examination of the heart 168 also the words of God, to which the Truth Himself testifies, saying: “He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me” (Lk 10:16). [f.27v] QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY56 Before Holy Communion 1. “and all things shall be accomplished” (Lk 18:31) [DRB]. O happy news! O words of Christ full of joy! Many prophets predicted the redemption of Israel but kept the people’s joy in check by the veiling of their prophecies because they did not reveal the time when the Messiah and the true Son of David would ascend to the city of Judea, the dwelling of the kings, where He would suffer death for the salvation of all people. Now it is Christ, the Messiah Himself and the King of the Prophets, who tells the circle of His disciples about the imminent redemption of the world, announces that the time of salvation is already near, and reveals the manner of His death: a most shameful slaughter. Learn from this that nothing that came from the prophetic and apostolic mouth of Christ the Lord and was decreed by Him is subject to change. Most true especially are those predictions about the condemnation of the wicked and the glory of the just. May they stir you up to the love and fear of God, inspire you to improve your life, and lead you to a worthy preparation for receiving this Most Holy Sacrament. For Heaven and earth will pass away, but the divine words and prophecies will certainly be fulfilled, and will not pass away (cf. Mk 13:31). 2. “For [H]e shall be delivered to the Gentiles, and shall be mocked and scourged” (Lk 18:32) [DRB]. You have good reason to pour out abundant tears; you have good reason to grieve; you have an incentive for continuous pen56 This was the last Sunday before Lent (or Shrove Sunday). In the Novus Ordo this particular Sunday would just be a Sunday of Ordinary Time leading up to Lent.
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