9781644135945

The Time After Pentecost
In the Offertory of the Mass for the Dead, the Church entreats the Lord: “O Lord Jesus
Christ, King of Glory, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from the pains of hell and
from the deep pit; deliver them from the lion’s mouth, that hell may not swallow them up. . . .
We offer Thee sacrifices and prayers of praise, O Lord; do Thou accept them for those souls
for whom we this day make commemoration; cause them, O Lord, to pass from death to life.”
This prayer expresses the anxiety of a mother for her children. When all others have deserted
the imperiled soul, Holy Mother the Church remains faithfully at its side, praying and offering
sacrifice for it. Her prayers ascend to the very throne of God, and there she influences God to
be merciful in His judgment.
While we remain in this life we may earn for ourselves a merciful judgment. In the celebration
of the Mass we possess the means of making satisfaction to God for our sins and negligences.
But we must offer this sacrifice to God with sincerity, zeal, and a spirit of contrition. We must
perform works of penance for our own sins, and forgive readily the offenses committed against
us. We must perform works of Christian charity, for much will depend on the charity and mercy
we have shown to our offending neighbor (Mt 25:31–46). Through the reception of Holy
Communion the soul finds strength and protection from the dangers arising from evil spirits
and from the flesh and the world. Holy Communion is an “antidote which saves us from mortal
sin” (Council of Trent). It augments the grace in our soul, strengthens our virtues, and inflames
charity and the love of one’s neighbor. It heals the soul of its weaknesses and gives it spiritual
joy, strength, zeal, and enthusiasm. Through Holy Communion we are intimately united to
our Blessed Lord. He has conquered sin, death, and Satan. He will “execute judgment on them
that persecute me” and will conquer them (Communion). He lives, fights, and conquers in us.
Through the power of Holy Communion we shall experience a merciful judgment and receive
the reward of eternal life ( Jn 6:57).
Prayer
Watch over Thy household, we beseech Thee, O Lord, with continual mercy, that through Thy
protection, it may be freed from all adversities and be devoted to good works. Through Christ
our Lord. Amen.
Wednesday
“And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his
wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. But that servant, falling down,
besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And the lord of that servant,
being moved with pity, let him go and forgave him the debt” (Gospel).
“And forgave him the debt.” How marvelous is God’s mercy! The miserable servant realizes that
his lord is angry and now he hears him give the order to the officers of justice, that he and all his
family be sold into slavery. He throws himself at the feet of the master and begs for mercy and
promises to pay the entire debt. Was not that master fully aware that his servant would never be
able to pay the whole debt of ten thousand talents? Then what did the servant mean by saying
that he would pay the debt in full? Undoubtedly the master was moved by his servant’s plea for
645