Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/531

 which  is  far  greater  and  more  perfect  than  the  Law  of  the  Old  Testament given on  Mount  Sinai.

Oh, how  much  better  and  more  beautiful would the  world  be,  if  all  men  would  obey  the  perfect  Law which Jesus  Christ  laid  down  in  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount. There would, in  that  case,  be  no  embittering  of  one  another’s  lives,  no hatred  nor  enmity,  no  lies  and  deceit,  no  avarice  nor  hardness  of heart,  no  bad  nor  uncharitable  words. Everywhere we  should  find peace and  happiness. Men would  edify  one  another  by  their  piety and good  works,  and  all  would  strive  together  after  goodness  and salvation. This could  be  and  ought  to  be;  and  why  is  it  not? It is because  men  follow  their  own  passions,  instead  of  the  teaching and example  of  Jesus  Christ.

You, dear  children,  are  the  hope  of  the  future,  and  through you things  ought  to  improve. Your village  or  parish  will  be  the model of  all  others,  if  only  you  will  begin  at  once  to  live  in accordance  with  your  holy  faith  and  obey  the  glorious  lessons  of the  Sermon  on  the  Mount. Strive earnestly  after  holiness! Fight against your  besetting  sins! Correspond faithfully  with  grace! By so doing  you  will  be  happy  on  earth,  and  blessed  in  heaven. What our  Lord  said  will  be  fulfilled  in  you: “Blessed  are  they who hunger  and  thirst  after  justice,  for  they  shall  be  filled.”

S Jesus  descended  from  the  mountain,  a leper  came,  who, falling down,  adored  Him,  saying:  “Lord,  if  Thou  wilt , Thou canst  make  me  clean!”  Jesus,  stretching  forth  His  hand,