Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/817

 The chief  Pastorship  of  Peter.  The  account  we  have  been  reading shows us  that  St. Peter exercised  a supervision  over  the  whole  Church. As chief  pastor,  he  moved  about,  visiting  the  various  churches  or  communities, so  as  to  keep  them  in  the  unity  of  faith  and  practice,  to  administer the  Sacrament  of  Confirmation,  and  to  appoint  pastors  over every flock. St. Chrysostom writes  thus  about  St.  Peter’s  journeys: “ ‘Peter moved  to  and  fro  among  the  churches,  as  a general  moves  about in his  army,  to  prove  and  see  what  part  is  weak,  and  what  part  is prepared,  and  to  discover  where  his  presence  is  most  required. Everywhere do we  see  him  moving  about,  and  everywhere  placing  himself at the  head.”

The object  of  miracles.  Jesus  worked  these  great  miracles  through Peter in  order  to  show  the  world  that  He  had  sent  Peter,  and  that  the doctrine taught  by  him  was  divine  and  true. These miracles  were  the cause of  the  conversion  of  multitudes  to  the  Christian  faith.

The “Fear  of  God", or  the  “Fear  of  the  Lord", consists  in  this, that we  fear  to  offend  Almighty  God  by  even  one  sin,  because  He  hates and punishes  sin. Fear of  God  proceeds  from  a living  faith  in  the holiness and  justice  of  God.

The Holy  Ghost, the  Comforter.  The  Holy  Ghost  consoles  Christians by giving  them  a quiet  conscience,  peace  of  heart,  joy  in  well-doing and patience  under  suffering;  and  by  inspiring  them  with  a confident hope of  obtaining  everlasting  happiness.

Works of  mercy.  In  Tabitha  we  come  across  one  of  the  first  of that  great  host  of  spouses  of  Christ,  whose  only  family  are  His  poor, and whose  lives  are  one  unbroken  chain  of  holy  practices  and  works of mercy  (Reischl). We might  justly  call  Tabitha  the  first  Sister  of Mercy. She was  wealthy,  but  she  did  not  live  for  the  world,  but  loved our Lord  with  all  her  heart,  and  served  Him  in  the  person  of  His  poor. She gave  abundant  alms  and  employed  her  time  in  making  clothes  for those in  need. She devoted  herself  especially  to  the  care  of  widows, as being  the  most  forsaken  and  unprotected  among  the  poor. To her we can  apply  the  words  of  St.  James  (i,  27):  “Religion  clean  and  undefiled before  God  and  the  Father  is  this,  to  visit  the  fatherless  and the widows  in  their  tribulation,  and  to  keep  oneself  unspotted  from the world.”

A kind, generous  heart  like  Tabitha’s  is  very beautiful. Look into  your  heart,  and  see  whether  it  be  selfish and self-seeking,  or  filled  with  love  and  compassion. Is it  a pleasure to you  to  do  good  to  others? Even if  you  are  unable  to  give anything, still  you  can  show  kindness  to  the  poor. You could always perform  some  little  service  for  a widow,  or  visit  the  sick  &amp;c. Make a resolution  not  to  let  this  day  pass  without  performing  some act of  love  towards  your  neighbour.