Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/787

 and you  shall  know  that  I am  the  Lord”  (Ezech.  37,  13.  14;  Old  Test. LXXV);  4. that of  our  Lord  Himself:  “I  will  ask  the  Father,  and  He shall  give  you  another  Paraclete,  that  He  may  abide  with  you  for  ever, the Spirit  of  Truth”  (John  14,  16.  17;  New  Test.  LXVI).

The gift  of  tongues  bestowed  by  the  Holy  Ghost  on  the  Apostles was a great  marvel. Why was  this  wonderful  gift  bestowed? 1. To enable  the  apostles  to  proclaim  the  Gospel  to  all  nations  and  in  all languages. 2. To  signify  that,  by  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel,  all  men of all  nations  and  languages  were  to  be  bound  together  in  one  family and one  universal  Catholic  Church. (For the  contrast  between  the  gift of  tongues  at  Pentecost,  and  the  confusion  of  tongues  of  Babel  see  Old Test.  VIII.)  The  gift  of  tongues  was  often  bestowed  during  the  first Christian centuries,  so  as  to  facilitate  the  rapid  spreading  of  the  Faith; but once  the  Faith  had  been  spread  by  means  of  miracles,  and  sealed by the  blood  of  martyrs,  the  gift  of  tongues  became  more  rare. It has, however, never  entirely  ceased  in  the  Church,  for  St.  Francis  of  Assisi, St. Dominic, St. Anthony of  Padua,  St.  Francis  Xavier,  and  others possessed this  wonderful  gift.

How happy  were  the  first  Christians  to  have Mary in  their  midst,  praying  with  them,  interceding  for  them,  and supporting them  by  her  merits. Share their  happiness! Ask her intercession, and  implore  her  to  present  your  petitions  at  the  throne of God. You will  pray  far  more  humbly  and  confidently,  if  you obtain the  intercession  of  Mary.

How immeasurably  great  is  the  love  of  our  God! Not only did He  give  His  only-begotten  Son  for  us,  but  He  also  sent  the Holy Ghost  to  remain  with  us  till  the  end  of  time. Just think how many  graces  both  the  Church  and  individuals  owe  to  the Holy Ghost! Whenever you  say  the  third  glorious  mystery  of  the Rosary, the  Descent  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  thank  God  with  all  your heart for  this  priceless  gift.

Most of  you  have  received  the  Holy  Ghost  in  the  Sacraments of Baptism,  Penance,  and  Confirmation. Have you  kept  Him  in your  hearts,  or  driven  Him  from  you? It would  be  a terrible sin to  drive  away  the  Holy  Ghost  from  us. St. Paul  says (Eph. 4,  30):  “Grieve  not  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God!”  Do  not  resist His grace! Obey His  inspirations! Thank Him  for  all  the  precious gifts which  He  has  bestowed  on  you,  and  pray  to  Him  daily  to enlighten  and  govern  you. “Come, Holy  Ghost,  fill  the  hearts of Thy  faithful”  &amp;c.

The Holy  Ghost  is  the  Spirit  of  Truth:  the  evil  spirit  is  the spirit of  lies. Which of  the  two  governs  your  life? Whom do you  obey? Whenever you  tell  lies  you  obey  the  devil,  who  is