The Epistle describes the history of the many evils that befell the ancient Jew after his rejection of the True God and his worship of the flesh. At the same time it comforts us that there is a distinction between temptation and sin, and that temptation is only the test of character, for “God is my helper” (Introit), Who will “save the humble people” (Offertory) that “hopeth in Him” (Communion).
The Gospel depicts a pathetic picture of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem. “If thou hadst known.” It tells of the Jewish defilement of God’s House, of their future destruction as a chosen race. As for me, I must learn from the Epistle, which was “written for our correction.” If our prayers deserve to be heard, we must learn to “ask only for those things pleasing to God” (Prayer).
We must be Christians of lively faith and learn to see “His Name in the whole earth” (Gradual), praying Him to defend us from enemies that would destroy His Name on earth or His Image in our soul. Finally, if we learn to “eat” His Flesh worthily now (Communion), we shall one day learn that His Judgments are sweet (Offertory). Great penitent,
St. Mary Magdalen, is memorialised today, whose love for God led to her conversion and forgiveness of sins. She had prayed for Jesus to restore Lazarus to life. She stood beneath the Cross, sharing His sufferings, then was given the mission of telling the Apostles that Christ was risen. Traditionally, the Credo was said at her Mass as in Masses of the Apostles. Although not commemorated in Masses using the 1962 rubrics, we might pray for the faith of the Saint and her love of God for ourselves.