Friday, April 21, 2006

FRIDAY IN EASTER WEEK
From The Roman Breviary
At MATINS
The reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Lesson I: c., 28, 16-20

At that time: The eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And seeing him they adored: but some doubted. And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.

Lesson iii
Homily of St. Jerome, Priest
Book 4, Commentary on Matthew
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. This arrangement is important: he commanded the Apostles, first to teach all nations, then to steep them in the sacrament of faith, and after imparting faith and administering baptism, to instruct them in the precepts they must observe. And lest we should think these precepts to be few in number, and of small importance, he added: All things whatsoever I have commanded you; so that all those, who had believed and been baptized in the Trinity, should do all those things that are commanded. And behold I am with you even to the consummation of the world. He, who promises to be with his disciples even to the consummation of the world, also shows them that they will live for ever, and that he will never depart from those who believe in him.