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The Light of the World
No one can offer himself for himself without the others, separating himself from the
community, being at variance with the brethren, turned away from them, filled, perhaps,
even with hate for them. Only he who is in heart and soul one with the community of
Christ is a true partaker of the sacrifice and heir of the fruit of the Mass. “Above all these
things have charity” (Col 3:14).
“Fervent in spirit.” Nowadays there are many flames in the world; the flame of hate, passion,
self-love. But the Church calls on us Christians to be fervent in spirit, to glow with a heavenly
flame, to be enkindled by the flame of the Holy Ghost. By this flame of love which the Holy
Ghost places in us, we serve the Lord “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, instant in prayer,
communicating to the necessities of the saints, pursuing hospitality” (Epistle). The fruit of the
Holy Sacrifice and of the wedding banquet of Holy Communion is the Christian enkindled by
the Spirit of Christ, an image of the Lord, full of zeal, enthusiasm, and life for all that pertains
to God, to the Church, and to souls.
Prayer
May the operation of Thy power be increased within us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that being
quickened by Thy divine sacraments, we may by Thy bounty be prepared to receive what they
promise. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Postcommunion.)
Third Sunday after Epiphany
The Mass
The adoring angels approach the throne of His Majesty and the earth stands in awe, for the
Lord has manifested His kingship at Epiphany. “And the daughters of Juda rejoiced” (Introit).
In the Holy Sacrifice the Church makes her complete submission to the sovereignty of the
King. “Graciously look upon our infirmities and stretch forth the right hand of Thy majesty to
protect us” (Collect). Christ the King rules in His kingdom, and yet there are many provinces
that do not recognize His authority. The Epistle characterizes these rebellious people as conceited,
self-seeking, and vain. “Graciously look upon our infirmities.” We seek only to be saved
from ourselves, and only Christ and His grace can save us. He is the King of the Church and
the sovereign of each soul.
“The Lord hath built up Sion: and He shall be seen in His glory” (Gradual). Sion is the Church,
the kingdom of His grace in souls, where He rules over our corrupted nature. “Stretch forth
the right hand of Thy majesty to protect us.” The Gospel illustrates these words of the Collect.
“Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean,” cries the afflicted leper. Christ wills, and the
leper is cleansed, for Christ has power over the ills of the body. He wills that we, too, be cleansed
from our afflictions. For are not we ourselves the sick of the Gospel? The Gentile centurion
besought Christ for the cure of his sick servant because he knew that Christ was the Master of
life and death. He knew that it was not even necessary for Christ to come down to his house.
“Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof ” (Mt 8:8). So great faith Christ
had not found even in Israel, and He rewards it by healing the man’s servant from afar. Truly,
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