Semi-double Green vestments

“The Lord is the strength of His people.” This wonderful Introit chant of joy and complete trust is an expression by Christians, once again, of their confidence and freedom from danger. The Gradual, Alleluia, and Offertory repeat the sentiments of the entry chant.

The Epistle and Gospel remind us of our baptized state. Dead to sin through Baptism, we have to live a new life in which sin should have no further place. Christ’s life must rule ours and carry it up towards God without any further compromise with the past and its slavery, from which He has freed us. But such sanctity would be unattainable and our progress towards God impossible to maintain if His grace did not come to our help and give us the necessary strength. Among all the supernatural assistance showered on us – and its praises are sung in the Mass of the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost – the Eucharist stands supreme. The multiplication of loaves, which pointed forward to it depicts it as the daily bread of our Christian life, the substantial nourishment which is to sustain our strength to follow Christ “without falling by the wayside”. 

“Taking the loaves and giving thanks He broke and gave to His disciples to set before the people; and he blessed the fishes also and commanded them to be set before them.”