Common of Widows

Cognovi

Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation; that as we rejoice in the festivity of blessed N., we may be instructed in the affections of a loving devotion. r. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.

Lesson from the book of Proverbs

Prov 31:10-17

10 Who shall find a valiant woman? Far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her. 11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils. 12 She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. 13 She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands. 14 She is like the merchant's ship, she bringeth her bread from afar. 15 And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens. 16 She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard. 17 She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm

R. Come, O My chosen one, and I will establish My throne in thee; * For the King hath greatly desired thy beauty. V. In thy comeliness and thy beauty, go forward, fare prosperously, and reign. R. For the King hath greatly desired thy beauty.

Prov 31:18-24

18 She hath tasted and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night. 19 She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle. 20 She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor. 21 She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double garments. 22 She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple is her covering. 23 Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land. 24 She made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite.

Prov 31:25-31

25 Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day. 26 She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue. 27 She hath looked well to the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle. 28 Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her. 29 Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.

Prov. 31:10-11

v. Who shall find a valiant woman? Far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her. The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils. R. Thanks be to God.

Prov 31:29-30

v. Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

Prov 31:20-21

v. She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor. She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow. R. Thanks be to God.

Prov 31:29-30

v. Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. R. Thanks be to God.

Ps 118:75; 118:120

v. I know, O Lord, that Your ordinances are just, and in Your faithfulness You have afflicted me. Pierce my flesh with Your fear; I fear Your ordinances. (Alleluja, alleluja.)

Ps 118:1

Happy are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. 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. v. I know, O Lord, that Your ordinances are just, and in Your faithfulness You have afflicted me. Pierce my flesh with Your fear; I fear Your ordinances. (Alleluja, alleluja.)

Lesson from the book of Proverbs

Prov 31:10-31

When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize. She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skillful hands. Like merchant ships, she secures her provisions from afar. She rises while it is still night, and distributes food to her household. She picks out a field to purchase; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is girt about with strength, and sturdy are her arms. She enjoys the success of her dealings; at night her lamp is undimmed. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle. She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy. She fears not the snow for her household; all her charges are doubly clothed. She makes her own coverlets; fine linen and purple are her clothing. Her husband is prominent at the city gates as he sits with the elders of the land. She makes garments and sells them, and stocks the merchants with belts. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs at the days to come. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and on her tongue is kindly counsel. She watches the conduct of her household, and eats not her food in idleness. Her children rise up and praise her; her husband, too, extols her: Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all. Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.

Ps 44:3; 44:5

Grace is poured out upon your lips; thus God has blessed you forever. V. In the cause of truth and mercy and for the sake of justice: may your right hand show you wondrous deeds. Alleluia, alleluia.

Ps 44.5

V. In your splendor and your beauty ride on triumphant, and reign. Alleluia.

Ps 44:3; 44:5

Grace is poured out upon your lips; thus God has blessed you forever. V. In the cause of truth and mercy and for the sake of justice: may your right hand show you wondrous deeds.

Tractus

V. Come, O spouse of Christ, receive the crown which the Lord has prepared for you forever; for the love of Whom you shed your blood.

Ps 44:8

You love justice and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.

Ps 44:5

V. In your splendor and your beauty ride on triumphant, and reign.

May the service of thy holy people be acceptable to Thee, O Lord, and honorable to thy saints, through whose merits we know that we have received help in trouble. r. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.

Ps 44:8

You love justice and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows. (Alleluja.)

Thou hast fed thy servants, O Lord, with the holy gifts; comfort us ever we pray, by her intercession whose festival we celebrate. r. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.

Lesson from the first letter of St Paul the Apostle to Timothy

1 Tim. 5:3-10.

Dearly beloved: Honor widows, that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or grandchildren, let her learn first to govern her own house, and to make a return of duty to her parents: for this is acceptable before God. But she that is a widow indeed and desolate, let her trust in God, and continue in prayers and supplications night and day. For she that liveth in pleasures, is dead while she is living. And this give in charge, that they may be blameless. But if any man have not care of his own, and especially of those of his house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Let a widow be chosen of no less than threescore years of age, who hath been the wife of one husband, having testimony for her good words, if she have brought up children, if she have received to harbor, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have ministered to them that suffer tribulation, if she have diligently followed every good work.

While the King sitteth at his table, * my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof;;109 We will run after thee, * in the savour of thy good ointments. The virgins love them exceedingly.;;112 Lo the winter is past, * the rain is over and gone. Rise up, my love, and come away.;;121 Come, O My chosen one, * and I will establish My throne in thee. Alleluia.;;126 She is beautiful * among the daughters of Jerusalem.;;147

v. High let us all our voices raise In that heroic woman's praise Whose name, with saintly glory bright, Shines in the starry realms of light.

