Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/565

 yard  is  “God’s  acre”,  where  the  bodies  of  the  dead  are  sown  like  seeds of  corn,  ready  to  spring  up  at  the  Last  Day  (i  Cor.  15,  42.  43).

The sick  woman  had  spent  all  her  fortune, and submitted  to  painful  remedies  in  order  to  recover  her  health. She was  not  to  blame,  for  health  is  a great  treasure. But the health of  the  soul  is  of  far  more  importance  than  the  health  of the  body. Why do  you  take  so  little  care  of  your  immortal soul? If ever  your  soul  is  sick,  i.  e.  in  a state  of  sin,  spare  no effort,  no  labour,  by  doing  penance  and  making  a good  confession, to obtain  its  cure.

HE number  of  followers  and  admirers  of  our  Lord,  even from distant  countries,  kept  increasing  as  time  went  on. One day when  the  multitude  were  around  Jesus,  eager  to  hear  His teaching, He  had  compassion  on  them,  for  they  were  as  sheep without a shepherd. He said  to  His  disciples:  “The  harvest indeed is  great,  but  the  labourers  are  few. Pray ye  therefore the Lord  of  the  harvest,  that  He  send  forth  labourers  into  His vineyard.”

After He  had  spent  the  night  in  prayer,  and  day  being come, He  called  together  His  disciples,  and  chose  from  among them twelve,  that  they  should  be  with  Him ,  and  that  He  might send them  to  preach. Now the  twelve  whom  He  called  apostles are these: The  first,  Simon,  who  is  called  Peter,  and  Andrew  his brother; James  and  John  the  sons  of  Zebedee;  Philip  and