Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/87

 preached  penance  and  foretold  the  Last  Judgment. Noe offered  a sacrifice  to  God,  which  was  so  well-pleasing  to  Him  that  He  made  a covenant  with  him  and  his  posterity:  our  Lord,  by  His  death  on  the Cross, offered  the  most  perfect  sacrifice,  and  obtained  for  all  men pardon, grace  and  everlasting  peace. Noe saved  the  human  race  by the  ark:  Jesus  Christ  saves  men  by  His  Church.

Say a hearty  “Deo  gratias”  (thanks  be  to  God) whenever you  have  escaped  a danger  or  received  a blessing  or succeeded  in  some  undertaking. As Noe’s  first  act  on  leaving the ark  was  one  of  thanksgiving,  so  let  your  first  act,  when  you wake in  the  morning,  be  one  of  thanksgiving.

Noe was  saved  in  the  ark  on  account  of  his  justice. What have you  done  to  deserve  being  received  into  the  one  ark  of  salvation, the  Church,  almost  as  soon  as  you  were  bom? Thank God very  often  for  having  made  you  a member  of  the  one  true Church. There is,  says  St  Augustine,  no  greater  treasure  than  the Catholic faith.

Cham’s conduct  was  very  wrong. Would it  not  be  wrong of you  to  look  at  anything  indecent? Be on  your  guard,  therefore, against  curious  looks,  and  be  modest  in  dressing  and  undressing.

Honour your  father  and  your  mother. Do not  despise  them even if  they  have  faults. “The eye  that  mocketh  at  his  father or that  despiseth  his  mother,  let  the  ravens  of  the  brooks  pick  it out,  and  the  young  eagles  eat  it”  (Prov.  30,  17).

HE descendants  of  Noe  soon  multiplied  and  again  became as wicked  as  men  had  been  before  the  Deluge. Now they were unable  to  live  together  any  longer,  and  they  said:  “Come, let us  make  a city  and  a tower,  the  top  whereof  may  reach  to heaven; and  let  us  make  our  name  famous,  before  we  be  scattered abroad in  all  lands.”  But  God  frustrated  their  foolish  design. He