What a terrible threat to those who are in the habit of offending God in His own sanctuary. The Lord will drive them out with the scourge! Indeed it is a great offense to af­front him in his own dwelling—great ingratitude to dishonor Him in the very place where He distributes His graces in abundance.

What a disgrace to appear there in immodest, vain attire (including your head uncovered, if a woman, since not only Paul VI said you must have it covered, but read St. Paul's 1st Corinthians: 11), wishing only to attract attention. What indecorum to walk into Church gazing and waving at everyone, talking and joking, even distracting those who are praying, not sparing even the priests of the altar, conversing there about worldly affairs. Where is there an earthly ruler who would tolerate such irreverence? Should the King of Kings, upon whose power the whole universe depends, have to endure contempt in His own abode? Is this not the grossest offense, the greatest indignity? Let them remember that God will avenge the insult, that He will pour out the phials of His wrath upon such abom-inable ingratitude. " I will lay they ways upon thee, O ungrateful nation," He says through the prophet Ezechiel, "and I will pour out my wrath upon thee and I will accomplish my anger in thee." Woe to those who profane the House of the Lord! The sudden death of Oza, the fire which consumed the sons of Aaron, the destruction of the Bethsamites, the defeat of the Philistines, the chastisement of Antiochus, the fall of Jerusalem-these are all examples of the divine wrath at the profanation of His sanctuary.

Even in our own days, the calamities that befall cities and nations—must we not interpret them as the warning of Jeremias? "It is the vengeance of the Lord, vengeance because of the profanation of His Temple."

(Is it any wonder that many of the Saints have stated that we shall have to atone for every instant we were irreverent before the Blessed Sacrament after or death?)

Dear Brethren, take these warning to heart Come to Church with due reverence and be not forgetful of the honor due to the Lord of the Universe. Remember the words of the apostle: "For if anyone violate the Temple of God, him shall God destroy."

PSALM 95

But the Lord made the heaven's splendor and majesty go before Him. Strength and beauty adorn his sanctuary. Give to the Lord ye families of the nations—give to the Lord glory and praise-­give to the Lord worship due to His name—offer sacrifice and enter His courts. Do homage to the Lord in your sacred adornments. Tremble before His presence all ye dwellers on earth.

(Our Lord To) ST. GERTRUDE the GREAT,
"Each time we look at the Blessed Sacrament our place in heaven is raised forever!"

ST. TERESA of AVILA

If you grieve at not seeing Him with your bodily eyes, remember that if we viewed His glorified body we would die of love. So weak is our nature that nobody could endure the sight-there would be no one left on earth, because no one would wish to remain on earth any longer. But beneath those accidents of bread we can approach Him because we cannot see Him with our eyes. He reveals Himself to those who believe and show their love! Getting up after Mass just after receiving Him and talking to people as you go down the aisle is a great sacrilege!

WHERE IS YOUR REVERENCE ?

Where is your faith? Instead delight to remain with Him. Do not lose such an excellent time for talking with Him. This time is a very profitable time for the soul—therefore do not lose it. If you take your thoughts elsewhere and pay no more attention to Him than if He were not there how can He make Himself known to you? How can He pour into your soul his sanctifying grace (which gives you part of His Divinity) ? How can He teach you? How can you hear Him and what He has to say if you don't care to listen? How can you shut your bodily eyes and open the eyes of your soul when you are walking out of the Church talking to people as though He had gone back to heaven and were no longer there? Poor, poor Jesus! What can He do? Would you like Him to drag you by force to look at Him, love Him and be with Him just because

HE DESIRES IT?

He will not reveal Himself openly and communicate His glories and bestow His treasures EXCEPT ON THOSE WHO GREATLY DESIRE IT! From the look of it, many Catholics go to Church to offend Him rather than worship Him!

(Blessed Mother to) SR. MARIA of AGREDA

More to be blamed are the unworthy and wicked priests; for by the irreverence with which they treat the Blessed Sacrament, the other Catholics have been drawn to undervalue it. If the people see that their priests approach the divine mysteries with holy fear and trembling, they too treat and receive their God in like manner. Those that so honor Him shall shine in heaven like the sun among the stars, for the glory of my Divine Son's humanity will rebound in a special measure in those who have behaved well toward Him in the Blessed Sacrament. The devout will bear on their breast, where they have so often harbored the Holy Eucharist, most beautiful and resplendent inscriptions, showing that they were most worthy tabernacles of the Holy Sacrament. They will also enjoy the special favor of being able to penetrate deeper into the mystery of the presence of the Lord in the sacrament, and to understand all the rest of the wonders hidden therein. This will be such a privilege that IT ALONE would suffice for their eternal happiness, even if there were no other enjoyment in heaven. Moreover, the essential glory of those who have worthily and devoutly received the Holy Eucharist will in several respects exceed the glory of the many martyrs who have not received the Body and Blood of the Lord.

PURGATORY

Talking in Church before His Majesty is not only a venial sin but can become a much more serious sin if you disturb others who desire to love Him. The saints who have seen purgatory have said that the average time a Catholic spends there is 40 years. This is shortened by daily Mass and devout commun­ions, many ejaculations and indulgenced prayers and works, while living; and Masses and prayers for the dead said by others after death. For a devout Catholic it is much less! And for a devout Catholic carrying a cross of pain offered up to Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, it is possible to go directly to heaven.

If you can show reverence to a flag, a priest, a nun, the Pope or a human being—how much more should you keep your eyes on that tabernacle and altar from the moment you enter the Church until you leave, and show him the

REVERENCE HE DESERVES AND DEMANDS!
(Read 1st Corinthians: 11 and Deuteronomy 22:5).

"Hail full of grace, the Lord is with you."