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Twelfth Sunday
CHAPTER XV
after Pentecost.
Sources of the liturgy : Introit, Ps. LXIX, 2-4. Epistle, II Cor.,
in, 4-9. Gradual, Ps. xxxni, 2-3. Alleluia, Ps. LXXXVII.
Gospel, St. Luke, x, 25-37. Offertory, Exodus, xxxn, 11, 13-
14. Communion, Ps. cm, 13-14.
The liturgy of last Sunday celebrated the vocation of
the gentiles, and reminded us of the proofs alleged by
Saint Paul as reasons for believing in the great miracle
of the Resurrection. On this
[the TWELFTH SUNDAY
after Pentecost, the liturgy shows us the PERFECTION
OF THE NEW LAW and the superiority of the ministry
of the Gospel over the priesthood of the old Law. The
object of the liturgy is first of all explained in the pas
sage taken from Saint Paul s second Epistle to the Corin
thians. Here the Apostle shows us the superiority of
the Gospel ministry by pointing out that whereas Moses
instituted the Jewish priesthood, Jesus Christ Himself
instituted the priesthood of the new Law ; again he
shows us this superiority by comparing the methods of
working employed by the two priesthoods ;
on the one
s,ide it is the letter which killeth, on the other the
Spirit which giveth life ; once more he shows us that
whilst the glory of the Mosaic priesthood was but tran
sitory, that of the priesthood instituted by Jesus
Christ will remain for ever. The perfection of the new
Law consists in the commandment of charity which
applies to everyone, and which includes at the same