90 THURSDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY,

drink, but, still more, all sinful gratifications. And as the body
is weakened by fasting, the soul, on the other hand, should be
strengthem::d by repeated prayers, by frequent reception of the
holy sacraments, attending Mass, spiritual reading, and good
works, particularly those of charity. In such manner we shall
be able, according to the intention of the Church, to supply by
our fasting what we have omitted during the year, especially if
we fast willingly, and with a good intention.
Prayer.
0 Lord Jesns, I offer up to Thee my fasting and self-denial,
to be united to Thy fasting and sufferings, for Thy glory, in
gratitude for so many benefits received from Thee, in satisfac­
tion for my sins and those of others, and to obtain Thy holy
grace that I may overcome my sins and acquire the virtues which
I need. Look upon me, 0 Jesus, in mercy. Amen.

Ubursba)? after Bsb 'U'Cllebnesba}2.

EPISTLE. Isaias xxxviii. 1-6.

IN those days Ezechias was sick even to death, and the prophet
Isaias, the son of Amos, came unto him, and said to him:
Thus saith the Lord : Take order with thy house, for thou shalt
die and not live. And Ezechias turned his face toward the wall,
and prayed to the Lord, and said : I beseech Thee, 0 Lord,
remember how I have walked before Thee in truth, and with a
perfect heart, and have done that which i,, good in Thy sight.
And Ezechias wept with great weeping. And the word of the
Lord came to Isaias, saying: Go and say to Ezechias: Thus saith
the Lord the God of David thy father: I have heard thy prayer,
and I have seen thy tears: behold I will add to thy days fifteen
years: and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of
the king of the Assyrians, and I will protect it, saith the Lord
Almighty.
GOSPEL. Matt. viii. 5-18.
At that time: When Jesus had entered into Capharnaum,
there came to Him a centurion, beseeching Him, and saying:
Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, and is griev­
l)Us!y tormented. And Jesus saith to him: I will come and
heal him. And the centurion, making answer, said: Lord, J
 FRIDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY. 91

am not worthy that Thou shonldst enter under my roof; but

only say the word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also
am a man subject to authority, having under me soldiers; and I
say to this, Go, and he goeth, and to another, Come, and he
cometh, and to my servant, Do this, and he doth it. And
Jesus, hearing this, marvelled, and said to them that followed
Him: Amen I say to you, I have not found so great faith in
Israel. And I say to you that many shall come from the East
and the ,Vest, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and
Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven: but the children of the king­
dom shall be cast out into the exterior darkness: there shall be
weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said to the centurion,
Go, and as thou hast believed, so be it done to thee. And the
servant was healed at the same hour.
Prayer.
0 God, Who by sh. art offended, and by penance pacified,
mercifully regard the prayers of Thy people, making supplica­
tions to Thee, and turn away the scourges of Thy anger, which
we deserve for our sins. Through Our Lord, etc.

jfri�a}? after Bsb Wle�nes�a}?.

EPISTLE. Isaias lviii. 1-9.

T HUSlikesaitha trumpet,
the Lord God: Cry, cease not, lift up thy voice
and show l\fy people their wicked doings,
and the house of Jacob their sins. For they seek l\fe from day
to day, and desire to know l\fy ways, as a nation that hath done
justice, and hath not forsaken the judgment of their Goel: they
ask of l\fe the judgments of justice: they are willing to approach
to God. Why have we fasted, and Thou hast not regarded:
why have we humbled our souls, and Thou hast not taken notice?
Behold in the day of your fast your own will is found, and you
exact of all your debtors. Behold you fast for debates and strife,
and strike with the fist wickedly. Do not fast as you have done
until this day, to make your cry to be heard on high. Is this
such a fast as I have chosen: for a man to afliict his soul for a
day? is this it, to wind his head about like a circle, and to spread
sack-cloth and ashes? wilt thou call this a fast, and a day 3.ccept­
able to the Lord? Is not this rather the fast that I have chosen?
loose the bands of wickedness, undo the bundles that oppress, let