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The Time After Pentecost
that we lose ourselves in the troubles and works imposed on us, neglecting thereby our first
duty, to seek God and His justice; that is, to fulfill first of all God’s holy will.
“After all these things do the heathens seek.” We Christians have a different attitude towards
the things of this world than have non-Christians. They are dominated by solicitude for the
things of this world. The thought of food and clothing, of health and position in business, of
success and honor, is the most important factor in their lives. The Christian, however, has a
different outlook on life. He also must care for all these things, but not in a “solicitous” way, becoming
engrossed in their pursuit. He rather has an unshaken and childlike confidence in God
that determines and guides his life and gives it a supernatural meaning. “Your Father knoweth
that you have need of all these things.” He will give them to us, since He gives even the animals
in the field, the birds of the air, the grass and the lilies in the field, whatever they need for their
existence. “It is good to confide in the Lord rather than to have confidence in man” (Gradual).
Prayer
Keep, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy Church with perpetual mercy; and because the frailty of
man without Thee cannot but fall, keep us ever by Thy help from all things hurtful, and lead us
to all things profitable to our salvation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Mass
“I am come that they may have life and may have it more abundantly” ( Jn 10:10). Christ gives
life, both to the soul and to the body. Once He has raised the soul from the death of sin through
baptism, He imparts to us a more vigorous and fruitful life through His grace, especially through
the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. He lays the foundation for our bodily resurrection through the
Holy Sacrifice and through Holy Communion, which are the fruits of our baptism.
The principal thought of today’s Mass is contained in the Gospel. Jesus arrives at the city
of Naim as a young man is being carried to his grave. The mother of this young man, a
widow of Naim, follows the procession, weeping. Many Christians are like this young
man, for they have lost through their lapses into sin the gift of life which they received
in baptism. The mother, who represents the Church, stands sorrowing at the side of the
lifeless body. In the Introit of the Mass she prays for her unfortunate children: “Bow down
Thy ear, O Lord, to me and hear me: Save Thy servant, O my God, that trusteth in Thee;
have mercy on me, O Lord, for I have cried to Thee all the day. Give joy to the soul of Thy
servant.” Give joy and consolation to Thy Church, O Lord, as you once gave consolation
to the sorrowing mother mentioned in today’s Gospel. Lord have mercy on us. “Cleanse
and defend Thy Church, we beseech Thee, O Lord, because it cannot continue in safety
without Thee” (Collect).
The demands made upon the members of the Church are eloquently explained by St. Paul
in the Epistle. The Gradual and the Alleluia verse speak of the wealth of the baptized, who are
privileged to participate in the Holy Sacrifice: “It is good to give praise to the Lord, and to sing
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