Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/102

 strangers. Abraham, the  rich  shepherd-prince,  to  whom  Almighty  God had made  such  great  promises,  ran  to  meet  the  three  strangers,  bowed down before  them,  and  begged  them  to  stay  with  him. He washed their feet  and  served  them,  while  they  were  eating,  though  he  had servants in  abundance. Did not  this  show  a great  love  of  his  neighbour, and great  humility? As a reward  of  his  virtue,  God  promised  him  that in a year  he  should  have  a son.

Walking in  the  presence  of  God. Thinking  constantly  of  God’s presence is  a powerful  motive  for  the  practice  of  what  is  good,  and the avoidance  of  what  is  evil. Wherever we  are,  th6re  is  God  with  us, seeing everything  we  think  and  do! We ought,  therefore,  to  live  with Him, to  meditate  on  His  universal  presence,  and  lift  up  our  hearts  to Him. By doing  this  we  shall  avoid  sin  and  grow  in  virtue.

The Old  Covenant.  Almighty  God  made  His  covenant  first  with Abraham, as  being , the  father  of  His  chosen  people. Later (on  Mount Sinai)  He  confirmed  and  renewed  it  with  all  the  people  of  Israel. He instituted the  rite  of  circumcision  as  an  outward  and  visible  sign  of this  covenant,  that  it  might  be,  as  it  were,  cut  into  the  flesh  of  His chosen people,  so  that  it  could  not  be  forgotten. This sign  was  to speak  to  the  soul  of  every  man  of  Israel,  saying:  “You  are  a member of the  chosen  people. You belong  to  God,  and  are  to  serve  Him  only!”

Circumcision a type  of  holy  Baptism.  By  circumcision  man  belonged to the  Old  Covenant:  by  Baptism  he  belongs  to  the  New. By the first he  pledged  himself  to  observe  the  Old  Law: in  Baptism  we  pledge ourselves faithfully  to  observe  the  Christian  Law. Circumcision impressed an  indelible  mark  on  the  body; Baptism  does  the  same  to  the soul. The difference  lies  in  this,  that  circumcision  could  not,  like Baptism, cleanse  man  from  sin,  and  make  him  pure  and  holy  of  heart.

Heaven. God  gives  Himself  to  the  blessed  as  their  reward  exceeding great. They gaze  for  ever  on  His  infinite  majesty,  and  are  eternally united to  Him  in  love  and  happiness. Oh, what  joy  to  possess  God Himself, who  is  infinite  goodness,  beauty  and  holiness. Could God give us  more  than  Himself?

Almighty God  is  near  each  one  of  us,  and yet how  little  we  think  about  Him! Do not  ever  again  be  so forgetful  of  God,  but  put  yourself  in  His  presence  several  times each day. Whenever any  one  whose  opinion  you  respect  is looking  at  you,  you  gather  yourself  together,  and  are  careful  to do  nothing  wrong. Should you  not  have  much  more  respect  for God’s presence?

You were  put  into  this  world  to  love  and  serve  God. How have you  served  Him  hitherto? Could you  not  serve  Him  better? Renew your  baptismal  vows  to  be  faithful  to  Him  unto  death.