He that hath ears to hear...

[15] Qui habet aures audiendi, audiat.

He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

 [Matthew 11]

In these times of abandonment by our shepherds, the Lesson from today's Mass [Feria Quinta infra Hebdomadam Passionis ~ IV. classis] seems hauntingly prophetic.


Léctio Daniélis Prophétæ
Dan 3:25, 34-45

In diébus illis: Orávit Azarías Dóminum, dicens: Dómine, Deus noster: ne, quǽsumus, tradas nos in perpétuum propter nomen tuum, et ne díssipes testaméntum tuum: neque áuferas misericórdiam tuam a nobis propter Abraham diléctum tuum, et Isaac servum tuum, et Israël sanctum tuum: quibus locútus es, póllicens, quod multiplicáres semen eórum sicut stellas cœli et sicut arénam, quæ est in lítore maris: quia, Dómine, imminúti sumus plus quam omnes gentes, sumúsque húmiles in univérsa terra hódie propter peccáta nostra. Et non est in témpore hoc princeps, et dux, et prophéta, neque holocáustum, neque sacrifícium, neque oblátio, neque incénsum, neque locus primitiárum coram te, ut póssimus inveníre misericórdiam tuam: sed in ánimo contríto et spíritu humilitátis suscipiámur. Sicut in holocáusto aríetum et taurórum, et sicut in mílibus agnórum pínguium: sic fiat sacrifícium nostrum in conspéctu tuo hódie, ut pláceat tibi: quóniam non est confúsio confidéntibus in te. Et nunc séquimur te in toto corde, et timémus te, et quærimus fáciem tuam. Ne confúndas nos: sed fac nobíscum iuxta mansuetúdinem tuam et secúndum multitúdinem misericórdiæ tuæ. Et érue nos in mirabílibus tuis, et da glóriam nómini tuo, Dómine: et confundántur omnes, qui osténdunt servis tuis mala, confundántur in omni poténtia tua: et robur eórum conterátur: et sciant, quia tu es Dóminus, Deus solus, et gloriósus super orbem terrárum, Dómine, Deus noster.  R. Deo grátias.

Lesson from the Prophecy of Daniel
Dan 3:25, 34-45.

In those days, Azaria prayed to the Lord, saying: O Lord, our God, for Your Name’s sake, do not deliver us up forever, we beseech You, or make void Your covenant. Do not take away Your mercy from us, for the sake of Abraham, Your beloved, Isaac Your servant, and Israel Your holy one, to whom You promised to multiply their offspring like the stars of heaven, or the sand on the shore of the sea. For we are reduced, O Lord, beyond any other nation, brought low everywhere in the world this day because of our sins. We have in our day no prince, prophet, or leader, no holocaust, sacrifice, oblation, or incense, no place to offer first fruits, to find favor with You. But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received; as though it were holocausts of rams and bullocks, or thousands of fat lambs, so let our sacrifice be in Your presence today, that it may please You; for those who trust in You cannot be put to shame. And now we follow You with our whole heart, we fear You and we pray to You. Do not let us be put to shame, but deal with us in Your kindness and great mercy. Deliver us by Your wonders, and bring glory to Your Name, O Lord: let all those be routed who inflict evils on Your servants; let them be shamed and powerless, and their strength broken; let them know that You alone are the Lord God, glorious over the whole world, O Lord, our God.  R. Thanks be to God.

Totus tuus ego sum 

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam