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Chapter 97MedVC.1.97

De ascensione Domini

Preparing for the Lord’s Departure

The reader is urged to watch the Lord’s final words and deeds with humble devotion as he prepares to depart from this world.

You need to be alert around the Lord's Ascension, so that if you ever showed yourself faithful with your whole heart's effort in word and deed throughout the month, you'll do so now all the more. For this solemnity surpasses all others, as I'll show you more clearly below. And let this move you to attention: the Lord is now about to depart in the flesh from this present world, having completed the full course of his earthly journey. So his words and deeds deserve the most careful consideration: every believing soul ought to watch with the greatest vigilance over its Bridegroom, its Lord, and its God at his departure, and to embrace with deep inward affection whatever is said and done through him, commending itself to him in devotion and humility, and drawing its heart away from all other things. So on the fortieth day after the Resurrection, the Lord Jesus, knowing that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father — having loved his own, he now loved them to the very end.✦ Taking, then, the holy fathers and blessed souls from the earthly paradise, and standing to bless Elijah and Enoch — who remained there still living — he came to his disciples, who were in the upper room on Mount Zion with his mother and others, appearing to them. He also wanted to dine with them before his departure, as a lasting sign of love and joy. So while they were all eating together with great joy at this final banquet of their Lord, the Lord Jesus said to them: "The time has come for me to return to the one who sent me. But you, stay here in the city until you are clothed with power from on high — because within a few days you'll be filled with the Holy Spirit, as I promised you."✦✦ Afterward, preaching my Gospel throughout the world, baptizing those who believe, and you will be my witnesses to the very ends of the earth.✦✦

Troubled Hearts at the Farewell Meal

Jesus reproaches the disciples’ unbelief and shows them his humility, while they rejoice yet are deeply disturbed by his coming departure.

He also reproached their unbelief, because those who had seen him rise and come forth — namely his own angels — did not believe.✦ He does this now especially when he speaks about preaching, as if to help them understand: You angels ought to believe far more, even before you see me, than the nations who will believe you when you preach to them and will not see me. He did these things so that, recognizing their own weakness, they might remain more humble — showing them in his departure how much humility pleased him, and as if commending it especially to them. When they asked him about future times, he refused to answer, because it was not profitable for them.✦ They stand, therefore, and eat — a memorial. They speak and rejoice on account of the Lord's presence — [They are troubled] by the presence of their Lord, but nevertheless disturbed because of his departure. For with such tenderness of love they loved him that they could not even bear the words of his departure in their hearts.

Mary’s Love and Sorrow

The Virgin Mary’s intense love is contemplated as she hears of her Son’s departure, leans on him, and submits with obedience.

What can I say about his mother, who sat beside him at table, loving him more intensely than all the others? Don't you believe that when she heard these words about her son's departure, she — touched and moved by the tenderness of a mother's love — would lean her head against him and rest upon his breast?1 For if John did this at the supper, you can all the more readily meditate on her now.✦2 And so, sighing with tears, she asked him: My son, if you wish to depart, take me with you. The Lord, however, having consoled her, said: I ask you, dearest mother, not to take my departure hard, because I am going to the Father.✦ It is good for you to remain here for a time, for the sake of confirming the believers; afterwards I will come to you, and I will take you up to my glory.✦ To whom the mother replied: My most beloved son, let your will be done.✦ For I am prepared not only to remain, but even to die for the souls for whom you also died; but be mindful of me.

Last Embraces on the Mount of Olives

Jesus comforts his loved ones, leads them to the Mount of Olives, embraces his mother, and is seen again as the disciples and holy souls gaze in reverence.

The Lord, however, was comforting her and the disciples, and Mary Magdalene, and the other women, saying: Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid; I will not leave you as orphans; I am going, and I am coming to you, and I will be with you always.✦ At last he tells them to go out to the Mount of Olives, because he wanted to ascend from there, and then he vanished from them.✦ The mother, therefore, and all the others went without delay to the aforementioned mountain, which is one mile from Jerusalem, and in that same place the Lord appeared to them again.✦ See how you have two apparitions today. Then he embraced his mother, bidding her farewell, and she held him most tenderly. The disciples, however, and Mary Magdalene, and all the others, prostrating themselves and weeping, kissed his feet; but he, raising up his apostles, kindly kissed them. Observe them well now, and all that is happening. Consider, nevertheless, the holy fathers present there in that same place — though invisibly — how gladly and reverently they gaze upon the Lady, and affectionately bless her, through whom they have obtained so great a blessing; and how they gaze upon those exalted warriors and leaders of the divine army, whom the Lord chose from among all to storm — John.

The Lord Is Lifted Up

After fragmentary citations, the text affirms that all mysteries are completed and the Lord Jesus ascends by his own power as the onlookers fall to the ground.

14, 1, 28. P5a. 16, 7. — P5a. 43. and the whole world to be overcome. At last, when all the mysteries had been completed, the Lord Jesus was raised up from them, and ascended by his own power. Then the mother and all the others fell to the ground.

Triumphant Ascent into Heaven

Amid tears and joy, Christ rises in royal splendor, blesses his followers, and leads the redeemed and angelic hosts in jubilant ascent and praise.

The Lady was saying: 'My blessed Son, remember me.' And because of his departure she couldn't hold back her tears; yet she rejoiced greatly, because she saw her own son thus gloriously seeking heaven. And similarly his disciples were saying: 'Lord, for your sake we have left all things — remember us.' He himself, with hands raised, his face serene and joyful, crowned and adorned in royal splendor, was being carried triumphantly into heaven. Blessing them, he said: 'Be steadfast and act courageously, because I will always be with you.'✦ Moreover, he was ascending, leading that noble multitude with himself, opening the way before them, as the prophet Michaiah had said. The Lord, then — glorious, radiant, ruddy, shining and joyful — went before them, showing them the way; and they themselves, singing and jubilant, most joyful, followed him. saying: 'Let us sing to the Lord, who has ascended over the west; the Lord is his name.'✦ 'Let them confess to the Lord his mercy, and his wonders to the sons of men.'✦

Heavenly Hymns and Angelic Welcome

Psalm-like praises are sung as Christ ascends, while Michael and all the angelic orders meet him and lead him with ineffable songs.

