia.

Daughters of Jerusalem, * come and see the crowned martyrs, the Lord crowned them in his solemnity and delight, alleluia, alleluia.

Rom 8:28

v. And we know that to them that love God, all things work together unto good, to such as, according to his purpose, are called to be saints.

R.br. Saints and just, rejoice in the Lord. R. Saints and just, rejoice in the Lord. V. The Lord has chosen you for his inheritance. R. Alleluia, alleluia. 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. Saints and just, rejoice in the Lord.

Sap. 5.5

v. Behold how they are numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints. R. Thanks be to God.

R.br. Eternal light will shine over your saints, O Lord. R. Eternal light will shine over your saints, O Lord. V. And the eternity of times. R. Alleluia, alleluia. 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. Eternal light will shine over your saints, O Lord.

Rom 8:28

v. And we know that to them that love God, all things work together unto good, to such as, according to his purpose, are called to be saints. R. Thanks be to God.

R.br. Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. R. Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. V. They shall obtain joy and gladness. R. Alleluia, alleluia. 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. Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads.

Your saints, O Lord, * flourish like lilies, alleluia: and like the smell of balsam are before you, alleluia.;;109 In the heavenly kingdom is the habitation of the saints, alleluia: and they rest in the eternity, alleluia.;;112 Protected by a veil * your saints turn to you, O Lord, alleluia, alleluia.;;115 Spirits and souls * of the just, sing hymns to our Lord, alleluia, alleluia.;;125 The just shine * like the sun at the face of God, alleluia.;;138

V. Precious in the sight of the Lord, alleluia. R. Is the death of his saints, alleluia.

Saints and just * rejoice in the Lord, alleluia, the Lord has chosen you for his inheritance, alleluia.

Oratio propria.

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

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

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.