At the beginning of the gospel the priest greets the people with the usual salutation,» Dominus vobiscum - The Lord be with you,» and then tells out of which of the evangelists the g spel is taken, saying« Sequentia S. Evangelii secundum &c.; that is, « What follows is of the holy Gospel according to St., &c., at which words both priest and people make the sign of the cross; first, upon their foreheads, to signify that they are not ashamed of the cross of Christ, and his doctrine; secondly, upon teir mouths, to signify that they will ever profess it in their words; and thirdly. upon their breasts, to signify that they will always keep it in their hearts. The clerk answers, « Gloria tibi, Domine- Glory be to thee, O Lord. At the gospel you stand up, to declare, by that posture, your readiness to do whatsoever your Saviour commands. If you have not the convenience of reading it, you may say as follows: AT THE GOSPEL. O Jesus, thou hast the words of eternal life; teach me, I beseech thee, what I must do to merit and obtain that life. If thou wilt enter into life, keep thee commandments. -Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind, and with thy whole strength. Seek first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all other things shall be added unto you. Be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect― Love your neighbor as yourself. Love your - ennemies; do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that persecute you. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself; let him take his cross and follow me. Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation. - Happy they who hear the word of God and keep it. » O my Saviour, give me grace to lay to heart these and al thy holy precepts, and to practise them. What will it avail me to know the way of life, if I do not show forth in my conduct that I am thy disciple. O Jesus, help me to believe in |