Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/112

   Abraham  obeyed  without  any  questioning, when God  demanded  of  him  the  hardest  of  sacrifices. God asks nothing very  hard  of  you,  and  yet  you  are  often  disobedient,  and transgress those  commandments  which,  by  the  help  of  His  grace, you might  very  easily  keep. When you  disobey  your  parents, you disobey  God,  for  it  is  His  will  that  you  should  obey  your parents and  superiors.

Abraham practised  the  three  theological  virtues  of  faith,  hope and charity  in  a most  perfect  way. Try to  kindle  them  in  your own heart. Let us  conclude  this  lesson  by  making  acts  of  faith, hope and  charity.

OW Abraham  was  advanced in  years,  and  the  Lord  had blessed him  in  all  things. He, however,  wished,  before  his death, to  see  his  son  wedded  to  a virtuous  wife. But as  the daughters of  the  land  were  wicked,  he  said  to  his  old  servant Eliezer: “Go  to  my  own  country  and  kindred,  and  take  a wife thence for  my  son  Isaac,  but  beware  lest  thou  take  one  of  the daughters of  the  Chanaanites,  among  whom  I dwell.”  The  servant promised  faithfully  all  that  Abraham  had  commanded  him. He then  took  ten  camels  of  his  master's herd,  loaded  them  with rich presents,  and  set  out  for  Haran,  where  Nachor,  the  brother of Abraham,  dwelt. Arriving there,  he  let  his  camels  rest  near a well outside  the  city. It was  in  the  evening,  the  time  when the young  women  were  wont  to  come  out  to  draw  water  from the well. Then he  prayed  fervently  within  himself  that  heaven might prosper  his  undertaking:  “O  Lord,  I beseech  Thee,  show kindness to  my  master  Abraham. Behold, I stand  nigh  the  spring, and the  daughters  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  will  come  out to draw  water. Now, therefore , the maid  to  whom  I shall say: ‘Let  down  thy  pitcher  that  I may  drink’,  and  she  shall answer: ‘Drink,  and  I will  give  thy  camels  drink  also’,  let  it  be