TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

THE Introit of the Mass is a humble prayer by which we confess that we are punished for our disobedience. " All that Thou hast done to us, O Lord, Thou hast done in true judgment, because we have sinned against Thee, and we have not obeyed Thy commandments ; but give glory to Thy name, and deal with us according to the multitude of Thy mercy" (Dan. iii.)."Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord." Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

Be appeased, O Lord, we beseech Thee, and grant to Thy faithful pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their offences, and serve Thee with secure mind. Through Christ our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE. Eph. v. 15-21.

See, brethren, how you walk circumspectly : not as unwise, but as wise : redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore become not unwise, but understanding what is the will of God. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is luxury, but be ye filled with the Holy Spirit. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord : giving thanks always for all things in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and the Father : being subject one to another in the fear of Christ.

GOSPEL. John iv. 46-53.

At that time there was a certain ruler whose son was sick at Capharnaum. He having heard that Jesus was - come from Judea into Galilee, went to Him, and prayed Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Jesus therefore said to him: Unless you see signs and wonders, you believe not. The ruler saith to him : Lord, come down before that my son die. Jesus saith to him : Go thy way, thy son liveth. The man believed the word which Jesus said to him, and went his way. And as he was going down, his servants met him : and they brought word, saying that his son lived. He asked therefore of them the hour wherein he grew better. And they said to him : Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. The father therefore knew that it was at the same hour that Jesus said to him, Thy son liveth ; and himself believed, and his whole house.

Explanation.

God permitted the son of the ruler to fall sick, that he, being thereby led to seek assistance from Christ, might obtain faith and salvation. In like manner, in order to convert sinners, He often permits manifold evils and misfortunes to come upon them, either in their own persons, or in their children, their goods. If God sends upon us failure of crops, inundation, hail, famine, war, sickness, death of those we love, He thereby designs nothing else than to move us at least to abandon sin and to turn to Him. God, indeed, sometimes sends afflictions upon the pious and innocent, or allows them to be vexed and tormented by wicked men, but He does this only to try their patience and love for Him ; to detach them from the world ; to set them on their guard against sin ; and to give them opportunity for gaining the greatest merits ; for "to them that love God, all things work together unto good" (Rom. viii. 28). Such were the designs of God in regard to Job, Tobias, and others ; and how. profitable to them were these trials from God ! But can we compare ourselves with these pious men when, instead of turning our trials to ad vantage by patience, we rather consider as our enemies those whom God makes use of to sanctify us?

How much good may not the example of a father of a family accomplish ! Hardly had this ruler received the faith, when his whole household was converted and believed in Jesus Christ. Thus fathers and mothers of families, by their good example, their piety, their zeal in prayer, their frequent receiving of the holy sacraments, by their meekness, their moderation, their modesty, may do incalculable good to their depend ents and the inmates of their houses. Would that they might reflect on this! "For if they have no care for their own, and especially those of their own house, they have denied the faith and are worse than the infidel"(i. Tim. v. 8).

Consolation in Sickness.

To console ourselves in sickness, let us bethink ourselves that God has sent us sickness for the good of our souls ; that we may thereby attain a knowledge of our sins, and make satisfaction for them ; or, if we suffer innocently, we may exercise our selves in patience, charity, humility, and such like virtues, and so increase our merits. When ill let us employ a competent physician and use the remedies he may prescribe. But before all else, let us betake ourselves to God, give ourselves up unreservedly to His will, pray Him to enlighten the physician, and bless the means employed for our recovery, and subdue our inclinations if the prescription of the physician does violence to our former habits. For how otherwise should medicine have its proper effect?

Ejaculation of St. Augustine. ----O Lord, here burn, here wound, only spare me in eternity !

ON THE CARE OF THE SICK.

All who have charge of the sick should before all think of the soul, and to that end call upon Jesus to come in the Blessed Sacrament, before the sick person is past the point of receiving Him with devotion. Therefore, parents, children, relatives, and friends, if they truly love the sick, should seek to induce him to receive the Blessed Sacrament in time. At the beginning, and during the progress of the sickness, we should endeavor to encourage the patient to resignation and childlike confidence in God ; should place before him the Saviour, suffering and glorified, as a pattern and consolation, should pray with him, to strengthen him against desponding thoughts and the temptations of the devil ; should sign him with the sign of the cross, sprinkle him with holy water, and, before all, pray for a happy death. But in caring for the soul the body is not to be neglected. We must call in time a skilful physician, give the sick person his medicines at the appointed times, keep everything clean, observe particularly the prescribed limit as to eating and drink ing, and not permit the patient to have his own will, for he might often desire what would be hurtful to him. In general we should do what, in like case, we would wish to have done for ourselves, for there is no greater work of charity than to attend a sick person, and particularly to assist him to a happy death.
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Next: Feast of All Saints, November 1

FEAST OF THE APOSTLES SIMON AND JUDE, OCTOBER 28

Feast of tbe Apostles Simon and Jude,
OCTOBER 28.


ST. SIMON and St. Jude were probably brothers ; the former received the surname Canaanite, to distinguish him from Simon Peter, either because he was a native of Cana, or because of his zeal for Christ (Luke vi. 15 ; Acts i. 13). Judas was surnamed Thaddeus, or Lebbeus, to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot. Both were chosen apostles by Christ, and were constant witnesses of His life and deeds. It is related of them in the Martyrology that the light of faith was communicated to Egypt and other countries of Africa by Simon, and to Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Greater Armenia by Thaddeus. Meeting in Persia, and propagating the Christian faith there by their preaching and miracles, they both gained the crown of martyrdom. There is extant an epistle of St. Jude which the Church has incorporated into the Holy Scriptures. From these two apostles learn to have zeal for the glory of God, for your own salvation and for that of your neighbor.

Prayer.

O God, Who, by means of Thy blessed apostles Simon and Jude, hast granted us to come to the knowledge of Thy name, grant that we may celebrate their eternal glory by making progress in virtue and improve by this celebration. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.

EPISTLE. Ephes. iv. 7-13.

Brethren: To every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the giving of Christ. Wherefore He saith: Ascending on high He led captivity captive ; He gave gifts to men. Now that He ascended, what is it, but because He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended above all the heavens, that He might fill all things. And He gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some evangelists, and other some pastors and doctors : for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: until we all meet into the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ.

GOSPEL. John xv. 17-25.

At that time Jesus said to His disciples: These things I command you, that you love one another. If the world hate you, know ye that it hath hated Me before you. If you had been of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember My word that I said to you : The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you: if they have kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My names sake : because they know not Him that sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin : but now they have no excuse for their sin. He that hateth Me, hateth My Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no other man hath done, they would not have sin : but now they have both seen and hated both Me and My Father. But that the word may be fulfilled which is written in their law : They hated Me without cause.

Explanation.

From the fact that Christ and His disciples were hated and persecuted by the world the greatest consolation and encouragement may be derived by those who are obliged to suffer mockery, contempt, and persecution because they are not of the world ; that is, because they do not follow its foolish principles and sinful customs. But they who, to escape the derision and hatred of the world, side with it, rather than with Christ, may learn to be ashamed of their cowardice and baseness. For as it is an honor to the servant to be treated like his master, so it is a great disgrace to him to be treated better than his master ; if, then, the master is pleased to submit to the hatred and persecution of the world, why do his servants refuse to do so? When Christ says that the Jews could not excuse themselves on the ground that they did not know Him, but had hated and persecuted Him when it was easy for them to have known Him by His works, He teaches us that ignorance is not in every case an excuse for sin. Those Christians, therefore, are in the highest degree culpable who, like the Jews, might easily learn what they ought to believe and do, but who fail to do so either through maliciousness or neglect, and accordingly remain in ignorance by their own fault. Acting in this kind of ignorance, they become guilty of sin, and will be justly condemned forever. It is otherwise with men who, without any fault of theirs, hear nothing of Christ or of the true faith, on account of which they are not punishable, but who will be condemned for such sins as they commit against that natural law which is inscribed on the heart of every man.
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Next: Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost.

NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost.

IN the Introit of the Mass God promises to hear the people who observe His law, and to help them in all their tribulations. "I am the salvation of the people, saith the Lord; in whatever tribulation they shall cry to Me, I will hear them, and I will be their Lord forever. Attend, O My people, to My law ; incline your ears to the words of My mouth." Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

O almighty and merciful God, graciously defend us from all that is hurtful, that, free in mind and body, we may with ready mind perform all that belongs to Thy service. Through Christ our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE. Eph. iv. 23-28.

Brethren : Be renewed in the spirit of your mind : and put on the new man, who, according to God, is created in justice, and holiness of truth. Wherefore, putting away lying, speak ye the truth every man with his neighbor : for we are members one of another. Be angry, and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your anger. Give not place to the devil. He that stole, let him now steal no more, but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have something to give to him that suffereth need.

Explanation.

The epistle of to-day particularly concerns such a$ live in falsehood, hatred, anger, injustice, impurity, or other sins. Perhaps we have often renewed our spirit at a jubilee, or a mission, or a spiritual retreat ; we seemed then to be converted, and to have become new men, but how long did our spiritual renovation last? Alas, how soon were we sinners again ! We thought that, after making a general confession, everything was done ; instead of zealously using all means to preserve ourselves in this happy state of spiritual renewal, we allowed ourselves once more to resort to bad company and dangerous occasions, and gave ourselves up, as before, to idleness and indulgence. When shall we be lastingly converted?

GOSPEL. Matt. xxii. 2-14.

At that time Jesus spoke to the chief priests and Pharisees in parables, saying : The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king, who made a marriage for his son. And he sent his servants to call them that were invited to the marriage : and they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying : Tell them that were invited : Behold, I have prepared my dinner ; my beeves and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready : come ye to the marriage. But they neglected, and went their ways, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise. And the rest laid hands on his servants, and, having treated them contumeliously, put them to death. But when the king had heard of it, he was angry, and, sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers, and burnt their city. Then he saith to his servants : The marriage indeed is ready : but they that were invited were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways ; and as many as you shall find, call to the marriage. And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all that they found, both bad and good : and the marriage was filled with guests. And the king went in to see the guests : and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment. And he saith to him : Friend, how earnest thou in hither not having on a wedding garment? But he was silent. Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness : there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.

Remark.--- This parable is, in many respects, the same as that for the Second Sunday after Pentecost, and has the same mean ing. See, therefore, the explanation of that gospel ; in addition to this, consider also the following

Explanation.

1. In the present parable the king is our heavenly Father, Who has espoused His only-begotten Son to the Church. 2. The feast is made up of the doctrines of the Gospel, the holy sacraments, with the other means of salvation, and of eternal joys. 3. The servants sent to invite the guests are the prophets, apostles, and disciples of Christ. 4. Those invited are the Jews, who, despising the honor intended for them, put to death the prophets and apostles. 5. In their place others, that is, the heathen, were called from all quarters of the earth, who, having been in the broad road to destruction, now occupy the place of the Jews in the marriage-feast of the Church, and will one day occupy their place in heaven. 6. The wedding garment signifies charity, which shows itself by good works; without this, faith avails nothing.

That the man without a wedding garment was silent when questioned by the king shows us that no one will be able to excuse himself before God for not having charity, since every one may have it if he only ask it from God, and be willing to practise it.

Aspiration.

I thank Thee, O Jesus, that, through Thy incarnation, passion, and death, Thou hast gained for me eternal happiness; give me also the wedding garment of charity, that I may be admitted to the heavenly marriage-feast, and not be cast into the exterior darkness.

Lessons of Consolation from the Joys of Heaven.