Blessed are you, Lord our God, who save those who hope in you, leading your people in exultation and your chosen ones in joy. Be exalted above the heavens, O God, and may your glory be above all the earth, so that your beloved may be set free. Ascending on high and making a prosperous journey for you, he leads us to refreshment and brings out your captives in strength, granting us our desire. We will enter your house, and in the sight of your angels we will sing praise to you: 'Glory, praise, and honor to you, Christ, King and Redeemer — sing to God, sing praises to the Lord, kingdoms of the earth.' Meanwhile Michael, the steward of Paradise, had announced to his homeland — as he was coming from Caeief — that the Lord was ascending. He was ascending. Behold, all the ranks of spirits in their orders met him in formation, one after another; not one of them stayed away — they all came before the way of Christ, their Lord, and bowed themselves with all reverence. With whatever reverence they could, they led him with hymns and songs beyond all telling.

Unspeakable Joy in the Heavenly Court

The princes of heaven cry out Alleluia and lead hymns, joined by the saints in a celebration beyond human telling.

For who could explain the songs and shouts of joy that arose from them? The princes therefore came together to those who were singing psalms, and they said: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.3 67, 7.4 From Theodul.5 Golden.6 Hymn.7 proceeds.8 Palm.9

Liturgical Fragments of Ascension Praise

A series of brief, sometimes uncertain textual fragments continue the Ascension Day praise with alleluias and blessing.

Pasal. 67, 33. Chapter 97. In the name you come as blessed king in Dorain: Ninic libi leiinanli pauaiiiiDs occo iiielos. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are you, Lord — you sit above the Cherubim and gaze upon the abysses — alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. You are worthy of all praise and honor, Lord — alleluia — because you have won the victory gloriously, aMelma. The heavens confess your wonders, Lord — alleluia — and your power — alleluia.

The Holy Fathers Greet Their King

The heavenly spirits and the holy fathers exchange joyful greetings, rejoicing that the redeemed have come safely into the presence of God.

Look, now the tribes of the Lord are ascending, alleluia, to praise him and to say to you: alleluia. Such is the joy of your people's gladness, that you may be praised with your inheritance, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. With such songs and praises they honored the Lord on all sides before him, exulting and celebrating a feast of honor for him with all reverence. And who could tell of this joy? But who could tell what the most blessed spirits and the most holy fathers shared together, when they met face to face? So the heavenly spirits, after first showing reverence to the Lord and completing their songs, said to them with great gladness: Princes of the peoples, we rejoice that you have come safely, alleluia; you are gathered with your God, alleluia; and be lifted up with power, alleluia; sing praise to him who has ascended above the highest heaven, alleluia, alleluia. And the holy Fathers answered eagerly: Princes of the Lord's people, alleluia; you are our guardians and helpers, alleluia; joy and peace to you, alleluia; sing praise, you yourselves, to our king, alleluia. Shout for joy to God our helper, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Into the House of the Lord

With psalms and songs the blessed enter God’s house, while the cloud takes Christ from the disciples’ sight and he enters the heavenly homeland.

Together, then, worshiping each other, they said: "We go rejoicing into the house of the Lord, alleluia, alleluia; together the venerable city of God will receive us, alleluia; the sheep of the Lord's pasture—let us enter his gates and courts, alleluia, with hymns and songs, alleluia."✦ The Lord of hosts is with us, alleluia; he is our protector, alleluia, alleluia.✦✦ You see, then, that they were all jubilating and singing psalms. For according to the Prophet: "God ascends with jubilation, and the Lord with the sound of the trumpet."✦ The Lord Jesus, then, ascended openly for the consolation of his mother and the disciples, as long as they could see him. From that moment, then, a cloud took him from their eyes, and in an instant he was with all the angels and the holy fathers mentioned before, in the homeland.✦ For thus says the aforementioned Prophet: "You set the cloud as his ascent."✦ He cites this just now.

Gazing Heavenward

The onlookers stand bent in wonder, gazing into heaven and imagining the joy of the blessed spirits accompanying Christ.

12. Yours, who walk on the wings of the winds.✦ By the wings of the winds they are called the summits of the winds—that is, those parts that go ahead and move more swiftly. And he himself ascended even more swiftly, from where he interposed the cloud. So Mother, and the disciples, and Magdalene, and the others knelt and watched him go into heaven, as long as they could. Oh, what it was to see the Lord ascending in such glory! And what if someone had been able to see and hear the most blessed spirits and holy souls walking alongside him as equals! Perhaps, for joy, such a soul would have been separated from the body and would have ascended with them.

The Angelic Testimony and Return to Zion

Two angels testify that Christ will return, strengthen the mourners, and send the disciples back to Jerusalem to wait as commanded.

So as they were still looking up with their faces raised, behold, two angels stood near them in white garments, saying: "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?"✦ This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way you saw him going into heaven.✦ Return, then, to the city, and wait, just as he told you.✦ Consider here how concerned the Lord was for them. For when he had vanished from their sight, he sent his angels, so that they would not grow weary standing there too long, and so that they might be strengthened by hearing the angels' testimony agree among themselves about the ascension of their Lord.✦ Having heard these words, the Lady humbly asked the angels to recommend her to her Son. But bowing down to the ground before him, they gladly received his command; similarly the apostles, Magdalene, and all the others said to them. Therefore, as he disappeared, they themselves returned to the city to Mount Zion, and there they remained waiting, as the Lord Jesus had commanded them.✦

Christ Before the Father

Christ opens the gates of paradise, thanks the Father, is enthroned at his right hand, and receives all authority as the saints resume their praise.

Now when the Lord Jesus had accomplished everything that had been foretold and proclaimed with great splendor—opening the gates of paradise that had been closed to the human race until that hour—he entered as a conqueror and, kneeling joyfully before the Father, said: Father, I give you thanks, for you have given me victory over all our adversaries.✦ Behold, I present to you our hearts, which were held captive. But to the brothers and my disciples, whom I left behind in the world, I promised to send the Holy Spirit. I ask you, my Father, to fulfill your promise, and I commend them to you. Then the Father, raising him up, made him sit at his right hand, and said: Blessed Son of mine, I have given you all power and authority over these disciples and over the sending of the Holy Spirit.✦ Vuig. juiiJo. Why does this solemn preparation surpass the festivities of all other feasts? May you arrange it according to your will. Then all the holy fathers and most blessed spirits, who had fallen on their faces in worship before the Father, rose up and took up their songs again, and jubilated before God in praise.

Why This Feast Surpasses All Others

Using comparisons with the Red Sea crossing, David’s procession, and the Apocalypse, the text argues that no feast has ever been so solemn or joyful.

