Reading 4
From the Book against Jovinian written by St Jerome, Priest at Bethlehem.
Bk. 1
The Apostle John was one of the disciples of the Lord. There is a tradition that he was the youngest of the Apostles. He was a virgin when the Faith of Christ found him, and he hath remained a virgin for ever. This is why he was " the disciple whom Jesus loved" more than any of the others, and why he "leaned on Jesus' Breast." When Peter, who had been married, wished to ask the Lord who it was that was about to betray Him, he dared not ask for himself, but beckoned to John, that he should ask it. John xiii. 23, 24. After the Resurrection, when " Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that the Lord was risen, Peter and John ran both together to the sepulchre, but John did outrun Peter." (xx. 2-4.) Later on, when the Apostles were on the Sea of Galilee, in a ship, fishing, "Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus," till virgin knew Virgin, and " that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter It is the Lord."
V. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R. Thanks be to God.
R. Eternal light will shine over your saints, O Lord,
* And the eternity of the times, alleluia, alleluia.
V. Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads, they shall obtain joy and gladness
R. And the eternity of the times, alleluia, alleluia.