Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/126

 (priests  and  kings),  as  well  as  things,  which  were  dedicated  to  the service of  God,  were  anointed  with  oil. Under the  New  Law,  Jesus Christ has  made  oil  to  be  a great  means  of  grace  in  the  holy  Sacraments of Confirmation,  Extreme  Unction  and  Holy  Orders. The holy  oils  are blessed on  Maundy  Thursday.

Jacob had  a great  reverence  for  the  place where God  had  appeared  to  him. Our churches  are  still  holier places, and  yet  you  often  behave  irreverently  in  church;  your thoughts wander,  you  look  about  you,  and  you  even  laugh  and talk! Examine your  conscience  on  this  point,  and  make  resolutions of  amendment. “The Lord  is  in  His  holy  temple:  let  all  the earth keep  silence  before  Him!”  (Hab.  2,  20.)  Each  time  you  enter a church, say  to  yourself:  “This  is  the  house  of  God;  this  is the  gate  of  heaven.”

Are you  as  diligent  as  Jacob  was? Do you  learn  your  lessons, and especially  your  catechism,  diligently? Are you  willing  to  help your parents,  or  your  brothers  and  sisters,  in  their  work? Resolve to overcome  slothfulness,  and  to  fulfil  your  duties  faithfully  for  the love of  God.

HEN Laban  saw  that  Jacob  had  become  very  rich,  he began  to  envy  him,  and  ceased  to  regard  him  with  favour. Then God  said  to  Jacob:  “Return  into  the  land  of  thy  fathers. I will be  with  thee.”  Jacob  rose  up  without  delay,  and  set  out with his  family  and  all  he  possessed. He had  reached  the  banks of the  river  Jordan  when  he  began  to  fear  on  account  of  his brother. He sent  messengers  before  him  to  say  to  Esau:  “Let me find  favour  in  thy  sight!”  The  messengers  returned,  saying to Jacob:  “Esau  cometh  with  speed  to  meet  thee,  with  four hundred men.”  Then  Jacob  was  sore  afraid,  and  he  thus  prayed: