Choose a topic from Part 3a:
1. Christ's preaching, and that of his apostles, was,first of all, to the Jews. Thus: (a) he fulfilled the promise ofGod to the patriarchs; (b) he preached first to believers in Godwho were apt instruments for conveying his teaching to the"races" or "Gentiles"; (c) he thus deprived theChosen People of any show of justice in their act of rejecting him;(d) he was ready, after the Resurrection, to extend his mission toinclude the Gentiles, and to send his apostles "to allnations."
2. Our Lord spoke to the Jews, not only kindly andplacatingly, but with occasional sternness and words of sharpreproach. Some of the Scribes and Pharisees, leaders of the people,showed much pride and malice in their attitude towards God mademan, and kept others from hearing and heeding his teaching. Whenour Lord rebuked them, it was not through pique or resentment, butbecause of his love for their souls as well as the souls they wereinfluencing.
3. Christ spoke openly to the people. He brought essentialtruth to all men, not hiding its light "under a bushel,"or uttering it in occult words. Even when he "spoke inparables," he explained the parables to his disciples, whowould convey their meaning to all who were willing to hear.
4. Our Lord wrote no books or documents. He left thattask, in so far as divine Wisdom wills to have it done, to writersinspired by God for the work. Christ spoke to people, and impressedtruth in the hearts of his willing hearers.
"This is the greatest wisdom -- to seek the kingdom of heaven through contempt of the world. "
Thomas á Kempis
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"Many words do not satisfy the soul; but a good life eases the mind and a clean conscience inspires great trust in God."
Thomas á Kempis
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"It is well to choose some one good devotion, and to stick to it, and never to abandon it."
St Philip Neri
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