In what these joys consist, St. Paul himself, though more than once caught up to heaven and allowed to see and taste them, could not describe. He only says that "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love Him"(i. Cor. ii. 9). In heaven all beauties, all delights, all joys, are found in the highest and most perfect degree ; free from all evil, free from all anxiety and disgust, and free from all fear of ever losing them. In a word, in heaven man shall possess God Himself, the source of all joy and happiness, and shall, with Him, enjoy God s own happiness for all eternity. "We shall be like to Him" (i. John iii. 2).

Is there need of anything more to give us the highest conception of heaven?

" How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts ! my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord, my heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God" (Ps. Ixxxiii). "How weary of the world am I when I contemplate heaven!"
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Next: Feast of the Holy Apostles Simon and Jude, October 28

EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
IN the Introit of the Mass the Church prays for the peace which God has promised through His prophets." Give peace, O Lord, to them that patiently wait for Thee, that Thy prophets may be found faithful ; hear the prayers of Thy servants, and of Thy people Israel. I rejoiced at the things that were said to me ; we shall go into the house of the Lord." Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

We beseech Thee, O Lord, that the work of Thy mercy may direct our hearts ; for without Thy grace we cannot be pleasing to Thee. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.

EPISTLE, i. Cor. i. 4-8.

Brethren : I give thanks to my God always for you, for the grace of God that is given you in Christ Jesus, that in all things you are made rich in Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge ; as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you : so that nothing is wanting to you in any grace, waiting for the manifestation of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who also will confirm you unto the end without crime, in the day of the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Brief Lessons.

St. Paul shows in this epistle that he possesses the true love of his neighbor, by rejoicing and thanking God that He had be stowed on the Corinthians manifold gifts and graces, and thereby confirmed the testimony of Christ in them.

By this we learn that we should rejoice over the gifts and graces of our neighbors; should thank God for them, and pray Him to fill all who are in the darkness of error with knowledge, and love, and all virtues.

GOSPEL. Matt. ix. 1-8.

At that time Jesus, entering into a boat, passed over the water and came into His own city. And behold they brought to Him one sick of the palsy lying in a bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the man sick of the palsy : Be of good heart, son, thy sins are forgiven thee. And behold some of the scribes said within themselves: He blasphemeth. And Jesus seeing their thoughts, said: Why do you think evil in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee : or to say, Arise and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, then said He to the man sick of the palsy : Arise, take up thy bed and go into thy house. And he arose, and went into his house. And the multitude seeing it, feared, and glorified God that gave such power to men.

Explanation.

The charity of those who brought the sick man to Christ was so full of faith, so pleasing to Him, that, out of regard for it, He forgave the palsied man his sins, and healed him. Christ did not heal the man sick with the palsy until He had forgiven him his sins. By this He teaches us that sins are often the cause of the sicknesses and evils that pursue us; and that if we sincerely repent of our sins, God would be likely to remove these evils from us. This is also intimated by the words of Jesus to him who had been sick eight-and-thirty years :" Sin no more, lest some worse thing happen to thee" (John v. 14). This should be kept in mind by those who so impetuously beseech God to free them from their afflictions, but who do not think to free themselves from the sins which may be the cause of them, by a sincere repentance and by leading a Christian life. "He blasphemeth" Thus, in their perverted minds, the Jews thought of Christ ; supposing that, by forgiving the sick man his sins, Ho had committed an encroachment on the prerogative of God, and thereby done Him great wrong; for it is blasphemy against God to attempt to wrong Him, or to think, speak, or do anything insulting to Him or to His saints.

" And Jesus seeing their thoughts, said : Why do you think evil in your hearts?" This is something to be considered by those who suppose their thoughts to be free from scrutiny, and to whom it does not even occur to make their evil thoughts matter of confession. God, the most holy and most just, will no more leave unpunished impure, proud, angry, revengeful, envious thoughts, than He will an idle word (Matt. xii. 36). Do not, therefore, give yourself up to evil thoughts; and in order to repel them, remember each time that God sees and punishes them. Would you not drive them away if men saw them? Why not, then, on account of God?

ON INDULGENCES.

What is an indulgence?

It is the remission granted by the Church, in the name of God, and on account of the merits of Jesus Christ and of all the saints, of the temporal punishment which men must suffer, either in this world or in the world to come, for sins that have been al ready forgiven.

Whence do we know that after sins are forgiven there yet remains a temporal punishment?

From Holy Scripture; thus God imposed upon Adam and Eve great temporal punishments, although He forgave them their sin (Gen. iii.). Moses and Aaron were punished for a slight want of confidence in God (Num. xx. 24; Deut. xxxii. 51). David, though forgiven, was obliged to submit to great temporal punishments (n. Kings xii.). Finally, faith teaches us that after death we must suffer in purgatory till we have paid the last farthing (Matt. v. 26).

Can the Church remit all temporal punishments, even those imposed by God Himself, and why?

Certainly, by virtue of the power to bind and to loose which Christ has given her (Matt, xviii. 18). For if the Church has received from God the power to remit sins which is the greater she certainly has authority to remit the punishment of them which is the less. Moreover, it is by the bands of punishment that we are hindered from reaching the kingdom of God. But if the Church can loose all bands, why not this? Finally, Jesus certainly had power to remit the temporal punishment of sins ; and the power which He Himself had He gave to His disciples.

What is required in order rightly to gain an indulgence?

In order to gain an indulgence it is necessary: I. To be In the grace of God. It is proper, therefore, to go to confession every time that one begins the good works enjoined for the gaining of an indulgence. In granting partial indulgences sacramental confession is not usually prescribed, but if one who is in the state of mortal sin wishes to gain the indulgence, he must at least make an act of true contrition with a firm purpose of going to confession. 2. It is necessary to have at least a general intention of gaining the indulgences. 3. It is necessary to perform in person and with devotion all the good works enjoined as to time, manner, end, etc., according to the terms in which the indulgence is granted.

To gain plenary indulgences, confession, communion, a visit to some church or public oratory, and pious prayers are usually prescribed. If visits to a church are prescribed, holy communion may be received in any church, but the indulgenced prayers must be said in that church in which the indulgence is granted, and on the prescribed day. As to prayers, it is recommended that there be said seven times the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, and Creed.

Prayer for gaining an Indulgence.

We beseech Thee, O Lord, graciously accept the petitions of Thy holy Church, that Thou wouldst deliver her from all adversities, root out from her all heresies, unite all Christian rulers and princes, and exalt Thy holy Church on earth, that we may all serve Thee in peace and quietness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Next: Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

SATURDAY FOLLOWING THE SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST-EMBER DAY

Saturday following the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost –Ember Day

EPISTLE.

Hebrews ix. 2-12.

BRETHREN : There was a tabernacle made the first, wherein were the candlesticks, and the table, and the setting forth of loaves, which is called the Holy. And after the second veil, the tabernacle, which is called the Holy of holies: having a golden censer, and the ark of the testament covered about on every part with gold, in which was a golden pot that had manna, and the rod of Aaron, that had blossomed, and the tables of the testament. And over it were the cherubim of glory, over shadowing the propitiatory : of which it is not needful to speak now particularly. Now these things being thus ordered, into the first tabernacle the priests indeed always entered, accomplishing the offices of sacrifices. But into the second, the highpriest alone, once a year : not without blood, which he offereth for his own and the people s ignorance : the Holy Ghost signifying this, that the way into the holies was not yet made manifest, whilst the former tabernacle was yet standing. Which is a parable of the time present : according to which gifts and sacrifices are offered, which cannot, as to the conscience, make him perfect that serveth, only in meats and in drinks, and divers washings, and justices of the flesh, laid on them until the time of correction. But Christ being come, an high-priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hand, that is, not of this creation : neither by the blood of goats, or of calves, but by His own blood, entered once into the holies, having obtained eternal redemption.

GOSPEL. Luke xiii. 6-17.

At that time Jesus spoke to the multitude this parable : A certain man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none. And he said to the dresser of the vineyard : Behold for these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and I find none. Cut it down therefore; why cumbereth it the ground? But he answering said to him : Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it and dung it. And if happily it bear fruit : but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. And He was teaching in their synagogue on the Sabbath. And behold there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years : and she was bowed together, neither could she look upwards at all. Whom when Jesus saw, He called her unto Him, and said to her : Woman, thou art delivered from thy infirmity. And He laid His hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue (being angry that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath), answering said to the multitude : Six days there are wherein you ought to work. In them therefore come, and be healed ; and not on the Sabbath-day. And the Lord answering him, said : Ye hypocrites, doth not every one of you on the Sabbath-day loose his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead them to water ? And ought not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath-day? And when He said these things, all His adversaries were ashamed : and all the people rejoiced for all the things that were gloriously done by Him.

Practice.

This parable was a call to the Jews to do penance ; that they who, as St. Jerome says, had been warned three times through the law of Moses, through the prophets, and finally through Christ Himself might not at last go to destruction. At the same time it was a threat of approaching judgment. Let us learn hence to make good use of the days of God s long-suffering mercy, that we may not, like the unfruitful tree, be cut down and cast into the fire.

Prayer.

O almighty, eternal God, Who by salutary abstinence doth heal both our bodies and souls, we humbly entreat Thy majesty that, appeased by the pious prayers of those who fast, Thou wouldst grant us present and future support. Through Christ our Lord, etc.
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Next:Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

FRIDAY FOLLOWING THE SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST-EMBER DAY

Friday following tbe Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost --Ember Day

EPISTLE. Osee xiv. 2-10.

THUS saith the Lord God: Return, O Israel, to the Lord -L God thy : for thou hast fallen down by thy iniquity. Take with you words, and return to the Lord, and say to Him : Take away all iniquity, and receive the good : and we will render the calves of our lips. Assyria shall not save us, we will not ride upon horses, neither will we say any more : The works of our hands are our gods : for Thou wilt have mercy on the fatherless that is in Thee. I will heal their breaches, I will love them freely : for My wrath is turned away from them. I will be as the dew, Israel shall spring as the lily, and his root shall shoot forth as that of Libanus. His branches shall spread, and his glory shall be as the olive-tree : and his smell as that of Libanus. They shall be converted that sit under his shadow : they shall live upon wheat, and they shall blossom as a vine: his memorial shall be as the wine of Libanus. Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I will hear him, and I will make him flourish like a green fir-tree : from me is thy fruit found. Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know these things? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them : but the transgressors shall fall in them.

Explanation.

The prophet Osee, by the command of God, exhorts the people of Israel to penance, and seeks to move them by describing the happiness thereby obtained. What blessing and what joy come from a sincere repentance in life, and particularly in the hour of death !

The gospel is the same as for the Thursday in Passion Week (Luke vii. 36-50). See page 162.
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Next: Saturday following the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost-Ember Day

WEDNESDAY FOLLOWING SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, EMBER DAY

Wednesday following tbe Seventeentb Sunday after Pentecost Ember Day

EPISTLE, II. Esdras viii. 1-10.

IN those days all the people were gathered together as one man to the street which is before the water-gate, and they spoke to Esdras the scribe, to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel. Then Esdras the priest brought the law before the multitude of men and women, and all those that could understand, in the first day of the seventh month. And he read it plainly in the street that was before the water-gate, from the morning until mid-day, before the men, and the women, and all those that could understand : and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book. And Esdras the scribe stood upon a step of wood, which he had made to speak upon, and there stood by him Mathathias, and Semeia, and Ania, and Uria, and Helcia, and Maasia, on his right hand : and on the left, Phadaia, Misaei, and Melchia, ard Hasum, and Hasbadana, Zacharia and Mosollam. And Esdras opened the book before all the people : for he was above all the people : and when he had opened it, all the people stood. And Esdras blessed the Lord, the great God: and all the people answered, Amen, amen: lifting up their hands: and they bowed down, and adored God with their faces to the ground. Now Josue, and Bani, and Serebia, Jamin, Accub, Septhai, Odia, Maasia, Celita, Azarias, Jozabed, Hanan, Phalaia, the Levites, made silence among the people to hear the law : and the people stood in their place. And they read in the book of the law of God distinctly and plainly to be understood : and they understood when it was read. And Nehemias (he is Athersatha) and Esdras the priest and scribe, and the Levites who interpreted to all the people, said : This is a holy-day to the Lord our God : do not mourn, nor weep : for all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. And he said to them : Go, eat fat meats, and drink sweet wine, and send portions to them that have not prepared for themselves : because it is the holy-day of the Lord, and be not sad, for the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Aspiration.

O Lord, send zealous priests like Esdras into Thy vineyard, the Church, and grant that we, with fervor like that of Thy people who listened to him, may hearken to Thy word preached to us by Thy minister the priest, and may repent sincerely of our sins ; thus seeking and finding in Thee, our Lord, our only joy and strength.

GOSPEL. Mark ix. 16-28.

At that time, one of the multitude answering, said to Jesus :Master, I have brought my son to Thee having a dumb spirit. Who, wheresoever he taketh him, dasheth him, and he foameth, rind gnasheth with the teeth, and pineth away : and I spoke to Thy disciples to cast him out, and they could not. Who answering them, said : O incredulous generation, how long shall I be with you ? how long shall I suffer you ? bring him unto Me. And they brought him. And when He had seen him, immediately the spirit troubled him ; and being thrown down upon the ground, he rolled about foaming. And He asked his father : How long time is it since this hath happened unto him? But he said : From his infancy : and oftentimes hath he cast him into the fire and into waters to destroy him. But if Thou canst do anything, help us, having compassion on us. And Jesus saith to him : If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And immediately the father of the boy crying out, with tears said : I do believe, Lord ; help my un-belief. And when Jesus saw the multitude running together, He threatened the unclean spirit, saying to him : Deaf and dumb spirit, I command thee, go out of him : and enter not any more into him. And crying out, and greatly tearing him, he went out of him, and he became as dead, so that many said : He is dead. But Jesus taking him by the hand, lifted him up ; and he arose. And when He was come into the house, His disciples secretly asked Him : Why could not we cast him out ? And He said to them : This kind can go out by nothing but by prayer and fasting.

Prayer.

Uphold, O Lord, our infirmity by the help of Thy mercy, that what by itself must fall, may stand upright by Thy clemency. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, etc.
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Next: Friday following the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, Ember Day

SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost.

IN the Introit of the Mass, the justice and mercy of God are praised. "Thou art just, O Lord, and Thy judgment is right. Deal with Thy servant according to Thy mercy. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord" (Ps. cxviii.). Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

Grant to Thy people, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to avoid the contagion of the devil, and with a pure mind to seek Thee, the only God. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.

EPISTLE. Eph. iv. 1-6.

Brethren: I, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called, with all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity, careful to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. One body and one spirit, as you are called in one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in us all, Who is blessed forever and ever. Amen.

Practice.

The words, "one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all," confound those who assert that a man may be saved in any belief. There can be but one true religion ; they who profess it should be united by the bond of charity, and their lives be worthy of their vocation to the true faith.

GOSPEL. Matt. xxii. 35-46.

At that time the Pharisees came nigh to Jesus, and one of them, a doctor of the law, asked Him, tempting Him : Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him : Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind; This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like to this : Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets. And the Pharisees being gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying: What think you of Christ? Whose son is He? They say to Him: David’s. He saith to them: How then doth David in spirit call Him Lord, saying: The Lord said to my Lord: Sit on My right hand, until I make Thy enemies Thy footstool? If David then call Him Lord how is He his son? And no man was able to answer Him a word : neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions.

Why is this commandment to love God and our neighbor called the great commandment?

Because in these two are contained all the others, so that he who fulfils these fulfils the whole law. For whoever loves God with his whole heart does not murmur against God ; does not dishonor His name by cursing and swearing ; does not desecrate the Sabbath-day, because he knows that all this is offensive to God. On the contrary, he hopes in God ; gives thanks and praise to God ; sanctifies the Sundays and holy- days, because he knows this to be pleasing to God ; observes the precepts of the Church, because he knows it to be the will of God that he should hear the Church ; honors his parents ; does no injury to his neighbor ; does not commit adultery ; does not steal ; slanders no one ; bears no false witness ; pronounces no unjust judgment; is not envious, malicious, unmerciful, but rather practises towards every one the corporal and spiritual works of mercy ; and all this because, out of love to God, he loves his neighbor as himself. Thus love fulfils all the commandments.

What is the meaning of the question, "What think you of Christ?"

Christ put this question to the Pharisees in order that, by their own answer, He might convince them that He was not merely a lineal son of David, but that He was the Son of God, begotten from eternity, on which account He called Himself David’s Lord. That Christ is the Son of God, our Lord, our Teacher, our lawgiver, our Redeemer and Saviour, we Christians know well, for we daily profess it; but how many of us, in deeds, deny it, since we do not follow His teaching nor observe His commandments ! What, then, will Christ one day be to such ? What but a judge to condemn, and a God to punish ?

Why must we love our neighbor ?

