it a duty to impress on the minds of the faithful the conviction, that this commandment is to be observed with pious zeal and the greatest exactitude. To the attainment of this end it will materially conduce, if he make them understand and see clearly, how just and reasonable it is to devote certain days, exclusively, to the worship of God, to acknowledge, adore, and venerate him from whom we have received such innumerable and inestimable blessings. Had God commanded us to offer him, on each day of our lives, the tribute of religious worship, would it not be our duty, in return for the inestimable and infinite benefits which his bounty has showered on us, to endeavour to obey the command with promptitude and alacrity? But now that the days specially consecrated to his service are but few in number, is it not as unreasonable as it is criminal to neglect so sacred a duty, or to discharge it with reluctance? [1]
The pastor will next point out the importance of a faithful compliance with this precept. Those who are faithful in its observance are admitted, as it were, into the divine presence, to commune freely with God; for in prayer we contemplate the increated majesty, and hold free converse with the Deity; in hearing religious instruction, we hear the voice of God, which reaches us through that of his pious and zealous minister; and at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we adore Christ the Lord, present on our altars. These are amongst the spiritual advantages, of which a faithful compliance with this commandment is the pure and plenteous source. But those, who altogether neglect its fulfilment, resist God and his Church: they are enemies of God and of his holy laws; and the facility with which the commandment may be fulfilled is at once a proof and an aggravation of their guilt. We should, it is true, be prepared to undergo the severest labour for sake of God; but in this commandment he imposes on us no labour; he only commands us to disengage ourselves from worldly cares on those days which are to be kept holy. To refuse obedience to this commandment is, therefore, a proof of extreme temerity; and the punishments with which its infraction has been visited should be a salutary admonition to Christians. [2]
In order, therefore, to avoid this guilt and these punishments, we should frequently ponder this word: " Remember," and place before us the important advantages, which, as we have already seen, flow from the religious observance of Sundays and holydays, and also numerous other considerations of the same tendency, which the good and zealous pastor will develope at large to his people as circumstances may require.
