SCRIPTURE LESSONS. THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. CHAPTER I. THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. Read Matthew's account of the incarnation of the Son of God. Ver. 8. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19. Then Joseph, ber husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying: Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. B 21. And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS:* for He shall save his people from their sins. Recite the prophecy which was fulfilled by the miraculous birth of Christ. 22. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying: 23. Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son; and they shall call his name EMMANUEL, which being interpreted is, God with us. + CHAPTER II. THE MAGI WORSHIP CHRIST.-HEROD'S CRUELTY.-JOSEPH'S FLIGHT INTO EGYPT. By what token were the wise men of the East directed to enquire for Jesus? 2. They said: Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship him. How did the wise men find the precise place of Christ's birth? *That is, The Saviour. + See Isaiah vii. 14. 9. Lo, the star which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When Herod sought the young child, to destroy him, what means did Joseph take for his pre servation? 14. He arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt. What was Herod's cruel stratagem to destroy the child Jesus? 16. He sent forth and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under. CHAPTER III. THE COMING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.-HIS TESTIMONY CONCERN ING JESUS. What was the prediction fulfilled at the coming of John the Baptist? 3. This is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying: The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.* How are the appearance and manner of John the Baptist described? *See Isaiah xl. 3. 4. The same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, and his meat was locusts* and wild honey. What was required of the followers of John? 6. They were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. When the Pharisees and Sadducees + came to John to be baptized, how did he reprove them ? 7. O generation of vipers! who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8. Bring forth fruits meet for repentance : 9. And think not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham to our father; for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. What did John testify concerning the superiority of Christ, and the effect of his baptism ? * Locusts were a common article of food in many parts of the east; and they are used as such by the modern Arabs. The Phariseees were the most numerous sect among the Jews, distinguished by their strict performance of the ceremonials of religion, and their reverent observance of the precepts that had been handed down by tradition from their ancestors; to which they attached an authority equal or superior to that of the Divine Law. They boasted that, from their accurate knowledge of religion, they were the favourites of heaven; and thus "trusting in themselves that they were righteous, despised others." Yet, with their high pretensions to piety, they were generally proud, avaricious, and the slaves of every vicious appetite. The tenets of the Sadducees differed from those of the Pharisees, principally, in their rejection of traditions, and their disbelief of a future state, and of the existence of angels or spirits. |