A life of Christ, told in words of the Gospels

Preface

If we consider the reason why our Divine Lord became man, even selfishness compels us to proclaim Him our greatest benefactor. Since the sin of Adam and Eve made redemption a necessity there has never been a time when Christ and His mission have not occupied a large place in the thought and affection of the world. As the prophets, with His life plainly revealed before them, looked forward to His coming as the supremest fact in history, so do we, living under the fulfillment of the promise, regard His life and teaching, not only as a fact without parallel among events, but more than all, as a supreme visible manifestation of the infinite love of God for mankind. Just as the old law would have been meaningless without the promise of the coming Messias, so the new law would be impossible without the Christ.

Our absorbing interest in Jesus springs most of all from the knowledge, vouchsafed us by faith, that He became man for our salvation, that what He did, said and suffered, He did, said, and suffered for us. Hence everything associated with Him, His birth, His miracles, His sayings, His death, His resurrection, His ascension, have been the theme of a thousand writers, who would keep the eyes of man always fixed upon Him, who was the way, the truth and the life. This will explain why so many have written about our Saviour. It is the apology for the " Lives of Christ"

which have come forth in the past, and will continue to come forth in the future. This is likewise the apology for the book which is now offered you.

The compiler of this volume, in presenting it to the reading public, wishes it to be understood that she has not attempted anything original in thought, and that she lays little claim even to originality of arrangement. The subject matter and style are entirely those of Holy Scripture, from which this work is taken almosl word for word.

If a reason be sought for the existence of such a book she would reply that in undertaking its preparation she had in view the edification of her readers by placing before them in chronological order the main facts in the life of Christ, and more than all, by means of numerous illustrations to encourage Catholic children to become familiar with His life as it is found in the sacred text.

In this latter respect, I think our compiler deserves to be commended, because, if I may be permitted to express an opinion based upon my own experience and observation as well as that of many other priests and religious teachers, we American Catholics are woefully lacking in religious books for children, and especially do we find our children deficient in the knowledge of Holy Scripture. The little they know of it is drawn from the catechism and the instructions of the pastor or other teachers, but the children are rarely ever required to read and study the sacred text itself. The only life of Christ written in English for Catholic children, as far as I am aware, is that of Mother Mary Loyola, and this, while very excellent in itself, does not bring before the child mind anything more than the few straggling passages of scripture usually found in Bible History.

It may be alleged, it is true, that children generally find the sacred text rather dry and uninteresting when it stands alone without commentary ; but it seems to me that it would be hard to improve upon the simplicity with which so many facts that in the life of Christ, appeal to children, are narrated in the sacred text itself. For instance: The Birth of Christ in Bethlehem, The Story of the Shepherds and the Wise Men, the Slaughter of the Innocents, The Flight into Egypt, etc.

For this reason then, I think, Miss Fogg's effort will prove an encouragement to others to make attempts in the same direction.

For the chronological arrangement our compiler wishes to acknowledge her indebtedness in an especial manner to Father Jos. Bruneau, Professor of Sacred Scripture, Brighton Seminary, Boston.

►&JQHN B. MORRIS,

Bishop of Little Rock.

THE LIFE OF CHRIST.

Chapter I

npHE Angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And the Angel being come in said unto her: "Hail full of grace: The Lord is with thee: Blessed art thou among women. "

Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the Angel said to her: "Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High ; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end."

And Mary said to the Angel: "How shall this be done, because I know not man?"

And the Angel answering said to her: "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren; because no word shall be impossible with God."

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And Mary said: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word. ' ' And the Angel departed from her.

Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda. And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth, [his wife]. And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was rilled with the Holy Ghost: and she cried out with a loud voice, and said " Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord."

And Mary said: " My soul doth magnify the Lord : and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Because he hath regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because he that is mighty hath done great things to me : and holy is his name. And His mercy is from generation unto generation, to them that fear him. He hath shewed might in his arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. He hath rilled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy. As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever."

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And Mary abode with her about three months and she returned to her own house.

Now Elizabeth's full time of being delivered was come, and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and kinsfolks heard that the Lord had shewed his great mercy towards her, and they congratulated with her.

