Aspiration.
Thou art just, O Lord! and just is Thy judgment. Oh,
penetrate my soul with holy fear, that I may be kept from evil
deeds, and incited to good works. Would that I could say, with
St. Jerome, " Whether I eat or drink, or whatever I do, it is as
if I heard the awful summons of the trumpet, Ye dead, arise,
and come to judgment!
Second Sunday of Advent
HAVING taught us on the first Sunday of Advent to sigh with the prophets for the redemption through Christ, the Church on this day reminds us, in the holy sacrifice of the Mass, of the joyful promises of God for the salvation of the gentiles, and of Jesus Christ's actual coming, in order to quicken our desire for it, and to produce in us an alacrity in making ready our hearts by penance and love.
For this reason she says in the Introit of the Mass: " People of Sion, behold the Lord shall come to save the nations, and the Lord shall make the glory of His voice to be heard in the joy of your heart." " Give ear, O Thou that rulest Israel: Thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep." Glory be to the Father, etc.
Prayer.
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the ways of Thine only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be worthy to serve Thee with purified minds. Through the same Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.
EPISTLE. Rom. xv. 4-13.
Brethren: What things soever were written, were written for our learning: that through patience and the comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind one towards another, according to Jesus Christ: that with one mind, and with one mouth, you may glorify God and the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive one another, as Christ also hath received you unto the honor of God. For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. But that the gentiles are to glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: Therefore will I
