Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/74

 to hatred,  and,  finally,  led  him  to  murder  his  own  brother. Once again, after his  crime,  Cain  resisted  the  promptings  of  God’s  grace. He hardened his  heart  and  sinned  directly  against  God  by  his  lies,  defiance and impenitence. It was  only  after  God  had  pronounced  sentence  on him,  and  he  already  felt  its  effects,  that  he  acknowledged  his  guilt. He did not,  however,  implore  for  pardon  contritely  and  confidently,  but despaired of  God’s  mercy. Which of  the  sins  against  the  Holy  Ghost did he  commit? First, he  envied  his  brother  on  account  of  the  grace God had  given  him;  secondly,  he  hardened  his  heart  against  God’s admonitions; and,  finally,  he  despaired  of  God’s  mercy.

A right intention  is  the  chief  thing. St  Paul  says  (Hebr.  n,  4): “By faith  Abel  offered  to  God  a sacrifice  exceeding  that  of  Cain.” What was  wanting  in  Cain’s  sacrifice? His faith  in  God  and  in  the promised Saviour  was  not  firm  and  living,  and  therefore  his  worship of God  was  wanting  in  reverence  and  thankfulness. He worshipped Him outwardly,  but  not  inwardly. The gifts  which  he  offered  were good, but  the  intention  with  which  he  offered  them  was  not  good. Let us  learn  from  this  that  God  does  not  look  merely  on  our  outward works and  gifts,  but  that  He  looks  especially  to  our  intention. “The Lord seeth  the  heart.”

The worship  of  God  by  sacrifice. Cain  and  Abel  both  brought gifts to  God. What did  they  offer? Fruits and  beasts. How did  they offer these  visible  gifts? They burnt  them,  i.  e.  destroyed  them  by fire. They wished  to  express  by  this  that  they  kept  back  nothing  of these  gifts  for  themselves,  that  they  desired  to  offer  them  wholly  to God,  from  whom  all  good  things  come,  and  to  whom  all  things  belong. From whom  had  Cain  and  Abel  learnt  how  to  offer  sacrifice  to  God? Obviously, from  their  parents,  Adam  and  Eve. We see,  therefore,  that men offered  sacrifice  to  God  from  the  very  first:  that  so  long  as  there have been  men  to  worship  Him,  there  have  been  sacrifices. Sacrifice is the  highest  and  most  perfect  form  of  worship,  and  is  essential  to religion. The Catholic  religion,  being  the  most  holy  and  perfect  of  all religions, must  possess  the  most  holy  and  perfect  of  sacrifices. What is this  holiest  sacrifice,  most  pleasing  to  God? It is  Jesus  Christ  Himself, who once  sacrificed  Himself  on  the  Cross  in  a bloody  manner,  and who continually  offers  Himself  for  us  in  the  holy  Mass  in  an  unbloody manner.

Abel is  the  second  type  of  Jesus  Christ. Abel  was  just;  a shepherd; envied  by  his  brother;  slain  by  him;  and  his  blood  cried  for vengeance. Jesus Christ  is  the  Most  Just,  and  the  Good  Shepherd  of mankind. Out of  envy  He  was  persecuted  and  slain  by  His  brethren, the Jews. His Blood  cries  continually  for  grace  and  pardon  for  sinful  man.

The homeless,  wandering  Cain  is  a type  of  the  Jewish  people  who resisted God’s  grace,  and  who,  since  they  slew  their  God,  have  been homeless and  scattered  over  the  whole  earth.