CHAPTER XV.

CHRIST REPROVETH THE PHARISEES.-THE WOMAN OF CANAAN. -CHRIST FEEDETH FOUR THOUSAND.

What was the prophecy of Esaias by which Jesus rebuked the Scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy and vain traditions ?

7. Ye hypocrites! well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying:

8. This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and bonoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me.

9. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

When the Scribes and Pharisees accused the disciples of eating with unwashen hands, what did Jesus declare to them?

11. Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man, but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

What evils did our Lord enumerate as proceeding from the heart ?

18. Those things which proceed out of the mouth, come forth from the heart, and they defile the man.

19. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

20. These are the things which defile a man ; but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a

man.

When the woman of Canaan came unto Jesus, saying: "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Thou Son of David! my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil"—what notice did He seem to take of her? 23. He answered her not a word.

When his disciples besought Him to send her away, what was his remark?

24. I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

On the woman worshiping Him, and crying, Lord, help me! what was his answer to her ?

26. He answered and said: It is not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it to the dogs. What was the humble reply she made?

27. Truth, Lord! yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table.

What acknowledgment did the humility and confidence of this poor woman draw from Jesus ; and how was her petition answered?

28. Then Jesus answered and said unto her : O woman! great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt: and her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

What was that small portion of food with which Jesus fed the multitude that had been

three days with Him on the mountain, near the Sea of Galilee?

34. Seven loaves and a few small fishes.

How was so small a supply sufficient for the purpose?

36. He took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

37. And they did all eat and were filled, and they took up of the broken meat that was left, seven baskets full.

CHAPTER XVI.

OF THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES.--OF SELF-DENIAL.

When Jesus bade his disciples beware of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees, what did He intend by the caution ?

12. He bade them not beware of the leaven of bread; but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

When Jesus asked his disciples, Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, am ?—how did they answer him?

14. They said, some say that Thou art John the Baptist; some Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

What was the answer when He queried, But whom say ye that I am ?

16. Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17. And Jesus answered and said unto him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

What was the doctrine of self-denial which Jesus taught his disciples ?

24. Then Jesus said unto his disciples: If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

25. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it, and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul!

CHAPTER XVII.

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST.

When Jesus took Peter and James and John up into a high mountain apart, what is related of his transfiguration ?

2. His face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

3. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Him.

4. Then answered Peter and said: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if Thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

5. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloudovershadowed them; and, behold, a voice out of the cloud which said: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye Him. 6. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face and were sore afraid.

7. And Jesus came and touched them, and said: Arise, and be not afraid.

8. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man save Jesus only.

9. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

CHAPTER XVIII.

CHRIST TEACHETH HUMILITY.-FORGIVENESS OF INJURIES.

When the disciples questioned Jesus: Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven 2-how did He take occasion to teach them humility ?