At the lntroit of the Mass is said a prayer of Mardochai, foster-father of queen Esther, which may be used in all necessities: All things, O Lord, are in Thy power: and no one can resist Thy will; for Thou madest all things: heaven and earth, and whatever is contained within the compass of the heavens: Thou art Lord of all. (Esther xiii. 9, 10.) Blessed are the undefiled in the way; who walk in the law of the Lord. (Ps. cxviii.) Glory, &c.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH.Preserve Thy family, O Lord, we beseech Thee, by Thy constant mercy: that under Thy protection, it may be freed from all adversity, and by the practice of good works, continue devoted to Thy name. Through our Lord &c.

EPISTLE, (Eph. vi. 10 - 18.) Brethren: Be strengthened in the Lord, and in the might of his power. Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirit of wickedness in the high places. Therefore take unto you the armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand in all things perfect. Stand therefore having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast-plate of justice, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace: in all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.

EXPLANATION

The apostle teaches the Ephesians and us, how hard and dangerous a struggle every Christian has to make, not against human enemies of flesh and blood, but against spiritual, invisible enemies, who were one time powerful princes in heaven, but through sin became princes of the darkness of this world, govern the adherents of the world and sinful pleasures, and exercise their evil influence in the air as well as on the earth, as far as God permits them for our chastisement or trial.

He shows us also the manner in which we can gain victory in this struggle, and how we can overcome in the evil day, that is, in time of temptation, and particularly in the hour of death, when he admonishes us to have confidence in God and gives us the weapons for the fight. We should, therefore, gird ourselves with the girdle of truth, which shows us, that glory, concupiscence, and riches are vain and useless, and we should put on the breast-plate of justice which is made of good works; we should put on the shoes of the preparation of the gospel, which alone obtains us true peace to live faithfully; and take the shield of faith, which teaches us how richly God rewards virtue and how terribly He punishes those who succumb to temptation and sin; and cover ourselves with the helmet of salvation, namely, with confidence in God and the hope of heaven; and take the sword of the word of God, making use, when violently tempted, of consoling and strengthening expressions of Holy Scripture, by which we can put the devil to flight, according to the example of Christ (Mall, iv.) and the saints. Let us diligently use these weapons, and we shall never be overcome in this dangerous, spiritual combat, but be victorious and be crowned with the crown of victory.

GOSPEL. (Matt, xviii. 23 - 35.) At That Time: Jesus spoke to his disciples this parable: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king who would take an account of his servants. And when he had begun to take the account, one was brought to him that owed him ten thousand talents. And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. But that servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And the lord of that servant being moved with pity, let him go and forgave him the debt. But when that servant was gone out, he found one of his fellow-servants that owed him a hundred pence; and laying hold of him, he throttled him saying: Pay what thou owest. And his fellow servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he paid the debt. Now his fellow-servants seeing what was done, were very much grieved, and they came and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him, and said to him: Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me: shouldst not thou then have had compassion also on thy fellow-servant, even as I had compassion on thee? And his lord being angry delivered him to the torturers, until he paid all the debt. So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.

Who are understood by the king and the servants?

By the king God, and by the servants all mankind.


What is meant by the ten thousand talents?

The ten thousand talents, according to our money eight million three hundred and fifty five thousand dollars, signify every mortal sin, the guilt of which is so great and heavy, that no creature can pay it, that is, satisfy for it: even all the works of the saints cannot smooth it over, because by every mortal sin the infinitely great, good and holy God is offended, which offence it is as impossible for any creature to cancel, as it is for a poor servant to pay a debt of eight million three hundred and fifty five thousand dollars. Nevertheless God is so merciful and propitious, that He remits the whole immeasurable debt of the sinner, on account of the infinite merits of Christ, if the sinner contritely begs for forgiveness and wishes to make atonement.


Why did the master order, not only the debtor, but also his wife and children to be sold?

Probably because they assisted in enlarging the debt, helped or gave occasion for its increase. This is a warning to those who in any way make themselves partakers of others' sins, particularly for parents and heads of families who are silent with regard to the sins of their household, do not punish them, or do even tell their inferiors to sin; to servants, and brothers and sisters who counsel one another to sin, help each other, take part therein, are silent when they should speak, do not hinder one another, yes, even protect each other in sin; especially to all those who contribute by word or deed, or by neglect of their duty, to any sin committed.


