The Second Gospel

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. [Genuflect] AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH, [Stand] and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

In principio erat Verbum et Verbum erat apud Deum et Deus erat Verbum. Hoc erat in principio apud Deum. Omnia per ipsum facta sunt et sine ipso factum est nihil quod factum est; in ipso vita erat et vita erat lux hominum, et lux in tenebris lucet et tenebrae eam non conprehenderunt. Fuit homo missus a Deo cui nomen erat Iohannes. Hic venit in testimonium ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine ut omnes crederent per illum. Non erat ille lux sed ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine. Erat lux vera quae inluminat omnem hominem venientem in mundum. In mundo erat et mundus per ipsum factus est et mundus eum non cognovit. In propria venit et sui eum non receperunt; quotquot autem receperunt eum dedit eis potestatem filios Dei fieri: his qui credunt in nomine eius: qui non ex sanguinibus neque ex voluntate carnis neque ex voluntate viri sed ex Deo nati sunt. [Genuflect]ET VERBUM CARO FACTUM EST, [Stand] et habitavit in nobis et vidimus gloriam eius gloriam quasi unigeniti a Patre plenum gratiae et veritatis.

This passage from the Gospel of St. John (Jn. 1:1-14) is read at the conclusion of every Traditional Latin Mass. It is traditionally called the "Second Gospel," since it is an additional Gospel reading that regularly supplements the particular Gospel reading proper to the Mass of the day. Its familiarity for those who regularly assist at the Traditional Latin Mass has the salutary effect of reinforcing the divinity of Second Person of the Trinity who became Incarnate as Jesus Christ. It is also particularly appropriate for the Christmas season. God bless.