Because we are all, not merely by descent from Adam, but much more through the grace of Jesus, children of God and members of one family. As children of God, we bear in us the likeness of God. But God loved and still loves all men ; for the salvation of all He has given up His only Son, that all may be saved ; shall we then love one and hate another, and yet think to be like God? Through the grace of Jesus we are all redeemed, made members of His body, yes, partakers of His body and blood. Therefore St. Paul admonishes us: "You are all one in Christ" (Gal. iii. 28), "be therefore careful to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephes. iv. 3). How natural is it for the members of one body not to wound each other ! Jesus, our Redeemer, gave His life for us when we were His enemies (Rom. v. 10), and even on the cross prayed for His murderers. We are His disciples. But can we be allowed to call ourselves so without possessing this mark of His discipleship ? (John xiii. 15.) Thus everything incites us to love : the law of nature and of revelation, the example of Christ, all the promises and hopes that we have. In truth, how, without love, could we hope to enter the kingdom of love ? There can be no answer to this reasoning: "Would you be a disciple of Jesus, an heir of His kingdom ?" then love like Him ; and He has shed His blood for His mortal enemies.
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Next: Wednesday following the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi October 4

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
October 4
ST. FRANCIS was born at Assisi, in Italy, in the year 1182. His father, a rich merchant, intended him for trade, and Francis applied himself with aptness to this employment, in which, though fond of show, he exhibited, at an early day, a particular love for the poor. Agreeable and amiable, affable and kind to all, he was beloved by all around him, and the world sought to draw him to its side. But, enlightened from above, and by heavenly apparitions rendered attentive to the call he was about to receive, he followed the leadings of grace which drew him on to imitate Christ in poverty and humility. Hearing one day at Mass the words of the Gospel : "Do not possess gold, nor silver, nor money in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, nor two coats, nor shoes, nor a staff" (Matt. x. 9, 10), he began to reglate the whole manner of his life according to this precept of the Gospel, and at once began to preach penance with such evangelical poverty, and with such power, that all who heard him were moved to tears. Disinherited by his father, who was greatly displeased at his poverty and open-handedness towards the poor, he threw himself altogether upon the providence of his Father in heaven, dividing with the poor the alms he thus received. The extraordinary manner of his life soon brought around him disciples, and as the number of them increased daily, he wrote for them a rule, and then set out for Home, to procure from the Pope a confirmation of it. He came back, rejoicing in the Lord that everything at Rome had gone according to his wish, and established himself about a mile from his native city, at a small church belonging to the Benedictines, which he called Portiuncula (little portion). Here he led a life of the severest penance ; here he prayed day and night, and here he laid the foundation of that Order which has filled the world with the splendor of its virtues. Here in this church, dedicated to the virgin Mother of Jesus and to the holy angels, he received from Christ Himself the celebrated indulgence known throughout the whole Christian world as the Portiuncula Indulgence ; for while the saint was praying there with glowing devotion, on the day of the dedication of the church, in the year 1221, the Lord appeared to him and said : "Francis, ask whatever thou wilt for the salvation of the nations." He answered: ";I desire the remission of guilt and punishment, a plenary indulgence for all who shall visit this church with contrite hearts and sincerely confess their sins." The Lord replied : "Go then to My representative, the Pope, and ask the indulgence in My name." Forthwith he went to Pope Honorius III., who first, by word of mouth, and afterwards by a proper bull, confirmed to him the indulgence. The same indulgence was, at a later day, ex tended to all churches of the Franciscans, and by Pope Pius VII. to all parish churches (at least to all in Bavaria), and may be gained on the first Sunday in August of every year. Burning with desire for the salvation of the people, St. Francis with his brethren, whom he sent out two by two to preach penance and the peace of God, labored to establish every where the kingdom of heaven. His love for sinners, and his ardent zeal for the salvation of souls, impelled him to visit re mote parts of the world to preach the Gospel to unbelievers. For this he was rewarded by God with miraculous graces, among which there is particularly to be mentioned that which was granted him upon Mount Alverno. While he was there engaged, separated from the world, in fasting and praying for forty days, as he was accustomed to do often, the Saviour appeared to him in the form of a seraph on the cross, and imprinted the five wounds of His own body on the body of St. Francis. On account of this, and for his ardent love for Jesus crucified, St. Francis received the surname of Seraph. After this event the saint lived two years in manifold bodily distress and sickness, without murmur or complaint, with perfect resignation to the will of God. Some time before his death he caused his will to be written, in which he left to his brethren poverty as an inheritance in which they should find great treasure for heaven. As the hour of his dissolution drew nigh he had the passion of Christ read to him; he then said the one hundred and forty-first psalm, and at the words, "Bring my soul oat of prison that I may praise Thy name," he expired happy in the Lord, October 4, 1226, in the forty-fifth year of his age. St. Francis founded three Orders : the first and proper Order of Franciscans, or the Order of Friars Minor ; then the Order of Franciscan nuns, or Clares, so called from St. Clare, their first superior ; and lastly, that called the Third Order, for people in the world, of both sexes, who aim at perfection, but do not desire to make the vows of the cloister. This last Order, which has been approved by many Popes, particularly by Gregory IX., Innocent IV., and Nicholas IV., has spread throughout the whole world, and is becoming in our day more and more flourishing.

Prayer.

O God, Who by the merits of blessed Francis dost increase Thy Church by a new progeny, grant us by imitating him to despise earthly things, and ever to rejoice in the participation of heavenly gifts. Through Christ our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE. Gal. vi. 14-18.

Brethren : God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ : by Whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And whosoever shall follow this rule, peace on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. From henceforth let no man be troublesome to me : for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus in my body. The grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

GOSPEL. Matt. xi. 25-30.

At that time Jesus answered and said : I confess to Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones. Yea, Father : for so hath it seemed good in Thy sight. All things are delivered to Me by My Father. And no one knoweth the Son, but the Father: neither doth any one know the Father, but the Son, and he to whom it shall please the Son to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you that labor, and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take up My yoke upon you, arid learn of Me, because I am meek, and humble of heart : and you shall find rest to your souls. For My yoke is sweet and My burden light.
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Next: Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

FEAST OF THE HOLY ROSARY

Feast of the Holy Rosary

First Sunday in October

THIS feast was fixed for the first Sunday in October by Pope Clement XI. , in perpetual commemoration of a celebrated double victory gained by the Christians at Lepanto, in 1571, under Pope St. Pius V. , and at Belgrade, under Pope Clement XI., through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who had been invoked by saying the Holy Rosary. It is at the same time the principal feast of the Arch-confraternity of the Holy Rosary.

