Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/370

 knowledge. They knew  how  to  govern  themselves,  and  advanced  in every  virtue. Moreover, by  reason  of  their  temperance  they  received supernatural gifts  from  God,  especially  the  gift  of  wisdom; and  to  Daniel was given  that  of  prophecy. Temperance, practised  for  love  of  God, is meritorious  and  wins  many  graces  for  us.

Good example. Daniel  was  especially  favoured  by  God; and  why? Because he  showed  a good  example  to  his  companions. Even as  it  is a terrible  sin  to  lead  others  to  do  evil,  so  is  it  meritorious  to  show  to others  a good  example,  and  lead  them  to  do  what  is  right.

The greatest  of  honours. It  was  a great  honour  for  the  four  youths to be  chosen  by  king  Nabuchodonozor  to  be  in  his  court;  but  it  is  a far  greater  honour  to  be  chosen  to  be  the  servants  of  God;  for  God is the  Most  High,  who  rewards  His  faithful  servants  with  eternal  glory and happiness.

Conscientiousness and  fortitude  win  respect  even  from  the  unbelieving. We see  this  in  the  case  of  Daniel  and  his  companions. Their faithful observance of  their  religion,  and  their  abstemiousness  clearly  pleased the chief  steward; otherwise  he  would  not  have  agreed  to  their  proposal. He had  a greater  respect  for  these  four  than  for  the  other  Jewish  youths, who ate  without  demur  of  the  heathen  dishes. In their  hearts  even  the vicious pay  tribute  to  virtue.

Do you  take  to  heart  the  admonitions  and warnings of  your  parents  and  teachers,  or  do  you,  by  preference, listen to  bad  companions? Do you  follow  the  example  of  those who make  no  account  of  sin? Just think  how  terrible  it  is  for  a young  heart  to  be  hard  and  impenitent! If you  have  not  amended your life  since  your  last  confession,  begin  at  once. Make good resolutions every  morning,  and  pray  for  grace  to  carry  them  out!

Think what  terrible  havoc  mortal  sin  makes  in  the  soul. Conceive a great  horror  of  mortal  sin,  and  resolve  rather  to  die than commit  one.

Does the  Holy  Ghost  dwell  within  you;  in  other  words,  are you in  a state  of  grace? Do not  grieve  the  Holy  Ghost  who is within  you  by  venial  sin,  and  do  not  drive  Him  from  you  by mortal  sin.

Had you  been  in  Daniel’s  place,  would  you  have  acted  as he  did? Do you  care  more  for  good  eating  and  drinking  than for anything  else? Are you  sometimes  discontented  with  the food which  is  set  before  you? Have you  ever  sinned  by  greediness? Are you  fond  of  strong  drinks? From henceforward practise abstemiousness. Choose the  worst  rather  than  the  best of what  is  offered  to  you. Faithfully observe  all  the  laws  relating to abstinence.