Filled with a pure celestial glow, She spurned all love of things below; And heedless here on earth to stay, Climbed to the skies her toilsome way.

With fasts her body she subdued, But filled her soul with prayer's sweet food: In other worlds she tastes the bliss For which she left the joys of this.

O Christ, the strength of all the strong; To whom our holiest deeds belong! Through her prevailing prayers on high, In mercy hear thy people's cry!

* To God the Father, with the Son, And Holy Spirit, Three in One, Be glory while the ages flow, From all above, and all below. Amen.

v. High let us all our voices raise In that heroic woman's praise Whose name, with saintly glory bright, Shines in the starry realms of light.

Filled with a pure celestial glow, She spurned all love of things below; And heedless here on earth to stay, Climbed to the skies her toilsome way.

With fasts her body she subdued, But filled her soul with prayer's sweet food: In other worlds she tastes the bliss For which she left the joys of this.

O Christ, the strength of all the strong; To whom our holiest deeds belong! Through her prevailing prayers on high, In mercy hear thy people's cry!

* To God the Father, with the Son, And Holy Spirit, Three in One, Be glory while the ages flow, From all above, and all below. Amen.

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman * seeking goodly pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

For the confession of Blessed N. * Let us praise our God.

Fountain of mercy, hear the prayers she offers; Purge our offences, pardon our transgressions, So that hereafter we to thee may render Praise with thanksgiving.

Thou, the All-Father, thou, the One-Begotten, Thou, Holy Spirit, Three in One co-equal, Glory be henceforth thine through all the ages, World without ending. Amen.

Hujus obténtu, Deus alme, nostris Parce jam culpis, vítia remíttens, Quo tibi puri resonémus almum Péctoris hymnum.

Glória Patri genitǽque Proli, Et tibi compar utriúsque semper Spíritus alme, Deus unus, omni Témpore sæcli. Amen.

His left hand is under my head, * and his right hand doth embrace me.;;18

O how lovely and glorious * is the generation of the chaste.;;8 His left hand is under my head, * and his right hand doth embrace me.;;18 Return, return, O Shulammith * Return, return, that we may look upon thee.;;23 In thy comeliness and thy beauty, * go forward, fare prosperously, and reign.;;44 God shall help * her with His countenance: God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved.;;45 Many waters cannot * quench love.;;47 I am black but comely, * O ye daughters of Jerusalem; therefore hath the King loved me, and brought me into his chamber.;;95 Draw me after thee * we will run after the savour of thy good ointments; thy name is as oil poured forth.;;96 Come, Bride of Christ, * and take the everlasting crown which the Lord hath prepared for thee.;;97

From the Book upon Widows by St Ambrose, Bishop of Milan.

near the end

Behold the field of the Church, that the same is a fruitful field, some while smiling with the brightness of virginity, somewhile golden with the ripe harvest of widowhood, somewhile rich with the crop of marriage. These things be diverse, but they be the fruits of the same field. There are not so many choice lilies as stalks of bearded grain, ears for the harvest, and there are more places in the soil fitted once to receive seed than there are places which, when they have yielded a crop, are fitted again to be ploughed. Good, then, is widowhood, which the judgment of an Apostle hath so often commended, widowhood, which is the teacher of faith and of purity.

Therefore they who worship adultery and uncleanness in their gods made celibacy and widowhood punishable. They who lusted after abominations, taxed self-control. The pretence was the desire of fruitfulness, but the aim was to abolish virginity, the resolution of chastity. When a soldier hath served his time he layeth down his arms, leaveth his trade, and retireth him to his own lands, that as well himself may rest after the toils of life, as that the hope of rest to come may make others the more ready to undergo work. So also the aged labourer leaveth it for others to guide the handle of the plough, and withdraweth from the weariness of his younger days' labour to essay the task of an old man's thoughtful supervision. It is easier to prune vines, than to stamp them out, to check the first wild outburst of their vigour, and to curtail the wantonness of their young growth, so teaching, even by the example of the vineyard, that chastity, which keepeth itself within the bearing of but a few children.

