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ments; for, as Saint Paul tells us, all that is written in
the Scripture is written for our instruction, so everything
which happens either to the Hebrews in the desert, or
to the Jewish people after the death of our divine Sa
viour, is a figure of what befalls murmurers or bad Chris
tians who abuse divine grace. In His justice God punishes
individuals as He chastises nations ; the same sins bring
in their train like penalties.
If we would escape the divine punishments, we must
follow Saint Paul s instructions : we must resist the
disorderly inclinations of the flesh ; not give way to mur
muring or disobedience ; nor to the worship of idols ;
we must resist temptations, and with God s assistance
turn them into a source of merit and of progress in virtue.
It is with this merciful intention that our Lord permits
temptation, and comes Himself to the aid of the soul
that is tempted. But as well as inspiring us with a
salutary fear of the divine judgments, the Church would
also fill us with holy respect for the house of God and with
confidence that our prayer will be heard. The Son of
God entered into the temple of Jerusalem and He
reminds those who frequent the house of the Lord, the
house of prayer, that it must not be profaned by worldly
traffic.
The sung parts of the Mass teach us that God is our
helper and our protector against all enemies (!NTROIT).
They praise the magnificence of the Lord which is pro
claimed throughout the whole earth and in the highest
heavens (GRADUAL). They render homage to the jus
tice and sweetness of His commandments for those who
submit to them willingly (OFFERTORY). Lastly, they
tell us that God takes up His abode in the depths of
the human soul (COMMUNION).
In the prayers of the Mass of this Sunday the Church