XXV. OF THE ACTION OF THE BAD ANGELS OR OF THE DEMONS
Can the devils attack and tempt men?
Yes.
Why is it possible for the devils to attack and tempt man?
The devils are able to attack and to tempt man by reason of their wickedness, and because God can make use of the very temptation for the good of his chosen ones
Is it proper to the devils alone to tempt man?
Yes.
In what sense is it said that it is proper to the devils alone to tempt man?
It is proper to the devils to tempt man in this sense, that they alone tempt man always with the object of doing him harm and in the hope that man might be lost
Can the devils perform miracles in order to tempt and to seduce man?
No, the devils are unable to perform true miracles in order to tempt and to seduce man, but they can perform things that have the appearance of miracles.
What is meant by the words: appearance of miracles?
By these words are understood prodigies which exceed manner of acting of the things around us as far as knowledge of them goes, but which, however, do not exceed the natural power of the whole of creatures
By what sign above all may one detect these spurious miracles performed by the devils?
Above all one may detect them by this, that they are related to something that is bad, and consequently God cannot be their author as He is of true miracles
XXVI. OF THE ACTION OF THE MATERIAL WORLD OR OF THE WHOLE OF THE COSMOS
Is it only the good or evil spirits that God employs in government of the world?
No, it is not only the good or evil spirits that God employs in the government of the world.
What other beings are there which concur in government?
All the cosmic agents whose activities are brought into play by God help also towards the accomplishment of His rule
Is then the whole course of nature thus in the hands God for the ruling of the world?
Yes, the whole course of nature with all its laws is the hands of God for the ruling of the world
It is then for the realization of the plans of God for the help thereof, that every day the sun rises, day follows night, that the seasons come and go, this in such order that nothing ever disturbs the coming and the going of the days, the months, the years, and centuries?
Yes, it is for the fulfilment of the designs of God and for help thereof that the sun rises each day, that night follows day, that the seasons follow each other in order and this in such a way that nothing ever disarranges the coming and the going of the days, the months, the years, and the centuries.
May one say that it is for man and for his welfare that God has thus ordained and maintains in a regular order the course of the world of nature?
Yes, one may and indeed must say that it is for man and for his welfare that God has thus ordained and maintains in a regular order the course of the world of nature.
Man then is the creature for whom God in some wise has arranged that all other creatures should be subservient to his needs?
Yes, man is the creature for whom God in some wise has arranged that all other creatures should be subservient to his needs.
Why has God thus acted towards man?
God has acted thus towards man because man is the weakest of His creatures who has need of all other things for the good of his soul and body.
XVII. OF THE ACTION OF MAN HIMSELF
Can man, weak though he be, also help in the action of God towards the government of the world?
Yes, in spite of his weakness, man also can help in a great degree in the activity of God in the government of the world.
How can man thus concur with the action of God in government of the world?
Man can concur with the action of God in the government of the world in co-operating himself for the good of man.
In what way can man co-operate himself for the good of man?
Man co-operates toward the good of man in being used by God as an instrument for the welfare of the soul and body of man.
How can man serve as an instrument in God's hands for the benefit of the soul and body of man?
Man serves as an instrument in God's hands for the benefit of the soul of man, because it is due to the operation of man that God creates the soul of each child born to the world; and because this soul develops and grows in perfection under the action of the master who is its teacher
And how does man serve as an instrument in God's hands as regards the body of man?
Because, according to the laws of nature fixed by Him, God has arranged that the body of the child is formed and is brought forth into the world by the tender care of a father and a mother
XXVIII. OF THE POINT UPON WHICH THE WHOLE COURSE OF DIVINE GOVERNMENT IS CENTRED
It is then at the cradle of the child, among men, that we see shine forth, as from a central point, all the graciousness of God's government in the world?
Yes, it is at the child's cradle, among men, that we see shine forth, as from a central point, all the sweetness of God's government in the world; for all in the world is ordained for the welfare of the child: the loving care of the parents, the whole of nature which helps its life, the angels who have care of it, and the goodness of God who destines it for the glory of heaven.
Was there a cradle of the birth of a child among men around which all the splendours of God's government in the world shone forth in a way beyond compare?
Yes; and this happened at the birth of a Child, who, as we shall see shortly, is the means or the way of man's return to God
What happened, in effect, at the birth of this Child?
At the birth of this Child there was a conception wholly due to the supernatural action of the Holy Spirit, a Mother who remained virgin, kings and wise men led to the cradle by a star, and a multitude of celestial spirits praising God and singing: "Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will."
How is this Child of benediction called?
He is none other than Emmanuel, or God-with-us, and He is called Jesus.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Check with your doctor