their willingly receiving and striving to fulfil His teachings. By their obeying the Church and her ministers, for whoever hears here, hears God Himself, and, as St. Augstine says, he who will not have the Church for his mother cannot have God for his Father. By thei receiving, often and gladly, the food of the Good Shepherd - the holy communion. By being patient and meek, forgiving their enemies readily and willingly. By loving their fellow-men, and by seeking to bring into the one fold those who are out of it.
WHAT WE MUST BELIEVE CONCERNING HOPE.
"I lay down My life for My sheep." John x. 15.
Jesus Christ, by His death, has obtained for us not only forgiveness of our sins, the grace and means of leading lives pleasing to God, but also eternal happiness in the life to come.
In what does eternal happiness consist?
In the clear contemplation and perfect love of God.
What is necessary to obtain eternal happiness?
Before all else, the grace of God, which enlightens our faith, confirms our hope, inflames our love, and, through the holy sacraments, imparts the strength required to do good.
Have we nothing more to do?
We must pray for the grace of God, and zealously co operate with it, since, as St. Augustine, says, though God has created us without our concurrence, yet will He not save us unless we work with Him.
When should we make an Act of Hope?
1. In time of tribulation, and of temptation against this virtue. 2. At receiving the holy sacraments. 3. Frequently during our ordinary life, and at the hour of death.
Third Sunday after Easter - Patronage of St. Joseph.
EPISTLE AND GOSPEL OF THE FEAST.
EPISTLE. Gen. xlix. 23-26.
JOSEPH is a growing son, a growing son and comely to behold: the daughters run to and fro upon the wall. But they that held darts provoked him, and quarrelled with him, and en-