Like to these is a widow, a veteran retiring to rest upon the earned rewards of her chastity, and who, albeit she layeth down the arms of wifehood, still ruleth the order of all her household albeit she be at rest from bearing burdens, she is careful in the marriage of her youngers, and with the wisdom of age chooseth what study is the most useful, what fruit is the richest, what wedlock is the meetest. And so, if the government of the field be given more to the elder than to the younger, wherefore shouldest thou hold that a wife is more useful than a widow? But if they which persecuted the faith persecuted also widowhood, then, surely, in the eyes of them which hold the faith, must widowhood be looked upon as a reward, rather than shrunk from as a punishment.

R. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain * A woman that feareth God she shall be praised. V. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates. R. A woman that feareth God she shall be praised. 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. A woman that feareth God she shall be praised.

From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

Matt 13:44-52

At that time Jesus spake unto His disciples this parable The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field. And so on.

Homily by Pope St Gregory the Great

11th on the Gospels

Dearly beloved brethren, the kingdom of heaven is likened unto the things of earth, to the end that by the mean of things which we know, our mind may rise to the contemplation of the things which we know not by the example of things which are seen, may fix her gaze on things which are not seen by the touch of things which she useth, may be warmed towards the things which she useth not; by things which she knoweth and loveth, to love also the things which she knoweth not. For, behold, “the kingdom of heaven is likened unto treasure hid in a field, the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and, for joy thereof, goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth that field.”

R. She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household * And eateth not the bread of idleness. V. She tasteth and perceiveth that her merchandise is good. Her candle goeth not out by night. R. And she eateth not the bread of idleness.

And herein we must remark that the treasure, when once it hath been found, is hidden to keep it safe. He whose intimate yearnings after God are not hidden from the praise of men, is open thereby to the attacks of evil spirits. In this life we are, as it were, journeying homewards on a road beset by evil spirits who are like highwaymen. He therefore inviteth robbery who carrieth his treasure ostentatiously. Doubtless our neighbour should be able to see our good works, as it is written: “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” But this is not to be understood to mean that we are to seek the praise of men by what we do. Rather, let us in such wise work in the open that the inner intention of devotion is not advertised. So we shall give an example to our neighbour, and yet keep hidden, except from the sight of God, our purpose of pleasing him.

R. The kingdom of this world and all the beauty of life I have esteemed as nothing, for the excellency of the love of Jesus Christ my Lord * Whom, having seen, I loved Whom, having believed, I longed after. V. My heart is overflowing with a good matter I speak of my works unto the King. R. Whom, having seen, I loved Whom, having believed, I longed after. 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. Whom, having seen, I loved Whom, having believed, I longed after.

The treasure is the desire for heaven, the field wherein it is hidden is the earnest observance wherewith this desire is surrounded. Whosoever turneth his back upon the enjoyments of the flesh, and by earnest striving heavenward, putteth all earthly lusts under the feet of discipline, so that he smileth back no more when the flesh smileth at him, and shuddereth no more at anything that can only kill the body whosoever doth thus, hath sold all that he had, and bought that field. 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.

While the King sitteth at his table, * my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof We will run after thee, * in the savour of thy good ointments. The virgins love them exceedingly. Lo the winter is past, * the rain is over and gone. Rise up, my love, and come away. Come, O My chosen one, * and I will establish My throne in thee. Alleluia. She is beautiful * among the daughters of Jerusalem.

v. High let us all our voices raise In that heroic woman's praise Whose name, with saintly glory bright, Shines in the starry realms of light.

Filled with a pure celestial glow, She spurned all love of things below; And heedless here on earth to stay, Climbed to the skies her toilsome way.

With fasts her body she subdued, But filled her soul with prayer's sweet food: In other worlds she tastes the bliss For which she left the joys of this.

O Christ, the strength of all the strong; To whom our holiest deeds belong! Through her prevailing prayers on high, In mercy hear thy people's cry!

* To God the Father, with the Son, And Holy Spirit, Three in One, Be glory while the ages flow, From all above, and all below. Amen.

v. High let us all our voices raise In that heroic woman's praise Whose name, with saintly glory bright, Shines in the starry realms of light.

Filled with a pure celestial glow, She spurned all love of things below; And heedless here on earth to stay, Climbed to the skies her toilsome way.

With fasts her body she subdued, But filled her soul with prayer's sweet food: In other worlds she tastes the bliss For which she left the joys of this.

O Christ, the strength of all the strong; To whom our holiest deeds belong! Through her prevailing prayers on high, In mercy hear thy people's cry!

* To God the Father, with the Son, And Holy Spirit, Three in One, Be glory while the ages flow, From all above, and all below. Amen.

Give her of the fruit of her hands, * and let her own works praise her in the gates.

She spreadeth out her hand to the poor, * yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Sermo sancti Joánnis Chrysóstomi.

Serm. 67. de diversis novi Testamenti locis.

Ego máxime commemoratiónes díligo Mártyrum, díligo, et ampléctor; atque omnes quidem, sed tum præcípue, cum mulíerum certámina proponúntur. Quanto enim infírmius est vas, tanto major est grátia, tanto illústrius est trophǽum, tanto insígnior est victória, non ob imbecillitátem sexus athletárum, sed quod per ea, quibus vícerat inimícus, nunc étiam vincátur.

Per mulíerem vicit, per mulíerem superátus est. Hoc illíus ántea telum erat: hoc illíus nunc cædis factum est instruméntum, hoc vas appáruit insuperábile. Peccávit illa prior, et mórtua est: ista mórtua est, ne peccáret. Illa tum fútilis promíssi spe infláta, Dei leges violávit: hæc vitam præséntem contémpsit, ne fidem in suum benefactórem ejuráret. Quam ígitur deínceps speráre póterunt excusatiónem viri, si molles sint, et ignávi; quam vero véniam, cum fórtiter ac viríliter se gerant mulíeres, cum ádeo se generose ad certámina pietátis accíngant?

Fuit ili corpus imbecíllum, et obnóxius sexus injúriæ; verúmtamen ómnium horum imbecillitátem advéniens grátia occultávit. Nihil enim est, nihil plane poténtius est co, qui magno cum stúdio Dei timórem hábeat in mente defíxum; sed quamvis ignes, quamvis ferrum, quamvis béstias, quamvis áliud quidvis minêntur hostes, ómnia nullo negótio contémnit; quod útique Beáta ista étiam fecit.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Ps 44:5

In your splendor and your beauty ride on triumphant, and reign. Alleluia. V. In the cause of truth and mercy and for the sake of justice: may your right hand show you wondrous deeds. Alleluia.

Continuation ++ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

Matt 13:44-52.

At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field; he who finds it hides it, and in his joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he finds a single pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea that gathered in fish of every kind. When it was filled, they hauled it out, and sitting down on the beach, they gathered the good fish into vessels, but threw away the bad. So will it be at the end of the world. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from among the just, and will cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be the weeping, and the gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all these things? They said to Him, Yes. And He said to them, So then, every Scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings forth from his storeroom things new and old.

Ps 44:3

Grace is poured out upon your lips; thus God has blessed you forever, and for ages of ages. (Alleluja.)

V. In thy comeliness and thy beauty. R. Go forward, fare prosperously, and reign.

V. God shall help her with His countenance. R. God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved.

V. God hath chosen her, and fore-chosen her. R. He hath made her to dwell in His tabernacle.

R. Grace is poured into thy lips, therefore; * God hath blessed thee for ever. V. In thy comeliness and thy beauty, go forward, fare prosperously, and reign. R. God hath blessed thee for ever.

R. In thy comeliness and thy beauty; * Go forward, fare prosperously, and reign. V. Grace is poured into thy lips, therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. R. Go forward, fare prosperously, and reign. 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. Go forward, fare prosperously, and reign.

R. Because of truth, and meekness, and righteousness; * And thy right hand shall lead thee wonderfully. V. In thy comeliness, and thy beauty, go forward, fare prosperously, and reign. R. And thy right hand shall lead thee wonderfully.

R. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; * Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness. V. Because of truth, and meekness, and righteousness. R. Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.

V. Ora pro nobis, beáta N.. R. Ut digni efficiámur promissiónibus Christi.

V. Grace is poured into thy lips. R. Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

R.br. In thy comeliness * and in thy beauty. R. In thy comeliness * and in thy beauty. V. Go forward, fare prosperously, and reign. R. In thy beauty. 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. In thy comeliness * and in thy beauty.

R.br. God shall help her * with His countenance. R. God shall help her * with His countenance. V. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved. R. With His countenance. 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. God shall help her * with His countenance.

R.br. God hath chosen her, * and fore-chosen her. R. God hath chosen her, * and fore-chosen her. V. He hath made her to dwell in His tabernacle. R. And fore-chosen her. 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. God hath chosen her, * and fore-chosen her.

V. Grace is poured into thy lips. R. Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus

Sir 51:1-7

1 A prayer of Jesus the son of Sirach. I will give glory to thee, O Lord, O King, and I will praise thee, O God my Saviour. 2 I will give glory to thy name: for thou hast been a helper and protector to me. 3 And hast preserved my body from destruction, from the snare of an unjust tongue, and from the lips of them that forge lies, and in the sight of them that stood by, thou hast been my helper. 4 And thou hast delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of thy name, from them that did roar, prepared to devour. 5 Out of the hands of them that sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions, which compassed me about: 6 From the oppression of the flame which surrounded me, and in the midst of the fire I was not burnt. 7 From the depth of the belly of hell, and from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from a slanderous tongue:

Sir 51:8-12

8 My soul shall praise the Lord even to death. 9 And my life was drawing near to hell beneath. 10 They compassed me on every side, and there was no one that would help me. I looked for the succour of men, and there was none. 11 I remembered thy mercy, O Lord, and thy works, which are from the beginning of the world. 12 How thou deliverest them that wait for thee, O Lord, and savest them out of the hands of the nations.

Sir 51:13-17

13 Thou hast exalted my dwelling place upon the earth and I have prayed for death to pass away. 14 I called upon the Lord, the father of my Lord, that he would not leave me in the day of my trouble, and in the time of the proud without help. 15 I will praise thy name continually, and will praise it with thanksgiving, and my prayer was heard. 16 And thou hast saved me from destruction, and hast delivered me from the evil time. 17 Therefore I will give thanks, and praise thee, and bless the name of the Lord.

From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

Matt 13:44-52

At that time Jesus spake unto His disciples this parable The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field. And so on.

Homily by Pope St Gregory the Great

11th on the Gospels

Dearly beloved brethren, the kingdom of heaven is likened unto the things of earth, to the end that by the mean of things which we know, our mind may rise to the contemplation of the things which we know not by the example of things which are seen, may fix her gaze on things which are not seen by the touch of things which she useth, may be warmed towards the things which she useth not; by things which she knoweth and loveth, to love also the things which she knoweth not. For, behold, “the kingdom of heaven is likened unto treasure hid in a field, the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and, for joy thereof, goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth that field.”

And herein we must remark that the treasure, when once it hath been found, is hidden to keep it safe. He whose intimate yearnings after God are not hidden from the praise of men, is open thereby to the attacks of evil spirits. In this life we are, as it were, journeying homewards on a road beset by evil spirits who are like highwaymen. He therefore inviteth robbery who carrieth his treasure ostentatiously. Doubtless our neighbour should be able to see our good works, as it is written: “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” But this is not to be understood to mean that we are to seek the praise of men by what we do. Rather, let us in such wise work in the open that the inner intention of devotion is not advertised. So we shall give an example to our neighbour, and yet keep hidden, except from the sight of God, our purpose of pleasing him.

The treasure is the desire for heaven, the field wherein it is hidden is the earnest observance wherewith this desire is surrounded. Whosoever turneth his back upon the enjoyments of the flesh, and by earnest striving heavenward, putteth all earthly lusts under the feet of discipline, so that he smileth back no more when the flesh smileth at him, and shuddereth no more at anything that can only kill the body whosoever doth thus, hath sold all that he had, and bought that field. 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.

From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

Matt 19:3-12

In that time, there came to him the Pharisees tempting him, and saying: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And so on.

Homily by St. John Chrysostom, Patriarch of (Constantinople.)

63th on Matthew.

Seeing that directly to exhort them unto virginity was well-nigh more than they could bear, our Lord seeketh to draw them to the desire thereof, taking occasion by the needfulness of a law against divorce. Then He showeth that virginity is possible, saying There are some eunuchs which were so born from their mother's womb; and there are some eunuchs which were made eunuchs of men; and there be eunuchs which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. In these words He persuadeth them indirectly to choose virginity, while He teacheth them that such a gift is not so good as to be impossible.

This doctrine He establisheth somewhat thus. Supposing that thou hadst been born a eunuch by nature, or hadst been made a eunuch by the cruelty of men, so that thou hadst no sexual enjoyment, and hadst no credit for having none, what wouldest thou do? Give God thanks therefore, that thou dost, for a reward and a crown, what such others suffer with no reward and no crown yea, and that, rather a lighter burden than the same, and that not only because thou hast the joy of hope, and of knowing that thou doest well, but also because thou art not so battered by storms of desire as they are.

When, therefore, He had spoken of such as are eunuchs by nature, or by mutilation, and are eunuchs vainly and uselessly, unless they also bridle their thoughts, and of such as deny themselves for the kingdom of heaven's sake, He added He that is able to receive it, let him receive it, that He might make them the readier by showing the very sternness of the work, and, in His unspeakable goodness, He would not include any such precept within the requirements of the law, and, by saying this, showeth it to be the more possible, that He might increase the desire of freely choosing it. 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.