If Moses and the children of Israel, after crossing the Red Sea, sang a song to the Lord, saying, "Let us sing to the Lord, gloriously," and so on; and Miriam the prophetess, his sister, and the rest of the women following her, sang to the Lord their God with tambourines and dances — how much more now, with every adversary overcome?✦ Likewise, when David was bringing the ark of the Lord's covenant to Jerusalem, the whole people sang in due form, and David struck the harp with the singers, and everyone praised the Lord before him with their harps and tambourines, and David danced with all his strength before the Lord — how much more should those who are truly with the Lord, established in such great joy, do this now?✦ Even though John, as he relates in the Apocalypse, heard a voice in heaven — a hundred and forty-four thousand harpers playing their harps before God, and they were singing what seemed like a new song before the throne of God and of the Lamb — whatever joy that may signify, I will meditate on how much more has come to pass today.✦ All who are established there sing psalms, all exult, all rejoice, all sing, all delight, shout for joy, clap their hands, dance, celebrate, and leap for joy. Truly, now in the heavenly Jerusalem, a song of joy is heard. And through all its streets, by everyone, "Alleluia" is sung.✦ Never since the beginning of the world has such a feast and so solemn a Passover been celebrated, nor ever will be again — perhaps not until the day of judgment, when all the elect will be presented there with their glorified bodies. And so I told you at the beginning that this solemnity, when all things are considered, surpasses all others.

Comparing the Feasts of the Lord

The Incarnation, Nativity, and Passion are reviewed as great feasts, yet still oriented toward us rather than primarily toward Christ himself.

Look through each one, and you'll see whether I'm speaking the truth. The Incarnation of the Lord is a great and solemn feast, the beginning of everything good for us — but it was for us, not for himself, for he was then enclosed in the chamber of the Virgin. His Nativity too is a great Passover, and that one also was for us.10 For it was a humbling thing for him, because he was born into such great poverty, lowliness, and want.11 His Passion is likewise a great feast for us, because then all our sins were destroyed. For as Gregory says, it would have profited us nothing to be born unless he had also been redeemed — but the passage breaks off here.12 Of the candle — of Passover.13 And.14

The Ascension as the True Passover

The Resurrection and Pentecost are honored, but the Ascension is shown to be holier because it opens paradise and completes what was still lacking.

Because of the most severe torments and the most shameful death that he endured, this ought to be no cause for joy or gladness either for himself or for us. Moreover, the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus himself is a great and solemn and true Passover, as much for himself as for us, because he appeared as a glorious, triumphant conqueror, and we have been justified.✦ More venerable, therefore, is this day — and so the Church sings of it in a singular way: This is the day the Lord has made, etc., according to blessed Augustine. This day is holier than all others — which can be explained by reference to the feasts that came before. For this day of the Ascension seems greater and holier, because although the Lord rose again, he still remained on earth; the gate of paradise is still closed; the holy fathers have not yet gone to the Father — all of which things were completed in the Ascension. And if you look carefully, whatever God has made up to now, he made so that it might reach this end; and without this, all his works were imperfect. For heaven and earth, and all that is in them, were made for the sake of man; but man for the sake of the glory to be possessed. And indeed, up to this day, no one, however righteous, could attain to that glory after sin. You see how magnificent and marvelous this day is. Likewise, the day of Pentecost is a very great Pasch, and the Church solemnizes it greatly, and rightly — because then she receives the highest gift, namely, the Holy Spirit.✦

The Feast of Christ, Mary, and the Church

The Ascension is declared to be Christ’s own feast, the feast of the angels, of the saints, of Mary, and of the Church, because human nature is exalted and the Spirit’s coming is made possible.

But that too is for us, not for himself. But today's day of the Ascension is properly the most solemn feast of the Lord Jesus, because today he begins to sit at the right hand of the Father and receives rest from his pilgrimage. And it is rightly the feast of all the heavenly spirits as well, because they receive new joy from their Lord, whom they had not previously seen there in human form. And because today their restoration begins for the first time in so great a multitude of the blessed, it is rightly the feast of those outstanding patriarchs, prophets, and holy souls who today first entered the heavenly homeland. If then we keep feast for some holy one departing to the heavens, how much more for so many thousands, and how much more for the Holy of Holies! It is also the feast of the Lady, who, with her Son assumed into royal splendor, saw him thus ascend as the true Lord on high. It is also rightly our feast, because human nature is exalted today above the heavens, and because unless Christ had ascended, we could not have received that very gift of the Holy Spirit, for which we so rightly solemnize this day. This is why he himself said to his disciples: It is to your advantage that I go; for if I do not depart, the Paraclete will not come to you.✦

Bernard on the Consummation of Christ’s Journey

Bernard’s sermon is cited to show the Ascension as the fulfillment of all feasts, the Sun of justice rising, and the end of mourning, yet demanding interior detachment.

To back this up, I turn to Bernard, who speaks about this day in his sermon on the Lord's Ascension: "This solemnity, dear ones, is glorious. For it is the consummation and fulfillment of all the remaining solemnities, and the joyful conclusion of the entire journey of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. Rightly, then, is a day of solemnity and joy celebrated, when that supercelestial Sun, the Sun of justice, revealed himself to our sight. Great too is the joy and exceeding exultation, when the sackcloth of mourning is torn away, he is surrounded by gladness, and he has dedicated the first fruits of our resurrection.✦ And yet, what good are these solemnities to me, if my life is still bound to the earth? I say, then: this dwelling in exile seems to me not much more tolerable than hell itself. In short: unless I go away, the Paraclete will not come to you.✦ Do you see how, of all the solemnities, the one we celebrate today brings both their consummation and their fruit, and increases grace?

The Unique Solemnity of This Day

The loving soul should rejoice supremely on this day, because Christ goes to the Father and no day in heaven has ever been so solemn.

For just as he did all other things for us — he who was born for us — so also his ascension was accomplished for us, and it works for our benefit. Thus far Bernard. You can see clearly, then, that this day is more solemn than all other days. And the soul that truly loves the Lord Jesus would rejoice more today than on any other day of the year. That is why he himself was saying to the disciples: "If you love me, you will surely rejoice, because I am going to the Father."✦ And so I believe I was right to say that never in the heavenly homeland was there any day celebrated as solemnly as this one. The joy and exultation of so great a feast lasted — — up to the day of Pentecost.

The Angelic Octave of Joy

The Ascension occurred at the sixth hour, and each day a different order of angels held a special feast until Pentecost.

And in this way one can meditate. The Lord's Ascension took place at the sixth hour, for he had first eaten at the third hour with his disciples.✦15 Although, then, all in heaven rejoiced beyond anything that could be expressed, yet on the first day, up until the sixth hour of the following day, the angels held a special feast, and the Lord Jesus showed — or granted — some singular closeness and consolation.1617 On the second day, the Archangels held [a feast].18 On the third, the Principalities. On the fourth, the Powers. On the fifth, the Virtues. On the sixth, the Dominions.

From Thrones to Seraphim

The Thrones, Cherubim, and Seraphim complete the nine angelic orders, whose feast lasts until the vigil of Pentecost and the rest of the blessed.

The seventh, the Thrones. The eighth, the Cherubim. The ninth, the Seraphim — these are the nine orders of angels. And so these days lasted until the sixth hour of the Sabbath, the vigil of Pentecost. And then — the feast — the holy fathers then lay down, up to the third hour of the Lord's day.

Read the original Latin

Circa dominicam ascensionem te vigilem esse oportet, ut si umquam toto menUs conatu te proBseutem cxhibuisti verbis et factis ojuo, nuuc facias multo magis. Nam hfec solemuilasomnes superat aUas, ut clarius infra tibi ostendam. Et saUera hoc te animet ad attentionem, quod nunc Dominus discessurus est corporaU pra3scnUa, completo suffi percgrinationis cursu. Unde verba et facta ipsius sunt altentius consideranda: quceUbet enim anima fideUs debet Sponsum suum, Dominum suum, et Deum suum, in ejus discessu vigilantissime observare, et quae per eum dicuntur et fiunt, viscerosius mente amplecti, et cidem se devoUus et humiUus recommendare, et totaUter animum suum ab aUis abstrahere. Quadragesimo itaque die a resurrecUone ^, sciens Dominus Jesus, quia venit ejus hora, ut transeat ex hoc mundo ad Patrem, cum dilexisset suos, nunc vero in finem dilexit eos. Accipiens ergo de Paradiso terrestri saiictos patres et aUas animas, stans et benedicens Eliae et Enoch, ibi remanentibus et adhuc vivenUbus, venit ad discipulos suos, qui erant in ccenaculo in monte Sion cum matre ipsius et aUis, apparens eis, voluit etiam ante discessum suum prandere cum ipsis, in signum memoriale diiectionis et gaudii. Omnibus ergo simul comedentibus cum laeUtia magna in hoc uUimo convivio Domini sui, dicit eis Dominus Jesus: Tempus est, ut revertar ad eum qui misit me; ^ vos autem manete hic in civitate, quousque induamini virtute ex alto: quia infra paucos dies replebimini Spiritu sancto, prout vobis promisi. Posiea ibiUs per universum mundum praedicantes evangeUum meum, bapUzando credentes, * et eritis mihi testes usque ad uUimum terrce.

Exprohravit etiam ^ incredulitatem eorum, quia his qui viderant eum resurr exisse, scilicel angeUs suis, non crediderunt. Hoc nunc maxime facit, cum de praedicando dicebat, quasi daret eis inleUigere: Multo magis debebaUs vos angeUs credcre, etiam antequam me videreUs, quam gentes, quoe credent vobis praedicanUbus, et me non videbunt. Fecit eUam haec, ut cognoscentes defectum suum, remanerent humiUores; ostendens eis in suo discessu, quantum placebat ei humiUtas, et quasi eam pecuUaliter recommendaret eisdem. QuaerenUbus autem eis de temporibus futuris, noluit respondere, quia non expediebat eis. Stant ergo, comedunt, et memorialis. loquuntur, et gaudent propter pr<? esentiara Domini sui, sed nihilominus turbati propter discessum. Tantaenim amoris teneritudine diligebant eum, quod etiam verba discessus sui non poterant sequo animo sustinere.

Quid autem dicam de matre juxta eum prandente, quse super omnes sic intense eum amabat? An non credis, quod ad baec verba discessus filii, maternae dilectionis tacta et commota dulcedine, reclinaret caput suum super filium, et recumberet super pectus ejus? Nam si Joannes hoc fecit in coena, nunc multo magis meditari potes de ipsa. Unde suspirans cum lacrymis eum rogabat, dicens: Fili mi, si discedere vis, ducasme tecum. Dominus autem consolatus eam, dicebat: Rogo, mater charissima, ne feras moleste discessum meum, quia vado ad Patrem. Te autem remanere hic expedit ad tempus, propter confirmandos credentes; postea veniam ad te, et assumam te ad gloriam meam. Ad quem mater: Fili mi dilectissime, fiat voluntas tua. Nam non solum remanere, sed et mori parata sum pro animabus, pro quibus et mortuus fuisti; sed esto memor mei.

Dominus autem eam, et discipulos, et Magdalenam, et alias consolabatur dicens ^: Non turbetur cor vestrum, neque formidet: non relinquam vos orphanos, vado et venio ad vos, et semper ero vobiscum. Tandem dicit eis, quod exeant in montem Oliveti, quia inde volebat ascendere^ ettunc disparuit ab eis. Mater ergo et omnes alii sine mora iverunt ad dictum montem, qui est ab Hierusalem ad unum milliare, et ibidem iterum apparuit eis Dominus. Ecce quomodo babes hodie duas apparitiones. Tunc amplexatus est matrem, valefaciens ei, et mater eum tenerrime. Discipuli autem et Magdalena, et omnes alii procidentes, et lacrymantes, deosculati sunt pedes ejus, ipse vero suos apostolos erigens, benigne osculatus est. Conspice nunc eos bene, et cuncta quffi fiunt. Considera nihilominus sanctos patres ibidem existentes, invisibiliter tamen, quomodo libenter et reverenter intuentur Dominam, et affectuose benedicunt, per quam lantum beneficium consecuti sunt; quomodo etiam intuentur illos excelsos pugiles et duces divini exercitus, quos inter omnes elegit Dominus ad expugnandum • Joan.

j XIV, 1, 28. "P5a/. XVI, 7. — " P5a/. civ, 43. et vincendum universum mundum. Tandem completis cunctis mysteriis, Dominus Jesus elevari ab eis, et ascendere virtute sua. Tunc mater et omnes alii procidebant in terram.

Dicebat Domina: Fili mi benedicte, memor esto mei. Et propter discessum non poterat lacrymas continere: gaudebat tamen multum, quod tilium suum sic gloriose cernebat petere coelum, Similiter et discipuli ejus dicebant: Domine, pro te dimisimus omnia, esto memor nostri. Ipse vero, elevatis manibus, facie serenus et gaudens, rsgio more coronatus et ornatus, triumphaliter ferebatur in coelum. Benedicens eis dixit: Constantes estote, et viriliter agite, quia semper vobiscum ero. Ascendebat autem, secum ducens illam nobilem multitudinem, iter pandens ^ ad eos, ut dixerat Michaeas propheta. Dominus itaque gloriosus, candidus et rubicundus, splendens et gaudiosus, praecedebat eos, viam eis ostendens; et ipsi cantantes et jubilantes, laetissimi sequebantur eum. dicentes ': Cantemus Domino, qui ascendit super occasum, Dominus nomen illi. * Confiteantur Domino, misericordice ejus, et mirabilia ejus filiis hominum.

^Benedictus es, DomineDeus noster,qui salvos facis sperantes in te; ^ deducens populum tuum in exultatione, et electos tuos in lcetitia. '^ Exaltare super coelos, Deus, et super ornnem terram gloria tua, ut liberentur dilecti tui. ^ Ascendens in altum, prosperum iter faciens uobis, perducens nos in refrigerium, ^ educis vinctos tuos in fortitudine, desiderium nostrum tribuens nobis. Intrabimus in domum tuam, et in conspectu angelorum tuorum tibi psallemus: '" Gloria, laus, ethonor, tibi sit, rex Christe Redemptor, 1* Hegna terrce, cantaie Deo, psallite Domitio. Interim autem Michael praepositus Paradisi, Caeief pergens ad patriam, nuntiaverat quod Dominus ^*'? J° ascendebat. Ecce omnes spirituum ordines taum seriatim per acies suas occurrerunt eidem, °"""°" unus ex eis non remansit, qui non veniret ob- chrishi viam Domino suo; et inclinantes se cum omni 33^^^,'! qua poterant reverentia, deducebant eum cum hymnis et canticis ineffabilibus.

Quis enim posset cantus et jubilos, qui ab ipsis fiebant, explicare? Advenerunt ergo '- principes conjuncti psallentibus et dicebant: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Lxvii, 7. Ex Theodul. Aurei. , Hymn. proc. Palm.

Pasal. Lxvii, 33. CAPIIT XCVII. Nomine qui in Dorain rex benedicte venis: Ninic libi leiinanli pauaiiiiDs occo iiielos '. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ' Benedictus es, Domine, gni sedes super Cherubim, et tntueris abyssos, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Dignus es Domine omni laude et honore, alleluia, quia victoriam gloriose fecisli, aMelma. ^ Confiteaiitur cceli mirabilia tua, Domine, alleluia, et virtutem tuam, alleluia.

Ecce nunc ascendunt tribus Domini, alleluia, ut confiteantur, et dicanttibi: alleluia. * Ad tcetandum in lcetitia gentis tuce, ut lauderis cum hcereditate tua, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. In hujusmodi canticis et confessionibus Dominum honorabant utrinque coram ipso eiultantes, et eidem festum honorificum cum omni reverentia facientes. Et quis posset hoc gaudium enarrare? Sed et illud quis dicere posset, quod tam beatissimi spiritus, quam sanctissimi patres simul habuerunt, cum sibi ad invicem occurrerunt? Superni ergo spiritus, reverentia prius Domino exhibita, et canticis ejus expletis, illis cum magna jucunditate dicebant: Principes populorum, bene vos venire gratulemur, alleluia; congregati estis cum Deo vestro, alleluia; et vehementer elevamini, alleluia; psalhte ei, qui ascendit super ccelum coeU, alleluia, alleluia. Et sancti Patres alacriter respondebant: Principes popuU Domini, aUeluia; custodes et adjutores nostri, alleluia; gaudium vobis et pax, alleluia; psalUte et vos regi nostro, alleluia. ExuUate Deo adjutori nostro, alleluia, alleluia, aUeluia.

Simul eUam se ad invicem adorantes dicebant: In domum Domini laetantes imus, aUeluia, aUeluia: simul nos capiet urbs veneranda Dei, aUeluia; oves pascuee Domini, portas ejus et atria intremus, aUeluia, in hymnis et canticis, aUeluia. Dominus enimvirtutum nobiscum, alleluia, susceptor noster est, aUeluia, aUeluia. Vides ergo quod omnes jubilabant et psaUebant. Nam juxta Prophetam^: Ascendit Deus in jubilatione, et Dominus in voce tubce. Ascendit autem Dominus Jesus plane propter consolaUonem matris et discipulorum, quouique cum poterant videre. Ex tunc autem nubes suscepit eum ab ocuUs eorum, et in momento cum omnibus angeUs et preedicUs patribus sancUs fuit in patria. Sic enim dicit proedictus propheta ': Ponis nubem ascensum ^ Hymn. modo citat.

XII. tuum, qvi ambulas super pennas ventorum. Pennre veutorum dicuntur summitates ventorum, id est, partes illoe quoe praecedunt, et velociores sunt. Et ipse adhuc vclocius ascendit, ex quo nubem interposuit. Stabant ergo Maler, et discipuU, et Magdalena, et aUae flexis genibus, et intuebantur in coelura euntem Ulum, quousque poterant. 0 quid erat videre Dominum sic gloriose ascendenlem! et quid si quis potuisset videre et audire beaUssimos spiritus, et animas sanctas cum eo pariter incedentes! forte prae gaudio separata fuisset anima taUs a corpore, et cum eis eUam ascendisset.

Cum ergo sic vultibus adhuc elevatis aspicerent, ecce duo angeU steteruntjuxta Ulos in vestibus albis, dicentes'': Viri Galiloei, quid statis aspicientes in coslum? Hic Jesus qui a vobis assumptus est in coilam, sic veniet, quemadmodum vidistis eum euntem in ccBlum. Redite ergo in civitatem, et expectate, sicut dixit vobis. Considera hic, quomodo de ipsis Dominus fuit soUicitus. Nam staUm cum evanuit ab ocuUs eorum, misit angelos suos, ne nimium ibidem stantes faUgarentur, et ut confortarentur audientes angeUcum tesUmonium concordare secum de ascensione Domini sui. AudiUs ergo his verbis, Domina humiUter rogavit angelos, ut eam recommendarent fiUo suo. UU vero se usque ad terram incUnantes eidem, Ubenter susceperunt mandatum ejus; simiUter apostoU, Magdalena, et omnes ahi dixerunt eis. UUs itaque disparenUbus, ipsi redierunt in civitatem ad montem Sion, ihique morabantur expectantes, ut Dominus Jesus mandaverat eis.

