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CHAPTER XXVII
Twenty-first Sunday
after Pentecost.
Sources of the liturgy : Introit, Esther, xin, 9-10. Epistle,
Ephesians, vi, 10-17. Gradual, Ps. LXXXIX, \-2.-Alleluia,
Ps. cxin, 1. Gospel, St. Matth., xvin, 23-25. Offertory,
Job, i, passim. Communion, Ps. cxvm, 81, 84 and 86.
The object of the liturgy of this Sunday is to PRE
PARE SOULS FOR THE JUDGMENT OF GOD. With this
end in view it teaches us the necessity of combat and
the importance of the forgiveness of injuries.
It is espe
cially in the sung parts of the Mass that this struggle
is emphasized. This predominant idea is expressed in
the Offertory, more striking still in its primitive form,
when it was accompanied by repeated poignant excla
mations ; Job a prey to poverty, suffering and aban
donment is indeed a figure of the soul in this earthly life ;
happy is this soul when, in the midst of difficulties, it
is able to preserve simplicity, uprightness and the fear
of God.
In the Introit we hear Mardochai committing himself
into the hands of God at the moment when he was about
to be involved in the destruction of his race. In the
Gradual the Psalmist declares that he seeks in God his
strongest support and his secure refuge; that which
God did for His people when they went forth from
Egypt, He continues to do from generation to genera
tion (ALLELUIA). Hence, in the Communion, the Psal
mist can formulate this inevitable conclusion : "My soul