with Him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Ry. Firstborn I came out of the mouth of the Most Highest, and I made the dayspring to dawn upon earth; *I dwell in high places, and My throne is in a cloudy pillar. V. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever the earth and the world were

made: from everlasting to everlasting. I dwell. Glory. I dwell.

SECOND NOCTURN.

Ant. 1. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus: Lord, if Thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles. Omnes gentes. Ps. xlvii. p. 29.

Ant. 2. When the disciples drew near to the Lord Jesus: fearing the Father's voice, they fell on their faces. Magnus Dominus. Ps. xlviii. p. 29.

Ant. 3. Before two prophets and three disciples the Lord Jesus Christ appeared; that in the mouth of two or three witnesses eve: 7 word might be established. Quam ecta. Ps. lxxxiv. p. 49.

. O worship the Lord.
Ry. In E s holy temple.

A Sermon of S. Leo the Pope.
Lesson IV.

Sermon on the Transfiguration. THE Lord manifested His glory before

the elect witnesses, and clarified His bodily shape with such splendour, that His Face shone as the sun, and His vesture was like the whiteness of snow, which Transfiguration took place, principally to remove the scandal

of the Cross from the hearts of the disciples; that their faith might not be shaken by the humility of the voluntary Passion, to whom the excellence of the hidden dignity had been revealed. But also, not with less foresight, the hope of the Church was hereby grounded; that all the Body of Christ might know how great a change was in store for them: the same honours first shone forth in the Head. being promised to the members, which

Ry. The greatness of God was glorified: and His power was manifested to the disciples, *because the most mighty Lord willed to be transfigured, that He might shew forth His glory in its majesty. . Jesus took three of His disciples up into the mountain, the sun, and His raiment was white as and His face did shine before them as

the snow.

Because.

Lesson V.

BUT, for the confirmation of the of all, further teaching was given in Apostles, and for the information this miracle. For Moses and Elias, that is, the Law and the Prophets, appeared talking with the Lord, that in these five men might truly be fulfilled that which is written; In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. What more stable, what firmer word, than that in whose preaching the Old and New Testaments sound the trumpet, and ancient. declarations concur with Gospel doctrine? That which preceding signs promised under the veil of mysteries, is made manifest and clear by the splendour of present glory.

Ry. To-day upon the mountain the heavens were opened to the transfigured Lord and a bright cloud came down upon Him, and the voice of the Father was heard; * This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased. V. The Lord thundered out of heaven, and the Highest gave His thunder upon the amazed disciples: thundering in the cloud. This.

Lesson VI.

THEREFORE the Apostle Peter, incited by the revelation of the mystery, spurning the world, and wearying of earth, was rapt into excessive desire of eternity; and full of the joy of so great a vision, he desired to dwell with Jesus there, where His manifested glory gave joy. Therefore, saith he, Lord, it is good for us to be here if Thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for Thee, one for Moses, and one for Elias. But to this suggestion the Lord made no answer, signifying, not that it was wrong, but inordinate to desire this, because the world could not be saved, except Christ died; and faith is called on to trust the example of the Lord; for while it is not fitting to doubt of the promises of beatitude, we must yet understand that we are to ask first for support among the temptations of this life, before we ask for glory.

Ry. The disciples of Christ, overshadowed by the bright splendour of the cloud, and sore afraid at the Father's voice: * fell on their faces. V. Unskilled to bear the newness of so great and reverend a sight. They fell. Glory. They fell.

THIRD NOCturn.

Ant. 1. The heaven was opened upon Him, and the voice of the Father was heard: This is my beloved Son: hear Him. Dominus regnavit, exultet. Ps. xcvii. p. 54.

Ant. 2. A sound came from heaven, and the voice of the Father was heard: This is my Son, in Whom I am well pleased: hear Him. Cantate. Ps. xcviii. p. 55.

Ant. 3. Tell the vision to no man:

until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. Dominus regnavit, irascantur. Ps. xcix. p. 55.

. Lord, have mercy upon us.

Lesson of the Holy Gospel according to S. Matthew.

Lesson VII. Chap. xvii.

AT that time: Jesus taketh Peter,

James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high was transmountain apart, and figured before them. And that which follows.

A Homily of S. John Chrysostom.

Sermon 57 on S. Matthew.

Because the Lord had spoken many things of dangers, many of His Passion, and many of the slaughter and death of His disciples; and had enjoined upon them many hard and difficult things, and these in this present life, and already at hand, while the good things were in hope and expectation: as, for instance, that they should save their souls by losing them; for He would come in the glory of the Father, and would give rewards: therefore, that He might certify them by sight, and might shew them, as far as they could comprehend it in this present life, what is that glory with which He will come, He shewed and made it manifest to them, lest they, and especially Peter, should grieve for the Lord's death, or for their own.

Ry. To-day the Father bore witness from heaven to the Son: which, when they heard, the disciples were sore afraid, and fell down before the Voice which spake, saying,* This is My Son, in Whom I am well pleased. . The heavens were opened upon Him, and the voice of the Father was heard. This.

Lesson VIII.

AND behold what He did when He

discoursed of the Kingdom and of hell. For in that which He said: He that findeth his life shall lose it, and

sake shall find it; and in that which

will remember the name of the Lord our God. Exaudiat te Dominus. Ps. xx. p. 14.

Ant. 2. I will remember Thy Name, O Lord: from one generation to another. Eructavit. Ps. xlv. p. 28.

Ant. 3 According to Thy Name, O Lord Jesus: so is Thy praise unto the world's end. Magnus Dominus. Ps. xlviii. p. 29.

y. I will praise the Name of the Lord with a song.

Ry. And magnify it with thanksgiving.

Of the Acts of the Apostles.

Lesson I. Chap. iii.

Noether into the temple at the hour OW Peter and John went up toof prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

Ry. Thou, O Christ, art my King and my God, Who sendest help unto Jacob: through Thee will we overthrow our enemies; and in Thy Name will we tread them under that rise up against us. . Arise, O Lord, help us, and deliver us for Thy Name's sake. Through.

Lesson II.

AND all the people saw him walking

And

and praising God: and they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye su earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified His Son Jesus; Whom ye delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, Whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And His Name through faith in His Name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by Him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Ry. Deliver us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen: * that we may give thanks unto Thy Holy Name, and make our boast of Thy praise. . And they that know Thy Name will put their trust in Thee; for Thou, Lord, hast never failed them that seek Thee. That.

Lesson III.

AND it came to pass on the morrow,

that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were