Page:TheYoungMansGuide.djvu/57

 Resurrection, and  therefore  in  the  divinity  of Jesus  Christ,  should  be  established  in  a  more firm and  convincing  manner.

5. Yet  a  further  proof. The risen  Lord  appeared to  His  followers. The women  who  early on Easter  morning  repaired  to  the  grave  declared that they  found  it  empty,  as  did  also  the  apostles Peter and  John. Soon afterward  Jesus  showed Himself to  St. Peter. On the  same  day  He  appeared to  the  two  disciples,  as  they  were  proceeding to  Emmaus. In the  following  night  He appeared  to  all  the  apostles  when  they  were gathered together,  with  the  exception  of  Thomas, to whom  He  manifested  Himself  at  a  later period, when  he  was  present  with  the  others. Furthermore, the  Saviour  repeatedly  appeared to the  disciples  in  Galilee;  He  ate  with  them, and made  arrangements  concerning  the  Church of the  future. On one  occasion  He  appeared to five  hundred  disciples  at  once,  and  on  the fortieth day  after  His  resurrection  He  ascended into heaven  in  the  sight  of  the  apostles.

These appearances  could  not  have  been  the result of  imagination  on  the  part  of  the  apostles; they could  not  have  fancied  that  they  saw  what they so  earnestly  desired  to  behold;  for  from  the conversation of  the  disciples  on  the  road  to Emmaus,  and  the  conduct  of  St.  Thomas,  it  is plain  that  they  despaired  of  proving  the  truth  of Our  Lord's  claims.

6. Thus  once  again  let  us  repeat:  Christ conquers! Rejoice therefore,  O  Christian,  to know  that  our  faith  is  firm  as  a  rock! Yes, verily, firm  as  a  rock! For no  fact  in  the  history of the  world  has  been  proved  in  so  undeniable  a manner  as  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ. Wherefore bow  down  in  a  spirit  of  humility,