We must serve either the spirit or the flesh (Epistle), God or mammon (Gospel). The Introit describes the “longing” of man who finds his only true happiness in God. The Prayer speaks of the human and the Divine in the Church, God’s own society, destined nevertheless for eternal victory. In the Epistle is a vivid account of the struggle between the “spirit” on one hand, reborn in Baptism, enlightened by faith, sanctified by grace; and the “flesh” on the other, with its evil passions of the body, idolatrous outrages against God, crimes against one’s neighbour. The Gradual pictures the reward of those who put their trust in the Providence of the Creator rather than in the fickleness of creatures or created things.
The Gospel should be read and re-read as the antidote to twentieth century experience. After warning us against inordinate anxiety for worldly things, Jesus gives us an inspiring picture of God’s Providence. The keynote to earthly peace and sufficiency is contained in the Communion.
Commemorated at Mass (Low Mass) is Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the BVM memorialising Our Holy Mother Mary standing at the foot of the Cross which suffering gained her the palm of martyrdom. This Feast was formerly celebrated on III Sunday of September but was transferred by St. Pius X in 1912 to the Octave Day of the Nativity of the BVM. In the Mass of the Blessed Mother St. Nicomedes, Roman martyr, is honoured.