Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/362

 Belief  in  guardian  angels. "God’s angel  hath  been  my  keeper”, said  Judith;  and  her  words  show  us  that  she  believed  that  she  had a guardian  angel.  The  Catholic  doctrine  about  guardian  angels  is thoroughly  founded  on  Holy  Scripture.

Do you  always  give  glory  to  God,  or  do  you cherish vain  thoughts,  and  boast  of  your  own  attainments? Are you fond  of  talking  about  yourself? Do you  try  to  depreciate others in  order  to  exalt  yourself? Renounce pride! Be ashamed of your  silly  vanity  and  boasting! Each day  direct  all  your  intentions to  the  greater  glory  of  God,  for  this  is  an  excellent  way to put  down  pride  and  to  obtain  merit  in  the  sight  of  God.

t last  the  people  of  Juda  became  so  hardened  in  sin  that the divine  chastisements  had  no  longer  any  effect  upon their hearts. They gave  themselves  wholly  up  to  the  vile  practices of  idolatry,  and  persecuted  the  prophets  of  God,  several of whom  they  put  to  death. In vain  did  the  great  prophet, Jeremias, who  lived  at  that  time,  endeavour  to  recall  them  to repentance. Finally, the  patience  of  the  merciful  God  was  exhausted, and the  ruin  so  often  foretold  by  the  prophet  Isaias  fell  heavily on the  people.