Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/616

 you  thanked  Him  for  this? You ought  to  make  a devout  thanksgiving each  time  you  have  been  to  confession. Do not  repay  the love of  your  God  with  fresh  ingratitude.

ESUS, wishing  to  show  the  evil  effects  of  riches,  when misused, and  the  advantage  of  poverty,  when  borne  with patience, said:

“There was  a certain  rich  man  who  was  clothed  in  purple and fine  linen,  and  feasted  sumptuously  every  day. And there was a certain  beggar,  named  Lazarus,  who  lay  at  the  rich  man’s gate, full  of  sores. He desired  to  be  filled  with  the  crumbs  that fell from  the  rich  man’s  table,  but  no  one  did  give  him. Moreover the dogs  came  and  licked  his  sores.

“Now it  came  to  pass  that  the  beggar  died,  and  he  was carried by  the  angels  into  Abraham's  bosom. But the  rich  man also died,  and  he  was  buried  in  hell. And lifting  up  his  eyes, when he  was  in  torments,  he  saw  Abraham  afar  off,  and  Lazarus in his  bosom. Then he  cried  and  said:  ‘Father  Abraham,  have mercy on  me,  and  send  Lazarus  that  he  may  dip  the  tip  of  his finger in  water  to  cool  my  tongue,  for  I am  tormented  in  this flame.’ Abraham said  to  him: ‘Son,  remember  that  thou  didst