Original

395
A covenant implies an agreement contracted between
two parties. When the death of one of the contracting
parties follows the agreement, the latter is regarded as
the expression of the last wishes of the dying person,
and it takes the name of testamerjt, that is, ( testimony
in favour of their last wishes. The death of Jesus
Christ on the Cross rendered the contract with God
the Father in favour of all men irrevocable, and this
contract has become a true testament. Such is the
to the Hebrews
explanation given to us in the Epistle
(ix, 15-17).
The Epistle of the Mass for this Sunday is taken from
Saint Paul s letter to the Galatians. It teaches us that
between God and
the first covenant was drawn up
Abraham and sealed by the figurative sacrifice of Isaac.
Four hundred and thirty years later, the Covenant was
of the Law on Mount
confirmed by the promulgation
Sinai and sealed by the offering of bloody sacrifices.
Then came the second covenant in which the Son of
God made Man has become our mediator, and by His
death has sealed the agreement between God and the
human race. Therefore this last covenant like the first
truly merits the name of Testament.
The Gospel records the miracle wrought by our
divine Lord in the healing of the ten lepers. These
lepers, under the circumstances, represent all men who
are born with the leprosy of original
whom by
sin and all of
their healing enter into the covenant with
God. The Samaritan represents the gentile world,
grateful and docile to the inspirations of grace. The
nine who failed to return thanks for their cure are the
Jewish people whose hearts remain closed to the thought
of gratitude.
Our Lord willed that in conformity with
the law all should show themselves to the priests whose