“For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test.” (Wisdom 6:6.)
Origen of Alexandria (part 2 of Pope Benedict’s reflections on Origen) comments on this verse from the First Reading proclaimed at Mass today:
“Their destiny will be of no benefit to them,” because what is of benefit is not the mere fact of sitting in the presbytery but living a life worthy of that position, as the Word demands. The Word requires a good life from both you and from us, but if it is true that “the mighty will be mightily tested,” then more is demanded of me than of a deacon, more of a deacon than of a layperson, and of the one entrusted with ecclesial power, even more is demanded” (Homilies on Jeremiah, 1)
Collect
O God,
Who are glorified in the Bishop Saint Martin
both by his life and death,
make new, we pray,
the wonders of Your grace in our hearts,
that neither death nor life
may separate us from your love.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Who are glorified in the Bishop Saint Martin
both by his life and death,
make new, we pray,
the wonders of Your grace in our hearts,
that neither death nor life
may separate us from your love.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Glory to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen
