The sacred rites and ceremonies of our holy religion, and attendance on the Sacraments, may be abused in many ways. Let me warn you as to two of these abuses. First: if you substitute in your heart reliance on your attendance on these in the place of Christ, and His meritorious atonement for pardon of sin and peace with God. Secondly: if you are not careful to follow after holiness and to make progress in grace. Neither of these abuses is uncommon. The profane sons of Eli thought that to bring the ark of God into the camp of Israel would ensure safety and victory over their enemies. The presence of that ark had wrought, by God's appointment, great wonders in former days. But it was not to be an object, as Eli's sons were making it, of superstitious reliance, while there was a neglect of godliness, of penitence for sins, and of the fear of God. Gather hence a warning against a reliance on and abuse of the most sacred gifts and institutions of God, which at all puts Christ the Saviour out of view or on one side, and is not conjoined with surrender of the heart to God, and with careful obedience to His known commandments. Your personal godliness is ever the object of your Saviour's survey and care. His eyelids try the just; and Him that loveth wickedness does His soul abhor. Be not deceived: God is not mocked. Be close and frequent in your attendance on God's institutions in this Church, and specially at the Sacraments, but remember that, like the ark of God, close attendance on them calls for watchfulness and reverential care over your words, and ways, and hearts. Was not Uzzah smitten by God, so that he died by the ark of God, when without due reverence he took hold of it? Truly, an awful warning as to our handling of sacred things!
- text taken from Daily Bread - Bring a Few Morning Meditations for the Use of Catholic Christians by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp