S. "That Christ adorned and beautified that holy estate with His presence, and first miracle that He wrought, in Cana of Galilee." T. What did Mary show by her bidding to the servants? S. Her own belief in the divine power of Jesus. T. [Marriages among the Jews sometimes lasted a week, this may account for the want of wine.] Where do we again read of our Saviour addressing His mother with the word, "Woman;" which contained no disrespectful meaning among the Jews, but answers more to "lady" in our language? S. When on the Cross, Jesus "seeing His mother and the disciple standing by whom He loved, He saith unto His mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith He to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own house." John, xix. 26, 27. T. Why were the waterpots of stone set there? S. For the purifying of the Jews, or washing of hands. "For the Pharisees and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders." Mark, vii. 3. T. [The governor or ruler of the feast was a person appointed to pass around among the guests, and overlook the arrangements of the feast, therefore Christ sent the wine to be tasted first by him.] What was the exclamation of the governor of the feast after he had tasted the wine? S. "Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse but thou hast kept the good wine till now." T. Does this custom in any way illustrate the contrast between Christ's way, and that of the world? S. The world gives its best gifts first, till people are tired of its pleasures, and then their joy is gone. Christ gives, first, the tears of repentance, afterwards the wine of salvation. T. What did Christ manifest by this beginning of miracles? S. His power and glory, as St. John says, "We beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." John, i. 14. T. What effect had it on His disciples? S. They believed on Him. THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY. The Collect. ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth Thy right hand to help and defend us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. T. What do we pray God in this Collect mercifully, or through His mercy, to do? S. To look upon our infirmities? T. What is the meaning of infirmities? S. Weakness, or imperfection of body or mind. T. Mention some infirmities of body our Saviour relieved, according to the prophecy of Esaias, xxix. 18. S. "The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up." Matt. xi. 5. T. Give instances of infirmities or weakness of the spirit even among Christ's disciples. S. Their want of faith, as in the storm on the lake, (Luke, viii. 25); Peter's denial (Matt. xxvi. 75); Thomas's unbelief (John, xx. 25). T. Why may we hope that our Saviour will look upon and pity our infirmities? S. For He Himself took our infirmities and bare our weaknesses, "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet." Matt. viii. 17; Isa. liii. 4. "He was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." Heb. iv. 15. T. What do we therefore further pray? S." In all our dangers and necessities stretch forth Thy right hand to help and defend us." T. What are necessities? S. Needs or wants, either bodily or spiritual. T. What are our bodily necessities? S. Health, food, clothing; for all which we pray, "Give us this daily bread." T. What is our great spiritual need? S. The help of the Spirit of God, that we may think, speak, and act so as to please Him. T. What dangers threaten our souls? S. The temptations to sin from the devil, the world, and the lusts of the flesh. T. What do we mean when we pray God to stretch forth His right hand? S. That He will put forth His strength and power. T. By whom is this figurative expression often used? S. By David, in the Psalms: "Thy right hand hath holden me up." Ps. xviii. 35. T. What will God's power do for us? S." Help and defend us." Then we need fear no evil, Ps. xxiii.; "He is our help and shield," Ps. xxxiii. 20;The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man shall do unto me," Heb. xiii. 6. BE not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. T. What are St. Paul's warnings directed against in this Epistle? S. The infirmities of our nature. T. What is it to be wise in our own conceits? S. To be proud; esteeming ourselves above others. T. How does the prophet Isaiah denounce such conduct? v. 21. S."Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight." T. How does St. James exhort the truly wise? iii. 13. S. "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom." T. What effect had pride on the children of Israel? S. It blinded their eyes (Rom. xi. 26), and produced hardness of heart and unbelief. T. How does our Saviour teach us to recompense evil? S. With patience. "Resist not evil; whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." Matt. v. 39. T. What is it to provide things honest in the sight of all men? S. To consider how best to perform our duty; setting an example to others; glorifying thereby our Father in heaven; "that, whereas they speak against us as evildoers, they may by our good works which they shall behold glorify God in the day of visitation." 1 Pet. ii. 12. T. How does our Saviour commend those who seek after peace with all men? S. "Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God." Matt. v. 9. T. How does He further enlarge upon the sixth commandment? S." Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell-fire." Matt. v. 22. T. What rule does St. Paul give as to wrath? Eph. iv. 26. S. "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath." T. Is all anger, then, sinful? S. No; we may be angry on just occasions, as with those who do wrong, being under our charge to reprove and correct. T. What are we taught to observe in the dispute between the archangel Michael and the Devil? Jude 9; 2 Pet. ii. 11. S. He brought no railing accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke thee." T. What does Christ say such conduct to our enemies proves us to be indeed? Matt. v. 45. S. "The children of our Father in heaven, who maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." T. What will such kindness be to them? |