Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/597

 The more  humble  a man  is,  the  more  worthy  is  he  in  the  sight  of  God. Mary, Joseph,  Peter,  and  all  those  to  whom  such  high  offices  were  given, were especially  distinguished  for  their  deep  humility.

Giving scandal  is  a terrible  sin.  He  who  induces  or  forces  others to sin,  acts  the  part  of  a very  devil,  and  draws  damnation  on  himself.

The proximate  occasions  of  sin.  Sin  is  the  greatest  of  all  evils. It is a far  greater  evil  than  the  most  miserable  death. Therefore a Christian, if  he  wishes  to  guard  his  soul  against  mortal  sin,  must  carefully avoid the  proximate  occasions  of  sin;  for  no  sacrifice  on  our  part  can be too  great,  if  it  serves  to  save  our  souls.

Guardian Angels.  In  the  Old  Testament  we  came  across  repeated examples which  confirm  the  Catholic  doctrine  about  guardian  angels. In the  chapter  we  have  just  read  we  learn  from  our  Lord’s  own  lips that children  have  guardian  angels,  who  are  their  advocates  before  God. Although our  guardian  angels  are  invisible  to  our  eyes,  they  themselves are ever  gazing  on  the  Face  of  God. “ Whithersoever the  angels  be sent,  and  wheresoever  they  are,  they  never  cease  to  live  in  Him  who is to  be  found  everywhere,  even  in  God,  the  Vision  of  whom  makes their heaven  and  their  joy”  (S.  Thomas  Aquinas).

The Value  of  a Soul.  “A  human  soul  is  so  precious  that,  as  each one enters  into  being,  an  angel  is  given  to  it  to  be  its  guardian” (S.  Jerome).

Hell is  an  everlasting  fire.

What a happiness  for  those  little  children  to go  to  Jesus  Himself,  and  be  blessed  by  Him? But how  about you? Cannot you  also  taste  of  that  happiness? Cannot you  also go to  Jesus  Himself? Yes! In the  church  dwells  that  same  Jesus, present with  His  Divinity  and  Manhood  in  the  Blessed  Sacrament, and there  you  can  go  to  Him,  worship  Him,  and  speak  to  Him; and by  the  hand  of  His  priest  receive  His  blessing,  both  at  Mass and at  Benediction. Give your  hearts  to  this  Divine  Lover  of children! Visit Him  often  in  the  church;  promise  Him  that  you will be  holy  and  humble  children,  and  ask  for  His  help  to  keep your promise!

Do you  ever  dispute  with  your  brothers  and  sisters  as  to  who is the  greatest  among  you? Do you  want  to  be  preferred  to your  comrades? As often  as  this  sort  of  temptation  to  pride arises in  your  heart,  say:  “I  will  not  be  proud! Humble Jesus, I will follow  Thee!”

Avoid bad  companions!