And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they called him by his father's name Zachary. And his mother answering, said: "Not so, but he shall be called John." And they said to her: "There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name." And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And demanding a writing table [being dumb], he wrote, saying: "John is his name." And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.

And fear came upon all their neighbours; and all these things were noised abroad over all the hill country of Judea. And all they that had heard them laid them up in their heart, saying: "What an one, think ye, shall this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him."

And Zachary his father was filled with the Holy Ghost; and he prophesied, saying: "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; because he hath visited and wrought the redemption of his people : and hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, in the house of David his servant as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, who are from the beginning : salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us: to perform mercy to our fathers, and to remember his holy

LIFE OF CHRIST.

testament, the oath, which he swore to Abraham our father, that he would grant to us, that being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we may serve him without fear, in hbliness and justice before him, all our days. 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 : to give knowledge of salvation to his people, unto the remission' of their sins : through the bowels of the mercy of our God, in which the Orient* from on high hath visited us: to enlighten them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death; to direct our feet into the way of peace. "

And the child grew, and was strengthened in spirit, and was in the deserts until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

* "Orient," one of the[titles of^the Messias.

Chapter II

'JpHE generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: "Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. For he shall save his people from their sins."

Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the Angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife.

And it came to pass, that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the

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house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife who was with child.

And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger ; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds watching and keeping the night-watches over their flock. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear.

And the angel said to them: "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people : for this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying: " Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will."

And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: "Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shewed to us."

And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child. And all that heard, wondered;

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and at those things that were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called Jesus, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb.

CHAPTER III. ND after the days of her [Mary's] purification ac

M cording to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him [Jesus] to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord ; . . . . and to offer a sacrifice according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons.

And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him. And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:

"Now thou doth dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; because my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples : a light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him.

And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: " Behold this child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; and thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many

THE PRESENTATION AT THE TEMPLE.

LIFE OF CHRIST.

hearts, thoughts may be revealed. " And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not fro m the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day . Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord ; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel.

Chapter IV

'YyHEN Jesus therefore was bom in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of King Herod, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying: "Where is he that is born king of the Jews ? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to adore him."

And King Herod hearing this was troubled and all Jerusalem with him. And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. But they said to him: "In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet: And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda are not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel.

Then Herod, privately calling the wise men, learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them; and sending them into Bethlehem, said: "Go and diligently inquire after the child, and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come and adore him." Who having heard the king, went their way; and behold the star which they had seen in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was. And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense

LIFE OF CHRIST.

ii and myrrh. And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country.

And after they were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: " Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt ; and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him."

Who arose and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt : and he was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: "Out of Egypt have I called my Son."

Then Herod perceiving that he was deluded by the wise men, was exceeding angry; and sending killed all the men children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying : A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

But when Herod was dead, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt, saying: "Arise, and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel. For they are dead that sought the life of the child." Who arose and took the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But hearing that Archelaus reigned in Judea in the room of Herod his father, he was afraid to go thither; and being warned in sleep retired into the quarters

LIFE OF CHRIST.

of Galilee. And coming he dwelt in a city called Nazareth : that it might be fulfilled which was said by the prophets: That he shall be called a Nazarene,

And the child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom, and the grace of God was in him. And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, and having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not. And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him.

And it came to pass, that after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. And seeing him they wondered. And his mother said to him:

"Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing."

And he said to them: "How is it that you sought me? did you not know that I must be about my father's business ?"

And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age, and grace with God and men.

Chapter V

J^OW in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother tetrarch of Iturea, and the country of Trachonitis,and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilina ; under the high priests Annas and Caiphas, the word of the Lord was made unto John, the Son of Zachary, in the desert. And he came into all the country about the Jordan, preaching the baptism of penance for the remission of sins, as it was written in the book of the sayings of Isaias the prophet : A voice oj one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled; and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight; and the rough ways plain; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

He said therefore to the multitudes that went forth to be baptized by him:

"Ye offspring of vipers, who hath shewed you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of penance ; and do not begin to say, we have Abraham for our father. For I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down and cast into the fire."

