Page:Anecdotescatechi00spiruoft.djvu/120

 later, it  being  equally  probable  that  the  crucifixion took place  on  March  24  (Friday),  782  A.u.c.,  or  29 A.D., therefore. Our Saviour’s  age  at  the  time  of His  death  was  exactly  thirty-three  years  and  three months.

Q.  Why did  Christ  live  so  long  on  earth?

A.  Christ lived  so  long  on  earth  to  show  us  the  way to  heaven  by  His  teachings  and  example.

Christ taught  by  word  and  example,  and  thus showed us  the  necessity  of  reducing  to  practice  what we learn. In the  order  of  virtue,  an  ounce  of  practice is worth  tons  of  pure  theory. A youth, who  had been sent  to  the  famous  Greek  philosopher  Zeno  to finish  his  studies,  was  asked  by  his  father  on  his  return home, ‘"Well,  what  hast  thou  learned?”  “Thou shalt  see  presently,”  the  young  man  answered,  and added  not  another  word.  His  father,  thinking  his silence  to  be  an  evidence  of  stupidity  or  neglect  of study,  abused  him  roundly,  saying: “ This,  forsooth, is  the  result  of  all  the  expense  I have  been  to.” Then  noticing  the  youth’s  patience  and  submission  to it  all.  he  inquired: “ What  means  this  silence,  sir? ” “That,”  replied  the  youth,  “is  what  Zeno  taught me."