Page:Goffinesdevoutin00goffuoft.djvu/240

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contrary to purity, but also abstinence from marriage, in order to live only for God and His holy service in virginal purity. By entire obedience we are to understand a voluntary renunciation of one's own will in order to follow the will and command of a superior whom one chooses for himself. In practising the evangelical counsels there are three points to be observed, in order that they may serve, or help to eternal salvation: 1. They must be practised with a pure intention, seeking thereby nothing else than to please God and to praise His holy name. 2. With great humility, in no way giving ourselves preference over others. 3. By great fidelity in observing not only what one has vowed, but also what is commanded. Also, one should live diligently and strictly according to the commandments, otherwise the practising of the evangelical counsels will be of no avail.

INTROIT, PRAYER, EPISTLE, AND GOSPEL OF THE SUNDAY.

The Church continues to encourage us to rejoice and praise God for the resurrection of Jesus, and sings accordingly, at the Introit of the Mass, " Shout with joy to God, all the earth, alleluia. Sing ye a psalm to His name, alleluia. Give glory to His praise, alleluia! alleluia! alleluia! Say unto God how terrible are Thy works, O Lord. In the multitude of Thy strength, Thy enemies shall lie to Thee" (Ps. lxv.).

Prayer

O God, Who dost show the light of Thy truth to those that go astray that they may return to the way of justice, grant to all who are numbered among Christians to reject those things which are incompatible with this name, and to pursue those which are becoming. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE, i. Peter ii. 11-19.

Dearly Beloved: I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, to refrain yourselves from carnal desires which war against the soul, having your conversation good among the gentiles: that whereas they speak against you as evil doers, they may, by the good works which they shall behold in you, glorify God in the day of visitation. Be ye subject therefore to every human