Original

224
enemies of our divine Lord. The sight of the risen Laza
rus was insupportable to them, and they thought of
doing away
with him. Their malice and hatred were
still further increased by our Lord s triumphal entry
into Jerusalem, which will be represented in the first
part of the solemnities to-morrow. Thus they had
gained nothing by their malice. Our Lord s popu
larity was so great that the Gentiles wanted to see
Him. This precipitated matters. Blind as they were
the Jews did not see that the lifting up of their victim
on a cross would be for Him the beginning of triumph.
We have already remarked that the sung parts of
this Mass belong to the Mass of Friday in Passion Week.
On account of there being no Station, there was no
Mass on Saturday. Later when the Station for Satur
day was established nothing better could be done
than to repeat the sung parts of the Mass of Friday in
which we have our Lord s prayer, expressing his trust
in His eternal Father.
The Collect prays that souls consecrated to God
may advance in devotion, that the practice of good works
may render them more pleasing to the divine majesty,
and may draw down upon them an increase of grace.
The Secret implores for those who have the happiness
of participating in the divine Mysteries pardon for
their sins and protection from all dangers. The Postcommunion
prays that the effects of receiving the bless
ed Eucharist may be rendered lasting.
In the final prayer the priest invokes on all sup
plicants, the just as well as sinners, the grace which puri
fies and enlightens, so that the consolation thus obtained
on earth may help them to win the good things which
are to come.