LIFE OF CHRIST.

And the people asked him saying: "What then shall we do?" And he answering, said to them: "He that hath two coats, let him give to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do in like manner." And the publicans also came to be baptized, and said to him: "Master, what shall we do?" But he said to them: "Do nothing more than that which is appointed you." And the soldiers also asked him, saying: " And what shall we do ? " And he said to them: "Do violence to no man; neither calumniate any man, and be content with your pay."

And as the people were of opinion, and all were thinking in their hearts of John, that perhaps he might be the Christ, John answered, saying unto all: "I indeed baptize you with water, but there shall come one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to loose; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire : whose fan is in his hand, and he will purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

And many other things exhorting, did he preach to the people. But Herod the tetrarch, when he was reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done; he added this also above all, and shut up John in prison.

Now it came to pass, when all the people were baptized, that Jesus also being baptized and praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape, as a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven "Thou art my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased."

LIFE OF CHRIST.

!5

And Jesus himself was beginning about the age of thirty years ; being, as it was supposed, the son of Joseph.

Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards he was hungry. And the tempter coming said to him: "If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. "

Who answered and said: "It is written: Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth oj God."

Then the devil took him up into the holy city, and set him upon the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him: "If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written: That he hath given his angels charge over thee, and in their hands shall they bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone."

Jesus said to him: "It is written again: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." Again the devil took him up into a very high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, and said to him: "All these will I give thee, if falling down thou wilt adore me."

Then Jesus saith to him: "Begone, Satan, for it is written: The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only shalt thou serve." Then the devil left him; and behold angels came and ministered to him.

Chapter VI

A ND this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent from Jerusalem, priests and Levites to him, to ask him : "Who art thou?" and he confessed, and did not deny: and he confessed : "lam not the Christ." And they asked him: "What then? Art thou Elias ? " And he said: "I am not." "Art thou the prophet?" and he answered: "No." They said therefore unto him: "Who art thou, that we may give an answer to them that sent us ? What sayest thou of thyself?"

He said: "/ am the voice of one crying in the wilderness^ make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaias.'* And they that were sent were of the Pharisees.

The next day, John saw Jesus coming to him, and he saith: "Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who taketh away the sins of the world. This is he, of whom I said: After me there cometh a man, who is preferred before me: because he was before me. And I knew him not, but that he may be made manifest in Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water."

And John gave testimony, saying: "I saw the Spirit coming down, as a dove from heaven, and he remained upon him. And I knew him not ; but he who sent me to baptize with water, said to me : 'He upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining upon him, he it is that

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baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.' And I saw, and I gave testimony, that this is the Son of God."

The next day again John stood, and two of his disciples; and beholding Jesus walking, he saith: " Behold the Lamb of God." And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. And Jesus turning, and seeing them following him, saith to them: "What seek you?" Who said to him: "Rabbi," which is to say, being interpreted, "Master, where dwellest thou?"

He saith to them: " Come and see." They came, and saw where he abode, and they stayed with him that day: now it was about the tenth hour. And Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who had heard of John, and followed him. He findeth first his brother Simon, and saith to him: "We have found the Messias," which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

And he brought him to Jesus. And Jesus looking upon him, said: "Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, " which is interpreted Peter.

On the following day, he would go forth into Galilee, and he findeth Philip. And Jesus saith to him: "Follow me." Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith to him: "We have found him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets did write, Jesus the son of Joseph of Nazareth."

And Nathanael said to him: "Can anything of good come from Nazareth?"

Philip saith to him: "Come and see."

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him; and he saith of him:

Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile. "

Nathanael saith to him: " Whence knowest thou me?" Jesus answered, and said to him: " Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee."

Nathanael answered him, and said : "Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou art the king of Israel." Jesus answered, and said to him: "Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, thou believest: greater things than these shalt thou see." And he saith to him: " Amen, amen, I say to you, you shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: "They have no wine." And Jesus. saith to her: "Woman, what is that to me and to thee? my hour is not yet come." His mother saith to the waiters: "Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye."