Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/828

 in  Herod’s  sin,  and  incited  him  to  proceed  to  violent  measures  against the prince  of  the  apostles.

Guardian angels.  It  is  evident  that  the  very  earliest  Christians believed in  guardian  angels,  this  being  proved  by  the  words  which escaped from  the  lips  of  those  assembled  in  the  house  of  Mary,  the mother of  Mark:  “It  is  his  angel!”

The depravity  of  paganism.  The  pagans  of  the  Roman  Empire had, at  this  time,  sunk  to  such  a depth  of  depravity  that  they  paid divine honour  not  only  to  the  emperors  who  were  dead,  but  also  to those  who  were  living,  and  even  to  the  favourites,  dancers,  and  wTestlers of the  emperor,  no  matter  how  debased  and  immoral  they  were.

You should  learn  from  the  example  of  the first Christians  how  great  a duty  it  is  for  all  the  faithful  to  pray for their  bishops  and  priests,  and  especially  for  the  supreme  head of the  Church,  our  Holy  Father  the  Pope. Our present  Holy Father (Pius  X.)  is  also  surrounded  by  enemies. He is  outraged, calumniated, hated,  robbed  of  his  possessions  and  liberty,  and  is virtually  a prisoner. He needs  the  prayers  and  assistance  of  all his children.

OW there  were  in  the  Church  which  was  at  Antioch  (Fig.  95, p.  782)  prophets  and  doctors,  among  whom  were  Barnabas and Simon,  who  was  called  Niger,  Lucius  of  Cyrene,  Manahen, who was  the  foster-brother  of  Herod  the  tetrarch,  and  Saul. And as  they  were  ministering  to  the  Lord  and  fasting,  the  Holy Ghost said  to  them:  “Separate  me  Saul  and  Barnabas  for  the  work whereunto I have  taken  them.”  Then  they,  fasting  and  praying and imposing  hands  upon  them,  sent  them  away. So they,  being sent by  the  Holy  Ghost,  went  to  Seleucia,  and  from  thence  they