What is understood by the hundred pence?

By the hundred pence, about ten dollars according to our money, are understood the offences, committed against us, and which, in comparison with our debt against God, are something very insignificant.


What does Jesus intend to show by this parable?

He wishes to show, that if God is so merciful and forgives us our immense debts, we should be merciful and willingly forgive our fellowmen the small faults and offences, which they commit against us; he who does not do this, will also not receive pardon from God, indeed, in him shall be verified that which is said by the Apostle St. James: Judgment without mercy to him that hath not done mercy. (James ii. 13.)


Who are those who throttle their debtors?

These are in general the unmerciful, but in particular can be meant those who have no compassion on their debtors that cannot pay immediately; those who right away go to law and rest not until the debtor has sold house and property; those who oppress widows and orphans, if they owe them anything, which is one of the sins crying to heaven for vengeance (Eccl. xxxv. 18.); those who even in just lawsuits act harshly and severely with their opponent, without the slightest giving way or agreement with him; finally, rulers and landlords who overburden their subjects with excessive tithes and taxes, and exact their share with the greatest rigor.


Who are those who accuse these hardened men before God?

They are the guardian angels and their own conscience; the merciless act itself cries to God for vengeance.


What is it to forgive from the heart?

It is to banish all hatred, ill will and revengeful desires from the heart, to treasure a true and sincere love towards our offenders and enemies not only in our hearts, but also manifest it externally by deeds of charity. Therefore those have not forgiven from their hearts, who, indeed, say and believe, that they have no ill will against their enemy, but everywhere avoid him, do not salute him, do not thank him, do not pray for him, do not speak with him, and do not help him in necessity, even when they can, but rather rejoice at his need.



INSTRUCTION ON THE VIRTUE OF PATIENCE
Have patience with me. (Matt, xviii. 26.)

Since God has such great and continual patience with us, ought this not to move us to have patience likewise with the faults and weaknesses of our fellowmen, and to resign ourselves patiently in all our sufferings and tribulations to God's holy will? Or what will your impatience and surly behavior avail you? Will you thereby change or ease your sufferings? Do you by your impatience correct the faults of your neighbor? No; impatience, on the contrary, makes suffering more oppressive, misfortune greater, and the erring neighbor more obstinate, so that he will ultimately refuse even mild and patient corrections. Besides impatience leads to many sins, to cursing, railery, quarrelling, contention, and murder.

The pious Job gives us the finest example of real patience and resignation to the will of God. He was a wealthy, respected, and at the same time god-fearing man in the land of Hus, he was father of seven sons and three daughters, and lived peacefully and happy. God wished to try him and permitted the devil to vent his whole rage upon him. Job was deprived of his children and all his property, and, finally, he was himself afflicted with the most painful disease of leprosy. But in the midst of all these dreadful misfortunes Job remained calm. Naked, covered only with a few patches, he sits on a dunghill, a picture of misery, and yet no sound of murmuring comes from his lips, he does not curse, does not blaspheme God, but says resignedly: God hath given it, God hath taken it away, God can give it again; blessed be the name of the Lord. To all this misery was added the baseness of his own wife, who came and mocked him, and of three intimate friends, who instead of consoling him, judged him falsely and said, that his misery was just punishment from heaven. And still Job did not murmur against God's wise dispensations; with unshaken patience he held out with confidence in God, and God did not forsake him. He rewarded him well for his fidelity and patience. For He made him well again and gave him greater wealth than he had before. See what patience can do, what reward is in store for it!

And thou, a Christian, a follower of Christ, the patient, crucified Lamb, art immediately so irritated, so angry and morose at every little cross which presses you! Be ashamed of your weakness, and learn from the pious Job, learn from Jesus, your Saviour, to practise the virtue of patience, for patience proves hope, and hope permits us not to be put to shame. Patience always carries off victory and may expect certain reward in heaven. If you find an inclination for impatience in you, then make every day in the morning a resolution to battle bravely with this vice and often ask God for the virtue of patience in the following:


PRAYER O God, who hast humbled the pride of the old enemy by the patience of Thy only begotten Son, vouchsafe that we may devoutly consider what He has suffered for us, and accordingly suffer all that is contrary to us, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, &c.