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XX

CONTENTS. PAGB

Spiritual festivity, into the shade.

how

it

puts the worldly ones

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Gospel. (St. John, iv. " The Euler of Capharnaum.") The world is drawing to its close, like our ecclesiastical Year. What Capharnaum implies. Our spiritual fathers pray for us. Jesus was at Cana. —Pastors should imitate the Church in her zeal and patience; she prays for the end Tertullian's other to be deferred (pro mora finis). words. Our prayer for the world's salvation must be strong in faith. Worldlings are inexcusable, yet must we pray that they may enter the Nuptial Feast of the Lamb. Jesus's example of shedding his Blood for even obstinate sinners; we, too, must pray for the enemies of the Church. Let us avoid the faulty faith of the Ruler.

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The 21st Sunday

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Epistle. (Eph. vi. Be strengthenedinthe Lord etc.) Early beginnings of divine Union, [delicious; law of Deuteronomy; but short.— Normal state is— battling. God's name of Hosts; Jesus detherefore, Bride is martial. scribed as a Warrior What is the Evil Day. The armour of Jesus is put on his Bride.— How Faith is the generic name of all the great armour. How it is, we puny soldiers can make head against the mighty fallen The Revealed Word of God is the spirits. Devil's horror of one that soldier's great shield. passionately loves the word of God. One word,

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Michael, how grand Gospel. (St. Matt, xviii. me, and I will pay thee all.)

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!

Have patience with The Dies iro3 how

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appropriate for this close of Year. God's readiness to pardon ; but we must equally be ready for last reckoning. We are the insolvent debtor. Our debt to divine justice supposes eternal punishment. God's forgiveness demands mine ; St. Augustine's words on that St. Chrysostom. Our unfortunate seven times a day. Going to rest with bitter feelings against our neighbour. A son or daughter of God must be like Him, in pardoning.

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The 22nd Sunday,

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Epistle. (Philip, i. We are confident that he who hath begun a good work in you, will .

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