Choose a topic from Part 2A:
1. The ceremonial precepts of the Old Law were divinelydetermined ways of giving God proper external worship. Now, theduty of worshiping God, outwardly as well as interiorly, rests onman as a moral obligation. Hence, the ceremonial precepts weredeterminate applications of the moral law.
2. The fullness of revelation had not been made when theOld Law was promulgated. Hence, it was fitting that the ceremoniesprescribed in the Old Law should look forward to that fullness:they should have a figurative and prophetic meaning; they shouldprophetically refer to Christ and His Church and the way to heavenopened by the Christian dispensation. And so indeed they do.
3. The Old Law had many ceremonial precepts to instructand guide the people, and to counteract their tendency toidolatry.
4. The ceremonies of the Old Law may be classified underfour heads: sacrifices; sacred things (tabernacles, vessels,instruments of worship); purifying preparations for divine worship(sometimes called consecrations or sacraments); and observanceswith reference to special food, vestments, actions, etc.
"God commands not impossibilities, but by commanding he suggests to you to do what you can, to ask for what is beyond your strength; and he helps you, that you may be able."
St Augustine
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"Whom do you seek, friend, if you seek not God? Seek him, find him, cleave to him; bind your will to his with bands of steel and you will live always at peace in this life and in the next."
St Alphonsus de Liguori
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"The one thing necessary which Jesus spoke of to Martha and Mary consists in hearing the word of God and living by it."
R. Garrigou-Lagrange, OP
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