In the Spirit of the Commemoratio ad Laudes Tantum
In the Divine Office, the Commemoratio ad Laudes Tantum—the memorial prayed during Lauds—offers a moment of profound spiritual reflection, where the Church recalls the depths of humility and the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ. The scriptural readings from Philippians 3:7-12 and Matthew 11:25-30 invite us to contemplate the transformative call to humility, surrender, and the pursuit of Christ above all else. Let us turn to these texts with the guidance of the Church Fathers, who illuminate their meaning with wisdom that has endured throughout the ages.
“That I May Gain Christ” (Phil 3:7-12)
In Philippians 3:7-12, St. Paul writes:
“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him.”
St. Paul here models the radical reordering of life that comes from encountering the living Christ. The treasures of the world—wealth, honor, status—are considered as nothing compared to the “surpassing worth” of knowing Christ. This passage invites us to examine our attachments and reflect on the poverty of spirit praised in the Beatitudes.
St. John Chrysostom, in his homilies on Philippians, interprets this “loss” as a necessary death to the self:
“What Paul means is this: that the soul which has been captivated by the love of Christ no longer thinks of things visible and corruptible, for it has found the One Treasure.” (Homily on Philippians 11:3)
What does it mean, then, to gain Christ? St. Augustine explains that it is more than intellectual knowledge—it is union with Him:
“To know Christ is to cleave to Him by faith, to follow Him in love, and to die to self so that He might live in us.” (Sermon 169.13)
This union is not achieved by human effort but by the righteousness that comes through faith. As St. Paul says, it is not “a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ” (Phil 3:9). The Church Fathers constantly remind us that such righteousness is grace freely given, not earned, and our task is to respond in humility and love.
“Learn from Me, for I Am Meek and Humble of Heart” (Matt 11:25-30)
In Matthew 11:25-30, Christ extends His invitation:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
This passage reveals the Heart of Christ, which is meek and humble, and offers rest to the weary. It is an invitation to surrender to His gentle and loving lordship. How often do we labor under the heavy yoke of pride, ambition, or the pursuit of fleeting worldly goods? Christ offers us an exchange: His yoke is easy, and His burden is light, for it is carried in love.
St. Gregory the Great, commenting on this passage, highlights that Christ’s humility is the model for all Christians:
“The pride of humanity brought about our downfall, but the humility of God has lifted us up. If we want to draw near to Him, we must humble ourselves in imitation of His lowliness.” (Homily on the Gospels 2.22)
The yoke of Christ is His law of love, which unites us to Him and brings true rest. St. Ambrose explains:
“His yoke is the command of love, and love does not weigh us down but lifts us up. To be bound to Christ is to be truly free, for His yoke is grace, and His burden is joy.” (Exposition on the Gospel of Luke 6.11)
Christ’s invitation is not for the proud or self-sufficient but for the “little ones” (Matt 11:25)—those who, like children, trust entirely in God. St. Augustine beautifully connects this Gospel to the life of discipleship:
“Christ’s yoke is not one of restraint but of transformation. When we take His yoke upon us, our hearts are purified, and we come to love what He commands, finding rest in His truth.” (Confessions 10.29)
The Spirit of Commemoratio
As we contemplate these readings in the context of the Commemoratio ad Laudes Tantum, we are called to imitate the humility of Christ and the total surrender exemplified by St. Paul. Both passages remind us that the path to holiness is the way of humility, the rejection of worldly glory, and the embrace of the Cross.
The liturgical act of Laudes—the morning prayer of the Church—symbolically represents the dawning of a new day and the renewal of our hearts in Christ. In praying the Commemoratio, we recall that every moment is an opportunity to count all as loss for the sake of gaining Christ and to cast off the burdens of sin by taking up the yoke of His love.
Let us heed the words of St. Augustine:
“Take heart, brothers and sisters. Christ calls us to rest, not idleness; to meekness, not despair; to labor, not weariness. In Him, the restless heart finds peace, and the weary soul finds its home.” (Sermon 127)
May these readings inspire us to renounce the fleeting pleasures of the world, embrace the yoke of humility, and seek always the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord.
Prayer to Conclude
O Christ, meek and humble of heart, grant us the grace to cast off the burdens of pride and sin. Teach us to take Your yoke upon ourselves with joy and to count all as loss for the sake of Your glory. May we, like St. Paul, strive for the prize of eternal union with You, where every labor and suffering will be transformed into rest and peace in Your presence. Amen.