My LORD’s BibleThe Roman Missal: Palm Sunday to Wednesday in Holy Week (English) 5
1[Wednesday in Holy Week.]
3Ps. O Lord, hear my prayer; and let my cry come to thee. In the name, &c.
4[After the Kyrie eleison, is said,]
5Let us pray. Let us kneel down. Rise up again.
6Prayer. Præsta quæsumus. Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we who are continually afflicted through our excesses, may be delivered by the passion of thy only begotten Son. Who lives, &c.
7Lesson. Isaias, lxii. 11—lxiii. 1—7. Thus saith the Lord God, Tell the daughter of Sion, Behold thy Saviour cometh, behold his reward is with him. Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozra; this beautiful one in his robe, walking in the greatness of his strength? I that speak justice, and am a defender to save. Why then is thy apparel red, and thy garments like theirs that tread in the wine-press? I have trodden the wine-press alone, and of the gentiles there is not a man with me: I have trampled on them in my indignation, and have trodden them down in my wrath; and their blood is sprinkled upon my garments, and I have stained all my apparel. For the day of vengeance is in my heart, the year of my redemption is come. I looked about, and there was none to help; I sought, and there was none to give aid: and my own arm hath saved for me, and my indignation itself hath helped me. And I have trodden down the people in my wrath, and have made them drunk in my indignation; and have brought down their strength to the earth. I will remember the tender mercies of the Lord, the praise of the Lord for all the things that the Lord our God hath bestowed on us.
9[Here is said,]
10The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit.
11Prayer. Deus qui. O God who wert pleased that thy Son should undergo for us the ignominy of the cross, that thou mightest drive away from us the power of the enemy: grant to us, thy servants, that we may obtain the grace of resurrection. Through the same Lord, &c.
12[Second Prayer, as in page 39.]
13Lesson. Isaias, liii. 1—12. In those days, Isaias said, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? And he shall grow up as a tender plant before him, and as a root out of a thirsty ground; there is no beauty in him, nor comeliness; and we have seen him, and there was no sightliness, that we should be desirous of him. Despised and the most abject of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with infirmity, and his look was as it were hidden and despised, whereupon we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our infirmities, and carried our sorrows; and we have thought him as it were a leper, and as one struck by God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our iniquities, he was bruised for our sins: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, every one hath turned aside into his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was offered, because it was his own will, and he opened not his mouth; he shall be led as a sheep to the slaughter, and shall be dumb as a lamb before his shearer, and he shall not open his mouth. He was taken away from distress and from judgment; who shall declare his generation? because he is cut off out of the land of the living; for the wickedness of my people have I struck him. And he shall give the ungodly for his burial, and the rich for his death: because he hath done no iniquity, neither was there deceit in his mouth. And the Lord was pleased to bruise him in infirmity: if he shall lay down his life for sin, he shall see a long-lived seed, and the will of the Lord shall be prosperous in his hand. Because his soul hath laboured, he shall see and be filled: by his knowledge shall this my just servant justify many, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I distribute to him very many, and he shall divide the spoils of the strong, because he hath delivered his soul unto death, and was reputed with the wicked: and he hath borne the sins of many, and hath prayed for the transgressors.
14Tract. O Lord, hear my prayer; and let my cry come to thee. Turn not away thy face from me: in whatever day I am in trouble, incline thine ear to me. In whatever day I shall call upon thee, hear me speedily. For my days are vanished like smoke, and my bones are burnt up as in an oven. I am struck like grass, and my heart is withered: because I forgot to eat my bread. Thou arising, O Lord, shalt have mercy on Sion; for the time is come to have mercy on it.
