20. What sins are chiefly opposed to the love of God?
In general, all mortal sins; but in particular, 1. Indifference and aversion to God and divine things; and 2. Hatred and repugnance to Him and His paternal dispensations.
21. How do we honor God also 'exteriorly'?
We honor God also exteriorly when we manifest our interior respectful sentiments towards Him by exterior actions; as by our uniting with others in the public services of religion or in prayer, in common with others, by kneeling, and generally by our reverent demeanor during religious exercises.
22. Why are we also commanded to honor God exteriorly?
1. Because the body has been created by God as well as the soul, and, therefore, both should pay Him honor and homage; 2. Because it is quite natural to man to manifest his interior worship of God also exteriorly; 3. Because the interior worship is intensified by exterior worship; and 4. Because exterior worship is conducive and necessary for our mutual edification, for fortifying ourselves in our faith, and for preserving and propagating our Religion.
Example: Daniel, who chose to be cast into the den of the lions rather than to give up the exterior adoration of God as prescribed by the Law (Dan. vi.).
23. How do we sin against the exterior worship of God?
By neglecting to attend divine service, or by behaving irreverently when we are present.
Punishment of the men at Bethsames because they approached the Ark of the Lord in an irreverent manner (1 Kings vi. 19).
24. May we sin in any other way against the reverence due to God?
Yes, we sin also against it by idolatry, superstition, witchcraft, sacrilege, and simony.
