When our Lord was risen, and had made Himself known to the eleven disciples, what was the injunction He laid upon them ? 15. Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned. THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. CHAPTER I. LUKE'S PREFACE. AN ANGEL FORETELS THE BIRTH OF JOHN. -AN ANGEL FORETELS THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.--THE PROPHECY OF ZACHARIAS. To whom did the Evangelist Luke address his narrative of the Gospel-and what does he assign as the motive which induced him to write it ? 1. Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed amongst us, 2. Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eye-witnesses, and ministers of the word; 3. It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus ; 4. That thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed. What was predicted of John the Baptist by the angel who appeared to Zacharias in the temple? 13. The angel said unto him: Fear not, Zacharias; for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14. And thou shalt bave joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. : 16. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17. And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. What was the message of the angel Gabriel, to Mary the mother of Jesus? 28. The angel came in unto her, and said: Hail, thou that art highly favoured! the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women! 30. Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God. 31. And, behold, thou shalt conceive, and bring forth a son; and shalt call his name Jesus. 32. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord shall give unto Him the throne of his father David. 33. And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Recite the prophetic language of Zacharias, on the birth of John. 67. His father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying: 68. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemned his people, 69. And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David; 71. That we should be saved from Our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72. To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73. The oath which He sware to our father Abraham, . 74. That He would grant unto us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, 75. In holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. 76. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his ways; 77. To give knowledge of salvation unto his people, by the remission of their sins, 78. Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the day spring from on high hath visited us; 79. To give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace. CHAPTER II. CHRIST'S NATIVITY ANNOUNCED TO THE SHEPHERDS. SIMEON. -ANNA THE PROPHETESS. Recite the manner in which the birth of Jesus was first published in Judea, and the angelic song which accompanied the tidings of this memorable event. 8. There were in the same country shepherds. abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. 9. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. 10. And the angel said unto them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye |