The Great Commentary (Mossman/Cobb English)

But there shall not an hair of your head perish. “Because,” says S. Gregory, “ what was said about death was hard, comfort is added at once, from the joy of the resurrection, when it is said, ‘a hair of your head shall not perish.9 For we know that the flesh when Digitized by Google 472 wounded, causes pain, but the hair when cut does not. Our Lord therefore said to His martyrs, * A hair of your head shall not perish.1 ” From these words of Christ, we may conclude that we shall rise again with our actual bodies. S. Augustine (Be Civitate , chap . 19, 20.) So S. Bonaventure, S. Thomas, the master of the sentences, Soto, and others. Their proof is from Matt. x. 30 : “ The very hairs of your head are all numbered ; ” and from this of S. Luke, “ Not a hair of your head shall perish.” “Not in length,” says S. Augustine, “but in number.” 2. We may collect this from reason, for our bodies will rise without deformity, with their natural adornments and comeliness ; the adornment of the head is the hair, the beard, the nails. If any one has not these he is a deformed

In your patience possess ye your souls. Patience, therefore* is the possession of our souls. Firstly, because patience rules the soul and directs it in peace, and bends and influences it as it pleases. Secondly, because no one can keep the hope of a future life, as S. Augustine says, unless he have patience in the labours of the present one. Thirdly, S. Gregory ( Homily xxxv. in Evangel.) : “ The possession of the soul consists of the virtue of patience, because patience is the root and guardian of all virtues. Through patience, we possess our souls, because, while we learn to govern ourselves, we begin to possess the knowledge that we are (quod sumus, quod adverb). It is patience to endure calmly the evils we suffer from others, and to be affected with no painful feeling against him who inflicts them upon us. For whoever so takes the oppressions of others, as to grieve in silence, but to look out for a time of retribution, does not possess this virtue, but only makes a show of it Again, Solomon says, Prov. *vi. 32 : ‘The patient man is better than the valiant, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities.’ The taking of a city is therefore a less victory, because the conquest is outside ourselves. That which is subdued by patience is greater, because the mind is subdued by itself, and subjects itself to itself when patience subdues it to the humility of endurance.” S. Gregory adds the example of the Abbot Stephen, who returned contumelies with thanks, and thought a gain, loss, and considered his adversaries his Digitized by Google “IN PATIENCE POSSESS YOUR SOULS.” 473 helpers. Hence, at his death, angels were seen taking his soul to heaven. The impatient do not possess their souls, but are possessed by the vices of wrath and vindictiveness, and consequently by Satan. They, only, who have ardent love can gain true patience, as those fervent martyrs — SS. Ignatius, Laurence, Sebastian, Vincent, and others. Trajan the Emperor, consequently, said when he conferred, by his sentence, martyrdom on S. Ignatius, “ No people suffer so much for their God as the Christians.” S. Gregory (book v. Moral chap . 13), “ What is it to possess our souls, but to live perfectly in all things, and to govern all the emotions of our minds by the art of virtue? Whoever therefore possesses patience, possesses his soul, because he is thus made strong against all adversities, so that he rules even by subduing himself. By whatever he masters himself, he clearly shows himself unmastered, for when he masters himself in his pleasures, he prepares himself to be unmastered by their opposites.” In his 39th Epistle to Theoclister; “In your patience possess your souls. Consider a moment where patience would be if there were nothing to be endured. I suspect that he would not be an Abel who had no Cain. For if the good were without misfortunes, they could not be perfectly good, for they would have no purgation. Their very society with evil is the purification of the good.” Hence, says Theodore Studita in his 19th Catechetical Lecture, “ Endurance is the highest perfection of virtue;” and Lucan (lib. ix.): Serpens, sitis, ardor, arense The sandy desert’s burning heat ; the Dalda Virtutis, gaudet Patientia duris. pangs Of raging thirst ; its serpent’s cruel fangs, Are Virtue’s sweets ; for Patience joys in these, And welcomes hardships more than softest ease. Lastly, the whole band of virtues flows into patience, so that it appears to be the complex of all virtues. Seneca (Ep. 69. and following) : “ There is a fortitude of which the brands are patience. Digitized by Google 474 endurance, and toleration. There is prudence, without which no undertaking is entered upon, and which persuades us to endure bravely what we cannot escape. There is constancy which cannot be cast down from its pedestal, and the determination of which no force can overthrow. Here is that indivisible society of virtues.* And see the words of S. James, i. 4

And take heed to yourselves , lest “ the cares of this life absorb the mind and sink the faculties,1’ says Euthymius, “ and do not allow men to think about their salvation.” “The cares of this life,” says Titus, “debauchery and ebriety, deprive men of their senses, obscure their faith, and cause forgetfulness of all that is useful and necessary. They distract the mind, seize hold of it, and absorb it in the cares of this world.”

For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. As careless birds are taken craftily by snares, so in the day of judgment shall the men of pleasure be. 2 “ As the snare strangles the birds, so shall the day of judgment choke sinners.” 3. “As the snare always keeps hold,” says the Interlinear, “ of that which it has once caught, so shall the sentence, given by one Christian Judge, be perpetual; and either for ever glorify him who is judged, in heaven, or consume him with fire in hell.”

Watch ye therefore , and pray always , that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass , and to stand before the Son of man. The Arabic has, “ That you may be strengthened in flight.” Stand before the Son of Man. So Wisdom v. 1 : “ They shall stand with great constancy.” “ To those therefore who give themselves up to vigils, prayers, and good works, that day shall not be a snare, but a festival,” says Theophylact

And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple ; and at night He went out , and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. Because olives abounded in it Christ gave the day to preaching and to His neighbour, but the night to prayer, to Himself, and to God. Thus He gave very little time to repose and slumber. Digitized by Google CHRIST’S UNWEARIED EMPLOYMENTS. 475 The same did S. Paul, Dominic, F. Xavier, and others like them. “ He went by night,” says Theophylact, “ into the mountain, to show us that we ought to hold communion with God in quiet at night By day we should be gentle, and do good.” So Bede : “ What He commanded in words, He confirmed by His own example ; for when the time of His Passion drew near, He was instant in teaching, in watching, and in prayers, either urging those, for whom He was to suffer, to faith by His words, or commending them to His Father by His prayers.”

And all the people came early in the morning to Him . The senses are in their vigour in the morning, and the morning therefore, as the best part of the day, is to be given to God. Digitized by Google ( 476 ) CHAPTER XXII. I The Jews conspire against Christ. 3 Satan prepareth Judas to betray him. J The apostles prepare the passover. 19 Christ instituteth his holy supper, 21 covertly foretelleth of the traitor, 24 dehorteth the rest of his apostles from ambition, 31 assureth Peter his faith should not fail; 34 and yet he should deny him thrice. 39 He prayeth in the mount, and sweateth blood, 47 is betrayed with a kiss : 50 he healeth Malthas' ear, 54 he is thrice denied of Peter, 63 shamefully abused, 66 and confesseth himself to be the Son of God. NOW the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. 2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him ; for they feared the people. 3 Y Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. 5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude. 7 T Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. 8 And he sent Peter and John, saying. Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. 9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare ? 10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. 1 1 And ye shall say unto the good man of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with' my disciples? 12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished : there make ready. 13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them : and they made ready the passover. 14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 15 And he said unto them. With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer : 16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide U among yourselves : Digitized by Google THE HOLY GOSPEL OF S. LUKE. 477 18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 19 IT And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it , and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you : this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, sayings This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. 21 IT But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. 22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined : but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed ! 23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. 24 IT And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. 25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them ; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. 26 But ye shall not be so : but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger ; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth ? is not he that sitteth at meat ? but I am among you as he that serveth. 28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me ; 30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 31 Y And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may siftjw as wheat : 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not : and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. 35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing ? And they said, Nothing. 36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it , and likewise his scrip : and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors : for the things concerning me have an end. 38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. 39 IT And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives ; and his disciples also followed him. 40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me : nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. Digitized by Tooele 478 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly : and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye ? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. 47 Y And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. 48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss ? 49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword ? 50 T And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. 51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? 53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me : but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. 54 T Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. 57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not 58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. 59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him : for he is a Galilaean. 60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. 61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. 63 Y And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him, 64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? 65 And many other things blasphemously spake they against him. 66 T And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, 67 Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe : 68 And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. 69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. Digitized by Google THE EUCHARIST INSTITUTED. 479 70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God ? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. 71 And they said, What need we any further witness ? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth