Gospel 9-28-23
Sep 28, 2023. Gospel: Matt 10:34-42. St Wenceslaus. Duke. Martyr.
Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword.
Nolite arbitrari quia pacem venerim mittere in terram : non veni pacem mittere, sed gladium :
35 For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
veni enim separare hominem adversus patrem suum, et filiam adversus matrem suam, et nurum adversus socrum suam :
36 And a man's enemies shall be they of his own household.
et inimici hominis, domestici ejus.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me.
Qui amat patrem aut matrem plus quam me, non est me dignus : et qui amat filium aut filiam super me, non est me dignus.
38 And he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth me, is not worthy of me.
Et qui non accipit crucem suam, et sequitur me, non est me dignus.
39 He that findeth his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for me, shall find it.
Qui invenit animam suam, perdet illam : et qui perdiderit animan suam propter me, inveniet eam.
40 He that receiveth you, receiveth me: and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me.
Qui recipit vos, me recipit : et qui me recipit, recipit eum qui me misit.
41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive the reward of a prophet: and he that receiveth a just man in the name of a just man, shall receive the reward of a just man.
Qui recipit prophetam in nomine prophetae, mercedem prophetae accipiet : et qui recipit justum in nomine justi, mercedem justi accipiet.
42 And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.
Et quicumque potum dederit uni ex minimis istis calicem aquae frigidae tantum in nomine discipuli : amen dico vobis, non perdet mercedem suam.
Son of a Christian duke of tenth-century Bohemia, Wenceslaus received pious upbringing from his grandmother, St Ludmilla, who later died a martyr. Taking over the government at the time of a strong pagan reaction among his people, Wenceslaus labored with Christlike patience and mildness to stem this regression. He rebuilt churches, recalled exiled priests and invited missioners from Germany. Boleslas, the duke's heathen brother had Wenceslaus assassinated while he was on his way to mass. The 22 year old martyr died uttering the words, "May God forgive you."
