SAINT JOHN DAMASCENE

Confessor and Doctor of the Church

Although Christian, John was grand vizier of the Mohammedan caliph of Damascus, when Emperor Leo the Isaurian began his campaign in the eight century against the veneration of holy images. John strongly opposed the destroyers of images, and for that reason lost his high post. John became a monk and passed the rest of his life in prayer, in study, and in writing about the things of God. He composed commentaries on St. Paul, many beautiful poems, and the Fountain of Wisdom, a summary of Christian beliefs. He is the last of the Greek Fathers, and has been called the St. Thomas Aquinas of the East.

ENTRANCE HYMN (Ps. 72:24)
You have held me by my right hand, and guided me with Your counsel, and in the end you will receive me in glory. Ps. 72:1. How good is God to Israel, to those whose hearts are upright! V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
Almighty and Eternal God, You endowed blessed John with divine learning and wondrous fortitude of soul in order that he might defend the veneration of sacred images. May the example and prayers of blessed John help us to imitate the virtues and enjoy the protection of the saints whose images we venerate. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of TUESDAY OF PASSION WEEK
May our fasting be acceptable to You, O Lord. Let it atone for our sins, make us worthy of Your grace and lead us to eternal life. Through Our Lord . . .

READING (Wisdom 10:10-17)
The Lord conducted the just, through the right ways, and shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him the knowledge of the holy things, made him honourable in his labours, and accomplished his labours. In the deceit of them that overreached him, he stood by him, and made him honourable. He kept him safe from his enemies, and he defended him from seducers, and gave him a strong conflict, that he might overcome, and know that wisdom is mightier than all. He forsook not the just when he was sold, but delivered him from sinners: he went down with him into the pit. And in bands he left him not, till he brought him the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: and shewed them to be liars that had accused him, and gave him everlasting glory. He delivered the just people, and blameless seed, from the nations that oppressed them. He entered into the soul of the servant of God and stood against dreadful kings in wonders and signs. And he rendered to the just the wages of their labours.

GRADUAL (Ps. 17:33, 35)
God who girded me with strength and made my way sinless. V. He has trained my hands for battle and my arms like a bow of brass.

TRACT (Ps. 17:38, 39, 50)
I pursued my enemies and overtook them. V. I struck them and they could not stand; they fell beneath my feet. V. Therefore I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations, and sing a hymn of praise to Your name.

GOSPEL (Luke 6:6-11)
At that time, it came to pass also, on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught. And there was a man whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched if he would heal on the sabbath: that they might find an accusation against him. But he knew their thoughts and said to the man who had the withered hand: "Arise and stand forth in the midst." And rising he stood forth. Then Jesus said to them: "I ask you, if it be lawful on the sabbath days to do good or to do evil? To save life or to destroy?" And looking round about on them all, he said to the man: "Stretch forth thy hand." And he stretched it forth. And his hand was restored. And they were filled with madness: and they talked one with another, what they might do to Jesus.

OFFERTORY HYMN (Job. 14:7)
A tree has hope; if it be cut, it grows green again, and its boughs will sprout once more.

SECRET PRAYER
O Lord, may our offerings be pleasing to You through the prayerful intercession of blessed John and of Your saints whose images we today venerate in our churches because of the efforts of their defender. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of TUESDAY OF PASSION WEEK
O Lord, we offer You as a sacrifice these gifts, which are symbols of our consolation in this life. May they keep us from ever losing hope in the promises of eternal life. Through Our Lord.

COMMUNION HYMN (Ps. 36:17)
The strength of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord supports the just.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
Shield us, O Lord, with Your divine protection through the Gift we have just received. Cover us over with the prayers of blessed John and of all Your saints whose images are held in veneration in our churches today because of his efforts. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of TUESDAY OF PASSION WEEK
O Almighty God, may our ceaseless search of divine things make us worthy of the reward of heaven. Through Our Lord . . .

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE
O Lord, grant that we may persevere in being obedient to Your will so that our own day may see an increase in the numbers and merits of Your faithful. Through Our Lord . . .