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Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

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CHAPTER XXVI.<br />

419<br />

Jesus raised from <strong>the</strong> dead is a perfect new man, <strong>the</strong><br />

Priest, <strong>the</strong> Victim, and <strong>the</strong> Sacrifice of eternity.<br />

The whole church, renewed by <strong>the</strong> participati<strong>on</strong> 'ot<br />

his glory, and re-united to him as its Head, shall<br />

offer with and in him this sacrifice, and communicate<br />

<strong>the</strong>reof, by feeding <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> uncreated Truth, <strong>the</strong><br />

bread and wine of <strong>the</strong> elect. When shall this happy<br />

hour come, O my God !<br />

" 30. And when <strong>the</strong>y had sung an hymn, <strong>the</strong>y<br />

went out into <strong>the</strong> mount of Olives."<br />

Here is a pattern of thanksgiving after <strong>the</strong> com-<br />

muni<strong>on</strong>. The sacrifice of our altars is itself a thanks-<br />

giving. But what acknowledgment do we not owe<br />

to God, for having afforded us so divine a means of<br />

enriching ourselves afresh, by returning him thanks<br />

for his former gifts? A communi<strong>on</strong>-day is a day<br />

entirely set apart for thanksgiving, adorati<strong>on</strong>, and<br />

hymns of joy, which are to be <strong>the</strong> beginning of <strong>the</strong><br />

hymns and an<strong>the</strong>ms of eternity. A man canno't pass<br />

such a day unprofitably without great infidelity, nor<br />

spend it in worldly diversi<strong>on</strong>s, such as dancing, play,<br />

comedies, or operas, without doing <strong>the</strong> greatest out-<br />

rage to religi<strong>on</strong>.<br />

Sect. IV. St. Peter's Denialforetold.<br />

"31. Then saith Jesus unto <strong>the</strong>m. All ye shall<br />

be offended because of me this niffht : for it is writ-<br />

ten, I will smite <strong>the</strong> Shepherd, and <strong>the</strong> sheep of <strong>the</strong><br />

flock shall be scattered abroad."<br />

Who has not reas<strong>on</strong> to fear, when he sees <strong>the</strong><br />

sufferings of Christ become an occasi<strong>on</strong> of offence,<br />

even to <strong>the</strong> apostles <strong>the</strong>mselves, and make <strong>the</strong>m for-<br />

get <strong>the</strong> duties of friendship, and <strong>the</strong> fidelity which

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