In 1885 Pope Leo XIII., ordered the Rosary to be recited every day during the month of October in every parish church and cathedral throughout the world, and those of the faithful who cannot be present at this recital he exhorted to say it with their families or in private.

The Holy Rosary is a form of prayer in which there is first said the Apostles Creed, and then fifteen decades, each one of which consists of ten Hail Marys. Each decade has one Our Father to be said before it, and is followed by a meditation upon some one mystery of our redemption. It is called the Rosary, or Wreath of Roses, because the joyful, the sorrowful, and the glorious mysteries, aptly symbolized by the leaves, the thorns, the flower, of which the rose consists with the prayers and praises that are blended together compose, as it were, a wreath or crown. It is also called the Psalter, because it contains a hundred and fifty Hail Marys, as the Psalter of David contains a hundred and fifty psalms, and because it is used in place of the singing of psalms, as practised in former times. There are three parts in the Rosary the joyful, the sorrowful, the glorious. The joyful part consists of the five first decades, to which are attached five mysteries of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, through which, full of joy, we speak to Mary of Him : 1. Whom she conceived while a virgin. 2. Whom she bore to Elizabeth. 3. Whom she brought forth while a virgin. 4. Whom she offered to God in the temple. 5. Whom she found in the temple. (This is said particularly in Advent.) The sorrowful part, in like manner, contains five decades, in connection with which there are presented for our meditation five mysteries of the passion and death of Jesus : 1 . Who for us sweat blood. 2. Who for us was scourged. 3, Who for us was crowned with thorns. 4. Who for us bore the heavy cross. 5. Who for us was crucified. (This is said particularly in Lent.) The glorious part, consisting of the last five decades, reminds us of the glory of Christ and of the Blessed Virgin by five mysteries in which we commemorate Him: 1. Who rose from the dead. 2. Who ascended into heaven. 3. Who sent to us the Holy Ghost. 4. Who received thee, O Virgin, into heaven. 5. Who crowned thee, O Virgin, in heaven. (This part is said particularly at Eastertide.)

How was this prayer introduced into the Church?

St. Dominic had for many years preached against the errors of the Albigenses and other heretics, with such zeal and profound ability that they were often convinced. But nevertheless the results were unimportant ; but few returned to the bosom of the Catholic Church. In this discouraging state of things St. Dominic redoubled his prayers and works of penance, and in particular besought Mary for support and assistance. One day Mary appeared to him and taught him the Rosary. He zealously labored to introduce everywhere this manner of prayer, and from that time preached with such success that in a short period more than one hundred thousand heretics and sinners were converted. The divine origin of the Rosary is testified to by the bull of Gregory XIII. of the year 1577.

Is the Rosary a profitable method of prayer?

Yes ; for by bringing before the eyes of the spirit the fundamental mysteries of Christianity it supplies us with the strongest motives to love God, to hate sin, to subdue the passions, to contemn the world and its vanity, and to strive after Christian perfection, in order that we may gain those happy mansions which Jesus prepares for us. The Rosary, besides, brings before us living examples Jesus and Mary whom we must follow, and encourages us to good works by pointing to the all-powerful grace procured for us by Jesus, and the all-prevailing intercession of the gracious Mother of God. Let us not be ashamed to carry the beads with us, for otherwise we might be ashamed of being Catholics ; let us say the Rosary often every evening as was the custom with Catholics in former times, and we shall find that, as in St. Dominic s day it was a wholesome check to error, so too in our times it will be, if said aright, a powerful weapon against heresy and unbelief, and will increase faith, piety, and virtue.

How should we say the Rosary?

1. Properly ; that is, as has been above described, and slowly, with a distinct pronunciation of the prayers and mysteries. 2. Devoutly, not only with the lips, but also with the heart. More particularly we ought to meditate upon the mysteries that come before us : thus, at the joyful mysteries we should think of the infinite love of God to men and on His humiliation for us, thanking Him, and promising our love to Him in return ; at the sorrowful mysteries we should have compassion on the suffering for us, should from the heart detest the sins which were the cause of His sufferings, and make the most earnest resolutions for the future ; at the glorious mysteries we should remember the glory which awaits us also if we follow Jesus and Mary.

Prayer.

O God, Whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, procured for us the rewards of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that, commemorating these mysteries in the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and possess what they promise. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, etc.

Epistle, Prov. viii. 22-35. (See Feast of the Immaculate Conception, page 356.) Gospel, Luke i. 26-38. (See Feast of the Annunciation, page 389.)
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Next: Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, October 4

FEAST OF THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGEL, OCTOBER 2

Feast of the Holy Guardian Angel
OCTOBER 2.

THIS feast was instituted : 1. To thank God that to each one of us He has given a particular guardian angel to conduct him unharmed through the dangers of this world. 2. To in spire us with gratitude to the angels who do us such great good, and to incite us to efforts to render ourselves worthy of their guardianship.

What is the office of a guardian angel?

To guard men against dangers of soul and body. The Psalmist says : He hath given His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways ; in their hands shall they bear thee up, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone" (Ps. xc. 11); that is, that thou mayest neither fall into sin nor misfortune. " Oh, what great regard for us," hereupon exclaims St. Bernard, "what wonderful love! Who is it that has given charge? God. To whom has He given charge? The angels, those noble spirits, His own household. What charge has He given them? To guard and defend us, poor men. 4 O Lord, what is man, that Thou art mindful of him ?" St. Paul calls the angels "ministering spirits" sent to minister to them who shall receive the inheritance of salvation (Heb. i. 14). In innumerable other places in the Bible they are represented as friends of children, guides of youth, defenders of innocence, promoters of good deeds, monitors against evil, guardians of the pious, protectors against misfortune, comforters in need, deliverers in danger, helpers in combat, companions of the souls in everlasting joy.

