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Redemption of the human race. In the Epistle for
this Sunday Saint Peter tells the faithful that they
must bear witness to Jesus Christ by their manner of
living ; by their whole behaviour, particularly by the
constant practice of mutual charity ; by the acceptance
of His doctrine and the observance of His law in all
their integrity.
The Introit is an aspiration of the faithful soul who
in union with the Church longs for the return of Jesus.
"
The Lord is my light and my salvation My heart hath
said to thee : I have sought Thy face ; Thy face, O Lord,
"
will I seek. The Verses of the Alleluia glorify Jesus
Christ, our sovereign King, and remind Him of His
promise. The Offertory exalts anew the glory of His
Ascension. The Communion expresses the prayer of
Jesus addressed to His Father on behalf of all those
souls whom He has redeemed. The Church, in the Col
lect, teaches us to ask of God good will and zeal that
we may serve Him faithfully, and next for the energy
without which there can be no true Christian life (SECRET) .
In the Postcommunion she expresses her desire that our
thanksgiving for the benefits we have received may be
continual.
In conformity to our Lord s injunctions, and in order
that we may follow the example of the apostles, the
Church invites us to serious recollection and fervent
prayer, to which she would have us add acts of penance ;
with this end in view she has ordained that the Vigil
of Pentecost should be observed as a fast-day, although
the Paschal season is not yet ended.