The set appointed after Epiphany testifies to our Lord’s universal royalty and divinity. The two miracles recounted in to-day’s Gospel have the same meaning. The first was worked on behalf of a Jewish leper whom Jesus commanded to make known his cure to the priest “for a testimony unto them”; the second was on behalf of a Roman centurion who bore witness, by his words of hu- mility and trust, of his faith in Christ. All nations, then, are called to enter into the Kingdom to share in the heavenly feast at which the divinity of Christ will be the food of their souls. As children of this kingdom we must renew our faith in Christ’s divinity and give testimony to it by living by the rule of Christian charity, that great commandment which is emphasized by St Paul in to-day’s Epistle. “Charity,” says St. Augustine, “is the effect of faith in Jesus Christ.” May nothing cause us to depart from this charity which make us love our brethren even as Christ loves us. (Ps. 96:7-8) Adore God, all you His Angels: Sion heard, and was glad: and the daughters of Juda rejoiced. — (Ps. 96:1). The Lord hath reigned, let the earth rejoice: let many islands be glad. Gloria Patri. Almighty and eternal God, mercifully look upon our infirmity, and stretch forth the right hand of Thy majesty to help and defend us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Reading of the Epistle of the blessed Apostle Paul to the Romans (12:16-21) (Ps. 101:16-17) The Gentiles shall fear Thy name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory. ℣. For the Lord hath built up Sion: and He shall be seen in His glory. The Sequel of the holy Gospel according to saint Matthew (8:1-13). Sources: Daily Traditional Latin Mass Readings, 1962Third Sunday After Epiphany - Cure of the leper and of the centurion’s servant
Table of Contents
Considerations
Liturgy of the Mass
Introit
Collect
Epistle
Brethren: Be not wise in your own conceits. To no man rendering evil for evil: providing good things not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as is in you, have peace with all men. Revenge not yourselves, my dearly beloved, but give place unto wrath. For it is written: Revenge is mine: I will repay, saith the Lord. But if thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat; if he thirst, give him to drink: for doing this, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil by good.Gradual
Alleluia, alleluia. ℣. (Ps. 96:1) The Lord hath reigned, let the earth rejoice: let many islands be glad. Alleluia. Alleluia.Gospel
At that time, when Jesus was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him: and behold a leper came and adored Him saying: Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, stretching forth His hand touched him, saying: I will. Be thou made clean. And forthwith his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith to him: See, thou tell no man: but go, show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. And when He had entered into Capharnaum, there came to Him a centurion, beseeching Him, and saying: Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, and is grievously tormented. And Jesus saith to him: I will come and heal him. And the centurion making answer said: Lord, I am not worthy that Thou should enter under my roof: but only say the word and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man subject to authority, having under me soldiers; and I say to this: Go, and he goes; and to another: Come, and he comes; and to my servant: Do this, and he does it. And Jesus hearing this marveled, and said to them that followed Him: Amen I say to you, I have not found so great faith in Israël. And I say to you, that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven: but the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said to the centurion: Go, and as thou hast believed, so be it done to thee. And the servant was healed at the same hour.