St. Jerome on St. John the Evangelist

From Matins for today’s feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist, from the Breviarium Romanum:

V. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May the Spirit’s fire Divine in our hearts enkindled shine. Amen.

Reading 6
From the Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians, by the same author [St. Jerome]
iii. 6.

The Blessed Evangelist John lived at Ephesus down to an extreme old age, and, at length, when he was with difficulty carried to the Church, and was not able to exhort the congregation at length, he was used simply to say at each meeting, My little children, love one another. At last the disciples and brethren were weary with hearing these words continually, and asked him, Master, wherefore ever sayest thou this only? Whereto he replied to them, worthy of John, It is the commandment of the Lord, and if this only be done, it is enough.
V. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R. Thanks be to God.

R. In the midst of the congregation did the Lord open his mouth.
* And filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding.
V. He made him rich with joy and gladness.
R. And filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R. And filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding.

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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4 Comments

  1. Supertradmum says:

    And, as the Beloved Disciple knew from his own experience of Christ, to love is to be in love with Love. Only Christ’s Love is what we can give, not our own selfish, petty love. Would St. John love this sung on his feast, I wonder. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNMnGNL0-uw

  2. Gregg the Obscure says:

    May your onomastico today be blessed and joyous, Fr. Z.

  3. Gregg: Thanks! I got a nice bottle of wine to bless.

  4. Pingback: 3rd Day of Christmas: Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist | Quicksilver to Gold

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