07.09.2013 Views

E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

76<br />

EXPLANATION <strong>OF</strong> <strong>THE</strong> LAVABO.<br />

which at his ordination were consecrated for the offering<br />

of the adorable Sacrifice, and not the hands, are washed<br />

to express that the priest should be clean wholly (see<br />

St. John xiii. 10). The Lavabo, that is, the verses from<br />

the 25th Psalm, run thus :<br />

1. I will wash my hands among the innocent:<br />

will encompass Thy altar, O Lord.<br />

and<br />

2. That I may hear the voice of praise, and tell of<br />

3.<br />

all Thy marvellous works.<br />

I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of Thy house<br />

and the place where Thy glory dwelleth.<br />

4. Take not away my soul, O God, with the wicked,<br />

nor my life with bloody men.<br />

5. In whose hands are iniquities : their right hand<br />

is filled with gifts.<br />

6. As for me, I have walked in my<br />

redeem me and have mercy on me.<br />

7. My foot hath stood in the right path<br />

churches I will bless Thee, O Lord.<br />

Glory be to the Father, &c.<br />

EXPLANATION <strong>OF</strong> <strong>THE</strong> LAVABO.<br />

innocence :<br />

: in the<br />

David s prayer to be delivered from exile and to<br />

worship God in His tabernacle is placed by the Church<br />

in the mouth of the priest. In the first verse David<br />

alludes to a custom among the Jews, who before<br />

entering into the Tabernacle purified themselves<br />

and the victims they offered, and this external washing<br />

is the sign of internal purity. David says, I will<br />

wash my hands among the innocent, as a sign<br />

of real inward purity, as an innocent person would<br />

wash them ; and not with the hypocrites, who do so<br />

with clean hands and unclean hearts.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!