Course 2, Chapter 15: The glorious life of our Lord

1. How did our Lord prove to the Jews his resurrection?

The Lord proved to the Jews his resurrection by taking his body out of their hands. Thu Jews were masters both of the sepulchre and of the body of Dur Lord. They were bound, therefore, either to bring forward his body on the third day or admit that he had risen again.

2. Why did not the Saviour show himself to the Jews after his resurrection?

The Saviour did not show himself to the Jews after his resurrection, 1st, because it was a grace he did not owe them; 2d, because, says St. Chrysostom, they would have abused this grace as they had abused others.

3. Why should we think this?

Their conduct should lead us to think it. They had not been converted by the raising of Lazarus to life; nor were they by the miracles wrought by the apostles to prove the resurrection of their Master; on the contrary, they became more hardened. It was not proofs, but good will on their part, that was wanting.

4. How did the Saviour prove his resurrection to his disciples?

The Saviour proved his resurrection to his disciples by showing himself to them, speaking to them, eating with them, and permitting them to touch him.

5. Did he show himself to them man)' times after his resurrection?

The Saviour often showed himself to them after his resurrection; first to St. Peter, then to St. James; again to the two apostles going to Emmaus, and to the assembled apostles; and, finally, to more than five hundred of his disciples at one time.

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6. Did the apostles easily believe the resurrection of. the Saviour?

The apostles did not easily believe the resurrection of the Saviour. St. Thomas went so far as to say that he would not believe it until he had put his finders in the place of the nails, and his hand in the side of the Saviour. Eight days after the resurrection, the disciples being all assembled, the Saviour appeared, and said to Thomas: Put in thy jinger hither, and see my hands, and bring hither thy hand and put it into my side: and be not incredulous, but faithful. Thomas answered, and said to him: My Lord and my God.

7. What was the occupation of the Saviour during the forty days he remained on earth after his resurrection?

The occupation of the Saviour during the forty days he remained on earth after his resurrection, was thoroughly to convince his apostles that he was really risen, and to instruct them perfectly in his doctrine. He wished to teach us in what manner we ought to live, after having had the happiness of a resurrection to the state of grace.

8. Why did the Saviour take so much care to prove his resurrection?

The Saviour took so much care to prove his resurrection, because this miracle is the foundation of all religion.

9. What is a miracle?

A miracle is a fact contrary to the laws of nature, and which God alone can perform; for example, by a single word, or by a single touch to give sight to the blind or life to the dead.

10. Can God work miracles?

That would be the same as to ask if God can suspend the laws which he himself has established. To reply, says an impious writer, to him who should assert that God cannot work miracles, would be hon-

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oring him too far; he ought to be shut up, as a fool, in a house for the insane.

11. Has God wrought any miracles in favor of tlu Christian religion?

Yes, God has wrought miracles in favor of the Christian religion; of which we are better assured than we are of any of the most celebrated facts of antiquity, of which no one doubts; such, for in stance, as the existence of Alexander and of Csesar. Millions of martyrs have died to attest the truth of the miracles of our Lord and of his apostles.

12. Do miracles prove the truth of religion?

Yes, miracles prove the truth of religion. God alone can work miracles; and God, being truth itself, cannot work miracles to authorize falsehood; there fore, the Christian religion, in favor of which God has wrought so many miracles, is the true and the only true religion; and in order to be saved, we must believe in it and practice it.