Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/511

 and bringing  them  to  salvation  through  her. The danger  of  sinking which threatened  Peter’s  little  ship,  signifies  that  the  Church  will  be beset  by  many  perils  and  persecutions. The rent  in  the  net,  through which so  many  of  the  fish  escaped,  means  that  many  souls  will  be  lost to the  Church  by  schism  and  heresy. The first  “draught  of  fish”  (i.  e.  of souls)  which  Peter  made  on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  was  an  extraordinay one, 3000  being  baptized. And after  his  second  discourse,  when  he had  cured  the  lame  man,  the  number  of  those  baptized  amounted  to 5000. The conversion  of  the  world  by  ignorant  fishermen  is  one  of God’s  greatest  miracles. To this  very  day  the  Pope,  St.  Peter’s  successor, keeps sending  forth  his  fishermen  into  all  parts  of  the  world,  in  as much  as  he  alone  gives  real  power  and  jurisdiction  to  bishops,  priests, and missionaries  to  teach  the  truth  of  Jesus  Christ  and  to  sanctify  souls by His  Sacraments.

Listening to  the  word  of  God.  The  way  that  the  crowd  pressed round Jesus  to  hear  Him  is  an  example  to  us  of  the  zeal,  with  which we should  listen  to  God’s  word.

Industry. “We have  toiled  all  the  night”,  said  St. Peter. Industry is a virtue,  whereas  sloth  is  a sin.

The Blessing  of  God.  In  all  our  occupations  we  should  bear  in mind  that  nothing  can  prosper  without  God’s  blessing.

''St. Peter’s virtues,'' as  shown  by  this  story:  1. Faith. He believed that he  would  not  put  out  to  sea  in  vain,  if  he  did  so  at  our  Lord’s bidding. 2. Obedience. 3. Humility. “Depart from  me,  for  I am  a sinful  man,  O Lord.”  Because  he  humbled  himself,  our  Lord  exalted him, and  called  him,  before  the  others,  to  be  a fisher  of  men. 4. Love of Jesus. He left  all  and  followed  Him.

The following  of  Christ  is  the  way  of  virtue  and  perfection. We need not  forsake  everything  as  did  the  Apostles,  but  we  must  follow the example  given  to  us  by  our  Lord,  if  we  would  be  with  them  in heaven. “Christ also  suffered  for  us,  leaving  you  an  example  that  you should follow  His  steps”  (1  Pet.  2,  21). He who  wishes  to  be  a real Christian must  not  only  believe  in  Christ,  but  must  follow  Him,  i.  e. must  imitate  His  virtues,  His  love  of  God  and  of  His  neighbour,  His obedience, humility,  meekness  &amp;c.

Do you  like  work? Do you  learn  your  lessons well and  regularly? Do you  help  without  grumbling  in  the  work about the  house  given  you  to  do  by  your  parents? Do you  work with a good  intention? Whenever you  are  told  to  do  anything distasteful to  you,  say  to  yourself:  “O  Jesus,  I will  do  this  for love of  Thee!”