Dominus autem Jesus, cum universa praedicta feUci et magnifica muUitudine, aperiens januas paradisi, usque tunc humano generi clausas, triumphaUter intravil, et gaudenter Patri genuflectens ait: Pater^ graUas ago tibi, qui mihi dedisti victoriara de omnibus adversariis nostris. Ecce animos nostros, qui captivi tenebantur, eos tibi praesento: sed fratribus et discipuUs meis, quos in mundo reUqui, promisi miUere Spiritum sanctmn: rogo te, Pater mi, ut impleas promissionem, et eos recommendo tibi. Tunc Pater erigens eum, fecit eum sedere a dextris suis, et dixit: Benedicte fiU mi, omnem potestatem et judicium dedi tibi; de istis discipulis, et de missione Spiritus sancti. Vuig. juiiJo. Quare solemnicensjionispraeejuineat nibus festivitatibus. pro tuo velle disponas. Omnes autem sancti patres et beatissimi spiritus, qui adorantes prociderant in facies suas, coram Patre surgentes reincoeperunt cantica sua, et jubilabant coram Deo laudes.

Si enim Moyses et lilii Israel,,post transitum maris Rubri, cecinerunt carmen Domino, dicentes ': Cantemus Dornino, gloriose, etc; et Maria prophetissa soror ejus, et reliquee mulieres eam sequentes, in tympanis et choris Domino Deo canebant; quanto magis nunc cunctis adversantibus superatis? Similiter cum David deducebat arcam fcederis Domini Hierusalem, totus populus canebat legitime, et David cum cantoribus citharampercutiebat, et omnes laudabant coram Domino in citharis suis et tympanis, et David saltavit totis viribus coram Domino; quanto nunc magis id faciebant, qui vere sunt cum Domino in tanto gaudio constituti? Etsi Joannes, ut in Apocalypsi refert ^ audivit vocem in coelo centum quadraginta quatuor millia citharoedorum, citharizantium in citharis suis, et cantabant quasi canticum novum ante sedem Dei et Agni: quodcumque gaudium illud significet, ego multo magis ipsum hodie contigisse, meditabor. Omnes ergo ibidem constituti psallunt, omnes exultant, omnes laetantur, omnes cantant, omnes gaudent, omnes jubilant, omnes manibus plaudunt, omnes chorizant, omnes jucundantur, omnes tripudiant. Yere nunc in superna Hierusalem auditur canticum leetitia? , et per omnes vicos ejus ab universis dicitur, Alleluia. Nunquam ab origine mundi, tale festum et tam solemne Pascha celebratum est, nec unquam erit forte nisi in die judicii, cum omnes ibi praesentabuntur electi cum corporibus gloriosis. Et propterea tibi dixi in principio, quod heec solemnitas, omnibus consideratis, cunctis supereminet aUis.

Percurras singulas, et videbis si verum loquor. Magnum pascha, et solemne festum est Incarnatio Domini, et initium omnis nostri boni; sed hoc nobis, non sibi, nam ipse tunc in thalamo virginaU inclusus est. Magnum etiiim pascha est NaUvitas ejus: sed et illud nobis. Nam sibi compaUendum est, quia ad tantam pauperlatem, viUtatem, et penuriam natus est. Magnum simiUter quoad nos festum est passio ejus, quia tunc omnia peccata nostra deleta sunt. Nihil enim % ut ait Gregorius, nobis nasci profait, nisi redimi profuisset, sed ad bened. cerei pasch. et.

propter tormenta durissima, et mortem turpissimam, quam sustinuit, nec sibi fuit, nec nobis esse debet materia gaudii et laeUtiae. Magnum insuper et solemne, et verum pascha est Resurrectio ipsius Domini Jesu, tam pro se, quam pro nobis, quia ipse gloriosus triumphator apparuit, et nos jusUticati sumus. VenerabiUs itaque muUum: et ideo singulariter in ipso cantatEcclesia: Hcec dies quam fecit Dominus, etc, secundum beatum Augustinum. Haic dies sanctior universis, quod exponi potest de praecedentibus. Nam haec dies Ascensionis major et sanclior videtur, quia Ucet resurrexit Dominus, adhuc tamen peregrinatur in terris, adhuc est clausa paradisi porta, adhuc sancti patres non iverunt ad Palrem; quae omnia in Ascensione completa sunt. Et si bene inspicias, quidquid Deus fecit usque modo, fecit ut perveniret ad hunc finem, et sine hoc omnia sua opera erant imperfecta, Nam coelum et terra, et omnia quae in eis sunt, facta sunt propter hominem: homo autem propter gloriam habendam: ad ipsam vero usque hodie, nuUus quantumcumque justus, pertingere poterat post peccatum. Vides quam magnificus et mirificus sit iste dies. SimiUter magnum pascha valde dies Pentecostes, et eum multum solemnizat Ecclesia, et recte, quia tunc donum summum recipit, scilicet, Spiritum sanctum.

Sed et illud nobis, nonsibi. Sed hodiernus Ascensionis dies, est proprie festum solemnissimum DominiJesu, quia hodie incipit sedere ad dexteram Patris, et requiem capit a peregrinatione sua. Et etiam proprie festum est omnium supernorum spirituum, quia novum gaudium suscipiunt a Domino suo, quem ante ibi in humanitatis forma non viderant. Et quia hodie primo restaurari incipiunt ruinae ipsorum in tanta muUitudine beatorum, est proprie iUorum egregiorum patriarcharum,prophetarum, etanimarum sanctarum, qui ad supernam patriam hodie primitus intraverunt. Si ergo festum facimus de aUquo sancto migrante ad coelos, quanto magis de tot millibus, et quanto magis de Sancto sanctorum! Est etiam festum Dominae, quae filium suum regali diademate subUmatum, sic vidit, tanquam Dominum verum, super excelsa conscendere. Est eUam nihilominus proprie festum nostrum, quia humana natura hodie super coelos est exaltata, et quia nisi Christus ascendisset, illud ipsum etiam donum Spiritus sancU, pro quo sic merito solemnizamus, recipere nequibamus. Unde ipse dicebat discipulis suis *: Expedit vobis, ut ego vadam; si enim non abiei'o, Paraclitus non veniet ad vos.

Ad robur autem dicti mei, adduco Bernardura, qui de hac die sic loquitur, in sermone de Ascensione Domini *; " Solemnitas ista, charissimi, gloriosa est. Consummatio enim et adimpletio est reliquarum solemnitatum, etfelis clausula est totius itinerarii Jesu Christi Kilii Dei vivi. ^ Merito quidcm solemnitatis et la^titife dies agilur, quando Sol ille supercoelestis, Sol justitiae, nostris se prassentavit obtutibus. Magna quoque ketitia et exultatio multa nimis, quando conscisso sacco IfPtitia circumdatus est, et nostrae dedicavit primordia resurrectionis. Verumtamen quid mihi et solemnitatibus istis, si conversatio mea usque adhuc detinetur in terris? Dico ergo: non multo minus mihi tolerabilior videtur exilii hujus habitatio, quam gehenna. Denique * nisi ego abiero, paracHtus non veniet ad vos. Videsne quemadmodum caeterarum solemnitatum, ea quam hodie celebramus, et consummationem habeat, et fructum declaret, et augeat gratiam?

