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at least induce us to practise certain mortifications most
salutary for our souls.
In the antiphon of the Magnificat for the FOURTH SUN
DAY we acknowledge the supreme omnipotence of God
who holds the universe in the hollow of His hand, and
we implore Him to hearken to our cry. We should never
forget how immense is the distance which separates
our nothingness from the Infinite Being ; this thought is
well suited to keep us humble and faithful in the service
of God. The Lessons for this Sunday, taken from the
MINOR PROPHETS, teach US to ADORE THE SECRET
DESIGNS OF GOD who calls to Himself all nations, accord
ing as it seems good to Him for the sanctification of His
creatures.
On the fifth Sunday the antiphon of the Magnificat
reveals to us the designs of God for His Church, both
in time and in eternity. He protects her and disposes
things in such a way, that in her at every moment, day
and night, He may be adored until the time when He
shall assemble His elect in heaven to praise Him for all
The LESSONS OF THE FIFTH SUNDAY teach us
eternity.
to FEAR THE AWFUL JUDGMENTS OF GOD, and to pre
our constant observance of
pare ourselves for them by
the divine Commandments and by our efforts to profit
by the graces we received in Baptism. They impress
upon us the necessity of striving earnestly to secure our
salvation, of benefiting, whilst there is yet time, by all
the graces obtained for us by the holy and spotless Vic
tim who is offered in every place, according to the con
soling prediction of the prophet Malachias.