Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsMark 8

Gave to his Disciples.

He serveth the people not immediately himself, but by the Apostles' ministry: to teach us that we must receive Christ's Sacraments and doctrine, not at our own hand, but of his Priests' and our Pastors'.

Blessed them.

So is it in some ancient Greek ^[1] copies, agreeable to our Latin, and in S. Luke ^[2] expressly in the common Greek text, ^[3] that he blessed the five loaves and the two fishes: which must be always marked against the Heretics, which deny this blessing to pertain to the creatures, but feign it always to be referred to God for thanks-giving. For if it were so, he would have said grace but once for that whole refection: but he did severally bless both the bread first, and afterward the fishes also, multiplying them by his said blessing (as he did mankind and other creatures in the beginning by blessing them ^[4] ) and so working effectually some change or alteration in the very creatures themselves.

• 1 εὐλογήσας αὐτὰ.
• 2 Luc. 9, 16.
• 3 Blessing of creatures worketh an effect in them.
• 4 Gen. 1, 22. 28.

For me and the Gospel.

^[1] By the Gospel is signified, not only the four Evangelists, but all Scriptures, and whatsoever Christ said that is not in Scripture: for he saith in this very place, He that shall be ashamed of my words, the Son of man will be ashamed of him &c. Neither his own words only, but whatsoever the Apostles taught in word or writing: for our Saviour saith, He that despiseth you, despiseth me ^[2]. For defence of any of all these, and of every Article of the Catholic faith, we ought to die, and this is to lose our life for Christ and his Gospel.

• 1 What is to suffer for the Gospel.
• 2 Luc. 9.

Gain the whole world.

^◦ Let such note this, that for fear or flattery of the world condescend to obey the unjust laws of men touching religion, against their own consciences: and be content for the rest of a few days of this life, and for saving their temporal goods, to lose their soul and the joys of heaven.

• ◦ Doing against our own conscience.