Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/608

 each  of  the  two  sisters  was  distinguished. From her  childhood  she  had attended to  “the  one  thing  needful”;  and  for  thirty  years  she  ministered to our  Lord’s  personal  wants,  most  wonderfully  combining  the  active life with  the  contemplative  life,  working  with  her  hands  while  her  heart gazed on  God. She was  at  the  same  time  the  Mother  who  had  charge of her  Son,  and  the  disciple  of  that  Son,  treasuring  all  His  words  in her  heart  and  imitating  His  life. On earth  she  chose  the  best  part,  and in heaven  she  attained  to  the  best  part,  being  crowned  by  her  Divine Son as  the  Queen  of  all  Saints. Hence we  see  why  the  Church  has chosen this  portion  of  Scripture  for  the  Gospel  on  the  Feast  of  our Lady's Assumption  into  heaven.

Are you  industrious  as  Martha  was,  and  pious like Mary? Are not  your  thoughts  dissipated  all  day  long? Think often about  God  in  the  course  of  the  day,  and  offer  your  actions to Him. Do everything  with  God  and  for  God.

ESUS having  come  to  Jerusalem  for  the  Feast  of  Tabernacles, went to  the  Temple  and  taught  there,  saying:  “I  am  the  Good Shepherd. The Good  Shepherd  giveth  his  life  for  his  sheep. But the  hireling,  and  he  that  is  not  the  shepherd,  seeth  the  wolf coming, and  fleeth. I am the  Good  Shepherd,  and  I know  mine, and mine  know  Me,  and  I lay  down  My  life  for  My  sheep. And other sheep  I have  which  are  not  of  this  fold ; them  also  I must bring, and  they  shall  hear  My  voice,  and  there  shall  be  one  fold and one  shepherd.”

On another  occasion when  the  proud  and  conceited  Pharisees complained because  Jesus  dealt  kindly  with  publicans  and  sinners, He spoke  to  them  this  parable :  “What  man  among,  you  that