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The Easter Cycle
have tasted that the Lord is sweet” (1 Pt 2:3). The rebirth which we experienced through our
baptism is nourished in the steadfast and living desire for the word of the gospel, and by means
of the nourishment thus obtained, we shall grow in holiness.
How does this spiritual rebirth affect our lives? Negatively, it cleanses us from all self-seeking
and from everything within ourselves that hinders the practice of fraternal charity; positively,
it arouses in us the burning desire for inner growth and a persistent and ever-increasing thirst
for the word of the gospel. These desires are increased daily through the celebration of the
liturgy, through which the Church seeks to enlighten us by the gospel. Here we shall find the
nourishment without guile, which will serve our spiritual growth. The strength gained from
this nourishment made the early Christians strong and heroic, and prepared them to be always
ready to sacrifice their lives for Christ and their faith.
“Desire the rational milk without guile.” Holy Mother the Church offers this milk of doctrine
to us. To her Christ gave the commission, “Going therefore, teach ye all nations, . . . teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19 f.). The doctrine of
the Church consists in those things “whatsoever I have commanded you”; it is the uncontaminated
doctrine of Christ. For this reason Christ gave her the assurance of His abiding presence:
“Behold I am with you all days even to the consummation of the world” (Mt 28:20). For this
purpose He sends the Holy Spirit, the “Spirit of Truth” ( Jn 15:26): “But when He, the Spirit
of Truth is come He will teach you all truth. . . . He shall receive of Mine and shall show it to
you” ( Jn 16:13 f.). “He shall abide with you and shall be in you” ( Jn 14:17). Christ assures the
Church that “He that heareth you, heareth Me” (Lk 10:16).
Error is rampant in the world. False doctrines and divergent schools of thought seek to lead
men away from God, from Christ, and from the gospel. They alienate men from the Church
and leave them miserable. We are assured that we are in possession of the unadulterated truth
as long as we cling to the Church, to her teachings, and her principles, and her liturgy. “Desire
the rational milk without guile.”
Prayer
We beseech Thee, O Lord our God, to make the most holy mysteries, which Thou hast given us
to ensure our salvation, a remedy for us both now and in the future. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen. (Postcommunion.)
Thursday
During the second week after Easter the liturgy lays great emphasis on the virtue of faith.
“As newborn babes, desire the rational milk without guile” (Introit). “And this is the victory
which over-cometh the world, our faith . . . [in the fact] that Jesus is the Son of God” (Epistle).
In the Gospel the Lord reproaches the apostle Thomas for his unbelief. Thomas, falling
on his knees before the Lord, confesses, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus replies, “Because
thou hast seen Me, Thomas, thou hast believed. Blessed are they that have not seen and
have believed.” The Communion prayer resumes the theme of the Gospel and calls out to
us when we receive the Lord, “Put in thy hand and know the place of the nails, and be not
faithless, but believing.”
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