^ Sicut enim cittera omnia pro nobis fecit, qui pro nobis natus est: ita qnoque ipsius ascensio propter nos facta est, et facit pro nobis." Hucusque Bernardus. Manifeste ergo videas, quod solemnior est dies ista omnibus aliis. Et anima quae bene diligeret Dominum Jesum, magis hodie exultaret, quam in aliquo die anni. Unde ipse dicebat discipulis ^: Si diligeritis me, gauderetis utique, quia vado ad Patrem. Et propterea credo me recte dixisse, quod nunquam in patria fuit ahqua dies adeo solemnizata, ut ista. Duravit aulem gaudium et exultatio tanti fe? ti usque ad diem Pentecostes.

Et per hunc modum potest meditari. Ascensio enim Domini fuit hora sexta, nam primo comederat hora tertia cum discipuhs suis. Quamvis ergo omnes in patria, ullra quam dici posset, exultarent; tamen prima die usque ad aham sextam sequentis diei angeh fecerunt singulariter festum, et Dominus Jesus ostendit, vel fecit ahquam singularem familiaritatem et consolationem. Secunda die fecerunt Archangeh. Tertia Principatus. Quarta Potestates. Quinta Virtutes. Sexta Dominationes.

Septima Throni. Octava Cherubim. Nona Seraphim, qui sunt novem ordines Angelorura. Et sic ha;c duraverunt usque ad sextam sabbati vigiliae Pentecostes. Et tunc fesII, tum Jecerunt sancti patres, usquc; ad hoiam tertiam diei dominicae

Scripture echoes

  1. ↩John.13.1 — Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
  2. ↩Luke.24.49;Acts.1.4-Acts.1.8 — And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but remain in the city until you are clothed with power from on high. Acts.1.4 — And while he was meeting with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me." Acts.1.5 — For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. Acts.1.6 — So when they had come together, they asked him, 'Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?' Acts.1.7 — But he said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority." Acts.1.8 — But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
  3. ↩John.16.7 — Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
  4. ↩Acts.1.8 — But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
  5. ↩Matt.28.19 — Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
  6. ↩Luke.24.11;Mark.16.14 — But these words seemed to them like nonsense, and they did not believe them. Mark.16.14 — Later, as the eleven were reclining at table, he appeared to them and rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because those who had seen him risen from the dead did not believe.
  7. ↩Acts.1.7 — But he said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority."
  8. ↩John.13.23-John.13.25 — One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining at Jesus' side. John.13.24 — So Simon Peter motioned to him and said to him, 'Tell us who it is he is speaking about.' John.13.25 — So after reclining back against Jesus' chest, that one says to him, 'Lord, who is it?'
  9. ↩John.16.10;John.14.28 — about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you no longer see me; John.14.28 — You heard that I said to you, 'I am going away, and I am coming to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.
  10. ↩John.14.2-John.14.3 — In my Father's house there are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you? I go to prepare a place for you. John.14.3 — And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am, you also may be.
  11. ↩Luke.22.42;Matt.6.10 — Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; but not my will, but yours be done. Matt.6.10 — Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
  12. ↩John.14.1-John.14.18 — Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. John.14.2 — In my Father's house there are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you? I go to prepare a place for you. John.14.3 — And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am, you also may be. John.14.4 — And where I go, you know the way. John.14.5 — Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?' John.14.6 — Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' John.14.7 — If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; and from now on you know him and have seen him. John.14.8 — Philip said to him, 'Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.' John.14.9 — Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, "Show us the Father"?' John.14.10 — Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. John.14.11 — Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you cannot, then believe because of the works themselves. John.14.12 — Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do, and greater than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. John.14.13 — And whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John.14.14 — If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. John.14.15 — If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John.14.16 — And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. John.14.17 — the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he abides with you and will be in you. John.14.18 — I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.
  13. ↩Luke.24.50;Acts.1.12 — Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. Acts.1.12 — Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.
  14. ↩Acts.1.12 — Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.
  15. ↩Matt.28.20 — teaching them to observe everything I commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
  16. ↩Ps.68.4 — But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God, and rejoice with joy.
  17. ↩Ps.107.8 — Let them give thanks to the LORD for his steadfast love, and for his wondrous works to the children of men.
  18. ↩Ps.121.5-Ps.121.7 — The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. Ps.121.6 — The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. Ps.121.7 — The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your soul.
  19. ↩Ps.45.8 — You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.
  20. ↩Ps.26.1 — Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and in the LORD I have trusted; I shall not slip.
  21. ↩Ps.46.6 — God is in her midst; she will not be shaken. God helps her at the turning of morning.
  22. ↩Acts.1.9 — And after he said these things, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
  23. ↩Ps.17.11 — “Now they surround us; their eyes are fixed on us, ready to throw us down to the ground.”
  24. ↩Ps.103.3 — who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases
  25. ↩Acts.1.10-Acts.1.11 — And as they were looking intently into the sky as he was going, behold, two men stood beside them in white garments. Acts.1.11 — Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way you saw him go into heaven.
  26. ↩Acts.1.11 — Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way you saw him go into heaven.
  27. ↩Luke.24.49;Acts.1.4 — And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but remain in the city until you are clothed with power from on high. Acts.1.4 — And while he was meeting with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me."
  28. ↩Acts.1.2-Acts.1.3 — until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. Acts.1.3 — To these he also presented himself alive after his suffering, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking about the kingdom of God.
  29. ↩Luke.24.52-Luke.24.53;Acts.1.12-Acts.1.13 — And they, after worshiping him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy. Luke.24.53 — and they were continually in the temple blessing God. Acts.1.12 — Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. Acts.1.13 — And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
  30. ↩Ps.110.1;Dan.7.13-Dan.7.14 — The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool." Dan.7.13 — I was watching in the visions of the night, and behold, with the clouds of heaven one like a Son of Man was coming, and he approached the Ancient of Days and they brought him near before him. Dan.7.14 — And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, so that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingdom is one that shall not be destroyed.
  31. ↩Matt.28.18;Ps.110.1;Acts.2.33 — And Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.' Ps.110.1 — The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool." Acts.2.33 — Therefore, having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out what you both see and hear.
  32. ↩Exod.15.1-Exod.15.21 — Then Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, 'I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.' Exod.15.2 — The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him — the God of my father, and I will exalt him. Exod.15.3 — The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name. Exod.15.4 — Pharaoh's chariots and his army he hurled into the sea; his chosen officers were swallowed up in the Sea of Reeds. Exod.15.5 — The depths covered them; they went down into the deep like a stone. Exod.15.6 — Your right hand, O LORD, is glorious in power; your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy. Exod.15.7 — And in your great majesty you overthrow those who rise against you; you send forth your burning anger; it devours them like stubble. Exod.15.8 — And at the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up, the floods stood upright like a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea. Exod.15.9 — The enemy said, 'I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my soul will be sated with them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.' Exod.15.10 — You blew with your breath, the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters. Exod.15.11 — Who is like you among the gods, O LORD? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, doing wonders? Exod.15.12 — You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. Exod.15.13 — In your steadfast love you have led the people whom you redeemed; you have guided them in your strength to your holy dwelling. Exod.15.14 — The peoples have heard; trembling has seized the inhabitants of Philistia. Exod.15.15 — Then the chiefs of Edom are dismayed; the leaders of Moab—trembling seizes them; all the inhabitants of Canaan melt away. Exod.15.16 — Terror and dread will fall upon them; by the greatness of your arm they will be still as stone, until your people pass over, O LORD, until the people pass over whom you have acquired. Exod.15.17 — You will bring them and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance— the place, O LORD, that you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established. Exod.15.18 — The LORD will reign forever and ever. Exod.15.19 — For when Pharaoh's horse went into the sea with his chariot and with his horsemen, the LORD brought back the waters of the sea upon them, but the sons of Israel walked on dry ground in the midst of the sea. Exod.15.20 — Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took the tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. Exod.15.21 — And Miriam answered them, "Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea."
  33. ↩2Sam.6.12-2Sam.6.16 — And it was told to King David, saying, "The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that is his, because of the ark of God." And David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with joy. 2Sam.6.13 — And when those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal. 2Sam.6.14 — And David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod. 2Sam.6.15 — David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet. 2Sam.6.16 — And it happened, when the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, that Michal daughter of Saul looked out through the window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.
  34. ↩Rev.14.1-Rev.14.3 — And I looked, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him one hundred forty-four thousand having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. Rev.14.2 — And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of a great thunder; and the voice that I heard was like harpists playing on their harps. Rev.14.3 — And they sing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. And no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand, those who have been redeemed from the earth.
  35. ↩Rev.19.1-Rev.19.6 — After these things I heard, as it were a great voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, 'Hallelujah! The salvation and the glory and the power are our God's.' Rev.19.2 — because his judgments are true and just. He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality, and he has avenged the blood of his servants by her hand. Rev.19.3 — And a second time they said, 'Hallelujah!' And her smoke rises up forever and ever. Rev.19.4 — And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who is seated on the throne, saying, 'Amen. Hallelujah.' Rev.19.5 — And a voice came from the throne, saying, 'Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, the small and the great.' Rev.19.6 — And I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, and what seemed to be the sound of many waters, and what seemed to be the sound of mighty thunders, saying, 'Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.'
  36. ↩1Cor.5.7 — Clean out the old leaven, so that you may be a new batch, just as you are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed.
  37. ↩Acts.2.1-Acts.2.4 — And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all together in one place. Acts.2.2 — And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Acts.2.3 — And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed, and it sat upon each one of them. Acts.2.4 — And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
  38. ↩John.16.7 — Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
  39. ↩Isa.61.3 — To grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit; and they shall be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to be adorned.
  40. ↩John.16.7 — Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
  41. ↩John.14.28 — You heard that I said to you, 'I am going away, and I am coming to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.
  42. ↩Acts.1.9-Acts.1.12 — And after he said these things, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. Acts.1.10 — And as they were looking intently into the sky as he was going, behold, two men stood beside them in white garments. Acts.1.11 — Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way you saw him go into heaven. Acts.1.12 — Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.

