ARGUMENT

ARG. THOMAS. That CHRIST, the Son of Man, was made in His Passion a little lower than the angels. The voice of the ancient Church speaketh of CHRIST and of faith. Also of the Ascension of the SAVIOUR, and of the infants that glorified Him and that said, “Hosanna in the Highest.” The voice of the Church giveth praise to CHRIST for the faith of all creatures. Read it with the Gospel of S. Mark.

VEN. BEDE. For the winepresses: that is, for the members of the Church; because, as in the winepress, when the grapes are bruised, and the hardest pips crushed, the sweetest wine pours forth, so, when obstinacy and pride are crushed in the Church, the sweet tears of penitence are beautifully expressed. The Church, then, of former times, true winepress indeed of the body, and salutary fruit of the soul, at the commencement of the Psalm sings the praises of her LORD CHRIST, setting forth His Majesty and the greatness of His operations: “O Lord, our Governor,” &c. Then she speaketh more plainly of the nature of man, which, from the low and depraved condition whereto Adam’s fall had reduced it, He raised to the height of glory; and the One Person of CHRIST in its two distinct and inconfused natures is unhesitatingly acknowledged: “What is man,” &c.

SYRIAC PSALTER. A prophecy that the infants and children would sing praise in Hosannas to the LORD.