Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/215

 Holy  virgins, as  well  as  the  Levites,  were  employed  in  the  service of the  Tabernacle  and,  later  on,  of  the  Temple. They attended  to  the linen &amp;c.,  and  served  the  Lord  with  prayer  and  fasting. Tradition tells us that  Mary,  the  Mother  of  God,  was  dedicated  to  the  service  of  the Temple at  a very  early  age.

Thank God  for  the  holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass, and assist  regularly  and  devoutly  at  it. There you  can  receive priceless gifts,  for  the  Sacrifice  of  Jesus  Christ  is  the  source  of all  grace.

Keep the  Feasts  of  the  Church,  devoutly  contemplating  the sacred mysteries  of  our  redemption,  and  avoid  extravagant  amusements on  those  days:  “Rejoice  in  the  Lord”  (Phil.  4,  4).

Have great  reverence  for  the  priesthood. Priests are  the “ministers of  Christ  and  the  dispensers  of  the  mysteries  of  God” (1 Cor.  4,  1). We should  always  pray  that  there  may  be  good priests in  the  Church.

N the  second  year  after  their  departure  from  Egypt,  the  Israelites set  out  from  Mount  Sinai,  and  pursued  their  march to the  desert  of  Pharan. Thence Moses  sent  twelve  men,  one  of  every tribe, to  explore  the  Land  of  Chanaan. He said  to  them:  “Go and view  the  land,  whether  it  be  good  or  bad;  and  the  people, whether they  be  strong  or  weak;  and  the  cities,  whether  they  be walled  or  without  walls.”  So  the  men  went  out  and  viewed  the land, entering  at  the  south  side  and  arriving  at  Hebron. Thence they proceeded  as  far  as  the  torrent  of  the  cluster  of  grapes. Here they cut  off  a branch  with  its  cluster  of  grapes,  and  the  men carried it  upon  a pole. After forty  days  they  returned  bringing