Lesson: Ecclesiasticus 24: 23-31
23As the vine I have brought forth a pleasant odor: and myflowers are the fruit of honor and riches.
24 I am the mother of fair love,and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope.
Commentary on Verse 24: I, & c. Grabe restores this verse, and, instead of the next, has, “but I am given toall my children, being born myself for ever, to those who are specifiedby him. (26.) Come,” & c. (Haydock) – The text seems to be corrupt.(Calmet)
25 In me is all grace of the wayand of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue.
Commentary on Verse 25: Life. Christdeclares Himself to be, the way, the truth, and the life.
26 Come over to me, all ye thatdesire me, and be filled with my fruits.
27 For my spirit is sweet abovehoney, and my inheritance above honey and the honeycomb.
Commentary on Verse 27: Spirit. Greek,“remembrance.” It has not the following verse.
28 My memory is unto everlastinggenerations.
29 They that eat me, shall yethunger: and they that drink me, shall yet thirst.
Commentary on Verse 29: Thirst. Withoutbeing ever disgusted, John 4:13 (Calmet) – experience of carnal delights isquite the reverse. (Saint Gregory homily 26 Ev.) – The more grace a personhas, the more he desireth and receiveth from God. (Worthington)
30 He that hearkeneth to me,shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin.
Commentary on Verse 30: Sin. Orlose their labor. They shall be directed in the paths of life. (Calmet)
31 Theythat explain me shall have life everlasting.
Commentary on Verse 31: They. Greek,“all these things are the book of the covenant of the most high God, thelaw which Moses gave unto us, an inheritance to the synagogues of Jacob.” Grabe puts in a different character from the Complutensian, “Lose not strengthin the Lord, but stick to Him, that He may strengthen you. The Lord Almightyis the only God and there is no other Savior.” Then follows, (verse 35) “who,”& c. (Haydock) – Everlasting. Provided his life correspond with hisdoctrine. No occupation can be more glorious. (Calmet) – Let thy Scriptures bymy chaste delights: let me not be deceived in them, nor deceive othersby them. (Saint Augustine, Confessions 11:2) (Calmet) (Daniel 12) (Menochius)
Gospel: St. Luke 2: 43-51
43 And afterthey had fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child, Jesus, remained in Jerusalem, and His parents knew it not.
44 Andthinking that He was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought Himamong their kinsfolks and acquaintance.
Commentaryon Verse 44: It may be askedhow the blessed Virgin and Saint Joseph could possibly have come so far withoutmissing Him; but we must take notice, that when the people went up to thetemple from remote parts of Judea, the men went in one company, and the womenin a separate company, whilst the children went in either companyindifferently: so that Saint Joseph imagined that He was with Mary, His mother,whilst she imagined He was with Saint Joseph. (Nicholas of Lyra)
45 And notfinding Him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking Him.
46 And itcame to pass, that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting inthe midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all,that heard Him, were astonished at His wisdom, and His answers.
48 Andseeing Him, they wondered. And His mother said to Him: Son, why hast Thoudone so to us? behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee, sorrowing.
49 And Hesaid to them: How is it that you sought Me? did you not know, that I must beabout the things that are My Father's?
Commentaryon Verse 49: I must be aboutthe things that are My Father’s? Bythese words He shewed, that not Saint Joseph, but only God, was His Father.(Witham)
50 And theyunderstood not the word that He spoke unto them.
Commentaryon Verse 50: They understoodnot, & c. That is, knew not when,or by what means, Christ designed to make Himself known to the world. (Witham)
51 And Hewent down with them, and came to Nazareth: and was subject to them.
Commentaryon Verse 51: Was subject tothem. Astonishing humility! Which theSon of God was pleased to teach by His example, as also obedience to parents.(Witham) – The evangelist relates nothing of our Savior from the age of twelvetill the age of thirty, except that He was subject to Saint Joseph and theblessed Virgin. The divine Spirit shewing by this, that nothing is so greatand amiable in Christians, as ready obedience to the directions of theirsuperiors. (Barradius) – All children are hereby taught what subjection andobedience is due from them to their parents.
Haydock Commentary for the Double of the Second Class Feast of the Divine Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Honoring Θεοτόκος 
Editor's Note: We continue this special feature provided by John Gregory with the Haydock Commentary found at the bottom of each page of the Douay-Rheims Bible. With the type so small in most bibles, we publish it here in larger type in conjunction with the Epistle and Gospel for the Sunday Mass, with the cogent comprehensive Catholic Commentary penned by Father George Leo Haydock. This Sunday, the Double of the Second Class Feast of the Divine Maternity supersedes the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Last week, Father Haydock provided one of the keys to revealing Christ's divinity in knowing hearts and working miracles. This week he provides the proof of Our Lord's humility in subjecting Himself to his Mother Mary and step-father Joseph. Being the daughter of the Father, the spouse of the Holy Ghost, Mary is the Mother of the Son, thus manifesting to all through holy Scripture that she is the Mother of God - Theotokos (Θεοτόκος)and therefore due all the honor of such a title with the attributes illustrated in today's epistle from Ecclesiastes. Christ set the example of how all children should treat their parents in being obedient and respectful to the lawful Authority God granted. If Jesus could be subject to His Mother and honor her thusly then and forever after with the heavenly edicts bestowed upon her from the Cross, then lifting her up into Heaven and crowning her as Queen of Heaven and earth. If God so honored Mary thusly, should we do less? 
