The true Christian must not only profess the faith, but also the laws of
Christ. He is anxious to observe them exactly and to observe them all,
knowing that he is guilty of damnation who violates the law in one
important point. This law bids us to love all men as fellow creatures, to
love our relatives, our country, but above all, and before all, we must
love God, the Author of our being, the great loving Father of heaven. The
honor of God is the very first duty of man, who as a rational being knows
God and His infinite goodness; we wish to serve Him as His subjects,
render Him the homage due to His immensity, a worship which our infinite
littleness renders to God. Never profane the word of God yourself, and
prevent curses and oaths in others as far as possible. By acts of praise
and benediction let us repair the offences against God when we cannot
prevent them. At least pray for those who use the name of God in vain, and
thus endeavor to ward off from them the eternal punishment due to that
wicked practice.
Prayer.
O most loving Jesus, etc., etc.
Fifteenth Day.
Contribute your share towards the glorification of the name of God, by
observing the Sundays and festivals of the Church. God has expressly
reserved these days to Himself, and has pointed them out by the authority
of the Church. In the Old and in the New Law, God has had days of rest and
of religious practices; and for the observances of these He has promised
publicly that there should be many rewards. Every good, God‐fearing man
will give a just tribute of respect to God, because God wills it, and
because he is looking for some benefit from God. Abstain then from servile
works on those days, no matter what temporal gains may be expected, and be
careful that others, too, keep holy the Sabbath of the Lord, particularly
those who are intrusted to your care and command. Do not have work done on
Sunday, and allow none to be done about your premises.
Prayer.
O most loving Jesus, etc., etc.
Sixteenth Day.
Respect your parents, superiors, and masters, and all those who hold
positions of trust towards you. They hold the authority of God, and he who
despises them despises God Himself. Honor and respect those superiors as
representatives of God, and obey them in all things that are not against
His law; and so we come to that great second commandment, which is like
unto the first: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” We should do
unto others as we would wish that others should do unto us; that is, we
should look upon one another as children of one great family, of which God
is the heavenly Father. “By this shall all men know that you are My
disciples, if you have love one for another,” not showing this love
through politeness only, but through a real, downright feeling of interest
in others, and without a selfish regard of our own interests. Try to
perform spiritual and corporal works of mercy for your neighbor.
Prayer.
O most loving Jesus, etc., etc.
Seventeenth Day.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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