Day 178 · Canonical

Scripture

Proverbs 15–17

Proverbs 15

A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.

The tongue of the wise adorneth knowledge: but the mouth of fools bubbleth out folly.

The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the good and the evil.

A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit.

A fool laugheth at the instruction of his father: but he that regardeth reproofs shall become prudent. In abundant justice there is the greatest strength: but the devices of the wicked shall be rooted out.

The house of the just is very much strength: and in the fruits of the wicked is trouble.

The lips of the wise shall disperse knowledge: the heart of fools shall be unlike.

The victims of the wicked are abominable to the Lord: the vows of the just are acceptable.

The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: he that followeth justice is beloved by him.

Instruction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way of life: he that hateth reproof shall die.

Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more the hearts of the children of men?

A corrupt man loveth not one that reproveth him: nor will he go to the wise.

A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by grief of mind the spirit is cast down.

The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

All the days of the poor are evil: a secure mind is like a continual feast.

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without content.

It is better to be invited to herbs with love, than to a fatted calf with hatred.

A passionate man stirreth up strifes: he that is patient appeaseth those that are stirred up.

The way of the slothful is as a hedge of thorns: the way of the just is without offence.

A wise son maketh a father joyful: but the foolish man despiseth his mother.

Folly is joy to the fool: and the wise man maketh straight his steps.

Designs are brought to nothing where there is no counsel: but where there are many counsellors, they are established.

A man rejoiceth in the sentence of his mouth: and a word in due time is best.

The path of life is above for the wise, that he may decline from the lowest hell.

The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: and will strengthen the borders of the widow.

Evil thoughts are an abomination to the Lord: and pure words most beautiful shall be confirmed by him.

He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth bribes shall live. By mercy and faith sins are purged away: and by the fear of the Lord every one declineth from evil.

The mind of the just studieth obedience: the mouth of the wicked overfloweth with evils.

The Lord is far from the wicked: and he will hear the prayers of the just.

The light of the eyes rejoiceth the soul: a good name maketh the bones fat.

The ear that heareth the reproofs of life, shall abide in the midst of the wise.

He that rejecteth instruction, despiseth his own soul: but he that yieldeth to reproof, possesseth understanding.

The fear of the Lord is the lesson of wisdom: and humility goeth before glory.

Proverbs 16

It is the part of man to prepare the soul: and of the Lord to govern the tongue.

All the ways of a man are open to his eyes: the Lord is the weigher of spirits.

Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts shall be directed.

The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for the evil day.

Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though hand should be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice: and this is more acceptable with God, than to offer sacrifices.

By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed; and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

When the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.

Better is a little with justice, than great revenues with iniquity.

The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his steps.

Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment.

Weight and balance are judgments of the Lord: and his work all the weights of the bag.

They that act wickedly are abominable to the king: for the throne is established by justice.

Just lips are the delight of kings: he that speaketh right things shall be loved.

The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: and the wise man will pacify it.

In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance is life: and his clemency is like the latter rain.

Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and purchase prudence, for it is more precious than silver.

The path of the just departeth from evils: he that keepeth his soul keepeth his way.

Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.

It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud.

The learned in word shall find good things: and he that trusteth in the Lord is blessed.

The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet in words, shall attain to greater things.

Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it: the instruction of fools is foolishness.

The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips.

Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death.

The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for himself, because his mouth hath obliged him to it.

The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.

A perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of words separateth princes.

An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him into a way that is not good.

He that with fixed eyes deviseth wicked things, biting his lips, bringeth evil to pass.

Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.

The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh cities.

Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the Lord.

Proverbs 17

Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of victims with strife.

A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.

As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.

The evil man obeyeth an unjust tongue: and the deceitful hearkeneth to lying lips.

He that despiseth the poor, reproacheth his maker: and he that rejoiceth at another man’s ruin, shall not be unpunished.

Children’s children are the crown of old men: and the glory of children are their fathers.

Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.

The expectation of him that expecteth is a most acceptable jewel: whithersoever he turneth himself, he understandeth wisely.

He that concealeth a transgression, seeketh friendships: he that repeateth it again, separateth friends.

A reproof availeth more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.

An evil man always seeketh quarrels: but a cruel angel shall be sent against him.

It is better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than a fool trusting in his own folly.

He that rendereth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out water: and before he suffereth reproach, he forsaketh judgment.

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are abominable before God.

What doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn, shall fall into evils.

He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in distress.

A foolish man will clap hands, when he is surety for his friend.

He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.

He that is of a perverse heart, shall not find good: and he that perverteth his tongue, shall fall into evil.

A fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool.

A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.

The wicked man taketh gifts out of the bosom, that he may pervert the paths of judgment.

Wisdom shineth in the face of the wise: the eyes of fools are in the ends of the earth.

A foolish son is the anger of the father: and the sorrow of the mother that bore him.

It is no good thing to do hurt to the just: nor to strike the prince, who judgeth right.

He that setteth bounds to his words, is knowing and wise: and the man of understanding is of a precious spirit.

Even a fool, if he will hold his peace, shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.

Catechism

An Explanation of the Baltimore Catechism of Christian Doctrine, Lesson 25, Question 278

278 Q. What is the Sacrament of Holy Orders?

A. Holy Orders is a Sacrament by which bishops, priests, and other ministers of the Church are ordained and receive the power and grace to perform their sacred duties.
"Other ministers," means deacons and subdeacons, properly so-called. When a young man goes to study for the priesthood—after he has discovered that God has called him to that sacred office—he passes several years in learning what is necessary, and in fitting himself for his sacred duties. After some time he receives what is called tonsure; that is, on the day of ordination the bishop cuts a little hair from five places on his head, to show that this young man is giving himself up to God. The tonsure is a mark of the clerical state, and in Catholic countries it is made manifest by keeping a small circular spot on the crown of the head shaved perfectly clean. It reminds the cleric or priest of having dedicated himself to God, and also of the crown of thorns worn by Our Blessed Saviour. For this reason some of the holy monks shaved all the hair from their head, with the exception of a little ring, which resembles very much a wreath or crown of hair encircling the head. You often see them thus represented in holy pictures.
After the young student has received the tonsure and studied for a longer time, he receives the four Minor Orders, by which he is permitted to touch the sacred vessels of the altar, and do certain things about the church which laymen have not the right to do, especially to serve Mass. After more preparation he becomes a subdeacon, and then he may wear vestments and assist the celebrant at Solemn Mass. At a Solemn Mass there are three priests in vestments. The priest standing on the platform of the altar and celebrating Mass is called the celebrant; the one who stands just behind him, generally one step lower, is called the deacon, and the one who stands behind the deacon and on the lower step is called the subdeacon. The one who directs the whole ceremony, and gives signs to the others when to stand, sit down, or kneel, is called the Master of Ceremonies.
When speaking of the Mass, I forgot to tell you something about the different kinds of Masses—that is, different as far as the ceremonies are concerned, for they are all alike in value. First we have the Low Mass, such as the priest says every day and at the early hours on Sundays. It is called low, because there is no display in ceremony about it. Next we have the High Mass—called Missa Cantata (sung)—at which the priest and choir sing in turn. Lastly, we have the Solemn High Mass, at which we have three ministers or priests, and singing by both ministers and choir, as well as all the ceremonies prescribed by the Church. When any of these Masses are said in black vestments they are called Requiem Masses, because the priest offers them for the rest or happy repose of the soul of some dead person or persons, and the word requiem means rest. Vespers is a portion of the Divine Office of the Church. It is sung generally on Sunday afternoon or evening in the church, and is usually followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. It is not a mortal sin to stay from Vespers on Sundays, even willfully, because there is no law of the Church obliging you to attend. Nevertheless all good Catholics will attend Vespers when possible.
To continue about the ministers of the Church: When the subdeacon is ordained a deacon, he can wear still more of the priestly vestments, and also baptize solemnly, preach, and give Holy Communion. After a time the deacon is ordained a priest, and receives power to celebrate Mass and forgive sins. If afterwards the priest should be selected by the Holy Father to be a bishop, he is consecrated; and then he has power to administer Confirmation and Holy Orders, ordaining priests and consecrating bishops. Thus you see there are grades through which the ministers of the Church must pass. First the tonsure, then Minor Orders, then subdeaconship, then deaconship, then priesthood. Nuns, Sisters, Brothers, etc., are not, as some might think, ministers of the Church, because they have never received any of the Holy Orders.
The ordained ministers of the Church can perform the duties of any office for which they have ever been ordained, but not the duties of any office above that to which they have been ordained. For example, a subdeacon cannot take the place of a deacon at Mass, nor a deacon the place of a priest; but a priest may take either of their places, because he has, at one time, been ordained to both these offices.
Altar boys should never forget that they are enjoying a very great privilege in being allowed to take the place of an ordained minister of the Church, and serve Mass without being ordained acolytes.
In olden times princes and noblemen used to seek for this wonderful favor, and count themselves happy if they secured it. Think of it! To stand so near our Blessed Lord that they are able to see His sacred body resting upon the altar, and to offer the wine, which a few minutes later is changed into His very blood!