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 the  dead  is  a work  of  mercy  and  a duty  of  brotherly  love. “Pray for one another  that  you  may  be  saved”,  writes  St. James (5,  16).

The hatred  and  power  of  the  devil.  The  devil  hates  and  envies man, and  does  all  he  can  to  injure  him. Before our  Lord  came,  the devil had  obtained  a great  power  over  men,  especially  over  idolators; and when  our  Blessed  Redeemer  came  to  conquer  Satan,  the  latter made a last  and  desperate  effort  to  maintain  his  supremacy. This is why,  during  our  Lord’s  sojourn  on  earth,  there  were  so  many  cases of possession. They were  by  the  eternal  counsel  of  God  permitted,  in order  that  the  object  of  our  Lord’s  mission  as  well  as  His  power  and glory might  be  made  manifest.

Exorcisms. Cases  of  possession  still  occur:  but  the  Church,  by exorcisms,  drives  away  the  evil  spirit  in  the  name  of  Jesus.

The cruelty  of  the  devil.  Jesus  allowed  the  devil  to  throw  down the possessed  man  and  rend  him,  to  show  us  from  how  cruel  an  enemy He has  delivered  us; and  to  put  us  on  our  guard,  lest  we  should  allow ourselves to  be  subjected  to  his  everlasting  rage.

Jesus the  Physician  of  our  souls.  We  too  are  sick  of  a fever — the fever of  anger,  ambition,  covetousness,  gluttony,  and  all  other  passions, which incite  us  to  evil  and  keep  us  from  what  is  good. Jesus alone can cure  us. He can  give  us  grace  to  overcome  our  evil  inclinations, if only  we  will  ask  Him  for  it;  and  He  will  cool  the  ardour  of  our passions by  His  Presence,  if  we  worthily  receive  Him  in  Holy  Communion.

Are you  prompt  in  getting  up  in  the  morning, or have  you  to  be  called  several  times? Prize the  golden  hours of the  morning.

Do you  say  your  morning  prayers  devoutly  every  day? and do you  make  good  resolutions,  when  you  say  them? Begin the day with  God,  and  your  day  will  not  be  spent  without  Him.

ESUS preached  one  day  near  the  Lake  of  Genesareth,  which is also  called  the  Sea  of  Galilee. A great crowd  came  to  Him to hear  the  word  of  God. He saw  moored  on  the  shore  two