9781644135945

The Easter Cycle
Christ took immense pains to save us. He descended from heaven into the womb of the
Virgin, from the womb of the Virgin to the crib, from the crib to the cross, from the cross to the
grave; from the grave He returned to heaven. The incarnate Son of God underwent all of these
things for us that we might follow Him. We beg Him from the depths of our hearts, “Draw us
after Thee.” We must follow in His footsteps. We must follow Him with our hearts to where
He has ascended in the body.
Let us fly from earthly desires; let nothing here below now please us who have a Father
in heaven. And certainly we must consider well the fact that He who was so mild on His
ascent, on His return will be so terrible; and whatever He has commanded us with meekness,
He will require of us with severity. Let no one, then, disregard the allotted time for his
repentance; let no one neglect the care of himself while he is able, because our Redeemer
will then be all the more strict in judgment in proportion as He has shown greater patience
before judgment. 19
“Father I will that where I am, they also whom Thou has given Me may be with Me” ( Jn 17:24).
Bossuet’s reflections on this passage are well worth quoting:
Thou hast sent Me that they may be perfectly one. Therefore, Father, since you have given
them to Me, not only as fellow soldiers, not only as brothers, but also as My members, I will that
they be perfectly one as members of My body. Just as you have given Me perfect mastery over
Myself, so, too, make Me master of My members. Therefore, Father, I will that where I am they
also may be. If I am in glory, they should be also. They should be there in perfect unity with Me.
“That they may see My glory which Thou hast given Me” ( Jn 17:24). In their own bodies
they should witness this glory. They should see its magnitude and know its source. I have received
it from Thee. Thou hast loved Me before the world was made and hast given Me such
great glory that I can share it with others. “For them do I sanctify Myself ” ( Jn 17:19). They
had become the victims of Your anger. I substituted Myself for them; since I sanctify Myself
and offer Myself to Thee with complete devotion, and consecrate Myself to Thee, they also
should be holy and devoted to Thee. “For them do I sanctify Myself.” This I did principally on
the cross, but continue now daily in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. I continue to do this that
they may be consecrated and offered to the Father, and while still on earth may live a heavenly
life completely devoted to God.
Prayer
Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that we who believe Thy only-begotten Son, our
Redeemer, has this day ascended into heaven, may ourselves also dwell in spirit on heavenly
things. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Friday after the Octave of the Ascension
“Almighty and eternal God, grant that our will may be ever devoted to Thee, and that we may
serve Thy majesty with a sincere heart.” (Collect). We pray for a submissive will and for purity
of heart for all those who are devoutly preparing for Pentecost.
19
St. Gregory, lesson at Matins.
387