Course 2, Chapter 6: Public Life of our Lord — First year

1. What did the Saviour do after having chosen his twelve apostles?

After having chosen his apostles, he addressed to his disciples and a great multitude of the people, the admirable discourse which is called the Sermon on the mount.

2. How do you divide this discourse?

146 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

A. This discourse may be divided into two parts. The first is addressed particularly to the apostles; the second regards all the faithful.

3. What does the Saviour teach in the first part?

In the first part the Saviour teaches in what happiness consists; he corrects all the ideas which man since his fall had formed of happiness, saying that it is not in riches, or honors, or pleasures, that happiness consists, but on the contrary in a detach ment from these things, and in the ardent desire and faithful practice of the Christian virtues.

4. What further did he say?

He further said to his apostles, who were commissioned to preach one day all these truths, that they must be holy, because they were the light of the world, and the salt of the earth.

5. What does the Saviour teach in the second part?

He teaches that the new law is much more perfect than the ancient, and therefore Christians should be more holy than the Jews, and after having recommended the great precept of charity and the love of our enemies, he concludes with these words: Be yd, therefore perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

6. What is the first means which the Saviour gives us to arrive at this perfection?

The first means which the Saviour gives us to arrive at this perfection is prayer. Ask, says he, and it shall be given you.!f yon 1/ien, being evil, know hoif to f/ive good gifts to your children, how much more wilt your Father who is in heaven give good things to therfi that ask him? You therefore shall pray in this manner'. Our Father, $c.

7. What is the second?

The second means is fasting. When thou fastest, says he, anoint thy head and wash thy face, that thou appear not fasting to men, but to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who is in secret will reward thee.

8. What is the third means?

The third means is alms-deeds. Lay not up for yourselves, says the Saviour, treasures on earth, where the rust and the moth consume, and where thieves dig through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither the rust nor the moth doth consume, and where thieve do not dig through nor steal.*

9. What do you remark on these three means?

I remark that they are opposed to the three great passions of the heart, which are the cause of all our sins and all the evils of the world.

10. What does the Saviour add?

The Saviour adds that we must not be too solicitous for food and raiment. He commands us to labor, but requires that we should not want confidence in his providence.

Q What follows from this?

A. It follows from this that our Lord positively condemns all immoderate love of riches, honors and pleasures, the bitter fruits of sin; and that in recalling man to his primitive perfection, he assures him of happiness even in this life, and shows himself to be truly his Saviour.

11. What did the Saviour do after the sermon on the mount?

After the sermon on the mount, our Saviour was pleased to confirm his doctrine by miracles, and he cured a man of the leprosy, and also a servant of the centurion who had the palsy.