Choose a topic from Part 2B:

86. Exterior Acts of Religion: Oblations

1. We are all bound to make offerings, in one way oranother, for the support of religion, as it exists in external andestablished practice according to the institution of Christ. Suchofferings are oblations.

2. Offerings are made to priests (I Cor. 9:13) who are"to live by the altar." And the priest has further usefor offerings or oblations than his mere livelihood; he has toobtain what belongs to the functions of external worship, and hehas to dispense goods to the poor.

3. An offering or oblation is not to be made of thingsunjustly acquired or wrongfully possessed.

4. The Old Law required men to make an offering oroblation of "the first fruits," that is, the best oftheir crops and harvestings. This was to make open and practicalacknowledgment that "the earth is the Lord's and thefullness thereof," and that the tiller of the soil does notcreate its fertility, but that all good things come from God. Evenafter the coming of the New Law, the offering of "firstfruits" continued to be a pious custom in some countries.

"As the flesh is nourished by food, so is man supported by prayers"
St Augustine

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"God gives us some things, as the beginning of faith, even when we do not pray. Other things, such as perseverance, he has only provided for those who pray."
St Augustine

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"God gives us some things, as the beginning of faith, even when we do not pray. Other things, such as perseverance, he has only provided for those who pray."
St Augustine

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