Introit of Saints John and Paul

Psalm 33:20, 21

Many were the afflictions of the just, and out of all these the Lord delivered them: the Lord keepeth all their bones, not one of them shall be broken. Ps. I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall be ever in my mouth. Glory be to the Father.

Haydock

Verse 20. Many. David was too well informed to promise that the just would experience no affliction? but it will not last for ever. C. Heb. xii. 6. — If God seem to forsake them for a time, he gives them interior strength, and will at last crown his own gifts. W.

Verse 21. Broken. Their virtue which is denoted by the bones, (M.) shall not sink under torments. So Christ encouraged his disciples, by assuring them that a hair of their head should not perish. Mat. x. 30. S. Aug. C. — The elements of our bodies cannot be divided or destroyed by human force, so as to prevent their resurrection. The identical bodies shall rise again, though they may have been subject to many changes, reduced to ashes, or consumed by wild beasts. This mystery has often offended incredulous philosophers. Jesus Christ is the just, by excellence; and this prediction was fulfilled in his person, as S. John (xix. 36.) does not confine himself to the type of the paschal lamb. Bert.

⇦ Back to Saints John and Paul