ABSTRACT OF THE CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE by Mgr Jean-Joseph GAUME - FIRST PART Containing the history and explanation of religion from the beginning of the World until the coming of the Messiah.
What else did God do on the fourth day?
On the fourth day God made the moon again to rule over the night. It tempers the deep darkness that the sun leaves when it retreats; she regulates the work of the campaign; it enlightens the man who needs to travel during the night, and reveals to us at each moment the wisdom of the Creator: for each day the moon changes, like the sun, the moment of its rising and setting.
What else did God do?
God again made the stars, whose number, size, continuous and regular movement, tell of the glory of our heavenly Father and invite us to gratitude.
What do you mean ?
Because the stars provide us with great services. The North Star, for example, directs our travels by sea and land; the others temper the darkness of the night in the absence of the moon.
Why did God create the sun and the moon?
God created the sun and the moon to separate day and night, and to regulate the order of the seasons.
What are the benefits of the day?
The light, the heat, the ease of going about all our activities without fear: these are some of the benefits of the day.
What are the benefits of night?
1 . By depriving us of the sight and use of creatures, night reminds us of this nothingness from which we emerged, and of this darkness of idolatry from which we were drawn by the Gospel;
2 . it gives us rest and sleep; but it does it by degrees and with respect, to teach us that all creatures are made for us, and we ourselves for God;
3 . it freshens the air and preserves herbs and plants, which would perish if the sun were always on the horizon.
What other service do the sun and the moon provide us?
The other service that the sun and the moon provide us is to regulate the order of the seasons, without which we could not live; for spring repairs the productions we need, summer ripens them, autumn lavishes them on us and winter rests the tired earth.
What are the benefits and instructions of each season?
Spring revives all nature and preaches to us the brevity of life and the future resurrection; summer gives us part of what we need, and teaches us that in middle age we must above all work for Heaven; autumn fills our homes with goods, but at the same time it warns us not to attach our hearts to them; finally, winter makes us enjoy what the other seasons have given us, puts before our eyes the image of death and tells us to be charitable towards those who are cold and hungry.
I resolve to love God above all things, and my neighbor as myself for the love of God; and, as a testimony of this love, I will conform in everything to the will of God.