Matutinum - Lectio
25 December, 2020
Lectio
Ex Sermónibus sancti Leónis magni papae:
A reading from a Sermon by Pope Saint Leo the Great.
Salvátor noster, dilectíssimi, hódie natus est: gaudeámus.
This is the day our Saviour was born: what a joy for us, my beloved!
Neque enim fas est locum esse tristítiæ, ubi natális est vitæ:
This is no season for sadness, this, the birthday of Life:
quæ, consumpto mortalitátis timóre, nobis íngerit de promíssa æternitáte lætítiam.
the Life which annihilates the fear of death, and engenders joy, promising, as it does, immortality.
Nemo ab hujus alacritátis participatióne secérnitur. Una cunctis lætítiæ commúnis est rátio:
Nobody is an outsider to this happiness. The same cause for joy is common to all,
quia Dóminus noster, peccáti mortísque destrúctor, sicut nullum a reátu líberum réperit,
for as our Lord found nobody free from guilt when he came to bring an end to death and to sin,
ita liberándis ómnibus venit.
so he came with redemption for all.
Exsúltet sanctus, quia appropínquat ad palmam: gáudeat peccátor, quia invitátur ad véniam:
Let the saint rejoice, for he hastens to his crown; let the sinner be filled with joy, for pardon is offered him;
animétur gentílis, quia vocátur ad vitam.
let the Gentile be emboldened, for he is called to life.