What should we do every day, but particularly this day? We should thank God for having given us guardians so holy and powerful, and our guardian angel himself for the help he has rendered us; should think of and call upon him often, especially in the hour of temptation ; finally, we should promise fidelity and obedience to his admonitions. Whatever in this regard is at any time binding upon us should especially be done to-day.

Prayer.

O God, Who by an unspeakable providence dost vouchsafe to send Thy angels to guard us, grant to Thy suppliants to be ever defended by their protection, and to rejoice eternally in their society. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE. Exodus xxiii. 20-23.

Thus saith the Lord : Behold I will send My angel, who shall go before thee, and keep thee in thy journey, and bring thee into the place that I have prepared. Take notice of him, and hear his voice, and do not think him one to be contemned ; for he will not forgive when thou hast sinned, and My name is in him. But if thou wilt hear his voice, and do all that I speak, I will be an enemy to thy enemies, and will afflict them that afflict thee. And My angel shall go before thee.

Gospel, Matt, xviii. 1-10. (See Feast of St. Michael, Sept. 29, page 436.)

Prayer to the Guardian Angel.

Angel of God, my guardian dear,

To whom His love commits me here,

Ever this day be at my side,

To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

(100 days indulgence each time.)
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Next: Feast of the Holy Rosary

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

IN the Introit of the Mass let us implore, with great confidence, the mercy of God. "Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I have cried to Thee all the day ; for Thou, O Lord, art sweet, and mild, and plenteous in mercy, to all that call upon Thee. Bow down Thy ear to me, O Lord, and hear me, for I am needy and poor"(Ps. Ixxxv.). Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

May Thy grace, O Lord, ever precede and follow us, and make us ever intent upon good works. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.

EPISTLE. Eph. iii. 13-21.

Brethren : I pray you not to faint at my tribulations for you :which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, of Whom all paternity in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened by His Spirit with might unto the inward man, that Christ may dwell by faith in your hearts : that being rooted and founded in charity, you may be able to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth, and length, and height, and depth : to know also the charity of Christ, which surpasseth all knowledge, that you may be filled unto all the fulness of God. Now to Him Who is able to do all things more abundantly than we desire or understand, according to the power that worketh in us : to Him be glory in the Church, and in Christ Jesus, unto all generations, world without end. Amen.

Explanation.

St. Paul was in prison at Eome when he wrote this epistle, and was anxious lest the Ephesians might think that the faith, the proclaimers of which were thus persecuted, was not from God. He therefore exhorts them to remain firm in their belief ; assures them that his sufferings would be for their glory if they remained as firm as he : and prays that they may be enlightened to know the love of God that is, what Christ had done and suffered for us. Hence we learn to ask earnestly of God grace to understand the mysteries of faith.

Aspiration.

O heavenly Father, according to the example of St. Paul, I humbly pray that Thy spirit, Thy knowledge, Thy charity, may be deeply implanted in ns, that Thou mayest possess our hearts, and that we, filled with all the fulness of Thy grace, may serve Thee more perfectly, and give Thee thanks forever.

GOSPEL. Luke xiv. 1-11.

At that time, when Jesus went into the house of one of the chief of the Pharisees, on the Sabbath-day, to eat bread, they watched Him. And behold there was a certain man be fore Him that had the dropsy. And Jesus answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying : Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath-day ? But they held their peace. But He, taking him, healed him, and sent him away. And answering them, He said : Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fall into a pit, and will not immediately draw him out on the Sabbathday ? And they could not answer Him to these things. And He spoke a parable also to them that were invited, marking how they chose the first seats at the table, saying to them : When thou art invited to a wedding, sit not down in the first place, lest perhaps one more honorable than thou be invited by him, and he that inviteth thee and him, come and say to thee : Give this man place : and then thou begin with shame to take the lowest place : but when thou art invited, go sit down in the lowest place : that when he who invited thee cometh, he may say to thee: Friend, go up higher. Then shalt thou have glory before them that sit at the table with thee. Because every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled : and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Why did the Pharisees watch Jesus so closely ?

To discover something in Him for which they might censure and accuse Him. How like them are those Christians who watch every step of their neighbors, and particularly of priests, hoping to find something for which to blame them, and represent them as evil persons !

Who is, spiritually, like the man with the dropsy ?

The avaricious man ; for as a dropsical person is never satisfied with drinking, so the avaricious man never has enough; and like the dropsy, too, avarice is hard to cure, since it grows worse with age, and generally does not leave a man till he comes to the grave.

Why is avarice reckoned among the seven deadly sins?

Because it is the root of many evils ; for it leads to usury, theft, the use of false weights and measures, to the retaining of unjustly gotten goods, to the oppression of the poor, of widows and orphans, to the denial and suppression of justice, to apostasy from the faith, and to despair. Hence the Apostle says "They that will become rich fall into temptation, and into the snare of the devil, and into many unprofitable and hurtful desires, which drown men into destruction and perdition"(i.Tim. vi. 9).

An efficacious remedy for avarice is the consideration that we are only the stewards, and not the owners of our goods, of which we can take nothing with us at the hour of our death (i. Tim. vi. 7); and that one day God will require of us a strict account of what we have had.

INSTRUCTION ON KEEPING HOLY SUNDAYS AMD HOLY-DAYS OFOBLIGATION.

How must we sanctify the Sundays and holy-days?

As the third commandment enjoins, that is, on Sundays and holy-days, we must not only abstain from servile labor, but we must, as far as possible, attend divine service, both in the forenoon and afternoon; for God has not said, thou shalt be idle on the Sabbath-day, but thou shalt keep holy the Sabbathday. God will not suffer those who desecrate His holy- day to go unpunished; He will cover them with disgrace and scorn (Mai. ii. 3), and will send upon them all the evils of the time.
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Next: Feast of the Holy Guardian Angel, October 2