Dominica Passionis

Judge me, O God, and distinguish my cause from the nation that is not holy: deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man: for Thou art my God and my strength.

We beseech Thee, almighty God, mercifully to look upon Thy household: that by Thy grace it may be governed in body, and by Thy protection be guarded in mind. Through our Lord.

Brethren: Christ being come an high priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is, not of this creation: neither by the blood of goats or of calves, but by his own blood, entered once into the Holies, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and of oxen, and the ashes of an heifer, being sprinkled, sanctify such as are defiled, to the cleansing of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who by the Holy Ghost offered himself unspotted unto God, cleanse our conscience from dead works, to serve the living God? And therefore he is the mediator of the new testament: that by means of his death for the redemption of those transgressions which were under the former testament, they that are called may receive the promise of eternal inheritance, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies: teach me to do thy will. V. Thou art my deliverer, O Lord, from the angry nations: thou wilt lift me up above them that rise against me: from the unjust man thou wilt deliver me.

Often have they fought against me from my youth. V. Let Israel now say: Often have they fought against me from my youth. V. But they could not prevail over me: the wicked have wrought upon my back. V. They have lengthened their iniquity: the Lord who is just will cut the necks of sinners.

At that time: Jesus said to the multitudes of the Jews: Which of you shall convince me of sin? If I say the truth to you, why do you not believe me? He that is of God heareth the words of God. Therefore you hear them not, because you are not of God. The Jews therefore answered and said to him: Do not we say well that thou art a Samaritan and hast a devil? Jesus answered: I have not a devil: but I honour my Father. And you have dishonoured me. But I seek not my own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Amen, amen, I say to you: If any man keep my word, he shall not see death for ever. The Jews therefore said: Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets: and thou sayest: If any man keep my word, he shall not taste death for ever. Art thou greater than our father Abraham who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Whom dost thou make thyself? Jesus answered: If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father that glorifieth me, of whom you say that he is your God. And you have not known him: but I know him. And if I shall say that I know him not, I shall be like to you, a liar. But I do know him and do keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced that he might see my day: he saw it and was glad. The Jews therefore said to him: Thou art not yet fifty years old: and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said to them: Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham was made, I am. They took up stones therefore to cast at him. But Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

Be present with us, O Lord our God: and defend by perpetual help those whom thou hast refreshed with thy mysteries. Through our Lord.