Notes

  1. 1 ↩maternae dilectionis rendered as 'a mother's love' to capture the genitive of quality; dilectio here is covenantal-maternal love, not mere sentiment.
  2. 2 ↩The reference is to John reclining on Jesus' breast at the Last Supper (John 13:23–25). The author invites the reader to imagine Mary's even greater intimacy.
  3. 3 ↩The syntactic role of psallentibus is ambiguous: it may be a dative of reference ('to those singing psalms') or an ablative absolute ('with those singing psalms'). The dative reading is preferred here as more natural in context.
  4. 4 ↩Marginal reference marker (Psalm 67:7 in Vulgate numbering), not running text.
  5. 5 ↩Attribution header, not running text. The form 'Theodul' is uncertain; possibly a reference to Theudulf or a similar name.
  6. 6 ↩Marginal notation; reading and function uncertain. Possibly a fragment or abbreviated note.
  7. 7 ↩Abbreviated marginal notation indicating a hymn follows.
  8. 8 ↩Abbreviated marginal notation; lemma expansion uncertain.
  9. 9 ↩Marginal notation; uncertain whether abbreviation or case form.
  10. 10 ↩The manuscript reads 'etiiim' (uncertain form), normalized here as 'etiam'/'also.' The reading is plausible but not certain.
  11. 11 ↩'compauendum' is a manuscript form of uncertain lemma; rendered here as 'a humbling thing' in the sense of 'something to be compared/measured' — i.e., a humiliation to be reckoned with. 'viUtatem' is similarly uncertain, normalized as 'vilitatem' (lowliness).
  12. 12 ↩The manuscript reads 'profait' (uncertain form, likely 'profuit') and 'bened' (abbreviated, likely 'benedictionem'). The sentence is incomplete in the source. The Gregory quotation is a well-known sententia: 'Nihil enim nobis nasci profuit, nisi redimi profuisset.'
  13. 13 ↩This appears to be a fragmentary note or marginal gloss: 'cerei pasch[alis]' — 'of the Paschal candle.' It is not a complete sentence.
  14. 14 ↩Isolated conjunction — likely a scribal remnant or continuation marker, not a complete sentence.
  15. 15 ↩The manuscript reads discipuhs, normalized here as discipulis (disciples). The reading is secure from context.
  16. 16 ↩The manuscript reads ullra (likely ultra), aham (likely horam), angeh (likely angeli), and ahquam (likely aliquam). All normalized readings follow the most plausible intended forms given context.
  17. 17 ↩The phrase 'ullra quam dici posset' (beyond than could be said) is rendered as 'beyond anything that could be expressed' to capture the superlative force of the Latin.
  18. 18 ↩The manuscript reads Archangeh, normalized as Archangeli (Archangels). The verb fecerunt (made/held) is carried over from the preceding sentence's festum fecerunt construction.

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