15The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to St Luke, xxii—xxiii. 1—53. At that time, the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the pasch, was at hand; and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put Jesus to death: but they feared the people. And Satan entered into Judas, who was surnamed Iscariot, one of the twelve: and he went and discoursed with the chief priests and the magistrates, how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money: and he promised. And he sought opportunity to betray him, in the absence of the multitude. And the day of the unleavened bread came, on which it was necessary that the pasch should be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the pasch, that we may eat. But they said, Where wilt thou that we prepare? And he said to them, Behold, as you go into the city, there shall meet you a man carrying a pitcher of water: follow him into the house where he entereth in; and you shall say to the good man of the house, The Master saith to thee, Where is the guest-chamber, where I may eat the pasch with my disciples? And he will shew you a large dining-room furnished; and there prepare. And they going, found, as he had said to them; and they made ready the pasch. And, when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said to them, With desire I have desired to eat this pasch with you, before I suffer. For I say to you, that from this time I will not eat it, till it be fulfilled in the kingdom of heaven. And having taken the chalice, he gave thanks, and said, Take and divide it among you; for I say to you, that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, till the kingdom of God come. And taking bread, he gave thanks, and broke, and gave to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: Do this for a commemoration of me. In like manner the chalice also, after he had supped, saying, This is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you. But yet behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. And the Son of man indeed goeth, according to that which is determined; but wo to that man by whom he shall be betrayed. And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. And there was also a strife among them, which of them should seem to be greater. And he said to them, The kings of the gentiles lord it over them, and they that have power over them are called beneficent. But you not so: but he that is the greater among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is the leader, as he that serveth. For which is greater, he that sitteth at table, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at table? but I am in the midst of you as he that serveth. And you are they who have continued with me in my temptations: and I appoint to you, as my Father hath appointed to me, a kingdom; that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and may sit upon thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and thou, being once converted, confirm thy brethren. And he said to him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee both into prison and to death. And he said, I say to thee Peter, the cock shall not crow this day till thou thrice deniest that thou knowest me. And he said to them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, did you want any thing? But they said, Nothing. Then said he to them, But now he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise a scrip; and he that hath no sword, let him sell his coat, and buy one. For I say to you, that this that is written must be fulfilled in me, And he was reckoned among the wicked: for the things concerning me have an end. But they said, Lord, behold here are two swords. And he said to them, It is enough. And going out he went, according to his custom, to the mount of Olives: and his disciples also followed him. And when he was come to the place, he said to them, Pray, lest ye enter into temptation. And he was withdrawn away from them a stone's cast; and kneeling down, he prayed, saying, Father, if thou wilt, remove this chalice from me; but yet not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him: and being in an agony, he prayed the longer; and his sweat became as great drops of blood, trickling down upon the ground. And when he arose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow. And he said to them, Why sleep you? arise, pray, lest you enter into temptation. As he was yet speaking, behold a multitude; and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near to Jesus to kiss him. And Jesus said to him, Judas, dost thou betray the Son of man with a kiss? And they that were about him, seeing what would follow, said to him, Lord, shall we strike with the sword? and one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answering, said, Suffer ye thus far: and when he had touched his ear, he healed him. And Jesus said to the chief priests and magistrates of the temple, and the ancients that were come to him: Are you come out, as it were against a thief, with swords and clubs? When I was daily with you in the temple, you did not stretch forth your hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. Then they laid hold on him, and led him to the high priest's house; but Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were sitting about it, Peter was in the midst of them. And when a certain servant-maid had seen him sitting at the light, and had earnestly looked upon him, she said, This man was also with him. But he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. And after a little while, another seeing him, said, Thou also art one of them. But Peter said, O man, I am not. And about the space as it were of one hour, another certain man affirmed, saying, Of a truth, this man was also with him, for he is also a Galilean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately as he was yet speaking, the cock crew. And the Lord, turning, looked on Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, as he had said, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice; and Peter going out wept bitterly. And the men that held him mocked him and struck him; and they blind-folded him, and smote his face; and they asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that struck thee? and blaspheming, many other things they said against him. And, as soon as it was day, the ancients of the people, and the chief priests, and scribes came together, and they brought him into their council, saying, If thou be the Christ tell us. And he said to them, If I shall tell you, you will not believe me; and if I shall also ask you, you will not answer me, nor let me go: but hereafter the Son of man shall be sitting on the right hand of the power of God. Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? Who said, You say, that I am. And they said, What need we any further testimony? for we ourselves have heard it from his own mouth. And the whole multitude of them, rising up, led him to Pilate: and they began to accuse him, saying, We have found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cæsar, and saying that he is Christ the king. And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the king of the Jews? But he answering, said, Thou sayest it. And Pilate said to the chief priests and to the multitudes, I find no cause in this man. But they were more earnest, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place. But Pilate hearing Galilee, asked if the man were of Galilee? and when he understood that he was of Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him away to Herod, who was also himself at Jerusalem in those days. And Herod, seeing Jesus, was very glad; for he was desirous of a long time to see him, because he had heard many things of him, and he hoped to see some sign wrought by him: and he questioned him in many words; but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes stood by, earnestly accusing him. And Herod with his army set him at nought; and mocked him, putting on him a white garment; and sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate were made friends that same day; for before they were enemies one to another. And Pilate calling together the chief priests, and the magistrates, and the people, said to them, You have presented unto me this man as one that perverteth the people, and behold I, having examined him before you, find no cause in this man in those things wherein you accuse him; no, nor Herod neither, for I sent you to him, and behold nothing worthy of death is done to him: I will chastise him therefore, and release him. Now of necessity he was to release unto them one upon the feast-day: but the whole multitude together cried out, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas; who, for a certain sedition made in the city, and for a murder, was cast into prison. And Pilate again spoke to them, desiring to release Jesus. But they cried again, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. And he said to them a third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I find no cause of death in him: I will chastise him therefore; and let him go. But they were instant with loud voices requiring that he might be crucified: and their voices prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence, that it should be as they required. And he released unto them him, who, for murder and sedition, had been cast into prison, whom they had desired; but Jesus he delivered over to their will. And as they led him away, they laid hold on one Simon of Cyrene, that was coming out of the country; and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of people, and of women, who bewailed, and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them, said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children: for behold the days shall come, wherein they will say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that have not borne, and the breasts that have not given suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall upon us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if in the green wood they do these things, what shall be done in the dry? And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, they crucified him there; and the robbers, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. But they divided his garments, and cast lots: and the people stood beholding, and the rulers with them derided him, saying, He saved others, let him save himself, if he be Christ, the elect of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, and saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And there was also a superscription written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, This is the King of the Jews. And one of those robbers who were hanged blasphemed him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself, and us. But the other answering him, rebuked him, saying, Neither dost thou fear God, seeing thou art under the same condemnation: and we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds, but this man hath done no evil. And he said to Jesus, Lord remember me, when thou shalt come into thy kingdom. And Jesus said to him, Amen I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with me in paradise. And it was almost the sixth hour; and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour: and the sun was darkened; and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst: and Jesus crying with a loud voice, said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. And saying this, he gave up the ghost. (Here all kneel, and pause a little while.) Now the centurion seeing what was done, glorified God, saying, Indeed this was a just man. And all the multitude of them that were come together to that sight, and saw the things that were done, returned, striking their breasts. And all his acquaintance, and the women that had followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
16[Here is said the Munda cor meum, page 8.]
17And behold there was a man named Joseph, who was a counsellor, a good and a just man (the same had not consented to their counsel and doings) of Arimathea, a city of Judea, who also himself looked for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus: and taking him down, he wrapped him in fine linen, and laid him in a sepulchre that was hewed in stone, wherein never yet any man had been laid. Laus tibi Christe.
18Offertory. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to thee: turn not away thy face from me.
19Secret. Accept, we beseech thee, O Lord, the gift we offer, and graciously effect that what we mysteriously celebrate of the passion of thy Son our Lord, we may obtain by pious affections. Through the same Lord, &c.
20[Second Secret, as in page 40.]
21Communion. I mingled my drink with weeping: for having lifted me up, thou hast thrown me down: and I am withered like grass: but thou, O Lord, remainest for ever: thou shalt arise and have mercy on Sion, for the time is come to have mercy on it.
22Postcom. Largire. Grant to our mind, O Almighty God, that by the temporal death of thy Son, which these venerable mysteries testify, we may trust that thou hast given to us life eternal.—Through the same Lord, &c.
23[Second Postcommunion, as in page 41.]
24[Over the People. Let us pray. Bow down your heads before God.]
25Prayer. Respice. Look down, we beseech thee, O Lord, upon this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ did not hesitate to be delivered up to the hands of the wicked, and to undergo the torments of the cross. Who lives and reigns, &c.