Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/277

 of  the  New  Testament  Church. It is  both  a duty  and  a great  privilege for any  one  to  be  a member  of  the  choir  or  to  promote  good  music in the  Church.

Importance of  the  City  of  Jerusalem. Divine Providence  brought it about  that  David  should  choose  this  old  and  naturally  fortified  city of the  Jebusites  as  the  capital  of  his  kingdom,  the  centre  of  the Jewish religion,  and  the  cradle  of  the  Christian  religion. Here it  was that Melchisedech  exercised  his  royal  priesthood,  and  here  it  was  that the great  High  Priest  according  to  the  order  of  Melchisedech  offered and instituted  His  Eucharistic  Sacrifice  and  Sacrament  of  love. Here on Mount  Moria  Abraham  offered  his  son  Isaac,  and  here  the  eternal Father offered  His  only-begotten  Son  for  the  sins  of  the  world. Here David, the  shepherd-boy  of  Bethlehem,  entered  as  the  meek,  gentle, God-fearing king,  and  established  the  divine  worship  of  Moses  in  its fullest splendour;  and  here  the  Son  of  David,  the  Son  of  man  born  in Bethlehem  entered,  riding  on  an  ass  and  acclaimed  by  the  Hosannas  of the  children  of  Israel. Here he  died  and  rose,  ascended  into  heaven, and poured  out  the  Spirit  of  God  on  the  day  of  Pentecost. Here He gave  life  to  the  Church  of  the  Redeemed,  and  from  here  She began her  world  wide  work  and  mission. For these  reasons  Jerusalem is and  remains  the  holiest  city  on  earth,  and  is  a type  of  the  everlasting city of  peace  and  happiness  of  heaven.

Joy in  the  House  of  God. David rejoiced  and  exulted  that  now the Ark  would  be  close  to  his  dwelling  on  Mount  Sion,  and  that  he would  be  able  to  assist  at  the  sacrifices. How much  more  ought  we to  rejoice  and  thank  God  that  in  our  midst  are  real  houses  of  God, where we  can  visit  our  Divine  Lord,  and  assist  at  the  Holy  Sacrifice of the  Mass.

Do you  like  going  to  Mass? Do you  take pleasure in  the  services  of  God? How do  you  behave  in  Church and during  processions? Do you  give  a good  example  to  others, or do  you  disturb  them  in  their  devotions?

AVID, as  he  had  done  when  only  a simple  shepherd-boy, composed Psalms  and  Canticles  in  honour  of  the  Most High, and  conducted  himself  in  all  things  according  to  the  holy