Original

Fifth Sunday
366 -
CHAPTER VIII
after Pentecost.
Sources of the liturgy : Introit, Ps. xxvi, 7-9. Epistle,
I St.
Peter, in, 8-15. Gradual, Ps. LXXXIII, 10. Alleluia, Ps. xx,
2. Gospel, St. Matth., v, 20-24. Offertory, Ps. xv, 7-8.
Communion, Ps. xxvi, 4.
The liturgy of this Sunday shows us the DEVELOP
MENT OF THE KINGDOM of the Church symbolized by
it also teaches us the SUPERIO
the kingdom of David ;
RITY of THE CHURCH over the ancient Synagogue.
The LESSONS IN THE OFFICE tell of the sad end of
Saul and the accession of David to the thro ne as King
of Juda. David is the faithful servant, consequently
God guarantees that his throne shall last for ever. But
in the eyes of faith this kingdom represents the king
dom of Jesus Christ Himself, the kingdom of the Church
which He has established, and the uninterrupted suc
cession of Pontiffs who are to govern the Church to the
end of time
As David gave expression to his sorrow for the brave
warriors of Israel in the mournful CHANT which is sung
at the FIRST VESPERS OF THIS SUNDAY, so, the succes
sors of Saint Peter in the government of the Church
bear in mind the Blood shed by Jesus
Christ on the
Cross and also that shed by those Apostles, who first
preached the Gospel in Rome. Thus the Church applies
to Saints Peter and Paul the words of David lamenting
in their
over Saul and Jonathan : lovely and comely