25th Sunday after Pentecost (6th remaining after Epiphany)

25th Sunday after Pentecost (6th remaining after Epiphany)

For the 4th, 5th and 6th Sundays after the Epiphany, when they are used after Pentecost, the chanted propers of the mass - Introit, Gradual, Alleluia, Offertory, and Communion - are repetitions of those for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost.

The Gospel brings out again the divinity of Christ. Jesus is God, for He reveals to us "things hidden from the foundation of the world." His word, compared by Him to a small seed cast into the field of the world, and to a little leaven put in the lump, is divine, for it stills our passions and produces in our hearts the wonders of faith, hope and charity of which the Epistle speaks. The Church, stirred to greater effort by the word of Christ, is admirably represented by these three measures of meal that the energy of fermentation has "wholly leavened" and by the mustard plant, the largest of its kind, where the birds of heaven gladly come for shelter.

Praesta, quaesumus, omnípotens Deus: ut, semper rationabília meditántes, quae tibi sunt plácita, et dictis exsequámur et factis.
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that ever meditating on the truths Thou hast proposed for our intelligence, we may in every word and work of ours, do that which is pleasing to Thee.
(Collect)

24th Sunday after Pentecost (5th remaining after Epiphany)

24th Sunday after Pentecost (5th remaining after Epiphany)

For the 4th, 5th and 6th Sundays after the Epiphany, when they are celebrated after Pentecost, the chanted propers of the mass - Introit, Gradual, Alleluia, Offertory, and Communion - are repetitions of those for the 23rd Sunday.

In the gospels for the preceding Sundays, the divinity of Jesus was manifested in His miracles: today it is affirmed by His doctrine, at which the Jews of Nazareth "wondered."

In Jesus' kingdom here on earth there are both good and bad subjects, wheat and tares, and it is only when our Lord comes to judge men, that He will separate the one from the other for all eternity.

Famíliam tuam, quaesumus, Dómine, contínua pietáte custódi: ut, quae in sola spe grátiae coeléstis innítitur, tua semper protectióne muniátur.
In Thine infinite goodness, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to watch over Thy household, that even as it relies solely upon the hope of Thy heavenly grace, so it may ever be defended by Thy protection.
(Collect)